INSTANT INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER“Utterly addictive.” —Paula Hawkins, author of The Girl on the Train“Written with an unflinching eye and a stylistically sharp, tight economy The Push is a single-sitting read, as suspenseful as any thriller, as thoughtful as any literary novel, with an almost physical force behind each of its turns and revelations.” —Toronto StarA tense, page-turning psychological … revelations.” —Toronto Star
A tense, page-turning psychological drama about the making and breaking of a family, told through the eyes of 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, supportive mother she never had to her new baby Violet.
But in the thick of motherhood’s exhausting early days, Blythe doesn’t find the connection with her daughter she expected. She’s convinced that something is wrong with Violet–the little girl is distant, rejects affection, and becomes increasingly disruptive at preschool.
Or is it all in Blythe’s head? Her husband, Fox, says she is imagining things. Fox doesn’t see what Blythe sees; he sees a wife who is struggling to cope with the day-to-day challenges of being a mother. And the more Fox dismisses her fears, the more Blythe begins to question her own sanity…
Then their son Sam is born–and with him, Blythe has the natural maternal connection she’d always dreamed of. 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 about herself, her past, and her daughter.
The Push is a rare and extraordinary gift to readers: a novel about the expectations of motherhood we’re taught not to challenge and what really happens behind the closed doors of even the most perfect-looking families. It’s impossible to put down and impossible to forget.
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Wow, wow, wow! I’d give this book 10 stars if I could. This is the first book I’ve read in one sitting (and under 6 hours) in a LONG time.
It was a gripping, emotional, and brilliantly written novel which kept me turning the pages way past my bedtime.
THE PUSH by ASHLEY AUDRAIN is an emotional, chilling, dark, and immersive psychological drama that gripped me from page one and never let go. The book was unsettling, disturbing, and relatable.
I was moved to tears on more than one occasion and the end had me sobbing. It was unputdownable and I’m sure it will stick with me for a long time.
The story was complex, tense, multi-layered, compelling, fast-paced, and enthralling. I loved that it was multi-generational story that made me question the nature versus nature concept throughout. The author had me doubting what was happening right along with Blythe and how she was perceiving things.
The story reminded me of Baby Teeth and We Need to Talk About Kevin but the story was told in a much more compelling and gripping way.
The ending of this book shattered me.
An absolute stunner — I went into this story somewhat blind, and it took me a moment to get my bearings, but once I did, I couldn’t stop reading. Blythe’s journey to motherhood, the sense of dread that permeates the pages, the exquisite storytelling and descriptive prose, kept me hooked. Second person narratives rarely work for me, but THE PUSH was perfect. It’s already cemented a spot on my Best of 2021 list.
I absolutely loved this book. The less you know going in, the better.
The Push tells the story of four generations of women: Violet, Blythe, Cecilia and Etta.
In the present, Blythe is struggling to bond with her daughter Violet, and watches in horror as Violet grows up to be a difficult, disturbing child. And at the same time, she’s the only one who sees this side of her daughter. Violet is close to her father, who either refuses to see Violet’s violent side, or is completely oblivious to it.
In the past, Cecilia–Blythe’s mother–struggles to cope with her depressive and abusive mother, Etta. Etta is a troubled woman who suffered a great tragedy in her youth that she never seems to grieve. Etta’s trauma is what begins this cycle of abuse and emotional neglect running through the family.
I absolutely loved this book. It’s a page-turner, but it’s more of a dark literary novel than a thriller. But I devoured this book in just two days because I couldn’t pull myself away from the story.
There are some shocking moments, some relatable moments, and through it all the complicated mother and daughter theme shines. Blythe isn’t always someone we like, she herself is emotionally neglectful to her daughter, but she’s interesting and real. In the end, I wanted more. I wanted to see what else was going to happen because these characters didn’t leave me too easily.
“A mother’s heart breaks a million ways in her lifetime.”
I’ll be the first to admit, this was a booksta-made-me-do-it purchase. I went in blind, having little to no idea what this book was even about. I kind of expected to hate it, only because it was such a hyped-up book and those tend to let me down.
But not this one.
