Utterly compelling. Beautifully written.

#NoSpoilers but I read this with a sense of fear rising, kept me hooked from the first page to the last..

The short, choppy chapters, just added to the overall need and ease of racing through the pages to the finish.

Ashley Audrain is a new author to me, can’t wait to read more.

Highly Recommend.

I started this book at 9 pm last night and finished is just a little after midnight. I could not get enough of it and was hooked from the very first page. This book covers so many different themes, none of which are particularly happy, so be warned this book is very dark and unsettling and may cause some triggers. In saying that I have never read anything quite like it. I absolutely loved it, and I’m now kicking myself for not taking longer to read it! Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Push, Ashley Audrain

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: General fiction (adult), Literary fiction.

Well, disturbing, disquieting, uncomfortable, thought provoking, all words that spring to mind now I've finished this. Its very much a nature v nurture debate with Blythe having a neglectful, abusive mother, who was in turn neglected and abused.
She's worried the women in her family just don't have the nurturing gene, that she can't be a good mother.

Fox, her husband, insists she'll be great, she's worrying over nothing, but when baby Violet comes along Blythe's fears rise again. Violet is difficult, doesn't seem to like her but adores Fox. Fox tells her she's imagining it. You feel – is he right? Is she right? Is she suffering from depression maybe? Fox really isn't much practical help, the wonderful man he seemed to be at first gradually becomes weak in my eyes, and I really didn't like him then. Even more so later in the book, I was so angry at him.

There's tragedy here, child deaths, heartbreak, betrayals, and throughout poor Blythe is wondering, are they right? It it her at fault? Could she do more, is she imagining things? I so felt for her. Truthfully though, seeing it through her eyes coloured my thoughts, and looking from outside I thought maybe she was seeing things that weren't there, especially when some shocking events happen. Then she does some things that seem just plain strange, weird, not normal, and yet I understood her need, the comfort she derived from it. Its not so strange looked at that way.

Fox and his telling her about something that happened when Violet was young – he infuriated me. That should have been dealt with, looked into, professional help sought, but he was so weak, so willfully blind to events he just made more excuses. He just ignored something that if was properly investigated could maybe have prevented later tragedies. His mother too, she seemed so pleasant, to really love Blythe, and yet she too turned a blind eye to events that should have been red flags and help sought. They made me so angry!

The ending, in a way its predictable and yet its chilling and not what anyone would have wanted.

Stars: Five. Its a disquieting read, not one I'd re-read and yet its gripping, had me glued to the page, though there were a few parts that I skim read, felt a little padded and unnecessary. I like long reads, but I hate parts that don't add to the story, feel extraneous to the story.

ARC supplied by Netgalley and publishers

A strangely addictive story that , in some places is not an easy read. Blythe has no positive role model for motherhood and in herself finds difficulty in relating to her own daughter Violet. The author builds a thought provoking scenario that can be spine chilling through a series of well portrayed characters. What part is nature and what part nurture in deciding relationships?

This book really reminded me of We Need to Talk about Kevin. It has the same possibilities at its core, is Blythe a bad mother or is her child evil? And the same narrative, a woman pushed into motherhood by a relationship that feels very special even as she grapples with her own desire not to have children. I'm not sure how I feel about the ending but I certainly found The Push a compelling read.

Wow I am completely at a loss to know just how describe this shocking and yet compulsive read. It’s impossible to say too much about the storyline as I would hate to give anything away because this is a read that will shake you to your core and spit you out at the end leaving you with a head full of very very mixed emotions.
Its a slow burn of a read pulling you in with the story of three generations of mothers Blythe being the main one and it’s raw, compelling, dark and disturbing. This was a book I found impossible to put down I got so completely involved in the the story it’s that damn good and a read that I won’t forget for a very long time. Beautifully and compassionately written this book does not hold back at all it racks up the tension from the beginning to the shocking conclusion it may not be to everyone’s taste but for me it was a brilliant read with some of the best characters I have ever read.
So a massive five stars from me and many thanks to Ashley Audrain you have a sure fire winner with this one and well deserved it was brilliant.
My thanks also to NetGalley and Penguin Michael Joseph UK for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

It feels strange to say I enjoyed reading The Push by Ashley Audrain, because the storyline is not your happily ever after kind of novel. However the writing is beautifully poetic, told in the past and present and is about a generation of mothers in the same family. It is heart breaking mostly and tackles the taboos of motherhood. I can see how the story might feel bleak but it’s so wonderfully written and I wanted more of it.

I was gripped from the first page. Beautifully written, very haunting. As a mother myself it’s quite an uncomfortable read, but I loved it.

I am so delighted that the publishers of this book granted my wish to read this book - I would not have wanted to miss it!

