Reviews tagging 'Abortion'

The Push by Ashley Audrain

120 reviews

emeraldjulep's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

*Audiobook

I can hardly breathe having just finished this book. Like so many other reviewers I spent every free moment I had in the last day and 1/2 completely engrossed in this deeply unsettling, but moving story. She delves deeply into nature vs. nurture but allows the reader to question which wins out without spelling it all out.  I was with Blythe the whole way-hoping but unsure of whether or not she had a grip on reality.   It’s probably a better read for seasoned moms who can relate to the complexity motherhood. It’s never exactly what one expects- and it works out better for some than others.   I agree with another reviewer that if you are pregnant or have very young children, don’t go here.

It’s an incredible work for a debut author. The characters and the plot are both so layered, the twists and pacing right on. I thought the ending was perfect. 

I would have rated it higher becaue although it is very plausible that these things could happen, it’s improbable that all of it would happen to one woman and her lineage. It made me desperately sad for Blythe having had such an unfortunate childhood followed by such a sad adulthood - so unfair. 
Highly recommend if you are up for a dark, intense read. (Narration was really great too).

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Vomit, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Abortion, Injury/Injury detail, and Pregnancy

Moderate: Suicide and Murder

dimagnolia's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective sad 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

4.5

I would have loved this more if it had been faster paced but I understand why it was slow. Slow-burn books are typically not my forte as someone with ADHD because it makes it harder for me to get into the story. This was a great book though and I highly recommend it. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Death of parent, Abandonment, Child death, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, Death, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Abortion, Alcoholism, Suicide, and Car accident

kayla4's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

2.0

Filled me with blinding rage from start to finish 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity, Child abuse, Abortion, Suicide, and Child death

analenegrace's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

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

4.5

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. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Car accident, Blood, Death, Grief, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual content, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Abandonment, and Child death

Moderate: Abortion

cuddlygryphon's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Grief, and Self harm

Moderate: Child abuse, Death of parent, Dementia, Emotional abuse, Pregnancy, Confinement, Miscarriage, Murder, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, and Mental illness

Minor: Alcoholism, Infidelity, Medical content, Abortion, Alcohol, Blood, Sexual content, Suicide, Violence, Vomit, Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, and Toxic relationship

faythfarrar's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Grief, Suicide, Child death, and Death of parent

Moderate: Abandonment, Mental illness, Stalking, Abortion, Gaslighting, Infidelity, and Miscarriage

madeleinebay's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity, Emotional abuse, Murder, Abortion, Sexual content, Child abuse, Car accident, Child death, Death, Gaslighting, Grief, Pregnancy, Self harm, and Toxic relationship

jordandotson's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

4.5

This is a dark and twisted story of a new mother and the lack of connection she feels to her daughter. Everyone says the moment you hold your baby, you have this unbreakable bond and feel love like never before. Blythe never felt this for Violet, and it becomes clear why as you read. 

“She had a brilliant, beautiful mind and sometimes I longed to be inside it. Even though I feared what I might find.” 

This book is what I imagine to be the best way to describe postpartum depression, as well as the incessant anxieties of being a mother. To acknowledge your mistakes as a parent. To know your child could do or say terrible things. And what it feels like when no one believes you. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Abortion, Suicide, and Death

abrasieve's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, Gaslighting, Self harm, Blood, Car accident, Grief, and Medical content

Moderate: Excrement and Physical abuse

Minor: Sexual content, Abortion, Cursing, and Vomit

schadmad's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad slow-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Dementia, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Abortion, and Self harm