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A review by sharonleavy
The Push by Ashley Audrain
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.0
I find it really hard to give books like this a rating or review - because I'd be lying if I said I "enjoyed" it, but I also couldn't get it out of my head for ages after I read it.
Blythe & Fox are married - or, were. Blythe is writing this to Fox. The tense takes a minute to get used to, but once you realise that she's talking to him and not you, the reader, it becomes easier to get into.
The couple have a daughter together, Violet. Violet and Blythe have a complicated relationship, but mothers in Blythe's family always have complicated relationships. Their idea of motherhood is very much not the norm. We go back to examine these generational relationships and are forced to consider the age-old dilemma: Nature or Nurture? Which is to blame? Has Blythe fallen victim to the Streisand effect and caused history to repeat itself by trying so hard not to repeat it?
I despised Fox, I thought he was the most useless husband, and I really felt for Blythe. I felt if she had some decent support then things may not have been as tough for her. But again - who knows?!
This is an infuriating book because it's not remotely enjoyable, I felt sick several times reading it and I felt guilty for having such an intense dislike for a child, but it was most certainly a memorable read and makes for an excellent book club choice. Such an uneasy read but one you won't forget in a hurry.
TW: Child Loss.
Blythe & Fox are married - or, were. Blythe is writing this to Fox. The tense takes a minute to get used to, but once you realise that she's talking to him and not you, the reader, it becomes easier to get into.
The couple have a daughter together, Violet. Violet and Blythe have a complicated relationship, but mothers in Blythe's family always have complicated relationships. Their idea of motherhood is very much not the norm. We go back to examine these generational relationships and are forced to consider the age-old dilemma: Nature or Nurture? Which is to blame? Has Blythe fallen victim to the Streisand effect and caused history to repeat itself by trying so hard not to repeat it?
I despised Fox, I thought he was the most useless husband, and I really felt for Blythe. I felt if she had some decent support then things may not have been as tough for her. But again - who knows?!
This is an infuriating book because it's not remotely enjoyable, I felt sick several times reading it and I felt guilty for having such an intense dislike for a child, but it was most certainly a memorable read and makes for an excellent book club choice. Such an uneasy read but one you won't forget in a hurry.
TW: Child Loss.