Afterwards, Blythe goes into Sams things, smelling them and missing him. She attends, but refuses therapy. She senses Violet prefers Fox, but Fox insists it's all in her head. If you would like me to review your book, feel free to reach out to me! Blythe wants to send Violet to day care, but Fox is against the idea because his own mother had never needed to do so. The next morning, Blythe sees Noah who is clearly afraid of Violet. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Good call above on the "Push" title. Bookends - How did that book end? Book spoilers to jog your memory. After Cecilia is born, Etta is remarried to Henry, a nice man who manages a candy factory. The book's ending is both shocking and ambiguous, leaving readers with many questions and different interpretations. Blythe realizes that the baby must have been conceived the same month that Fox was fired from his job. 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. I think the book shows how easily we raise evil people and how parents cannot see bad in their kids. Blythe never sees her mother again. She goes to see a doctor too, but the doctor encourages her to do something for herself like writing. I didn't think it was her. March 12, 2023. I get this. Book Review: The Push by Ashley Audrain - Criminal Element Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. On Foxs birthday, Blythe purposely skips out on his breakfast plans. Blythes mental health deteriorates, and she ends up harming or killing herself: Throughout the book, Blythe struggles with her mental health, and she experiences several episodes of dissociation and depression. Book Summary. Blythe suspects something is wrong with Violet, but Fox clearly thinks Blythe is the problem. thats awesome to hear! Then, Blythe makes the critical mistake of saying she wants to meet her family. Blythe continues seeing the literary agent casually, though unenthusiastically. After Blythe is born, she thinks of how she looks like her doll from childhood. What did you think of Seb as a husband and a father? The audiobook for The Push is good. When Violet is 5, there is a funeral for a boy named Elijah. Blythes husband, Fox, abruptly dismisses her fears. Then, Gemma asks about what happened with Sam, saying that Fox doesnt like to talk about it. Blythe ends up looking for photos online to find ones of a four-year-old that can serve as a stand-in for Sam. I felt for her for the entire book. Do you think Gemma was always being truthful with Blythe about her feelings for Violet? . Afterwards, Blythe recalls how Violet had inquired about how streetlights work the weekend before. Henrys sister suggests boarding school for Cecilia to get her away from Etta, but Henry disagrees. But men with children would probably benefit a lot from reading this, and I have no kids but thought it was gripping and very worth my time. Blythe is shocked, knowing that the baby mustve been born in June, considering how Fox only moved out in January of that year. When a boy falls off a playset and dies, Blythe suspects Violet tripped him on purpose. Blythe and Violet both survive, and Blythe learns to be a better mother: A third possible interpretation of the ending is that Blythe and Violet both survive, and Blythe learns to be a better mother. But I think it's clear at the end. Throughout the book, it's not clear if Violet is innately bad, if Blythe is a bad mother (Blythe comes from a line of bad mothers) or if it's all in Blythe's head. In present day, in her car outside their house, Violet comes up to her car and seems to mouth something, but Blythe cant make out what it is. 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. When Violet is three, Blythe comes back to home after a weekend away and checks on Violet. Days of Our Lives Spoilers: Colin's Rooftop Tumble - Talia's Bold Push After Fox leaves, Blythe secretly uses a fake name to befriend Fox's girlfriend, Gemma, to learn about their life. I enjoyed the book, but yes, kids die so it can be upsetting. Passing: The Tragic Ending of the Netflix Movie, Explained - Screen Rant After college, they move in together, and Fox is the breadwinner while Blythe pursues her fledgling writing career. The Push manages the difficult feat of being genuinely satisfying in terms of substance and telling a compelling (and multi-generational) story, all while maintaining a thriller-type atmosphere without feeling like genre fiction. Im open to discussing and exploring different viewpoints. Cecilia wears the dress at the next dance and then never again. Its a good day, but that night Violet says that she doesnt want Sammy anymore. The books ambiguous ending invites readers to grapple with difficult questions and to consider how our past experiences can shape our present actions. Blythe and Fox Connor are a couple who meet in college and get married at 25. Soon, she starts to resents Fox for seeing her solely as Violet's caregiver, and Fox thinks Blythe is deficient as a mother. A man keeps calling for Cecilia, but Seb says shes not home. When Fox gets home, they both downplay the incident. She falls down the stairs with that push. The Push Movie: What We Know Their son, Thomas Ellington Jr., was Blythes best friend. Meanwhile, Violet makes constant remarks reminding her mother that her father is with the other woman now. Watch for it's arrival in 6-10 weeks, June, 2022. Do you think he was a good husband and/or a good father? 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. Blythe thinks Violet is violent and lacks empathy, but Fox thinks Blythe's insufficient love for Violet is the problem. The Push by Ashley Audrain review - the dark side of motherhood Throughout the book, Blythe grapples with the legacy of her own difficult childhood and the impact it has on her relationship with Violet. College sweethearts Blythe and Fox Connor have a charmed life and romance. Your email address will not be published. Blythe's relationship with Violet remains strained and eventually, Blythe loses visitation rights. Blythe and Gemma become close, but eventually Fox finds out Blythe has been pretending to be someone else to get close to Gemma. What shes thinking and feeling is isolating, dark, and raw, and it shines a light on parts of motherhood not often talked about. What makes this book such a compelling read is its ability to provoke strong emotions and spark meaningful conversations. Blythe still tells Gemma her suspicions about Violet anyway. Soon, she starts to resents Fox for seeing her solely as Violet's caregiver, and Fox thinks Blythe is deficient as a mother. The Push - Book Ending Explained It occurs to Blythe that Fox left her for a woman that he thought would be a better mother, the kind of woman you always wanted. Meanwhile, Violet seems less happy and worse behaved than other toddlers. One day Fox takes Violet to his office, and Violet mention a new assistant, Gemma.