When Mrs. Smith dies, Cecilia takes the money, $680, that the old woman had stored in a tin. Afterwards, Blythe recalls how Violet had inquired about how streetlights work the weekend before. Blythe knows Fox wouldnt like that, so she settles on taking long walks with Violet. Later in the book, 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: I dont know if I can forgive you, I said But I understand now that you did the best you could with what you hadYou were just a kid, too, trying to survive. (Chapter 27). If Fox had done things different? Soon, they have their first child, a girl named Violet. Read it and you will not be disappointed. The book ends with Blythe standing on a rooftop, looking down at the street below, and its unclear what her next move will be. I was actually relieved. This The Push book review gives you all the details you need to know about this haunting thriller with social commentary about motherhood from the Good Morning America book club. Cecilia tells Seb she wants an abortion, but Seb refuses to discuss it, offering only the alternative of her moving out and back home. The one-paragraph summary of this book: Blythe and Fox have a daughter, Violet. When Cecilia left for good, Mrs. Ellington stepped up to provide Blythe with some stability in her life. When Cecilia is five, Etta is trying to wash Cecilias hair and Cecilia is being difficult. Blythe and Fox both pretend not to recognize each other, but Gemma clearly senses something is off. Presumably Violet has killed, or attempted to kill him too. You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with But when their second child, Sam, is later born, Blythe connects deeply with him and they share a beautiful love, until another questionable moment with Violet changes everything in their lives forever. Great exploration of nature vs nurture. Eventually, Cecilia discovers she also likes the wildness of fooling around with and feeling wanted by Sebs friend Lenny. The man had, in turn, responded that Sebs wife was is the cheater, and he said Seb was weak, which is why she left him. Could you please provide more details or insights? He tells Blythe that hed actually caught Violet cutting them up. Follow along on Goodreads, or keep in touch via the newsletter. Blythe planned to give Fox a manuscript that shared her "side of the story . What makes this book such a compelling read is its ability to provoke strong emotions and spark meaningful conversations. Yes but still kind of right or left, so great to get a validation :). And as always, I wish you happy reading! So just what happened at the end of The Push? She wakes up wanting the Mother and Child painting back (which she thought Fox had taken with him), but Fox says he doesnt know where it is. One day, she asks Violet about Gemma, but Violet just says shes fine. The next morning is peaceful, and Blythe heads to the park with the kids. Its not a perfect book, and there are things you could nitpick about it if you were inclined to do so. Cecilia cant imagine going back home to where Etta killed herself, so she has the baby. She tells Violet that shes happy that Violet has someone to talk to that she trusts, even if it isnt her. Afterwards, she tells Violet that shes the closest thing she had to a mother. 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. After Cecilia is born, Etta is remarried to Henry, a nice man who manages a candy factory. She was someone else entirely, someone who felt like she was fading away into nothingness. (Chapter 22). You're awesome for doing it. Why do you think he is reluctant to send Violet to day care initially? Your email address will not be published. However, Talia has also gotten to know Chanel Dupree (Raven Bowens) and Paulina Price (Jacke Harry) on a personal level since she came . For example, when Blythe grabs her arm, she narrates that Violet looks satisfied? The Bibliofile's review of The Push by Ashley Audrain. When Cecilia (Blythe's mother) is born, Etta marries her second husband Henry, but Etta struggles with motherhood and is often intentionally cruel to Cecilia. The novella The Mist ends pretty similar to the movie, with a daring escape being made by David, his son, and two others. 