The Push is a thought provoking novel that tackles many difficult issues, the main one being what should a mother do if she knows her child is dangerous?

When Blythe becomes pregnant, she worries that she won’t be a good mother. The book examines her relationship with her husband and new daughter Violet, while also telling the story of her mother and grandmother. The history shows they were not naturally maternal and in some situations, abusive and neglectful to their daughters.

Blythe and Violet do not bond and although Blythe cares for her infant, she feels disconnected and can see her husband has a more natural relationship with her. Blythe’s instincts tell her that Violet isn’t like other children, and after a serious incident at a playground, these concerns are confirmed.
The story continues as baby Sam comes into their lives and Blythe suddenly feels all the emotions she knows were missing with Violet.

I found this to be an intense read that provoked many emotions in me. The no holds barred descriptions of pregnancy, birth and motherhood, as well as the close examination of marriage and relationships was brutally honest and refreshing. The story is also terrifying in parts and created many questions in my mind regarding a mother’s love and loyalty.

The narrator was an added bonus to my enjoyment of this novel and did a fantastic job of creating real tension and high emotion. A brilliant Book Club read.

"The Push" encompasses the stories of three generations of mothers and subverts our expectations about traditional mother/daughter relationships. I wondered throughout whether Blythe was perhaps an unreliable narrator and you'll just have to read it to find out. The book also raises questions about nature vs nurture. Ashley Audrain's dark debut makes for compulsive reading and I suspect it stays with you long after the final, shocking lines.

I listened to the audiobook which is brilliantly narrated by Marin Ireland, who is fast becoming one of my favourite voice artists.

This is an audio book review for The Push by Ashley Audrain. The story follows several generations of mothers within a family. Blythe is the main character who becomes pregnant. she tries to be enthusiastic about becoming a mother but when her daughter Violet is born she doesn’t bond with her. Her husband Fox develops a strong relationship with the child while Blythe and Violets begins to flounder.
Throughout the story we flicker back through time to Blythes mother Cecilia and then back even further to Cecilias mother Etta and take a look at all of these complex mother daughter relationships which are disturbing and unsettling at times.
When Blythe has another child, who she does bond with immediately, Violets dark side emerges and the reader is taken down an even darker and unthinkable path.
This is a gritty, dark psychological debut and not for the faint hearted. Audrain’s writing is excellent and she knows exactly how to reel you in .I think this book will be big in 2021 and would be particularly good for book groups as there is so much content to discuss.
Narrated by Marin Ireland and delivered in short punchy audio chapters, this makes for a great audiobook! This book is out on the 7th of June 2021. Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for my much appreciated gifted copy.