The Push: Mother. Daughter. Angel. Monster? 2021's Most Astonishing Debut

I lasted till page 13 before I gave up on this book. The author writes about “you” throughout the book and I have no idea who “you” is! It’s confusing to understand the characters when “you” doesn’t have a name.The first few pages were very confusing with the author writing about someone sat outside a house watching “your” daughter then it changes to “our” daughter. I don’t understand it.I’m not surprised this is the authors first novel. It’s drivel. Avoid and don’t waste your money. I can’t even return it without paying postage costs!😡

Amazing book. I read this in two days giving up sleep,I will have to read this 100 times to work out if mother Blythe is mentally ill and paranoid, or if her worries re her daughter are true.To work out if her Daughters behaviour (if it’s real) is due to the trauma of having a mother that’s not bonded with you, or a Father that’s detached too in his own selfish way, or both. Or if it’s hereditary.Same for the mother. Then the push, The push in the centre of the book, the heart rippingly tragic one- was it one of them, or an accident?I honestly will never know the answers this book works all ways. It’s an incredible read. Amazing. Shivering now thinking about it.

Enjoyed the plot, but the length of the chapters was somewhat annoying. Is it necessary to have 80+ chapters in a 300 page book? Seems excessive. The character of Violet was written very well, so well it made me intensely dislike her! Fox, Blythe’s husband was unsupportive in regards to the children, and blamed his wife for Violet’s behaviour, which is extremely unfair (considering his illicit affair). Didn’t care deeply for any of the characters, but could empathise for Blythe who has a difficult and sinister daughter. I expected to like this book a lot more, but I still think it is a strong debut novel, and would recommend to people who enjoy a dark, thrilling and complex storyline.

This is the best book I’ve read this year! Ashley Audrain is a brilliant writer and takes on the relationship between a mother and daughter with intensity. I read the book in one sitting as it was gripping to the extent that I had to keep reading. The story revolves around Blythe who has a baby (Violet) through the persistence of her husband. As soon as Violet is born, Blythe struggles to make a connection with the newborn. Everyone dismisses her feelings as something that new mothers go through but as the years go by, Blythe realises that Violet is not all what she seems. The dark side of the narrative begins to creep in as Violet grows older with an unthinkable consequence. This is a dark psychological novel and could be upsetting for some! Overall I would highly recommend this book! Impatiently waiting for Audrain’s next one “The Whispers”

If you only read one Novel this year make it this one. It's truly astonishing how good it is and it covers a sensitive subject about a mother's love for her child or not !!! We're all supposed to love our children but what if we don't, when you have children it's not necessarily as good as everyone makes out , one thing's for sure when you decide to have a child your life will never be the same again, most of us make a good job of it but you have to be aware that some people will have a much more fulfilling life without progeny.