Blythe is in that new mom state of confusion, fear, and anxiety, wondering if its all in her head. Its a psychological thriller that makes social commentary and really makes you think about motherhood, including its darkest sides. Finally they will have to believe Blythe. At the end of the day, The Push is a compelling novel that pushes us as a society to talk more about the darkest sides of motherhood and to be open to more interpretations to how women are supposed to feel about motherhood. However, Blythe is an unreliable narrator, and the . Afterwards, Foxs mother comforts Violet and comforts Blythe, telling her to hang in there. I so hope, whoever makes the movie or series, will focus on the "smells" that the protagonist talks about all the time. I wasn't sure what to believe which was frustrating and fascinating all at the same time. As time passes, Blythe starts to doubt what she really saw that day and whether Violet really did push Sam. There wasnt anything about it that stood out to me as being particularly good or particularly bad, but if you are interested in this book anyway, the audiobook presents a solid option. When their infant son Sam is killed, Blythe blames Violet. Blythe discards any writing from before Sams death and starts anew. There, Blythe meets a woman named Iris, who she likes immediately. Fox is out of town, and Gemma wonders whether she should take him to the hospital and if so whether to wake Violet (who is 11 now) in the middle of the night or just leave her there alone. Near what would have been Sams birthday, Violet shows Blythe a viral video of a womans heroics preventing her son from harm multiple times. Its now been seven months since Sams death. I think the book shows how easily we raise evil people and how parents cannot see bad in their kids. In conclusion, The Push is a haunting and powerful exploration of the complexities of motherhood, trauma, and mental health. Blythe senses that Gemma is upset with her later. Try audio books or writing classes for free for 30 days.. I felt like this book was about refuting the idea that motherhood is this inherently blissful joyride and that women should find it endlessly fulfilling, that they should want to abandon their careers to solely mother their kids, that there's a special bond between mothers and their children that transcends . From Foxs perspective, how do you think he perceives the events of the book? We will examine the different theories that have emerged and analyze key quotes and scenes from the book to shed light on the authors intentions. Violet never goes to see her. This sort of hand-wringing, at its most extreme, is at the center of Ashley Audrain's taut, chilling debut novel, "The Push.". Blythe continues to pursue a friendship with Gemma to get information about the goings-on in her household, and in turn Gemma often would turn to Blythe for advice on things. What makes this book such a compelling read is its ability to provoke strong emotions and spark meaningful conversations. Cecilia grows up and meets a man named Seb. But for the big things, I think Audrain does a good job with aspects of the book that really matter like the plotting of it or the substance in digging deep into the difficulties and uncertainties of motherhood. The next morning, Blythe sees Noah who is clearly afraid of Violet. Ishmeet Singh It is an ending that may leave you feeling anxious, to put it plainly. The divorce has happened, and Fox has custody of Violet. I'm also surprised that this is Audrain's debut novel, because the pacing, structure and voice of the book . How reliable of a narrator do you think Blythe was? . I was actually relieved. The Push by Ashley Audrain. Published on February 6, 2021. Afterwards, Blythe settles into a routine, but she still struggles to find other moms who are willing to admit that motherhood is difficult. Im also surprised that this is Audrains debut novel, because the pacing, structure and voice of the book feel so confident and intentional. See Everything We Know About the 'The Push' Adaptation. This book presented mothers as strong, caring women who love their children deeply and can rise above gutteral turmoil when needed. After a particularly grueling day of kicking and screaming, Fox agrees to three days of day care a week. She pushed her real brother Sam's stroller killing him and now she has done something to her half-brother Jet. Blythe's kind neighbor Mrs. Ellington instead acts as a maternal figure to her. As the arrive at an intersection, Violet takes both hands and yanks at Blythes elbow causing her to spill her coffee. In the last lines of the book Blythe seems to have made peace and was moving on with her life. See all 11 answers. Blythe thinks Violet is violent and lacks empathy, but Fox thinks Blythe's insufficient love for Violet is the problem. But in the thick of motherhood's exhausting early days, Blythe becomes convinced that something is wrong with her daughtershe doesn't behave like most children do. Why do you think Audrain shifts POVs (from first person to third person) for the epilogue? Blythe imagines what it would be like to leave all of it behind. January 2021 THE PUSH by Ashley Audrain is a debut novel that is both sharp and thought-provoking. Blythe realizes