Reviews with content warning for Mental illness - The Push

This book is a withering look at motherhood and the dehumanization and often desexualization of women after they give birth through the lens of a thriller. While I don't usually like thrillers, this book captured my attention in a unique way.

The only reason it received less than five stars was because I found the descriptions of women's bodies almost hurtful to the story Audrain was telling especially one meant to be a reckoning with the role of mothers.

Content Warnings

amorales107's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

hhwanghyunjin's review against another edition

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dark tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

As someone who has read and enjoyed many books that explore complex family relationships and the weight of past trauma, "The Push" by Ashley Audrain was a book that I found to be both compelling and emotionally resonant. The novel centers around Blythe, a woman struggling to come to terms with her own past while also grappling with the challenges of motherhood and her relationships with her daughter and her own mother.

What I appreciated most about this book was the depth of the characters and the complexity of their relationships with one another. Blythe is a multifaceted character whose experiences and emotions are explored in depth throughout the novel, and her daughter Violet, while often difficult to understand, is also a complex and intriguing character in her own right. I also found the portrayal of the mother-daughter relationships in the book to be particularly well-done, with Audrain deftly exploring the complicated dynamics that can exist between mothers and their children.

While the book can be dark and intense at times, I appreciated the way that it tackled difficult subject matter with sensitivity and nuance. The writing is excellent throughout, with Audrain crafting vivid and evocative descriptions that bring the story to life. Overall, I would highly recommend "The Push" to anyone looking for a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant read, and I would rate it 4.5 out of 5.75 stars.

Content Warnings