The Push: Recap & Book Summary - The Bibliofile The Push manages the difficult feat of being genuinely satisfying in terms of substance and telling a compelling (and multi-generational) story, all while maintaining a "thriller"-type atmosphere without feeling like genre fiction. Instinctively, Cecilia hides the truth of what happened from her father. Without another word, Gemma rushes off. Rating: 4.5/5 stars. 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. Shortly before Foxs 39ths birthday, Blythe suspects Fox is having an affair. Etta finally forces Cecilia under the water, causing her to choke. Your email address will not be published. Its beautiful, but the dress doesnt fit and Cecilia cant get it on. Later, Seb tells Blythe that people will believe untrue things about you, but the only thing that matters is what you think about yourself. Book review and synopsis for The Push by Ashley Audrain, a tense domestic drama slash thriller about motherhood and a woman who is struggling under the pressure to be a "good mother". Meanwhile, Violet seems less happy and worse behaved than other toddlers. is a thriller novel published in 2021 by the Canadian author Ashley Audrain. Days of Our Lives (DOOL) spoilers tease that Talia Hunter (Aketra Sevillian) will become increasingly torn about the mess she's gotten herself stuck in. . Based on the 1929 Nella Larsen novel of the same name, Passing is the black-and-white feature directorial debut of Rebecca Hall (The Prestige). 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. When Blythe leaves the kids with a sitter to get a pedicure with a friend, she worries Violet will hurt Sam. Inspire others by sharing your book on this blog. Genre: Adult Psychological Thriller. Another possible interpretation of the ending is that Blythe confronts her own trauma and finds a way to move forward. document.getElementById( "ak_js_8" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); In this blog post, we will dive deep into the ending of The Push and explore some of the possible meanings and implications. Etta suffered from moods and needed sedatives to calm her down. Spoiler warning: these summaries contains spoilers. Blythe and Fox Connor are a couple who meet in college and get married at 25. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Blythes relationship with Violet remains strained and eventually, Blythe loses visitation rights. The ending of The Push confuses me : r/books - Reddit Blythe recalls one night after her mother had left for good. When the baby is born, Blythe feels euphoric. On one hand, you love this little person more than anything in the world, but on the other hand, he/she is ruining your life as you know it. The more Fox dismisses her fears, the more Blythe begins to question her own sanity, and the more we begin to question what Blythe is telling us about her life as well. Blythe still tells Gemma her suspicions about Violet anyway. Blythe recalls how Cecilia was uncomfortable in small spaces. At seven months, Violet starts napping for longer periods of time, and Blythe lies to Fox about napping. See Everything We Know About the 'The Push' Adaptation. Blythe thinks to herself about how she and Cecilia broke his heart (by leaving him behind). document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I keep going back and forth about whether I want to read this one because it has such mixed reviews, but after this, I think I will give it a try. Blythe thinks Violet is violent and lacks empathy, but Fox thinks Blythe's insufficient love for Violet is the problem. Moreover, Blythe didnt realize till now that it bothered Violet. Their son, Thomas Ellington Jr., was Blythes best friend. Blythe's kind neighbor Mrs. Ellington instead acts as a maternal figure to her. After Blythe and Fox divorce, he gets custody of Violet and moves in with his girlfriend, Gemma, with whom he has a son named Jet. When Cecilia is five, Etta is trying to wash Cecilias hair and Cecilia is being difficult. Were your initial assumptions correct or not? Coraline: Your mother is made of buttons. Hear a sample of The Push on Audiobook on Libro.fm. Blythe mourns her son, she believes her daughter was the one that killed him. Blythe denies it, but Gemma clearly doesnt believe her. The Book: The Lies I Tell by Julie ClarkPublished June 21, 2022 by Sourcebooks LandmarkDate read: February 28, 2023 The Characters: MegKat [] Greer Hendricks / Sarah Pekkanen / Speedy Spoilers. Soon, she starts to resents Fox for seeing her solely as Violet's caregiver, and Fox thinks Blythe is deficient as a mother. As someone without children, motherhood is not something I spend a lot of time thinking about, and to be totally honest, I generally avoid books that are focused on things like that because they dont tend to grab my attention. So just what happened at the end of The Push? Their wedding bands previously belonged to Foxs great-grandmother, Violet. Despite the difficulties she has faced, Blythe has not given up on her daughter or herself. Cecilia grows up and meets a man named Seb. Would you feel differently about this book or these characters if there was no epilogue (the a year and a