is a thriller novel published in 2021 by the Canadian author Ashley Audrain. What do you think of their expectations of their wives in terms of the types of mothers they expected them to be? Blythe ends up watching their house to catch glimpses of her. 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? Blythes husband, Fox, abruptly dismisses her fears. By now, Violet is around 13 years old. Blythe had watched as Violet tripped Elijah on the playset, ad Elijah had consequently fallen off the top slide and died. Its now been over a year since the death of Sam. By the time Violet is six months old, Blythe still has hemorrhoids, and she talks to her doctor about she and Fox have not had sex in a long time. 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. Scary because I think that the antagonist persists and may never be held responsible for the mistakes that it did. Blythe Connor is determined that she will be the warm, comforting mother to her new baby Violet that she herself never had. Otherwise, I feel very comfortable giving this a strong recommendation. Before the ending, Blythe has a conversation with her own mother, during which she begins to understand the ways in which her mothers own trauma affected her parenting. The book's ending is both shocking and ambiguous, leaving readers with many questions and different interpretations. Meanwhile, Cecilia is disappearing as well. Rating: 4.5/5 stars. The Push by Ashley Audrain. One day, she asks Violet about Gemma, but Violet just says shes fine. Their basement was kept permanently boarded up, and when Blythe keeps asking for it to be opened, Cecilia slaps her. Violet lies to make Blythe look bad, and she runs away while Blythe is watching her. She goes to see a doctor too, but the doctor encourages her to do something for herself like writing. As the arrive at an intersection, Violet takes both hands and yanks at Blythes elbow causing her to spill her coffee. The Push by Ashley Audrain | Book Club Discussion Questions I think the book shows how easily we raise evil people and how parents cannot see bad in their kids. What do you think of the portrayals of the men and fathers in this novel in general? Blythe and Violet both survive, and Blythe learns to be a better mother: A third possible interpretation of the ending is that Blythe and Violet both survive, and Blythe learns to be a better mother. What if motherhood is not what a woman anticipated it to be? That night, Blythe finds the painting of Mother and Child on Blythes doorstep with a note. I loved it myself, the different generations of motherhood. There were periods of time when Etta managed to act the way others expected her to be. Do you think Blythe is like the women who came before her? She pushed her real brother Sam's stroller killing him and now she has done something to her half-brother Jet. The Push by Ashley Audrain began on Christmas Eve as Blythe watched Fox and Violet's new family from the street outside their house. I thought, Im not really interested in this, but its relatively short so whatever. Blythe falls hard for him, and they are inseparable. Its beautiful, but the dress doesnt fit and Cecilia cant get it on. The Push - Ashley Audrain | Review | 2021 | Spoilers - Peridot Rose Books She wakes up wanting the Mother and Child painting back (which she thought Fox had taken with him), but Fox says he doesnt know where it is. When a boy falls off a playset and dies, Blythe suspects Violet tripped him on purpose. Cecilia responds that she wished she were different in some ways. I think the book shows how easily we raise evil people and how parents cannot see bad in their kids. One day, Blythe attends a meeting for mothers whose children are in jail. A man keeps calling for Cecilia, but Seb says shes not home. Do you think things could have turned out differently if Blythe had done things differently? I think you missed the actual ending. The books ending is open to interpretation, and there are several possible ways to read it. But men with children would probably benefit a lot from reading this, and I have no kids but thought it was gripping and very worth my time. Even when Cecilia is seven, she still clings to her doll, Beth-Anne. After that weekend, Blythe gets the idea to drive over to Foxs house to watch them at night. Blythe becomes pregnant after theyve been trying for a few months. She buys a replica painting of Mother and Child by Mary Cassatt to put in his nursery. In The Push, Blythe Connor is a woman who is trying desperately to be the perfect mother that everyone else seems to be, but she's struggling. He tells Blythe that hed actually caught Violet cutting them up. She keeps screaming at Cecilia until Henry comes in. When Blythe suggests couples therapy, Fox suggests that Blythe should see someone by herself instead. . Blythes deception gets increasingly complex when Gemma asks to see a photo of Sam. 2 years ago. I'm always impressed when an author can keep me on edge until the last sentence of the book. The Sandman . I don't love cliffhangers so Margot's ending bothered me a bit" Something in me felt for Krissy the entire time. Days of Our Lives Spoilers: Colin's Rooftop Tumble - Talia's Bold Push . January 6, 2021. Inspire others by sharing your book on this blog. The book ends with Blythe standing on a rooftop, looking down at the street below, and its unclear what her next move will be. It turns out Curtis will deliver a warning to someone and ultimately sneak off to find Trina Robinson (Tabyana Ali), who'll apparently be separated from Spencer Cassadine (Nicholas Chavez) after another incident on the ship. This multi-layered family drama is downright chilling, and it will keep you on the edge of your seat until you uncover the most disturbing truths. Meanwhile, the narration is interspersed with information about the women in Blythe's family and her childhood. Or Blythe imagined it. One night, Gemma is worried that Jeb is sick. I felt for