Precious: Adapted Faithfully from “Push” by Sapphire
I
t’s tricky material, adapted faithfully by Daniels from the novel “Push” by Sapphire. The book has widely been described (with sarcasm) as an example of pulpy urban lit, but that’s wide off the mark. Sapphire, a Brooklyn, N.Y., poet, wrote it in stylized street argot, meant to convey Precious’ untutored voice, a technique as old as “Huckleberry Finn,” who’s mentioned in the book, one that’s crammed with literary tributes and allusions.
Gary Thompson
Philadelphia Daily News