half later part)? She imagines it would be the tiles from the changing room at the public pool. My essay was published in the bookBut I'm a Gilmore! The next morning, Blythe sees Noah who is clearly afraid of Violet. When Violet turns 1, Blythe and Fox throw a party, and they take a family picture. Plus, some of the scenes and language are not kid-friendly. Gemma does as she instructs, and predictably afterwards, Fox is mad at her for leaving Violet by herself. Could you please provide more details or insights? I read this in one day, and it felt very effortless. The books ending is open to interpretation, and there are several possible ways to read it. document.getElementById( "ak_js_9" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hello, and welcome to Wrote a Book! Blythe notices the other things that are now missing from her relationship now that Violet is getting Foxs time and attention, like how they no longer do crosswords together. Etta is also said to have suffered from nerves and occasionally needed sedatives. How did your perceptions of Blythe change as the book progressed or did it stay the same? Violet says to Blythe pointedly that the mother saves her son every time. I think you missed the actual ending. 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). With her, the woman has a stack of papers, a manuscript explaining her side of the story. Cecilia later explains that its because her mother once did something very cruel to her because there was something wrong with Etta. Foxs mother hires them a night nurse, and for that time things are better. (The Detailed Plot Summary is also available, below). Blythe tries to discourage her, but finds a clump of Noahs hair in Violets pocket the next day. She asks Joe if he saw the accident, and he merely says that he was glad she had Violet to live for (indicating that if he did see it, then he thought it was Blythes fault). Required fields are marked *. Then, Violet turns around and walks home. The ending of The Push confuses me. After the divorce, Fox has custody, but Blythe has visitation rights. I think the book shows how easily we raise evil people and how parents cannot see bad in their kids. Be advised that there are spoilers ahead, obviously, so be entirely sure you want to continue reading. When Mrs. Smith dies, Cecilia takes the money, $680, that the old woman had stored in a tin. Ashley Audrain's "The Push" Book Review - The Literary Lifestyle When Violet tries to run off, Blythe grabs her, but it hurts Violets arm and Violet looks satisfied. 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. 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. Help spread the word. Their marriage falls apart. Audrain's debut is a stunning, devastating novel and, frankly, one hell of a way to start a year of reading. Its not a perfect book, and there are things you could nitpick about it if you were inclined to do so. I'm also surprised that this is Audrain's debut novel, because the pacing, structure and voice of the book . Blythe is worried that the old, detached Violet was now back. 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 . After four weeks, Foxs mother insists that its time Blythe learn how to do it herself. One day Fox comes home early to the sound of Violets cries, and he is furious. 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. 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. by Ashley Audrain. Read my Disclaimer to learn more. Blythe ends up looking for photos online to find ones of a four-year-old that can serve as a stand-in for Sam. Its a good day, but that night Violet says that she doesnt want Sammy anymore. He is supportive and thoughtful. The book ends with Blythe standing on a rooftop, looking down at the street below, and its unclear what her next move will be. Ask the Author. Blythe and Gemma become close, but eventually Fox finds out Blythe has been pretending to be someone else to get close to Gemma. The book is also a bit of a downer, and I would go so far as to say it occasionally toes the line into feeling like misery lit (or misery pn, for a less proper term), wrapped up in a thriller-esque package. Three months after the accident, the Connors move to a new house, and Blythe hopes a change will be good for them. Meanwhile, Blythe throws herself into activities for Sam. Blythe thinks Violet is violent and lacks empathy, but Fox thinks Blythe's insufficient love for Violet is the problem. Yes but still kind of right or left, so great to get a validation :). The book ends a year and a half after that point. Cecilia continues to hide these things from Henry, and Etta brightens up when Henry is around. 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. Blythe neglects to tell Fox the full truth about her distant relationship with her father. Even though they are not married, Gemma refers to Fox as her husband. Louis intends to go into medicine as well, but Ettas father insists that Louis help with farming so that Louis can later take over the hundreds of acres the family owns. The Push - Ashley Audrain | Review | 2021 | Spoilers - Peridot Rose Books They take a family holiday photo. Did the ending change your assessment of her reliability as a narrator? This passage suggests that Blythe is aware of the potential danger she poses to herself but is also struggling to control her thoughts and impulses. One night, Gemma is worried that Jeb is sick. Can someone please tell me the ending? I The Push Q&A Fox claims hes not seeing the other woman anymore. 