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Synopsis

Blythe Connor is determined to be a nurturing mother to her newborn daughter Violet, aiming to provide the love and support she never received herself. However, as she navigates the challenges of early motherhood, Blythe begins to suspect that there may be something unusual about Violet’s behavior that sets her apart from other children.    Is it possible that everything is just a figment of Blythe’s imagination? According to her husband, Fox, she is simply making things up. As Fox continues to brush off her concerns, Blythe finds herself doubting her own mental stability more and more. At the same time, we also start to doubt the accuracy of Blythe’s accounts about her life. After the birth of their son, Sam, Blythe finally experiences the deep bond she had always dreamed of with her child. Surprisingly, even Violet develops a fondness for her new little sibling. However, a sudden and drastic change in their lives forces Blythe to confront harsh realities.      

“A mother’s heart breaks a million ways in her lifetime.” —Ashley Audrain

My Review

Characters: 9/10

I found myself able to empathize with the emotional manipulation Blythe endured from her husband, sparking a deeper curiosity about her complex character. The author did not shy away from portraying the raw and turbulent emotions that women often experience after giving birth, a portrayal that was skillfully crafted by Audrain. Through vivid descriptions and detailed insights into their inner thoughts, I was able to paint a clear picture of the characters’ physical appearances and understand the intricacies of their personalities and motivations.

Atmosphere: 8/10

Audrain provided a detailed description of the unique upbringing of each maternal figure within Blythe’s family, highlighting the common challenges they faced. The beautiful imagery used in depicting the beginning of Blythe and Fox’s relationship captivated me, illustrating the complexities and hurdles of young love in its early stages. The author effectively conveyed the shift in the household dynamics when Fox disregarded Blythe’s worries, and the overwhelming sense of loneliness she experienced once left alone in the family home.

Writing: 7/10

This book was written using the second person point of view, which is a style that I typically do not prefer. However, in this case, I found that Audrain executed it remarkably and effectively enhanced the narrative. Despite the fact that the novel consisted of an extensive 85 chapters, each chapter was concise and easy to digest, which personally suited my reading preferences perfectly. While I appreciated the structure of the writing, it didn’t stand out in any particularly remarkable way.

Plot: 7/10

As I started diving into the pages of this book, my initial assumption was that it was centered around a disturbed child. However, as I continued to explore the storyline, it became evident that the main focus was on the complexities of family dynamics, particularly surrounding the themes of trauma and overlooked postpartum depression. This shift in perspective allowed me to see the plot in a new light, revealing a depth and emotional weight that caught me by surprise. The psychological baggage of the actual plot took me off guard, being much heavier than anticipated, especially resonating with my motherly instincts. The profound content of the book touches upon sensitive topics such as miscarriage, child abuse, suicide, and the loss of a child, making it a challenging and emotional read.

Intrigue: 6/10

Blythe’s journey into the unfamiliar territory and her doubts regarding her daughter’s actions are captivating, drawing readers in with the mysterious aura that shrouds the truth. From the beginning, I was fascinated by the premise of the story and eagerly anticipated the unveiling of Violet’s true nature, expecting increased tension that went beyond the strained mother/daughter relationship. Nevertheless, the narrative hit a snag for me when Blythe began internalizing guilt from Fox’s manipulative behavior, causing a decline in my engagement with the story.

Logic: 6/10

I found this section to be slightly lacking for a few reasons. First and foremost, there was a misunderstanding surrounding the plot. The summary provided by the publisher was misleading and did not accurately depict the true storyline of the book. If I had known beforehand that the plot heavily centered around postpartum depression, I would not have been as inclined to pick it up. Additionally, I found it challenging to believe in the relationship that developed between Blythe and Gemma. The dynamics between them seemed unrealistic and hard for me to visualize in a real-life context.

Enjoyment- 6/10

Based on the highly-rated reviews on Goodreads and the numerous glowing recommendations from my fellow book club members, I had high hopes for this book. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite meet my expectations. While I can acknowledge that the writing was decent, I was disappointed in the lack of suspense that I typically associate with a thriller genre. Instead, I found the book to be more of a deep dive into the complexities of motherhood through a psychological lens. The short chapters were a nice touch and kept me engaged, but overall I felt the story lacked the unexpected plot twists that I usually look for in a gripping read.

Although the book delves into the intriguing world of psychological tension and the challenges of motherhood, certain elements of the story may not resonate with every reader. There are instances where the pace slows down, and becomes confusing from flashbacks to Blythe’s mother and grandmother, potentially diminishing the reader’s overall enjoyment. Moreover, Blythe’s intricate emotional voyage may come across as monotonous or excessively somber to some, hindering their ability to fully engage with her character. I personally wouldn’t suggest this book, but I’m aware that there are many readers who are drawn to emotionally charged stories and might find it quite enjoyable.

You can purchase The Push here.

Find more books by Ashley Audrain here.

Have you read The Push? Leave me a comment below and let me know your thoughts!