her for the entire book. With the new baby, the connection is immediate, what shes been looking for. Cecilia is scared and shits herself. Blythe struggles with Violet, who cries all the time and doesnt latch well, and Blythe thinks the baby hates her. The divorce has happened, and Fox has custody of Violet. Im also surprised that this is Audrains debut novel, because the pacing, structure and voice of the book feel so confident and intentional. The Push is a domestic-slash-family thriller that can appeal to most adults, and its a book I imagine a lot of people can benefit from reading. What follows is a longer driving sequence that hits . What do you make of that statement? Finally they will have to believe Blythe. The Push - Book Ending Explained 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. She and Lenny continue on and she considers leaving Seb for Lenny, but then Cecilia learns she is pregnant. Blythe recalls her parents arguing when she was 8. Their son, Thomas Ellington Jr., was Blythes best friend. This post may also contain other affiliate links by which I earn commissions at no extra cost to you. When her mother doesnt know, he insists that Blythe find it, and Blythe senses that theyve pushed Cecilia too far. Genres: Fiction, Psychological Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Suspense, Thriller, Women's Fiction. She later cheats on him and wants to leave him, but then they find out she is pregnant. And why do you think he brushes off Blythes suggestion to send Violet to a child psychologist? Ask the Author. The Push kept me guessing. Blythe Conner grew up in a home where she was unnurtured and uncertain what her own mothers feelings were for her. I can't read books right now where kids die. Its not a perfect book, and there are things you could nitpick about it if you were inclined to do so. In the final chapters, Blythe has a moment of clarity and realizes that Violet has been trying to communicate with her in her own way: I think shes been trying to tell me something all alongI just didnt know how to listen. (Chapter 28). Blythe Connor is determined that she will be the warm, comforting mother to her new baby Violet that she herself never had. 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. 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. But when life as they know it is changed in an instant, the devastating fall-out forces Blythe to face the truth. General Hospital (GH) spoilers for Tuesday, May 2, tease that Curtis Ashford (Donnell Turner) will make some bold moves on The Haunted Star. Violet typically wakes up and cries after napping for two hours, but Blythe puts on headphones and lets her cry for some time so that she can get some more work done. Even Violet seems to love her little brother. Its a psychological thriller that makes social commentary and really makes you think about motherhood, including its darkest sides. Afterwards, Blythe settles into a routine, but she still struggles to find other moms who are willing to admit that motherhood is difficult. She finally goes back to the intersection where it happened and sees Joe, who owns the coffee shop at that corner. The next day, the doctor attributes her action to normal parental anxiety. Seb insists they have the baby (Blythe). Before the book ends, Blythe has a moment of clarity and realizes that Violet has been trying to communicate with her in her own way. They take a family holiday photo. Afterwards, she talks to another parent who insists her child just make a mistake. The Push by Ashley Audrain - Book Journey Cecilia wears the dress at the next dance and then never again. I just finished reading 'the Push' by Ashley Audrain. When Cecilia is five, Etta is trying to wash Cecilias hair and Cecilia is being difficult. Spoilers For Every Book Ever | Tor.com As the story unfolds in this gripping and suspenseful domestic drama, Audrain explores motherhood, the limits of unconditional love, and how the consequences of our actions can travel across generations. Ashley Audrain began writing her first novel, The Push, after leaving her job as publicity director at Penguin Books Canada to raise her two young children. When the police make their standard inquiries, she denies seeing anything. How reliable of a narrator do you think Blythe was? Blythe remembers her father telling Cecilia that Youll end up just like Etta before finally giving her a drink to calm her down. 'The Power' Book Ending & Plot Summary - Bustle The next day, Henry drops her off at the train station. Fox claims hes not seeing the other woman anymore. 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 can relate to this, but I try not to find out. The Push | Bookreporter.com When Blythe stops paying attention, Violet goes missing. When Violet turns 1, Blythe and Fox throw a party, and they take a family picture. 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. Yes but still kind of right or left, so great to get a validation :). Fox doesnt want a funeral, so there isnt one. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. Its now been seven months since Sams death. The Push Summary & Study Guide - www.BookRags.com Blythe recalls her earliest memory from childhood (of herself in a stroller), and she wonders what her son Sam would remember. Soon, Fox says hes resigning from his job. Some readers may interpret this as a suggestion that Blythe will jump or fall from the rooftop, potentially ending her own life. When Blythe finally saw Cecilia/Annie and Richard together, she wished her mother had died rather than become someone she no longer could recognize. The Push: Mother. The girl leaves cookies and carrots for Santa and his reindeer. Her father, Seb West, had found something in Cecilias pocket and was upset over someone named Lenny. For a non-spoiler version of the plot synopsis, see The Bibliofile's review of The Push by Ashley Audrain. Shortly before Foxs 39ths birthday, Blythe suspects Fox is having an affair. By delving into these themes, Ashley Audrain has created a novel that is both gripping and thought-provoking. The next morning, Blythe sees Noah who is clearly afraid of Violet. Be advised that there are spoilers ahead, obviously, so be entirely sure you want to continue reading. (Much later, Blythe continues to feel guilt over her actions when she recalls what happened and remembers the shame over being found out.). thats awesome to hear! After four weeks, Foxs mother insists that its time Blythe learn how to do it herself. 