The Push
The Push by Ashley Audrain Book Summary
A GOOD MORNING AMERICA BOOK CLUB PICK
"An intense psychological drama that will be embraced by serious book clubs and fans of Lionel Shriver's We Need to Talk about Kevin."
—Kristin Hannah, #1 New York Times bestselling author
"A poetic, propulsive read that set my nerves jangling."
—Lisa Jewell, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Then She Was Gone
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.
The Push by Ashley Audrain Book Reviews
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Incredible book. It’s kind of hard to follow at the beginning but then you begin to understand what’s going on between the two story lines. This book is one that makes you think about people in your own life. Recommend 100%
A must read! However I was a little disappointed by the ending.
It’s clear that Audrain has a talent for suspense—I couldn’t put this book down. And unlike other thriller-suspense novels, you feel as if you know the main character, Blythe. You’re living through her generational trauma, allowing you to better understand what she’s seeing and why she’s framing her life in the ways she does. Only criticism: Would have liked more from the ending. Otherwise, this is a must read novel.
What a page turner. I couldn’t put this book down.
I absolutely love this book, and I'm typically not much of a reader. It was a difficult yet captivating book to read that left me wanting more. It had the right balance of well-developed, yet predicable moments, and blunt, unexpected twists. Although I am not a mother, I felt every ounce of Blythe's experience, to the point of hatred for a young girl. My only complaint is that people are rating the book unfairly. Books should not be rated poorly because your trauma made them difficult to read. The book is raw and unapologetic, expect that.
An ok book, it’s a bit slow. The story is very depressing.
Read the entire book in one day which isn’t something I usually make time to do. This book is dark. So hard to put down though.
A good novel but a very difficult read. Mental illness swept under the rug and multiple people paid the price. This book tears you apart
I couldn’t put it down until it was over. Then I searched for more. I’m hooked!
There are withdrawals after reading this book. You immediately search for another something by the author… and then think maybe you can find something similar to no avail. You don’t have to be a mother to be altered by this book. Absolutely perfect and rivals any Gone Girl On The Train varietals.
You will not be able to put the book down. Prepare for tears & angst.
This book shows how the combination of nature and nurture can lead to a ticking time bomb. I really liked this book because it was not obvious and it kept me entertained.
I found this book fascinating and could not put it down from start to finish. The characters were painfully real and relevant.
A slow start but definitely turned into a captivating story!
This book was sit on the edge of your chair good! Finished it In two days. Def rooting for Blythe the whole time ❤️
I loved this book. If you are looking for a feel good book this is not it. If you enjoy drama and heartache like I do then you will enjoy this book.
It was a bit slow and tedious at times
Loved it from page one I couldn’t put it down
Disturbing and sad and complicated. I couldnt stop thinking about it.
I could not put this book down! Every chapter left me wanting to read more through the very end. Highly recommend!
Intriguing, well written, keep you guessing till the end
If you’re a woman who’s feeling pressured by family and friends to become a mother, yet you’re not ready, then start reading The Push. Then press the book into their hands. The brave ones won’t be able to put it down. The cowards will shoo it away in denial and fear.
Holy crap is all I can say. Buckle up.
The characters in this book are well developed. The story was good and the ending was telling.
I bought this book around noon on a Friday and could not put it down. It is 3am as I write this, Saturday, and I’m just now finishing it. It is astonishingly good.
The ending left my heart In a panic!
Well written and great read. Many readers will find connections with their own lives.
A very good read... gets more intense with each page that’s turned. It was hard to put down. It was a little confusing understanding who certain characters were with the way the storyline was written. Sometimes you’re reading Blythes story or her childhood others it’s Cecelia’s childhood etc- very dark and sad..this book made me dislike Violet so much. I wish there was more to this book..I’m hooked!
I loved this book. As a mother of 3 children it was a bit terrifying/shocking but also relatable in many senses. The main character is likable and I really felt for her.
Wow!!!! Just a really great book.... definitely a must read
The Push is a dark psychological drama on the making and breaking of a family, and one women's experience of motherhood being nothing she hoped for but everything she feared. This debut novel is an absolute page-turner depicting mother-daughter relationships across generations. Majority of the women honestly don't deserve to be mothers and deal their emotional and physical blows on the daughters they try to raise. The story centers around Blythe who must sleep with one eye open in fear of her own daughter, Violet. Blythe struggles with her complicated feelings for Violet who trashes, cries and torments her on a daily basis. Is Violet truly a violent child who would harm others? This is an unsettling read, but beautiful. It doesn't shy away from parenthood fears and the not so fun times of being a mother. The Push is disturbing, addictive read with an ending that is haunting.
Couldn’t put this down! What a storyline!
Loved this book, a great read and could not put down
Interesting life of one women, who could have been any of us. Ending well let’s say, I wasn’t ready for it. I wanted more
Its been a while since I read a book that nudged me to keep going...This was that book.
Great book. I couldn’t put it down.
I'm sitting here just stunned! I'm a fan of suspense and this girl put it over the top! I was hooked from the first page and could not put it down until the very end. I need more from this author!
Gripping. Highly recommend
Intense! Great read!
Fast paced and engaging. Devoured it in two settings. Dark and intriguing subject matter. Hoping for more
This is the best book I have read In years. Could not put it down and was so sad when the last page came. Brilliant!!
Loved this book. Very insightful about motherhood. Great book for discussion about the insecurities of Motherhood
I couldn’t put this down until I finished and the dark twists and heart racing turns their circumstances and traumatic experiences were. It was surreal trying to absorb just exactly how terrifying it is to think about these things happening and how anyone could survive the aftermath of it all is almost unimaginable. The worst nightmare of any family’s to live with
This book was very engaging and pulls you in right from the beginning. Without giving anything away, the end will have you drawing your own conclusion, somewhat leaving you in suspense as you were who while reading it. I am hoping for a sequel. Great book, great read!
I wish the author had more books available because I was glued to this. A beautifully written, haunting portrayal of the dark side of motherhood. Loved it.
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Ashley Audrain - The Push Comments
Ashley Audrain (born 1982) is a Canadian writer. During a July 2019 interview with the Toronto Star Audrain described her debut novel, The Push, as a "psychological drama told through the lens of motherhood." The story is about a woman who is unsure whether or not there is something wrong with her daughter, Violet. This causes strain in her marriage to a man named Fox Connor. Prior to turning her hand to writing, Audrain was publicity director for Penguin Canada, which is now an imprint of the Canadian division of Penguin Random House. In 2015 a health crisis with her youngest child caused her to retire. She found writing was an occupation she could undertake at home.The Bookseller reports that her UK book deal, with Michael Joseph Limited, an imprint of the UK division of Penguin Random House, was worth approximately one million British pounds, while her US book deal was in "the high seven figures". The first book of the two book deal was released for sale in US and Canada on Jan....