2 years ago. 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). Read it and you will not be disappointed. ), When the phone rings, Blythe is hopeful that it is Violet on the line. Instead, it is Gemma. Why do you think Audrain shifts POVs (from first person to third person) for the epilogue? Blythe struggles with Violet from the beginning, Blythe is exhausted, and motherhood proves far tougher than she anticipated. When Violet asks about the poison sign on the bottle of bleach (and whether it could kill someone), Blythe calls Gemma to let her know. Its just really raw about that time in life, and I note most other reviews I have seen have said the same. Blythe has started therapy to try to move on. I get this. Next day, after help from his sister, he tells that when he was 6 years old, he accidentally shot is older brother in the head. This book presented mothers as strong, caring women who love their children deeply and can rise above gutteral turmoil when needed. I can't read books right now where kids die. . The Push by Ashley Audrain. Do you think Gemma was always being truthful with Blythe about her feelings for Violet? Blythe and Violet's relationship is still fraught. Blythe continues to look for acknowledgement from others that there is something wrong with Violet, until she finally starts to doubt herself. The Push WILL make you feel uncomfortable in exploring that question, in a very necessary kind of way. He suggests joint custody over Violet, and Blythe agrees. What makes this book such a compelling read is its ability to provoke strong emotions and spark meaningful conversations. Caroline wrote: "That ending devastated me. They watch a movie and laugh together, and Blythe feels sad about how rare these moments were with Violet. Afterwards, Blythe goes into Sams things, smelling them and missing him. After college, they move in together, and Fox is the breadwinner while Blythe pursues her fledgling writing career. Did this story make you reflect on your personal experiences, and if so how? Later, Violet finds a book Blythe had been reading about how to move a marriage past an affair. After dinner, she turns on the porch light in case her daughter decides its time to see her. Back at home, Fox leaves on a trip, leaving Blythe and Violet alone. 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. The Push by Ashley Audrain began on Christmas Eve as Blythe watched Fox and Violet's new family from the street outside their house. Blythe falls hard for him, and they are inseparable. Fox wants his parents to come help out, but Blythe says shes in no condition to have Foxs perfect mother there, since shes still bleeding, she hasnt showered and shes too sore to wear a shirt. Great exploration of nature vs nurture. 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. Be advised that there are spoilers ahead, obviously, so be entirely sure you want to continue reading. Motherhood is just not what Blythe thought it would be, and it seems everyone is doubting her, including herself. Publication Date: January 4, 2022. When confronted, Violet denies doing anything bad. General Hospital Spoilers: Tuesday, May 2 - Curtis Shocks Trina Do you think the portrayal is accurate, and do you think the way other mothers act toward each other has changed over the years? Violet hints to Blythe that theres a reason Fox has prevented this meeting from happening. 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. Follow along on Goodreads, or keep in touch via the newsletter. But I think it's clear at the end. Then he tells Blythe that even so, Violet deserved more from Blythe, but that Blythe had deserved more from him as well. 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. The girl leaves cookies and carrots for Santa and his reindeer. There, Blythe figures out that the invitation had come from Richard, not Cecilia. I hope you enjoy it if you end up reading it :). Its a psychological thriller that makes social commentary and really makes you think about motherhood, including its darkest sides. 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. Violet has trouble getting along with other kids and there's incidences of violence towards them, too. Blythe wants another baby, another chance at motherhood. 