Reviews with content warning for Suicide - The Push

*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).

Content Warnings

dimagnolia's review against another edition

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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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kayla4's review against another edition

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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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eap157's review against another edition

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dark sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.5

Addictive, disturbing, sad, wildly entertaining.

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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

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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

becway's review against another edition

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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

5.0

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