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. WARNING: THIS SECTION CONTAINS BOOK SPOILERS! In love with books? Blythe continues to pursue a friendship with Gemma to get information about the goings-on in her household, and in turn Gemma often would turn to Blythe for advice on things. It was okay in the sense that I couldn't put it down. Seb had been playing poker with some friends when he referred to another man as a cheater. She published her first novel, Push, in 1996; in 2009 it was adapted into the Academy Award-winning film Precious. Or is it all in Blythe's head? It is a book that demands to be . When Blythe and Fox have their second child, a boy named Sam, Blythe's connection with him is immediate, and she adores him. Do you think Violet could have turned out differently at all? The books ambiguous ending invites readers to grapple with difficult questions and to consider how our past experiences can shape our present actions. She senses Violet prefers Fox, but Fox insists it's all in her head. This passage suggests that Blythe is struggling to maintain a sense of identity and that she feels like shes losing herself. And why do you think he brushes off Blythes suggestion to send Violet to a child psychologist? He had used Blythes presence to lure Cecilia home. 2. Blythe ends up watching their house to catch glimpses of her. Allie (Halle Bush) is a South Carolina girl who runs away to a convent after she kills her abusive foster father. She often feels overwhelmed and frustrated by Violets defiance and resistance. Cecilia flips out. I think the book shows how easily we raise evil people and how parents cannot see bad in their kids. She begins to see a therapist and takes medication, but she also feels disconnected from her own thoughts and feelings. Etta finally forces Cecilia under the water, causing her to choke. Blythe thinks Violet is violent and lacks empathy, but Fox thinks Blythe's insufficient love for Violet is the problem. Im passionate about inspiring busy women to read more and live better. Blythe recalls how Cecilia was uncomfortable in small spaces. For financial reasons, Cecilia and Seb move out of the city and into his parents house in the suburbs. She is surprised, but curious. The day after the meeting with Mrs. Ellington, Blythe overhears Violet on the phone with Gemma. What do you make of that statement? Blythe loves the night nurse. I came here wondering if I can read this book. But Violets behavior seems off. Blythe thinks Violet hates her and may even be malicious. Pamela Dorman Books/Viking, 2021. Morgan Hedglin Yes! She imagines it would be the tiles from the changing room at the public pool. Your email address will not be published. Do you think he was a good husband and/or a good father? Violet has trouble getting along with other kids and there's incidences of violence towards them, too. Fox has a son, Jet, with his new wife, Gemma. Blythe recalls one day while her mother was brushing her hair, Blythe asked Cecilia if she wishes she werent a mother. Blythe's pain when she lost her son was absolutely heartbreaking. Moreover, the fact that Blythe survived the incident with Violet suggests that she may have a chance to make things right. General Hospital (GH) spoilers for Tuesday, May 2, tease that Curtis Ashford (Donnell Turner) will make some bold moves on The Haunted Star. As Blythe thinks about it, shes sure something is wrong and rushes out part-way through. 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. I felt for her for the entire book. The first time Violet smiles is with Fox, who continues to insist she just needs to relax with the baby. But this book disconcerted me so much I had to stop at one-third of it and give up (at least for now). Spoilers. January 2021 THE PUSH by Ashley Audrain is a debut novel that is both sharp and thought-provoking. When Blythe stops paying attention, Violet goes missing. After all, Blythes own mother often told her this about her family history: the women in their family are different. She falls down the stairs with that push. Blythe is hopeful that motherhood will come naturally to her, like it seems to for most women. When Blythe insists it was Violet, Fox shushes Blythe, even when Blythe insists the stroller wouldnt roll over the sidewalk groove even if let go. Its beautiful, but the dress doesnt fit and Cecilia cant get it on. Blythe Conner grew up in a home where she was unnurtured and uncertain what her own mothers feelings were for her. The one-paragraph summary of this book: Blythe and Fox have a daughter, Violet. After Fox leaves, Blythe secretly uses a fake name to befriend Fox's girlfriend, Gemma, to learn about their life. At the next moms meet-up, Gemma brings Fox. Her grandmother Etta's first husband died in a horrified farming accident. For days she works on it and finally presents it to Cecilia. When Fox goes in, Violet perks up and asks him to stay. The Push by Ashley Audrain is a gripping and thought-provoking novel that explores the complexities of motherhood and the lasting impact of childhood trauma. The Push by Ashley Audrain began on Christmas Eve as Blythe watched Fox and Violet's new family from the street outside their house. It made sense with all the signs left throughout the book. Im interested to hear more about your interpretation and what you believe the actual ending is. Required fields are marked *. I hope you enjoyed this ending explanation for The Push by Ashley Audrain! Blythe starts thinking that perhaps its time for her to let it go. