Reviews with content warning for Violence - The Push

I did not really see the point of this book at all - it felt like the plot was a series of "and then this happened and I reacted this way and I don't know why I did" statements. I understand the devices at play here and the goals of the book, but I don't feel like the book was successful in delivering on them.

I thought the choice of narration was interesting and had the potential to create a lot of tension for readers who could come to see Blythe as unreliable. However, the actions of her daughter were just so egregiously obvious that I never really felt like enough doubt was injected into the narrative to make readers wonder if Blythe was right or crazy.

I'm curious to see how the book could have been different if it incorporated the themes of the psychological and physical horrors of motherhood with an exploration of what to do when your child turns out to be dangerous; I feel that could have made it more interesting for me.

Anyways, the book wasn't bad enough to DNF so that's a point in its favour. The writing is technically solid and there are some evocative moments tucked in here. It's fine.

Content Warnings

catarina_fernandes's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

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eeeeva's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

3.0

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thatswhatshanread's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious 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? Yes

4.75

4.75 because I needed just a little more from the ending. Otherwise—WHAT A TWISTY, CREEPY, SICKENING RIDE OF CREATION AND DEMISE.

I was hooked immediately and never let go. The writing was smart and breezy and blunt and chilling, the chapters were deliciously short, the characters were multifaceted and unhinged, the plot was searing, uncomfortable, explosive. Darkly fantastic.

“The Push” refers, specifically, to one tragic incident in the main character’s life, but to me it was also a direct metaphor for all of the different types of motherhood represented in the story. How much children shape our worlds, the very good parts and, in this novel’s case, the traumatic and the sinister.

If you haven’t already, pick this up ASAP. You won’t be able to put it down until the very last page.

Content Warnings

keijiwolf's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad tense

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

4.5

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pamshenanigans's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

When I say this book has unlocked new fears about children and motherhood, I'm not exaggerating. While it was a fast read (read this in less than a day), it wasn't an easy one.

This was utterly disturbing, provocative, and compelling. But don't pick this up thinking it's gonna be your typical mystery/thriller. This definitely plays out on the drama-mystery side more. I'll have to gather my thoughts first and attempt a better review soon.

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