that Violet mustve gotten the blade (one of Foxs model-building tools) that was hidden in her dresser. I felt for her for the entire book. She tells Cecilia where to find it, then shuts Cecilia in the tiny space and then Etta gets distracted. When Blythe suggests couples therapy, Fox suggests that Blythe should see someone by herself instead. It made sense with all the signs left throughout the book. Etta suffered from moods and needed sedatives to calm her down. I think you missed the actual ending. One day, Blythe attends a meeting for mothers whose children are in jail. They watch a movie and laugh together, and Blythe feels sad about how rare these moments were with Violet. Soon, they have their first child, a girl named Violet. Three months after the accident, the Connors move to a new house, and Blythe hopes a change will be good for them. Im passionate about inspiring busy women to read more and live better. She is hysterical. I don't love cliffhangers so Margot's ending bothered me a bit" Something in me felt for Krissy the entire time. Thus, it appears Violet really may be a psychopath and Blythe, vindicated. Do you think things could have turned out differently if Blythe had done things differently? Before he leaves, Fox also admits to something from a long time ago. Or Blythe imagined it. Sapphire is the pen name of author Ramona Lofton. What do you think of Violets reactions to things? Blythe remembers her father telling Cecilia that Youll end up just like Etta before finally giving her a drink to calm her down. Its a story about the most life-changing and literal push that is childbirth, and the more figurative push that society places on women to have children. But some parts of us are shaped by what we see. What do you think the book overall is trying to say about nature vs. nurture? Blythe is convinced she saw Violet push the stroller. When Violet is three, Blythe comes back to home after a weekend away and checks on Violet. The title: Dark Secrets, A Legacy of Memories from 1939 Sweden. As the girl looks out the window, she sees the woman parked on the street. Ashley Audrains startling debut novel The Push is a provocative book that really made an impact on me, and I have been thinking about it for quite a few months now. The one-paragraph summary of this book: Blythe and Fox have a daughter, Violet. Welcome back. I definitely think theres enough substance and more complex aspects of the novel that elevate it above what is typically considered misery lit, but sometimes as I was reading the vibe felt similar. . I just finished reading 'the Push' by Ashley Audrain. Cecilia dislikes being a mother, and she leaves permanently when Blythe is 12. When Blythe talks to Fox about her preferring him, he insists its all in her head. In terms of the thriller aspects of it, be forewarned that The Push is not genre fiction, if thats what youre looking for. Then, for some reason Violet stops sleeping through the night. A month later, Violet returns to Blythes place, but things are cold between them again. As Blythe grieves, Blythe and Fox's marriage disintegrates, ending with Fox's infidelity. After Blythe is born, she thinks of how she looks like her doll from childhood. I may change my mind about reading this. All the women from her prenatal class merely talk about how rewarding motherhood is. Some readers may interpret this as a suggestion that Blythe will jump or fall from the rooftop, potentially ending her own life. Yeah the internet has gotten really weird. I read this in one day, and it felt very effortless. It wasn't the content that bothered me but the writing style, a neverending, monotonous drawl although I appreciate the second-person pov style. Whether you found the ending satisfying or frustrating, one thing is clear: The Push is a book that will stay with you long after you turn the final page. What do you think of the portrayals of the men and fathers in this novel in general? ~Sheila. When Blythe was in the third grade, Cecilia showed up to a class event, a Mothers Day tea party, to her surprise. A tense, page-turning psychological drama about the making and breaking of a family--and a woman whose experience of motherhood is nothing at all what she hoped for--and everything she feared. The Push by Ashley Audrain began on Christmas Eve as Blythe watched Fox and Violet's new family from the street outside their house. Instead, it is Gemma. When Violet is four, Blythe and Fox meet with her teacher, who says she is bright, but has exhibited hurtful, aggressive behaviors toward other kids. It is an ending that may leave you feeling anxious, to put it plainly. Questions that even those in the book may not have gotten answers to. In love with books? Rebecca Hall's Passing ends on a devastating yet ambiguous note here is what Passing's ending means, particularly the impact of Clare's death. When they get home, Blythe tells Seb about it, and he asks to see the card. Their marriage falls apart. This passage suggests that Blythe is struggling to maintain a sense of identity and that she feels like shes losing herself. Blythe Connor is determined that she will be the warm, comforting mother to her new baby Violet that she herself never had. The next day, Henry drops her off at the train