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It seems like you have a different understanding of the books ending. 31 Best Character Driven Novels to Devour, 10 Best Harry Potter Boxed Sets of Books to Gift. As the arrive at an intersection, Violet takes both hands and yanks at Blythes elbow causing her to spill her coffee. The Push kept me guessing. Three months after the discovery of the affair, Blythe packs up Foxs things. The last conversation that Blythe has with her ex-friend and Fox's wife is bone-chilling and made my mouth drop. Even when Cecilia is seven, she still clings to her doll, Beth-Anne. Its not the most unpredictable ending, but whats so haunting about it is the chilling truth that Violet is the culmination of generations of parental trauma. Talia is secretly dating Colin (Jasper Newman), Sloan Petersen's (Jessica Serfaty) vengeful brother.. Reader Q&A, 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. Blythe is initially excited and starts taking prenatal classes. 2023 The Literary Lifestyle. She goes to see a doctor too, but the doctor encourages her to do something for herself like writing. Their marriage falls apart. 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. 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. When Cecilia (Blythe's mother) is born, Etta marries her second husband Henry, but Etta struggles with motherhood and is often intentionally cruel to Cecilia. After yelling, he storms off and when stopped, he pushes her. She pushed her real brother Sam's stroller killing him and now she has done something to her half-brother Jet. 11. What do you think of Violets reactions to things? Did the ending change your assessment of her reliability as a narrator? The next time Blythe has Violet she takes her to see Mrs. Ellington, who now has some memory problems, but is loving as ever towards Blythe. [Can someone please tell me the ending? What a bizarre way of approaching literature. 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). Cecilia is determined to make some money and leave town after graduation. Blythes grandmother, Etta, was born the day WWII began. What do you think of their expectations of their wives in terms of the types of mothers they expected them to be? When Fox inquires about whether Blythe has napped when Violet napped, Blythe sees it as him monitoring her alertness and him treating her as a service provider. Blythe wants to send Violet to day care, but Fox is against the idea because his own mother had never needed to do so. And just because our children may give us reason to hate them, doesn't mean we will. When Blythe finally saw Cecilia/Annie and Richard together, she wished her mother had died rather than become someone she no longer could recognize. Later in the book, Blythe has a moment of clarity where she realizes that she may be at risk of harming herself: The thought entered my mind that I could hurt myselfI pushed the thought away as quickly as it had come, but it left a residue of fear that made me feel like I was standing on the edge of a cliff. (Chapter 25). See all 11 answers. 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. This isnt the way the book ends. I enjoyed the book, but yes, kids die so it can be upsetting. Finally, Gemma asks to meet up. Blythe is convinced she saw Violet push the stroller. Blythe learns they had another son, Jet. What did you think of the end of the book? Some readers may interpret this as a suggestion that Blythe will jump or fall from the rooftop, potentially ending her own life. Its a good day, but that night Violet says that she doesnt want Sammy anymore. Blythe wants another baby, another chance at motherhood. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. ), When the phone rings, Blythe is hopeful that it is Violet on the line. Blythe is concerned, noting that she has been cruel to other kids, while Fox brushes it off as a developmental phase where she is testing boundaries. 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. Her own mother and grandmother were not role models; each harbored . Soon, they have their first child, a girl named Violet. There were periods of time when Etta managed to act the way others expected her to be. 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. Blythe struggles with Violet from the beginning, Blythe is exhausted, and motherhood proves far tougher than she anticipated. She searches all around but it finally turns out that a truck driver had picked her up at the side of the road Violet had tried to run away. The ending of The Push confuses me. 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. A few days later, at the age of 32, Etta hangs herself with Henrys belt on a tree out front. 