Reviews tagging 'Mass/school shootings'

The Push by Ashley Audrain

4 reviews

zoiejanelle's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective 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

(another library audiobook rental) 

jesus mary and joseph this book was a mindfuck. motherhood is so scary and this book only worsened my fear. this was a thrilling examination of generational trauma and, as the summary says, what happens when women aren’t believed. 

it was admittedly very slow and takes place exclusively in this woman’s mind, so anyone looking for action or plot should not turn to this book. however, i found the internal monologue, paired with the flashbacks, very entertaining. i was on the edge of my seat the entire time, begging for some closure, some truth. 

not my typical read but totally worth it. 

hashtag mommy issues, amirite?

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Murder, Pregnancy, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Gaslighting, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Child death, Self harm, Misogyny, and Mental illness

Moderate: Abortion, Blood, Alcoholism, Miscarriage, Stalking, Abandonment, Drug use, Alcohol, and Drug abuse

Minor: Suicide, Mass/school shootings, Body shaming, Vomit, and Death of parent

thatswhatshanread's review against another edition

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.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Gore, Abandonment, Abortion, Blood, Body horror, Car accident, Child death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Violence, Mental illness, Medical content, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Self harm, Sexual content, Stalking, and Suicide

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cursing, Bullying, Toxic friendship, Stalking, and Forced institutionalization

Minor: Racism, Infertility, Panic attacks/disorders, Miscarriage, Mass/school shootings, and Dementia

reddeddy's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Abortion, Sexism, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Blood, Dysphoria, Grief, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Body horror, Child death, Miscarriage, Murder, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Bullying, Car accident, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicide, Cursing, Pregnancy, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Sexual violence, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Addiction, Alcohol, Drug use, Eating disorder, Excrement, Alcoholism, Confinement, Vomit, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Stalking, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexism, and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Incest, Gun violence, Mass/school shootings, Pedophilia, Racism, Sexual violence, and Dementia

moraina's review against another edition

dark emotional 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? Yes

4.25

This was a compelling read. I honestly felt bad for all of the characters for different reasons, it definitely shows how difficult the societal expectations that come with motherhood can be. Definitely not for the faint of heart if you’re sensitive to the topics in the content warnings, but if you’re child-free it will definitely resonate with you in some ways.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Child abuse, Child death, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Self harm, Violence, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Mass/school shootings and Suicide

Minor: Alcoholism, Death of parent, Rape, and Vomit