station. Cecilia knows she is beautiful and heads to the city and meets Seb, who is a doorman at a fancy hotel. Warning: This post contains spoilers for Passing. However, Talia has also gotten to know Chanel Dupree (Raven Bowens) and Paulina Price (Jacke Harry) on a personal level since she came . Blythe and Violet's relationship is still fraught. One day, Foxs mother comes over and gives Violet a doll. Then, she asks Gemma whether shes ever wondered if her son was safe with Violet? When her mother doesnt know, he insists that Blythe find it, and Blythe senses that theyve pushed Cecilia too far. What do you think of their expectations of their wives in terms of the types of mothers they expected them to be? I didn't think it was her. Over the years, Cecilia continues to notice Ettas nerves acting up, and Etta would occasionally lock Cecilia out of the house. On the trip, Blythe notices how Violet is an outcast. The Push: Mother. The Future of Publishing: What Recent Changes Mean for Readers and Writers. Required fields are marked *. When Mrs. Smith dies, Cecilia takes the money, $680, that the old woman had stored in a tin. Meanwhile, the narration is interspersed with information about the women in Blythe's family and her childhood. Your email address will not be published. Soon, Louis dies in a farming accident when Etta is pregnant. ', Your email address will not be published. However, one day as Blythe crosses the street, Sam's stroller rolls into the intersection and he is killed. One day, when Blythe goes to feed Sam at 3AM in the morning, she finds Violet in there, who has taken Sams bunny, Benny. thats awesome to hear! After the divorce, Fox has custody, but Blythe has visitation rights. When Mrs. Ellington later tell her that you made him very happy to comfort her, Blythe thinks about how it is a kind lie. She is surprised when Violet is upset, saying that Blythe is all too willing to give her up and that Blythe hates her. Instead, Fox suggests that Blythe leave for a while to a wellness center. Blythe's kind neighbor Mrs. Ellington instead acts as a maternal figure to her. Seb insists they have the baby (Blythe). Mrs. Leda Ellington was kind and caring towards Blythe, but Cecilia disliked her. I hope you enjoyed this ending explanation for The Push by Ashley Audrain! When the Connors go on a beach vacation, Violet buries another kid in the sand. The book ends by implying that Gemma suspects Violet has now harmed Jet. Why do you think he is reluctant to send Violet to day care initially? The Push by Ashley Audrain is a debut novel and a tense, page-turning psychological drama about the making and breaking of a family and a woman whose experience of motherhood is nothing at all what she hoped for but everything she feared. The novella The Mist ends pretty similar to the movie, with a daring escape being made by David, his son, and two others. Afterwards, Blythe goes into Sams things, smelling them and missing him. Monster? A woman observes a house where a family of four lives. Blythe Connor is reluctant to become a parent . She is haunted by memories of her mothers abusive behavior and struggles to connect with Violet because she fears repeating the same patterns of abuse: I couldnt shake the feeling that I was repeating the same patternsthat I was becoming the monster that I had always fearedI didnt know how to love Violet the way that she needed to be loved. (Chapter 13). The trip changes the way Blythe sees Violet, as a sad, powerless girl. Blythe recalls how after Cecilia left their home, she reinvented herself and met a new man, Richard, who referred to her as Annie because her middle name was Anne. Ask the Author. Throughout the book, Blythe struggles to connect with Violet and to understand her daughters behavior. Cecilia runs off and by that night Etta has awkwardly sewn panels into the side. She gets home to find that everything is fine. Cecilia tells Seb she wants an abortion, but Seb refuses to discuss it, offering only the alternative of her moving out and back home. Do you think he was a good husband and/or a good father? Then, Gemma asks about what happened with Sam, saying that Fox doesnt like to talk about it. She starts casually sleeping with a man, a not particularly successful literary agent, but she suspects hes also interested in having her write something that he could monetize. Foxs mother hires them a night nurse, and for that time things are better. Its a good day, but that night Violet says that she doesnt want Sammy anymore. She keeps screaming at Cecilia until Henry comes in. After that weekend, Blythe gets the idea to drive over to Foxs house to watch them at night. I appreciate someone being straightforward. Blythe recalls her earliest memory from childhood (of herself in a stroller), and she wonders what her son Sam would remember. This passage suggests that Blythe recognizes the impact of her own trauma on her parenting and is struggling to break the cycle of abuse. He had used Blythes presence to lure Cecilia home. When the police make their standard inquiries, she denies seeing anything. Blythe realizes that the baby must have been conceived the same month that Fox was fired from his job. Afterwards, she tells Violet that shes the closest thing she had to