This book was real. I really truly felt that I was reading the progression of Precious' life as she learns not only to read/write but at the same time start to, maybe, cope with her past. This book was heavy, raw, depressing. I am glad I read it but I also wish I could say it was just a book I read. It's not. Even if this story isn't "true" there is a similar one out there that is. One that probably won't ever get told, not to people who will listen/believe/care. It's hard to read this...maybe that's why I gave it a 3. It wasn't my favorite book, I felt guilty the whole time I read it. That may be the point of it, but it is not going to inspire me to read another one like it right away. I usually read to escape...and this was just too real, too raw, for that. But I appreciate it for what it was and really wish it wasn't are real as it is.