Audrain’s writing is breathtakingly haunting. Her sentences are sharp and bold and cut right to the heart. There is so much truth to the words on these pages, to the inner thoughts of the narrator. She’s vulnerable beyond belief, but she’s not wrong, either. I think it’s possible that all mothers share—at least some—of her opinions at one point or another: Are we good enough mothers? Wives? Do we only see the good in our children? Do we ignore their flaws? How do we stack up with the other mothers in our click? Are our thoughts irrational? Irrelevant?
“I didn’t want to be the axis around which you both spin.”
But we kind of are, right? Isn’t the mother often the axis of every household? The common denominator? The one all the others in the family look to for food, shelter and comfort? The one who worries and makes decisions and bears the burdens and pressures of the family?
But yet, as mothers, we often feel so alone.
The Push is a must read…Audrain’s ability to draw out the raw emotions of motherhood, marriage and what it means to lose a child—to fear another—to lose a spouse through failed marriage or death, make this one of those addicting and unputdownable reads that will stay with you long after the story is over and the book is placed back on the shelf.
“Marriages can float apart. Sometimes we don’t notice how far we’ve gone until all of a sudden, the water meets the horizon and it feels like we’ll never make it back.”
Side Note: The staccato-like chapters made this a great book to buddy read—and there’s plenty of substance for a great discussion!
While not a thriller in the traditional sense, this novel, which in many ways makes me think of a contemporary East of Eden, is right at home among mysteries and thrillers. This psychological drama is written as a sort of letter from a woman to her ex-husband, in which she promises to tell “her side of the story,” from when they met through the present day, where she sits in the dark outside her husband’s home, watching his new family through their living room windows.
Blythe Connor wants to be a good mother, but the genetics of her own mother and grandmother aren’t in her favor. So when she gives birth to her daughter, Violet, and those lovey-dovey feelings don’t occur, she naturally blames herself.
But Violet is a difficult child whose affection is clearly aligned with her father, Blythe’s husband. So begins this tale of terror, of second-guessing, and of family divides.
The Push is a novel of suspense, but more than that, it’s the characterization of family, and the prose is elegant. A stunning debut. True me, you won’t be able to put it down.
I read it in one sitting…couldn’t put it down! So so good.
Whoa! I read that this book was an addictive read and that description was spot on. If you liked “The Bad Seed” from decades ago and, more recently, “We Need to Talk About Kevin,” then “The Push” is made to order. I couldn’t put it down. The chapters are short, which makes it easy to say, “Just one more chapter,” until you reach The End. I haven’t had this much fun reading a book in a long time. Don’t judge me. 🙂
Completely engrossing. I couldn’t put this down and read it in a day. A look at the darker side of Motherhood and the rush of emotion that comes with it,
Ashley Audrain’s The Push is a book that is gonna evoke visceral reactions in anyone who reads it and none of them are good. So I should probably begin this review by advising ‘moms-to-be’ and new mothers to read this with caution coz the author has provided a ‘no holds barred’ look into the darkest thoughts of motherhood. There were mixed reviews about the book and too much hype surrounding it but I wasn’t expecting this extreme intense reaction and that does show how brilliantly the author has shredded the glorified motherhood picture into pieces.
It is just not Blythe and her experience but the utter hopelessness of the unfolding story thru flashbacks of her mother Cecilia and her grandmother Etta that we understand the age old debate about “nature vs nurture”. Blythe’s relationship with her daughter Violet and then her son Sam makes you crave a drop of happiness so much that I stretched reading this book with numerous breaks in between. The exploration of grief is also one of the bleakest I have read in recent times and I can understand why this story was ‘make or break’ for many. There are potential triggers of abuse, mental health, loss, and grief that are devastatingly potent and it is here that I think Ashley Audrain is an author to watch out for in the future if her writing is anything to go by.
The Push is not an easy read and one which makes you think that being flayed alive was a better option.
Tortured 5 stars!
Blythe Conner is a new mother to baby Violet. Motherhood is not exactly what she expected, she does not feel a maternal bond and begins to think something is wrong with her Daughter. Her Husband (Fox) dismisses her worries. She does go on to have another child a Son Sam, to which she does have a bond, but her feelings for Violet are still strained. As time goes by a tragedy occurs and reality becomes a challenge for Blythe as she questions her own judgement and sanity.