At first I was a little confused, as the story jumps between two timelines and even has different narrators with viewpoints that change from the third person to the first person throughout. However, right from the start I was intrigued as you meet the main protagonist describing what appears to be an act of stalking as you share her take on a warm domestic scene. It is a while before you learn the relevance of this moment.

The story follows the life of Blythe and her relationship with her family. There are generations of secrets and actions which seem to have consequences for the next generation of females in the family. It is evident that Blythe has had a tough upbringing and at times I was truly shocked at the way mothers treated their children in this book. It is gritty and hard-hitting in places and includes children's death and suicide which some readers may find tough.

The book reminded me a lot of 'We Need to Talk about Kevin' by Lionel Shriver), and I loved that Audrain essentially debates the role of nature on motherhood and what comes 'naturally' in 'The Push'. In a similar way to Shriver's book, this is a novel that looks at the issue of nature v nurture: to what extent does Blythe's history affect her as a parent and wife? There is no doubt that Blythe makes mistakes as a parent, but then who doesn't? And these are painfully recognised and acknowledged: 'How shameful it felt to be exposed. This contrasts with the small intimate joys she feels watching her own daughter grow and also the monotony of much of her day in being a parent ' I was a soldier, executing a series of physical actions on a loop'. As a reader you watch as Blythe manipulates a situation to develop an unhealthy friendship, which whilst somehow offering her hope and an opportunity to move past some of her grief - this can only lead to more pain as her deception is revealed. I rooted for Blythe with all her faults and so desperately cared that she found resolution to her troubles by the end of this book.

Wow! I loved the read, and even reflecting on it now I would be quite happy to go back and reread it again and again. Have a box of tissues to hand!

This is a very different book.

A mother who is struggling, this new life is not how she imagined it to be. Is there something wrong with her? With her daughter?

I found this book disturbing, but also at the same time I couldn’t put it down. I also found myself yearning for a certain ending.

Very well written, it’s shocking, sad and it made me angry so many times. All in all a very good read. Highly recommend.

this is an emotional rollercoaster of a ride through motherhood, maternal bonding, mental health and wellbeing and family secrets.
This certainly taps into the feelngs most women have dirung prognancy adn early motherhood about whether they will cope,be good enough, love enough.
Raw, compelling and disturbing but excellent!

“Pre-order The Push now and be one of the first to discover why this novel you can’t put down is also the novel you will never forget” is the bold statement from the publishers. Fact or fiction? (Excuse the pun!) it’s a FACT! I simply loved this book by Ashley Audrain it’s a haunting, raw, exploration of motherhood, nature vs nurture, and the notion that mothers are expected by society to love their children unconditional.  This novel really is a dark psychological thriller, with an underpinning sense of doom and paranoia,  the authors enticing writing propels the reader forward to the dramatic, ‘heart in your mouth’ conclusion. 

 The story appears to be a simple one Blythe falls in love with Fox they have the perfect relationship in every way. Blythe doesn’t have a supportive family, but Fox has a doting mother and family who welcomes Blythe with open arms. Like a fairy tale they go on to get married, and decide to start a family of their own. But Violet is different to other babies and motherhood doesn’t come easily to Blythe. Although the story seems straightforward the author has created a dark, visceral tale that’s compelling, haunting and such an incredible read. Blythe’s account of motherhood makes for a chilling read that veers towards the darker side of fiction. The author vividly delivers a painfully accurate picture of the difficulties of early motherhood and parenting, at some point in this story I’m sure every mother on the planet will be able to relate to Blythe in some shape or form. 

The author has  has created living, breathing characters that jump from the pages, as you read this novel you find your thoughts constantly returning to them. As the author scratches below the surface of Blythe’s life, the tone grows darker at every turn of the page, is Blythe paranoid? Is it a tale of manipulation? misdirection? Compulsive, addictive and beautifully written, this novel has so many layers it makes this novel all the more exciting to read . You need to pre-order this book now! It’s one that’s going to ignite conversations and fuel debates, and I have a feeling it’s going to be one of the most talked about novels of 2021 on its release. A superb read.

Although I enjoyed ‘The Push’ by Ashley Audrain I did feel that it was a very depressing book. The novel looked at important themes such as post natal depression but the theme of the relationship between mothers and daughters went much deeper. Thought provoking but equally disturbing.

