Scan barcode
gem114's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Oof. This book did not live up to the hype for me. For a psychological thriller, I did not find it very thrilling at all. I thought it was slow and predictable, and I kept waiting for a twist that never came. Maybe part of the issue is that I don't have kids so I couldn't relate to the motherhood drama? I'm honestly not sure, but regardless, this won't be going on my list of books to recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Child death, Death of parent, Blood, Toxic relationship, Abortion, Child abuse, Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, and Death
Moderate: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, Violence, Vomit, Infidelity, and Gaslighting
Minor: Stalking
caties_books's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
MASSIVE TW FOR CHILD/BABY VIOLENT DEATH, CHILD ABUSE, SELF HARM AND GRIEF. Can't possibly overstate how much you should not read this if you are sensitive to any of the above, they're very explicit
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Addiction, Alcoholism, Blood, Bullying, Car accident, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Grief, Infidelity, Medical trauma, Medical content, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Murder, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Stalking, Torture, Violence, and Vomit
serenadoodles_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I’m a slow reader but I read this book fast, I wish I could the POV from some of the other important characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Stalking, and Toxic relationship
linesiunderline's review
challenging
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Sometimes you read a book and it is very hard to land on how you feel about it. The Push is one of those books for me. It’s entirely likely my star rating will shift around the more I think about the book as time passes.
What worked:
• It’s compulsively readable. This is a book everyone says you will read in one gulp, and it is. So if you are after that kind of propulsive experience, this will do it for you.
• Audrain is a strong writer. Her prose is sharp and clear and there’s an economy to it that is satisfying.
• There are several genuinely goosebump inspiring scenes - truly creepy. I could see this translating to film or TV (and I imagine it will).
• The feeling of dread and claustrophobia is palpable. I kept thinking about The Perfect Nanny by Leila Slimani, another book that is deeply unsettling and so hard to put down.
Howevers
• I am uncertain about what the author is trying to say. Is it that generational trauma will continue to disrupt lives unless someone is brave enough to see it and name it and initiate a process of healing? Is it that difficult, troubled children exist and that no one wants to see that even when it’s right in front of them? Is it that we need to listen to mothers, and realize that there are many ways to experience and be a mother? I feel like I was reaching for meaning and not sure if I landed where I was intended to.
• I can’t decide if this is simply another thriller that sensationalizes a difficult female experience. Some reviews have said it shines light on difficult topics around motherhood and mental health, but I’m not sure it leaves us in a greater place of understanding or helps to break down existing stereotypes.
• The ending definitely felt gimmicky, like the author / editor decided it would be a gasp-worthy conclusion so why not go for it.
So there you have it. One thing I can say with certainty is that this is a book you want to talk about. It’s ideal for bookclubs. And I will want to read more by the author.
See below for a million content warnings.
What worked:
• It’s compulsively readable. This is a book everyone says you will read in one gulp, and it is. So if you are after that kind of propulsive experience, this will do it for you.
• Audrain is a strong writer. Her prose is sharp and clear and there’s an economy to it that is satisfying.
• There are several genuinely goosebump inspiring scenes - truly creepy. I could see this translating to film or TV (and I imagine it will).
• The feeling of dread and claustrophobia is palpable. I kept thinking about The Perfect Nanny by Leila Slimani, another book that is deeply unsettling and so hard to put down.
Howevers
• I am uncertain about what the author is trying to say. Is it that generational trauma will continue to disrupt lives unless someone is brave enough to see it and name it and initiate a process of healing? Is it that difficult, troubled children exist and that no one wants to see that even when it’s right in front of them? Is it that we need to listen to mothers, and realize that there are many ways to experience and be a mother? I feel like I was reaching for meaning and not sure if I landed where I was intended to.
• I can’t decide if this is simply another thriller that sensationalizes a difficult female experience. Some reviews have said it shines light on difficult topics around motherhood and mental health, but I’m not sure it leaves us in a greater place of understanding or helps to break down existing stereotypes.
• The ending definitely felt gimmicky, like the author / editor decided it would be a gasp-worthy conclusion so why not go for it.
So there you have it. One thing I can say with certainty is that this is a book you want to talk about. It’s ideal for bookclubs. And I will want to read more by the author.
See below for a million content warnings.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Car accident, Child death, Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Medical content, Toxic relationship, Suicide, Stalking, Sexual content, and Physical abuse
nedreadsbooks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Meet Blythe Connor, a new parent who is desperately excited to be a warm and supportive mother, unlike her own.. But for some reason, the connection with her daughter, Violet, just isn't there. Violet seems to be acting strangely - distant, disruptive, almost.. calculated. Blythe's husband, Fox, says it's all in her head, and Blythe doesn't know what to believe. Audrain's debut novel blurs the lines between the real and the imagined, and leaves the reader guessing the whole way through.