The story is very intense told through Blythe’s point of view. We do learn of her upbringing, (namely) her Mother and Grandmother. As the story moves on I was beginning to understand Blythe, and see the disconnect unfolding with Violet. There were a few curves and surprised throughout up until the very end. Overall I enjoyed The Push and recommend to those who enjoy a great psychological thriller.
Ashley Audrain blew my mind with The Push. A haunting descent into a new mother’s worst fears and tormented past. You won’t be able to put this one down- I couldn’t.
Blythe Connor vows to be the best mom she can be to her new daughter Violet. Even though she is exhausted Blythe feels that something is wrong with her daughter. Is she imaging it? When her son Sam is born she finally feels that mother baby bond that she never had with her daughter. Why is that? Was something wrong with Violet or was she just imaging it? This book is definitely a page turner!
The Push is not an easy read, nor is it for the faint hearted. It’s a tense domestic psychological drama about mothers and daughters and the question of nature vs nurture.*
There are four generations: great Grandmother (Etta), grandmother (Cecilia), mother (Blythe) and daughter (Violet).
Told from Blythe’s POV, The Push focuses on her life as a mother and a daughter. Raising some very dark questions, it is chilling and compelling.**
The ending has received mixed reviews. I loved it. Put the book down and said, ‘Yes! Good.’
*I’m mostly on the nature side.
**Note: several trigger issues.
What the heck did I just read? I am blown away by this fictional suspense book. It was dark, grim, twisty, and felt like it could be real. I was appalled by the husband. Personally, I think he is a waste of space.
Trigger warning: suicide, death of child, mental illness, parental neglect
Plenty of curse words used and sex is mentioned. Not a book for the faint of heart or delicate nature.
I listened to some of the audiobook and the narrator was OK. She used too much of a babyish voice when reading the kids parts. Still a good audiobook though.
I can not stop recommending this book. There are many layers and numerous issues to discuss, especially with other mothers.
I rushed through this book because I couldn’t wait for it to end. Suspenseful is not the right word to describe it. The book is disturbing. Does not having a kind and caring mother determine the type of mother you will become? Does nature override nurture, or nurture override nature? That is the question that runs throughout this fictional account of a woman, her husband, and her two children. My experiences as a child and as a mother were so far removed from this story that at times I felt physically ill reading it. I kept trying to put myself in the main character’s place, considering what I would have done under each circumstance that unfolds, but I just couldn’t relate (Thank goodness!) I can see the book becoming a movie (So it must be good, right?), but I believe a bit of caution should be advised. Some readers may be very disturbed to read about the possibility of a mother being so unfit she blames her own child for her mistakes. Or is it, instead, the child who is masterfully manipulative, harmful to others, evil or mentally unwell? Although some readers were not, I was satisfied with the ending. I will think about the book a bit more and then, hopefully, put it behind me and forget the heaviness I carried with me as I read it. If it becomes a movie, I don’t imagine I will care to see it. And, I won’t be recommending it without providing a forewarning.
Haunting look at mothers and daughters.
Trigger Warning: child death, child abuse, suicide, adultery, abortion, depression, grief
What. The?! What the heck did I just read?
This is a dark and twisted story about family and motherhood. I knew that this was going to be a heavy story based on previous reviews, but I had NO IDEA it was going to be like that. This is a story told mainly from the POV of Blythe, written in a letter to her husband Fox but there are flashbacks to both herself and her mother as a child.
Although this book was heavy, I found it easy to get sucked into and it had me anxiously on the edge of my seat. The writing was expertly crafted and the characters where complex yet believable. While the overall storyline was at times predictable, I found I was still surprised how the events unfolded. That ending *chefs kiss* left the story on the perfect knifes edge of being finished yet not finished at all.
I loved the writing style of this book, I actually cannot believe that it was her debut novel. I will definitely be reading more of her work in the future.
: I was easily able to listen to this book on 2X speed (my max speed so far) and didn’t have a single issue following along. I thought that the narrator did a great job of bringing Blythe & the story to life. I highly recommend this on audiobook