A review by carbs666
The Push by Ashley Audrain

dark emotional tense medium-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

2.75

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. 
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