A review by jpitts
The Push by Ashley Audrain

challenging dark tense medium-paced
  • 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

4.0

Less the twist-filled thriller I've been seeing it sold as, and more just a really gutwrenching look into the mind of a woman who fears her own child. In that sense, it was both very difficult to read and too riveting to put down. The use of a fascinating unreliable narrator and the lack of concrete, objective answers to what was and wasn't happening worked really well. It kept the wheels in my head turning, and I enjoyed thinking through everything and forming my own opinions on the situation.

Let me stress that this book is dark. I would highly advise looking up trigger warnings before reading. (the most prominent are probably
Spoilerchild death, grief, and a lot of truly hateful, disgusting thoughts from a mother about her child.
) But if you can stomach it, I definitely recommend it.
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