A review of The Push by Ashley Audrain

 The Push by Ashley Audrain 

"A mother's heart breaks a million ways in her lifetime." p177

    Okay, what did I just read? I mean I wish I could just sit here and discuss the ending and the meaning but I won't! This book was a freaking trip honestly. After I finished I ran out of my room and look at my boyfriend and said "what do I do now!?" because really what do I do now? Can anyone answer? Help? This is a psychological trip that will have you thinking and rethinking everything you learn from Blythe(our protagonist). This book was at once haunting, heartbreaking, and cringy. Part of you will want to stop reading because whatever outcome there is can't be happy but you also must keep reading out of pure curiosity. It's about motherhood but it's also about depression, grief, family, and trauma, so much trauma. 

*trigger warnings: this book does deal with postpartum depression and loss. 

    The novel follows Blythe as she retells her life and her journey of motherhood. Told through three different timelines in a sense. Blythe recalls her grandmother and mother throughout and with that information you learn more about why Blythe has become who she is. But this story is really about motherhood at its core. As Blythe looks down at her newborn baby she doesn't feel that spark she was told she would feel and as the child grows she starts to become concerned that something is truly wrong with her daughter. I loved how Audrain was able to weave all the different expectations of what a mother should be and how she should act. It almost makes you want to scream at the other characters to say help this woman or do more! 

    AND THAT ENDING. There is so much to think about in this book and even after two days I can't fully put into words what I felt about it. But what I do know is you NEED to read this. 

Stand out quote: 

"I was a service provider. You didn't see me as a woman. I was just the mother of your child." p 55 

Some questions to ponder: 

1. How could Fox had been a better partner? 
2. On-Page 177 why do you think Blythe reacts the way she does while observing this stranger? 
3. Do you think Blythe loves Violet? Do you think she is capable of it? 
4. What are your thoughts on the ending? If there were another ten or twenty pages how do you think it would progress? 

Thanks for stopping by! 

-MDB