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 . What if motherhood is not what a woman anticipated it to be? Finally, at one point Blythe grabs Violet arm hard enough to hurt her, and Fox cuts off visitation. This realization may be a turning point for Blythe, suggesting that she may be able to heal from her own trauma and build a healthier relationship with her daughter. or ask your favorite author a question with At seven months, Violet starts napping for longer periods of time, and Blythe lies to Fox about napping. Then, for some reason Violet stops sleeping through the night. The ending is sad and scary to me. Cecilia knows she is beautiful and heads to the city and meets Seb, who is a doorman at a fancy hotel. If this summary was useful to you, please consider supporting this site by leaving a tip ($2, $3, or $5) or joining the Patreon! Blythe's relationship with Violet remains strained and eventually, Blythe loses visitation rights. When their infant son Sam is killed, Blythe blames Violet. Blythe suspects something is wrong with Violet, but Fox clearly thinks Blythe is the problem. As time passes, Blythe starts to doubt what she really saw that day and whether Violet really did push Sam. If this summary was useful to you, please consider supporting this site by leaving a tip ($2, $3, or $5) or joining the Patreon! Three months after the accident, the Connors move to a new house, and Blythe hopes a change will be good for them. Blythe Connor is a woman who had an abusive and uncaring mother, so shes determined to be the best mother for her own daughter, Violet. Blythe readily agrees. The books ending is both shocking and ambiguous, leaving readers with many questions and different interpretations. I actually only read it because one of my book clubs put it on the docket, and I wanted to be able to participate. Violet hints to Blythe that theres a reason Fox has prevented this meeting from happening. ~Sheila. Required fields are marked *. Meanwhile, Cecilia is disappearing as well. She keeps screaming at Cecilia until Henry comes in. However, one day as Blythe crosses the street, Sam's stroller rolls into the intersection and he is killed. Is there a clear conclusion that can even be drawn? Moreover, Violet claimed that Blythe just left these things lying open in the house. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Follow along on Goodreads, or keep in touch via the newsletter. When Cecilia is in the sixth grade, Etta decides to make Cecilia a dress for the school dance. Blythe imagines what it would be like to leave all of it behind. Blythe is tempted to talk to Foxs mother about Violet, but can see that Sams death has been weighing on her, too. At 11 months, Violet says Mama, and Blythe and Fox are delighted. When the Connors go on a beach vacation, Violet buries another kid in the sand. The author captured it beautifully and so accurately in the beginning. Content warning: While I LOVED The Push and VERY highly recommend it, new or expecting moms should be warned before picking it up. Without another word, Gemma rushes off. My new novel, historical fiction, has some darkness, too, but only at the end as the mystery arrives at a strange twist. When Blythe suggests couples therapy, Fox suggests that Blythe should see someone by herself instead. What did you think about the authors portrayal of the other mothers in the book, for example as with the women Blythe meets at her prenatal class? But The Push was consistently engrossing nonetheless and made me reconsider in some ways my own relationship with my mother, who Ive not always had the smoothest relationship with (and who, in turn, had very difficult relationships with her own parents). She later cheats on him and wants to leave him, but then they find out she is pregnant. Or Blythe imagined it. But for the big things, I think Audrain does a good job with aspects of the book that really matter like the plotting of it or the substance in digging deep into the difficulties and uncertainties of motherhood. When she tells Blythe, Fox has already seen them together. The one-paragraph summary of this book: Blythe and Fox have a daughter, Violet. 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. Seb insists they have the baby (Blythe). As the days pass, Blythe sees that Violets emptiness is back. As Blythe grieves, Blythe and Fox's marriage disintegrates, ending with Fox's infidelity. Prior to Penguin, she worked at a global public relations agency in consumer . 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. For example, Audrain overuses a narrative structure of having kids say a certain loaded thing or question and then the very next day, X major event happens. Blythe remembers her father telling Cecilia that Youll end up just like Etta before finally giving her a drink to calm her down. Do you think the portrayal is fair and/or plausible? Two weeks before she is to leave, the grounds people find Blythe in the stream, talking about wanting to take Sam home. 