a mother. They take a family holiday photo. Their basement was kept permanently boarded up, and when Blythe keeps asking for it to be opened, Cecilia slaps her. Yes, only on the internet and to answer where the internet would be without people asking question about books, the obvious answer is without Goodreads :-). Blythe loves the night nurse. The only demographic I probably wouldnt recommend this to is adolescents, since I do think it probably takes a higher level of maturity to understand and appreciate a lot of the concerns or issues that this book deals with. Content warning: While I LOVED The Push and VERY highly recommend it, new or expecting moms should be warned before picking it up. I can relate to this, but I try not to find out. Otherwise, I feel very comfortable giving this a strong recommendation. The Push is published by Michael Joseph (RRP 12.99 . Throughout the book, it's not clear if Violet is innately bad, if Blythe is a bad mother (Blythe comes from a line of bad mothers) or if it's all in Blythe's head. Blythe is worried that the old, detached Violet was now back. If you are expecting constant plot twists and a hundred miles per hour plot pacing, you might want to shift those expectations before getting into this book. Blythe instinctively calls out the name Sam, and when Violet catches her fathers attention, she stops what shes doing. One day Fox comes home early to the sound of Violets cries, and he is furious. Shortly before Foxs 39ths birthday, Blythe suspects Fox is having an affair. The book ends by implying that Gemma suspects Violet has now harmed Jet. The next time Blythe has Violet she takes her to see Mrs. Ellington, who now has some memory problems, but is loving as ever towards Blythe. When Cecilia is five, Etta is trying to wash Cecilias hair and Cecilia is being difficult. Violet says to Blythe pointedly that the mother saves her son every time. What did you think of Seb as a husband and a father? The first time Violet smiles is with Fox, who continues to insist she just needs to relax with the baby. Join 750,000+ monthly readers in this virtual reading corner! She was someone else entirely, someone who felt like she was fading away into nothingness. (Chapter 22). When Blythe attributes their marriage falling apart to Sams death, Fox tells her that Sam is not the reason, implying that it had more to do with Violet (and presumably he thinks Blythe was deficient as a mother towards her). They talked frequently. Learn more by clicking here. Violet has trouble getting along with other kids and there's incidences of violence towards them, too. Fox claims hes not seeing the other woman anymore. When Blythe finally meets another new mom (with a baby named Harry) who admits to the difficulties of being a mom, she gives the other woman her phone number to keep in touch, but the other woman never reaches out. Cecilia is scared and shits herself. The author captured it beautifully and so accurately in the beginning. The ending of The Push confuses me. Spoilers. Its not a perfect book, and there are things you could nitpick about it if you were inclined to do so. Her grandmother Etta's first husband died in a horrified farming accident. (The Detailed Plot Summary is also available, below). Or is it all in Blythe's head? Blythe thinks about how Violet is growing up and will leave her behind. like. You're awesome for doing it. The book ends with Blythe standing on a rooftop, looking down at the street below, and its unclear what her next move will be. Hear a sample of The Push on Audiobook on Libro.fm. After four weeks, Foxs mother insists that its time Blythe learn how to do it herself. Book Summary. They talk about kids in their future. Etta is also said to have suffered from nerves and occasionally needed sedatives. The Push kept me guessing. Despite knowing it is bad advice, Blythe strongly advises Gemma to go to the hospital immediately and leave Violet. Sensing something more is going on, Blythe checks his e-mail and learns that he was fired over some type of incident, and it seems it involved his assistant Gemma in some way. Blythe learns they had another son, Jet. Sapphire continued the story with a 2011 sequel called The Kid, which focuses on Abdul, Precious's son. Blythe sees that its actually Fox who dropped it off and thanks him for it, but he also says that Blythe needs to move on with her life and not call Gemma anymore. And as always, I wish you happy reading! Would you feel differently about this book or these characters if there was no epilogue (the a year and a half later part)? How did your perceptions of Blythe change as the book progressed or did it stay the same? Blythe lets go of the stroller, and Violet pushes it into the road. Some readers may interpret this as a turning point for Blythe, suggesting that she may be able to heal from her own trauma and build a healthier relationship with her daughter. Sounds a bit dark for me. By recognizing Violets attempts at communication, Blythe may be able to repair their relationship and become a better parent. One day Fox takes Violet to his office, and Violet mention a new assistant, Gemma. One night Violet asks if Blythe loves Sam more than her, and Blythe wonders if she has overheard Foxs comments. For all