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. This sort of hand-wringing, at its most extreme, is at the center of Ashley Audrain's taut, chilling debut novel, "The Push.". She pushed her real brother Sam's stroller killing him and now she has done something to her half-brother Jet. What if motherhood is not what a woman anticipated it to be? After the divorce, Fox has custody, but Blythe has visitation rights. Overall I did enjoy this and would definitely check out more from Audrain in . Push is narrated by Precious, a Black teenager whose school expels her at . . Welcome back. Sounds a bit dark for me. When Cecilia left for good, Mrs. Ellington stepped up to provide Blythe with some stability in her life. Blythe realizes that she misses the friendship. Meanwhile, the narration is interspersed with information about the women in Blythe's family and her childhood. At one point Gemma suggests getting their kids together, but then doesnt follows up on it. Blythe Conner grew up in a home where she was unnurtured and uncertain what her own mothers feelings were for her. Henrys sister suggests boarding school for Cecilia to get her away from Etta, but Henry disagrees. Up until the last few lines of the book. Watch for it's arrival in 6-10 weeks, June, 2022. Morgan Hedglin Yes! To what extent do you think each aspect came into play when it comes to Violet. The title: Dark Secrets, A Legacy of Memories from 1939 Sweden. When Blythe is 27, Fox is eager to have kids. Thus, it appears Violet really may be a psychopath and Blythe, vindicated. Their marriage falls apart. Blythe still tells Gemma her suspicions about Violet anyway. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Follow along on Goodreads, or keep in touch via the newsletter. Julie Clark | The Lies I Tell. Join our community of book lovers and receive the best book recommendations straight to your inbox . As Blythe grieves, Blythe and Fox's marriage disintegrates, ending with Fox's infidelity. Plus Jace's loss of basically his whole family. Required fields are marked *. 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? Cecilia responds that she wished she were different in some ways. 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. It wasn't the content that bothered me but the writing style, a neverending, monotonous drawl although I appreciate the second-person pov style. As Blythe grieves, she stays in bed. Outside, snow is falling. She finally goes back to the intersection where it happened and sees Joe, who owns the coffee shop at that corner. I can relate to this, but I try not to find out. 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. With Ettas death, Henry is too heartbroken to parent Cecilia properly. The Push explores the differences between nature and nurture, and how the effects of motherhood can affect generations of family, including the marriages at their cores. Book Review: The Push by Ashley Audrain - Criminal Element On the trip, Blythe notices how Violet is an outcast. 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. I don't love cliffhangers so Margot's ending bothered me a bit" Something in me felt for Krissy the entire time. The Push by Ashley Audrain review - the dark side of motherhood She and Lenny continue on and she considers leaving Seb for Lenny, but then Cecilia learns she is pregnant. All the women from her prenatal class merely talk about how rewarding motherhood is. 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. Like, not every comment from a child needs to have a 24-hour reaction time. After Cecilia is born, Etta is remarried to Henry, a nice man who manages a candy factory. Some readers may interpret this as a suggestion that Blythe will jump or fall from the rooftop, potentially ending her own life. Refresh and try again. 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. General Hospital (GH) spoilers for Tuesday, May 2, tease that Curtis Ashford (Donnell Turner) will make some bold moves on The Haunted Star. Blythe Connor is reluctant to become a parent . Soon, they are a couple, he introduces her to his friends and he supports her financially. Then, in the final lines, she learns from Gemma that something has happened to Jet (with the implication that it was Violet's fault.). Soon, they have their first child, a girl named Violet. Gemma says that Jet ended up with a blade that mustve come from her house. I thought, Im not really interested in this, but its relatively short so whatever. The trip changes the way Blythe sees Violet, as a sad, powerless girl. Later, Cecilia tries to pick a fight with Cecilia to get a reaction, but Henry comes home and she leaves. It is a book that demands to be . As the days pass, Blythe sees that Violets emptiness is back. What do you make of that statement? Before graduation, she stops off at home and asks him about her mother. Or Blythe imagined it. Talia is secretly dating Colin (Jasper Newman), Sloan Petersen's (Jessica Serfaty) vengeful brother.. Driven by curiosity, Blythe stalks their apartment to catch a glimpse of the unknown woman, and she ends up following her to a moms group meetup. They talked frequently. Your email address will not be published. 2023 The Literary Lifestyle. 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. Throughout the book, Blythe grapples with the legacy of her own difficult childhood and the impact it has on her relationship with Violet. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. She admits it in the end but only to Blythe. The Connors go to the zoo. Discover new authors, explore different genres, and join us on a literary journey through book reviews, discussion guides, and author interviews.
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