"The Push" by Ashley Audrain is a psychological thriller that delves into the complex dynamics of mother-daughter relationships spanning three generations. The story follows Blythe, a new mother to baby Violet, who struggles to connect with her daughter and begins to suspect something is wrong. As the plot unfolds, secrets from Blythe's past and her family history come to light, adding layers to the narrative. The book skillfully explores themes of generational trauma, unreliable narrators, and the impact of childhood experiences on motherhood. The writing style is described as engrossing, thought-provoking, and suspenseful, keeping readers guessing until the end.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings for The Push include themes related to child neglect, psychological abuse, postpartum depression, maternal mental health issues, and references to child harm.
From The Publisher:
A Good Morning America Book Club Pick | A New York Times bestseller!
"Utterly addictive." -Paula Hawkins, author of The Girl on the Train
"Hooks you from the very first page and will have you racing to get to the end."-Good Morning America
A tense, page-turning psychological drama about the making and breaking of a family-and a woman whose experience of motherhood is nothing at all what she hoped for-and everything she feared
Blythe Connor is determined that she will be the warm, comforting mother to her new baby Violet that she herself never had.
But in the thick of motherhood's exhausting early days, Blythe becomes convinced that something is wrong with her daughter-she doesn't behave like most children do.
Or is it all in Blythe's head? Her husband, Fox, says she's imagining things. The more Fox dismisses her fears, the more Blythe begins to question her own sanity, and the more we begin to question what Blythe is telling us about her life as well.
Then their son Sam is born-and with him, Blythe has the blissful connection she'd always imagined with her child. Even Violet seems to love her little brother. But when life as they know it is changed in an instant, the devastating fall-out forces Blythe to face the truth.
The Push is a tour de force you will read in a sitting, an utterly immersive novel that will challenge everything you think you know about motherhood, about what we owe our children, and what it feels like when women are not believed.
Ratings (106)
Incredible (29) | |
Loved It (45) | |
Liked It (11) | |
It Was OK (11) | |
Did Not Like (8) | |
Hated It (2) |
Reader Stats (189):
Read It (110) | |
Currently Reading (2) | |
Want To Read (65) | |
Did Not Finish (1) | |
Not Interested (11) |
6 comment(s)
Reread 2024. I think I got on with the book better this time around got more invested in the story. But felt like it was the wrong time to pick up such an emotional difficult book.
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Blythe can't bond with her daughter, not after she is born and it dosent get better when her second child is born. She can bond and love her son but she feels like something is terrible wrong with her daughter but no one else chare her fears. It's it something wrong with her child or is it all in her head? This was an uniqe and scary yet thrilling read. But I didn't totally connect with the story. Was a fast pace read but wasn't wholeheartedly invested in Blythe. 3.5 stars.
I really enjoyed listening to this book. It was dark and a "thriller" in a way where you are wondering if your head is wrong or your heart. Is her daughter evil? Is she just crazy?
I need closure!!!
has child death. my literal fear of being the mother of a sociopath
I have very mixed feelings about this book. I don't think it was a story for me, but I understand why so many people like it.
It was somewhat a difficult book. For several reasons. The first thing that discouraged me from it was the very depressing descriptions of motherhood and the equally miserable fate of the women of Blythe’s family. The first time I tried to listen to this book as an audiobook while on an airplane, I gave up the idea very quickly. Just Blythe's and her mother's unhappy childhood was too much to hear about on way to my holidays. On top of that, there was also a very difficult picture of motherhood.
After that, I tried to read this book a few more times. But I was never in the right mood. In fact, this time I actually forced myself to finish it. I made the decision to give it one last try, this time reading rather than listening to the audiobook, or else I would abandon the book altogether.
It's a strong story told by Blythe - a young mother who suspects her little daughter, Violet, of being a psychopath. Only she seems to notice it. Everyone else who sees from time to time that something is wrong with Violet chooses to ignore it. We can perfectly feel Blythe's loneliness in this situation, her doubts and even fear of her daughter. She is also completely exhausted due to the need to take care of the child. The author managed to convey all these emotions very well and make them very real for the readers. This is one of the reasons why this book is so hard to read.
At the same time, knowing the history of mental health problems in Blythe’s family, we wonder if this is all true. Is Violet really psychopathic from a very early age, or is it just a figment of Blythe's imagination? Maybe everyone around our main character is right and there is nothing wrong with Violet, and Blythe just can't feel the maternal instinct towards her daughter.
The ending was exactly what I expected. And that's very good. If it had been different, I would have been disappointed. But I agree with everyone who says it's completely predictable. Exceptionally in this case, I think it is an advantage. Otherwise the ending would not be satisfying.
It is certainly an interesting and unique story, I wonder what else this author will be able to write.
Entire book had me by the throat, and that ending was so gut wrenching I thought I was going to be physically sick.
What can you read after
The Push?
About the Author:
ASHLEY AUDRAIN's debut novel The Push was a New York Times, Sunday Times and #1 international bestseller, and a Good Morning America book club pick. It has sold in 38 territories, and a limited television series is currently in development….
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