Thank you to Ashley Audrain, Penguin Random House Canada, and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
For all my psychological thriller fans out there - this one's for you! Impossible to put down, this book dives into the nature vs. nurture debate through flashbacks of Blythe's family history. Audrain does a wonderful job of hinting at facts, thoughts and feelings and leaving the reader searching through the haystack of possibilities to try to find the needle of truth. Also - there's just something way more creepy about thrillers when they involve children.
This one does hve some seriously dark content, so here's my two cents for prospective readers: I would skip this one if you are a new mother, are pregnant or are trying to become pregnant.. If you are looking for a deep dark dive into a raw side of motherhood, however, this novel is sure to please!
Thank you to Ashley Audrain, Penguin Random House Canada, and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
For all my psychological thriller fans out there - this one's for you! Impossible to put down, this book dives into the nature vs. nurture debate through flashbacks of Blythe's family history. Audrain does a wonderful job of hinting at facts, thoughts and feelings and leaving the reader searching through the haystack of possibilities to try to find the needle of truth. Also - there's just something way more creepy about thrillers when they involve children.
This one does hve some seriously dark content, so here's my two cents for prospective readers: I would skip this one if you are a new mother, are pregnant or are trying to become pregnant.. If you are looking for a deep dark dive into a raw side of motherhood, however, this novel is sure to please!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Grief, Child abuse, Mental illness, and Murder
Moderate: Infidelity, Car accident, and Stalking
birdbrainbooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
Such a dark book! That ending!!🔥😱 I’ve been extremely excited to read this since it’s release last month and it did NOT disappoint. First of all, Audrain’s writing alone is fantastic. I would also emphasize that I’ve seen this categorized as a thriller some places—this is not a thriller, it’s a psychological drama. There’s so much to unpack, starting with the many meanings of “the push” itself throughout the book—from women feeling pushed to be mothers, to literal pushing in childbirth, to Mom Life pushing strollers, to particular incidents. The character studies of protagonist Blythe, her daughter Violet, husband Fox to whom the book is addressed—it’s just so well done. This would be a great book club book. The interludes flashing back to Blythe growing up with own mother, Cecilia; as well as the flashbacks to Cecilia’s childhood with her mother Etta, added interesting context but I don’t know how much they actually added to the story. All in all, I will be thinking of this one for a while to come. Major trigger warnings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Grief, Mental illness, Murder, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Infidelity, Self harm, and Stalking
Minor: Suicide, Abortion, and Miscarriage
emmyrandomreport's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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
4.0
It was an interesting story. Not as suspenseful as sad and in a way creepy. You don't usually find a book where the final sentence is the twist. The format of small quick chapters kept the book flying. You have to wonder where the truth lies & that is what makes it both intriguing & realistic
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Grief
Moderate: Stalking, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Infidelity
mollyrose's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Murder, Self harm, Stalking, and Suicide attempt
znvisser's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Oof. I read this book in a day but it will definitely haunt me for more, and in more than one way too.
The Push introduces us to a line of dysfunctional mother-daughter relationships. We follow Blythe, mother of Violet, but we also learn about her mother Cecilia and grandmother Etta. Blythe is not the first woman in her family who, despite having had a rough childhood herself, becomes a mother because society - and therefore, men - expect them to. Blythe manages to convince herself she will be a better mother than her own, but when Violet is born she can't seem to establish a connection. As time goes by, she starts to suspect there are some alarming reasons for this, but she is the only one to believe so. Then her son Sam is born and everything changes, at first for the better.
Throughout the book, you are constantly reminded that the narrator is unreliable. I decided to just go with it and believe her, and that made for quite an experience. But even if you go at it another way, this is still a very sad story, just for different reasons. And the fact that both possible realities exist simultaneously throughout the book, makes this story so incredibly heart wrenching. The short chapters really manage to aggravate the tension, and they made me turn page after page.
This book definitely warrants some content warnings so if you're not sure you can sit through it all, look into those before picking this up. But if you decide to anyway, get ready to be VERY disturbed.
The Push introduces us to a line of dysfunctional mother-daughter relationships. We follow Blythe, mother of Violet, but we also learn about her mother Cecilia and grandmother Etta. Blythe is not the first woman in her family who, despite having had a rough childhood herself, becomes a mother because society - and therefore, men - expect them to. Blythe manages to convince herself she will be a better mother than her own, but when Violet is born she can't seem to establish a connection. As time goes by, she starts to suspect there are some alarming reasons for this, but she is the only one to believe so. Then her son Sam is born and everything changes, at first for the better.
Throughout the book, you are constantly reminded that the narrator is unreliable. I decided to just go with it and believe her, and that made for quite an experience. But even if you go at it another way, this is still a very sad story, just for different reasons. And the fact that both possible realities exist simultaneously throughout the book, makes this story so incredibly heart wrenching. The short chapters really manage to aggravate the tension, and they made me turn page after page.
This book definitely warrants some content warnings so if you're not sure you can sit through it all, look into those before picking this up. But if you decide to anyway, get ready to be VERY disturbed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Car accident, Child death, Death, Murder, Self harm, Stalking, Violence, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Infidelity
More...