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 Graveyard Book: Your family is made of ghosts. Instead, Fox suggests that Blythe leave for a while to a wellness center. Happy reading! After the revelation of the betrayal, Blythe finds herself surprisingly numb to the pain given that she is still grieving over Sam. Thank you! I actually only read it because one of my book clubs put it on the docket, and I wanted to be able to participate. Blythe continues to look for acknowledgement from others that there is something wrong with Violet, until she finally starts to doubt herself. Blythe's pain when she lost her son was absolutely heartbreaking. Foxs parents send over boxes of his old baby things. What shes thinking and feeling is isolating, dark, and raw, and it shines a light on parts of motherhood not often talked about. Gemma does as she instructs, and predictably afterwards, Fox is mad at her for leaving Violet by herself. Great exploration of nature vs nurture. The book tells the story of Blythe, a woman who struggles to connect with her daughter Violet and who is haunted by the memory of her own mothers neglect. Why do you think Cecilia dislikes Mrs. Ellington? Later in the book, Blythe has a moment of clarity where she realizes that she may be at risk of harming herself: The thought entered my mind that I could hurt myselfI pushed the thought away as quickly as it had come, but it left a residue of fear that made me feel like I was standing on the edge of a cliff. (Chapter 25). . At Penguin, she worked with bestselling authors including Khaled Hosseini, Elizabeth Gilbert, and Meg Wolitzer. 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. Violet looks disappointed to see her and continues to sleep. They talked frequently. Content warning: While I LOVED The Push and VERY highly recommend it, new or expecting moms should be warned before picking it up. Fox has a son, Jet, with his new wife, Gemma. After being caught by Fox, Blythe decides to stops writing and focus on Violet. Violet has trouble getting along with other kids and there's incidences of violence towards them, too. Blythe suggests having Violet see a child psychologist, but Fox thinks the Violet is coping well so it is unnecessary. It has been a year and a half since shed spoken to Fox. The author captured it beautifully and so accurately in the beginning. When their infant son Sam is killed, Blythe blames Violet. Required fields are marked *. The Push: Recap & Book Summary - The Bibliofile The ending is sad and scary to me. As the days pass, Blythe sees that Violets emptiness is back. It is a book that demands to be discussed and debated, and one that has the power to inspire change. The book ends by implying that Gemma suspects Violet has now harmed Jet. In addition to being a book about being a mother, Audrains novel also looks at the ways behaviors and the effects of those various behaviors get passed down through the generations. Blythes grandmother, Etta, was born the day WWII began. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Blythe wants another baby, another chance at motherhood. 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. I also interpreted the push literally like when Violet pushed Sam. When Cecilia is 15, Etta seems to be slipping away. Audrain's debut is a stunning, devastating novel and, frankly, one hell of a way to start a year of reading. Some readers may interpret this as a sign that Blythe is beginning to understand her daughters needs and to develop a better relationship with her. But this book disconcerted me so much I had to stop at one-third of it and give up (at least for now). Blythe and Fox Connor are a couple who meet in college and get married at 25. If you would like me to review your book, feel free to reach out to me! Violet throws a tantrum and ends up biting Blythe on the cheek. 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). Spoiler warning: these summaries contains spoilers. Blythes relationship with Violet remains strained and eventually, Blythe loses visitation rights. The Push is a really well-crafted novel, and it would be so perfect as a book club read. Then, she asks Gemma whether shes ever wondered if her son was safe with Violet? Just when it seems Blythe has caused the downfall of the family, Gemma calls Blythe and informs her that something happened to Jet, implying that Violet has caused him harm. She thinks Violet is saying I pushed him but she cant hear through the glass. Spoiler-Filled Review: The Push by Ashley Audrain - Blogger When Blythe is 27, Fox is eager to have kids. After Fox leaves, Blythe secretly uses a fake name to befriend Fox's girlfriend, Gemma, to learn about their life. The first time Violet smiles is with Fox, who continues to insist she just needs to relax with the baby. So just what happened at the end of The Push? Required fields are marked *. Then, Blythe makes the critical mistake of saying she wants to meet her family. For the next few months, Blythe is exhausted. The Push is published by Michael Joseph (RRP 12.99 . But The Push was consistently engrossing nonetheless and made me reconsider in some ways my own relationship with my mother, who Ive not always had the smoothest relationship with (and who, in turn, had very difficult relationships with her own parents). Blythe struggles with Violet from the beginning, Blythe is exhausted, and motherhood proves far tougher than she anticipated.