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. Another possible interpretation of the ending is that Blythe confronts her own trauma and finds a way to move forward. Ishmeet Singh It is an ending that may leave you feeling anxious, to put it plainly. She admits it in the end but only to Blythe. The Push is a book that will stay with you long after you turn the final page. Blythes deception gets increasingly complex when Gemma asks to see a photo of Sam. Their marriage falls apart. She buys a replica painting of Mother and Child by Mary Cassatt to put in his nursery. For all of us. Blythe becomes pregnant after theyve been trying for a few months. Blythe and Fox Connor are a couple who meet in college and get married at 25. Blythe continues to look for acknowledgement from others that there is something wrong with Violet, until she finally starts to doubt herself. What shes thinking and feeling is isolating, dark, and raw, and it shines a light on parts of motherhood not often talked about. As Violet gets older, Violet continues to be antagonistic and even violent towards Blythe. Blythe is shocked, knowing that the baby mustve been born in June, considering how Fox only moved out in January of that year. The following version of this book was used to create the guide: Audrain, Ashley. 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 wants Fox to go away with her, just the two of them, but Fox doesnt want to leave Violet. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Paperback: 336 pages. Etta eventually hangs herself. One day, when Blythe goes to feed Sam at 3AM in the morning, she finds Violet in there, who has taken Sams bunny, Benny. After the run-in, Blythe doesnt hear from Gemma at first, and Blythe doesnt attend anymore meetups. Its now been seven months since Sams death. One day Cecilia is looking for the doll, but Etta has placed it in the back of the cellar. She also tells Blythe not to learn to be like her, and sees to regret that I dont know how to teach you to be anyone different. The Quick Recap and Section-by-Section Summary for The Push by Ashley Audrain are below. Overall I did enjoy this and would definitely check out more from Audrain in . In The Push, Blythe Connor is a woman who is trying desperately to be the perfect mother that everyone else seems to be, but she's struggling. How did information about the generations of women preceding Blythe affect your perception of her? We will examine the different theories that have emerged and analyze key quotes and scenes from the book to shed light on the authors intentions. She writes poetry, but takes a job as a caregiver for an elderly woman, Mrs. Smith. Blythe mourns her son, she believes her daughter was the one that killed him. Blythe is convinced she saw Violet push the stroller. See the archives. But that didn't bother me. Violets teacher asks Blythe to help chaperone a school trip, and Blythe reluctantly agrees. Anansi Boys: Gods are still made of stories. 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. The book ends by implying that Gemma suspects Violet has now harmed Jet. I can relate to this, but I try not to find out. Sorry for that. There is a lot of back and forth between Blythe, her past with her mother Cecelia, and then Cecelia's past with her mother Etta. The only demographic I probably wouldnt recommend this to is adolescents, since I do think it probably takes a higher level of maturity to understand and appreciate a lot of the concerns or issues that this book deals with. This book is so good. The Push. Thank you! Blythe senses that Gemma is upset with her later. Being snarky and ridiculing a person asking a sincere question is idiotic. Blythe had watched as Violet tripped Elijah on the playset, ad Elijah had consequently fallen off the top slide and died. 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. I loved it myself, the different generations of motherhood. And how big of an impact do you think Mrs. Ellington had on Blythes life? Julie Clark | The Lies I Tell. Im open to discussing and exploring different viewpoints. Blythe suggests having Violet see a child psychologist, but Fox thinks the Violet is coping well so it is unnecessary. Blythe thinks about how Violet is growing up and will leave her behind. Then, she asks Gemma whether shes ever wondered if her son was safe with Violet? When Blythe was in the third grade, Cecilia showed up to a class event, a Mothers Day tea party, to her surprise. Then, in the final lines, she learns from Gemma that something has happened to Jet (with the implication that it was Violet's fault.). After being caught by Fox, Blythe decides to stops writing and focus on Violet. When she goes to tell Fox, he has a gift for her and she doesnt say anything to avoid upsetting him. Blythe falls hard for him, and they are inseparable.
Who Did Jai Pausch Married, Adam Calhoun Official Website, Greek Street Egham Hill, Articles T