Blythe and Fox Connor had it all; college sweethearts, successful careers and then a happy marriage. They knew that a having a baby would make them complete.
After all, motherhood is so natural and Blythe is determined to be a better mother than her own one, Cecilia.
But it’s much harder than she thought it would be with her new daughter. Violet cries incessantly and hardly sleeps and so neither does Blythe. She knows that she isn’t coping and is painfully aware that her relationship with Fox has changed since she became a mother. Finally, as a final resort to be able to resume her writing career again she begins to ignore Violet’s cries. However, she retaliates by slamming her head against a wall. The battle lines and power struggle between them have begun.
Cecilia walked out on Blythe and her father when she was a young girl and the nearest thing that she had to a mother was Mrs Ellington, a neighbour. It was through her and a college scholarship that Blythe escaped from a toxic family legacy. By contrast, Fox’s family was warm, welcoming and supportive and Blythe desperately wants to belong. In Fox’s eyes he has the perfect mother and the perfect daughter.
When they buy a house Blythe persuades Fox to try for another baby and they have Sam. Violet’s behaviour becomes more worrying and Blythe walks on eggshells around her. Until the fateful day when Blythe’s darkest, most secret and dangerous feelings are finally realised and her life comes tumbling down. And the reader will sense the terrible significance of the book’s title as the novel hurtles towards the unforgettable last line.
This is an assured and confident debut novel by Ashley Audrain and she is a writer to watch. I thought that the subject matter was handled exceptionally well although it may make some readers uncomfortable. I really felt for Blythe as she struggled with her family history and the feeling that if motherhood is supposed to be so natural why do I feel so alone? Blythe narrates in the first person as she looks back on a life that she cherished and wanted so desperately. The pressure to be a perfect mother and wife was really well evoked as was the way that no one seems to listen to Blythe’s concerns over Violet. She is left to deal with them alone.
However, is there something wrong with Violet or is Blythe imagining it? Does she suspect that her own family legacy has reappeared in her daughter? I was really impressed by how the author revealed Blythe’s disturbing family background in 3rd person sections and the effort she made to escape only to find herself enmeshed in a family drama that she may not be able to win. There are echoes of ‘We Need to talk about Kevin’ but ‘The Push’ is more concerned with the pressure of motherhood and the effects on the women who can’t live up to the ideal.
It was gripping, suspenseful and, although not a comfortable read, it was certainly a memorable one,
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an advance reading copy of this book.

I tried, I really did. But despite the blurb sounding promising this was not my kind of book. There was so much foreshadowing but I honestly just struggled to care about what it was all leading to, and the pace was glacial.

Books should be commended for portraying the lesser seen sides of childbirth and motherhood, but this one positive aspect is unfortunately one of the only good things I have to say about this novel. Not for me!

This is one of those books where I can not say I actually enjoyed it as I felt a sense of anxiety and sadness the whole way through but I can honestly say it is a great book. The thing is that this book is so well written, and the fact that it can create this sense of intensity and anxiety is testament to how well it is written. This story is one that reflects accurately at times if not comfortably on motherhood, the argument of nature vs nurture and how each individual’s own childhood can impact on their own parenting. It also has a psychological thriller kind of vibe about it which adds another element of edginess. This is definitely a 5 star read.

Is it ever possible to break a familial cycle of cruelty and neglect in order to build a happier life for one’s own children? This is the dilemma facing the protagonist of this tautly-plotted novel. Blythe certainly tries her best when her daughter Violet is born, drawing on the kindness she has been shown by a neighbour, Mrs Ellington, rather than by her own mother Cecilia. What role does Blythe’s partner Fox play in the family and its gradual breakdown? And how do the flashbacks to the traumatic pasts of Blythe’s mother Cecilia and grandmother Etta affect a woman who strives so hard to do the best she can? Blythe herself tries to get to the bottom of these questions in a long letter she composes to Fox.
Audrain succeeds in depicting a range of believable flawed, and therefore utterly fascinating literary characters in this novel. She certainly deconstructs any preconceptions about motherhood we may have had as readers – I was absolutely spellbound. The fact that the novel's prose is flawless and accomplished only adds to the book's appeal. I wish to thank the publishers and NetGalley for allowing me an ARC in exchange for this honest and unbiased review.

I will be releasing a longer review on my blog but in short I really enjoyed this read and look forward to reading more from this author

A raw, harrowing story of cross-generational motherhood and the actions, omissions and mistakes that tear families apart and leave gaping wounds

Akin to The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold, this was a story that did not hide behind rose covered archways but instead carved out a blood-stained and sorrowful tale across three-generations of motherhood. It is a story that may shock, that may provoke thought, but it is bleak and harsh: it is not a fun read.

The Push is an arguably honest portrayal of what happens behind closed doors of not-so-happy-families, and people. The grittier content (view spoiler) was undeniably raw: graphically depicted, painful and unsettling. I did not enjoy this book.

Firstly, the writing style was unusual. It was written in a mixture of second-person and first-person with short, choppy sentences that I found jarring. I disliked the character to whom the book was directed at "the You", but not in a here's-a-good-villain kind of way. Secondly, the cliffhanger ending was expected but unsatisfying. Finally, I found its lack of hope to be the nail in the coffin. I don't need a happy-ever-after in every story, but I need something.

I can see that other readers might appreciate this story, but it's not my cup of tea.

Loved this book, couldn’t put it down.

The subject matter isn’t easy and I felt the emotions with the main character, I really cared about her.