I came across The Push by Ashley Audrain on Instagram and immediately after I read the blurb, I knew I had to read it. It is a debut psychological thriller novel published this year by Pamela Dorman Books.
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. To read detailed synopsis, click here.
My thoughts
The Push might be the most disturbing and gripping book I have read this year. It took me a few hours to gather myself after I finished reading it. It was soo good yet so hard to read and process.
The push is narrated in the voice of the main character, Blythe who was never really keen on being a mother after having dealt with a mother who neglected her. She however agrees to it because of her husband. There is a stereotype that no matter how hard and traumatizing the delivery process is, once the baby comes out, there is this instant and almost magical connection and it’s all worth the pain. I like that the author kinda focused on a woman whose experience was very different – A woman who felt very disconnected from her daughter right from the moment she was born.
The Push by Ashley Audrain explores the complexities of motherhood and mother-daughter relationships as it spans three generations. (Although I understood the need for a backstory, I was pretty over the flashbacks at some point and just wanted to get back to the present story) I tried hard not to blame any of the women in this book because I understand that motherhood is complex and mostly harder than we think or even imagine.
It was very disturbing and dark. It makes you uncomfortable and you find yourself confronting thoughts you can’t say out loud. Bruh I couldn’t stop reading, I couldn’t put it down, I couldn’t stop thinking about it.
Themes
The push by Ashley Audrain explores Motherhood, grief, mental illness, marriage, mother-daughter relationships, emotional abuse.
Rating
Recommended if:
- You like psychological thrillers.
- You like books that explore mother-daughter relationships.
- You like books on dysfunctional motherhood.
I am so glad I decided to buy and read this book. It was worth every naira I spent and I totally recommend it if you like psychological thrillers.
If you enjoyed The push, you might also like books like
- Before I go to sleep by S.J. Watson (Review)
- The silent patient by Alex Michaelides
- His & Hers by Alice Feeney
- Sometimes I lie by Alice Feeney
- Tosin
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