of us. Do you think Violet could have turned out differently at all? American Gods: Gods are made of stories. When a boy falls off a playset and dies, Blythe suspects Violet tripped him on purpose. Happy reading! If you would like me to review your book, feel free to reach out to me! Cecilia knows she is not meant for motherhood, but during her pregnancy wonders if her feelings are changing. When Blythe goes home, her father doesnt ask any questions, but Blythe tells him that it wasnt him who had made Cecilia unhappy (since its clear Cecilia is bored/unhappy with Richard as well). Cecilia instead takes money from Ettas purse and goes to the store to buy pads. She begins to see a therapist and takes medication, but she also feels disconnected from her own thoughts and feelings. As they are there, Violet tells Blythe that she wants Blythe to leave, so it will just be her and her father alone. 3. Afterwards, Blythe tells the police this, but Fox insists it was an accident. Hi Anna, thank you for sharing your comment. In present day, in her car outside their house, Violet comes up to her car and seems to mouth something, but Blythe cant make out what it is. The Push by Ashley Audrain is a gripping and thought-provoking novel that explores the complexities of motherhood and the lasting impact of childhood trauma. When Cecilia left for good, Mrs. Ellington stepped up to provide Blythe with some stability in her life. When the baby is born, Blythe feels euphoric. Then, in the final lines, she learns from Gemma that something has happened to Jet (with the implication that it was Violet's fault.). 2023 The Literary Lifestyle. She thinks Violet is saying I pushed him but she cant hear through the glass. Posted on Last updated: February 15, 2023, Home Books Ashley Audrains The Push Book Review. If Im being realistic, I imagine the readership will be largely women and especially women with children. The Push is a book that will stay with you long after you turn the final page. Blythe tries to discourage her, but finds a clump of Noahs hair in Violets pocket the next day. As Violet gets older, Violet continues to be antagonistic and even violent towards Blythe. Blythe recalls how she stopped relying on her father as much when Fox came into the picture, and she feels ashamed because she knew that she was all he really had. If this summary was useful to you, please consider supporting this site by leaving a tip ($2, $3, or $5) or joining the Patreon! Everything We Know About the 'The Push' Adaptation. January 6, 2021. Thank you! Blythe even purchases items from secondhand stores to give to Gemma (pretending they are Sams old things), and Gemma gives her a kids gift they didnt need in return. But this book disconcerted me so much I had to stop at one-third of it and give up (at least for now). Morgan Hedglin Yes! But that didn't bother me. Back at home, Fox leaves on a trip, leaving Blythe and Violet alone. I dont want to give any spoilers by going into detail on specifics, but suffice to say that theres a lot of unfortunate events throughout the book. For more detail, see the full Section-by-Section Summary. Blythe and Gemma become close, but eventually Fox finds out Blythe has been pretending to be someone else to get close to Gemma. This passage suggests that Blythe is beginning to empathize with her mothers own difficult circumstances and is starting to understand that her mother did the best she could under the circumstances. The Sandman . Throughout the book, it's not clear if Violet is innately bad, if Blythe is a bad mother (Blythe comes from a line of bad mothers) or if it's all in Blythe's head. The next day, Seb dies of what the police think was a heart attack. So, lets unravel the mystery and try to make sense of what really happened in The Push. What a bizarre way of approaching literature. At Penguin, she worked with bestselling authors including Khaled Hosseini, Elizabeth Gilbert, and Meg Wolitzer. I'm a reader of 100+ books per year, I studied English literature, and I've been on The Today Show's Read with Jenna Book Club, Oprah's Book Club, Reese's Book Club, and media outlets including Buzzfeed, The Atlantic, and Esquire. I hope you enjoy it if you end up reading it :). And just because our children may give us reason to hate them, doesn't mean we will. Blythe thinks Violet is violent and lacks empathy, but Fox thinks Blythe's insufficient love for Violet is the problem. As Blythes relationship with Violet becomes increasingly strained, she begins to question her own sanity and fears that she may be repeating the cycle of abuse. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Blythe and Fox both pretend not to recognize each other, but Gemma clearly senses something is off. Blythe still tells Gemma her suspicions about Violet anyway. She later cheats on him and wants to leave him, but then they find out she is pregnant. Etta finally forces Cecilia under the water, causing her to choke. by Ashley Audrain. The woman in the car thinks about her daughter (the girl) is beginning to look like her. So glad this book ended with our protaganist mom being sane and living life fairly happily alone without needing anyone--men or children in this case.
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