Push, The

  7 Reviews

In the great genetic lottery of life, Blythe Connor inherited a maternal history of abuse, neglect and abandonment. She intends breaking the cycle when she has children, but when Violet is born, she seems ... different, and it becomes even more apparent when baby number two, Sam, is born. But if Blythe's husband and father to the children doesn't believe it, why would anyone else? Maybe Blythe has good reason to doubt her ability to mother.

Immersive and perturbing, this is a thought-provoking examination of the nature versus nurture debate and the weighty societal expectations of motherhood.

Comments from BDS Reviewers

"I loved the writing style. I was immersed in this story, I needed to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next."

"The ending was so powerful that I gasped out loud."

"The descriptions of grief are heart-breaking."

"I loved the cleverness of the ambiguous title. Is 'the push' a reference to giving birth, or is it 'something else'?"

"I can imagine our book group having a very robust discussion about this book!"

"The book is a compulsive read and I found it unputdownable although my stomach would be turning."

Reviews

AUCK 446

18-05-2023

Gripping story that really gets the reader thinking.

AUCK 339

11-05-2023

Disturbing content; enjoyed by some.

WELL 219

19-12-2022

Gripping read.

NAP 034

06-12-2022

Most members agreed the book was easy to read and most enjoyed the short chapters. It did not grab all members and it wasn't finished by all. Even though the group thought it was well written, most did not like the content. We did have some good discussions around intergenerational trauma and the pressure on new mothers.

TAUR 062

08-11-2022

We found this book very well-written. Very easy to read. Short chapters kept it moving, gripping and believable. Some found it quite harrowing. We would all recommend this book to others.

AUCK 122

17-10-2022

Not all enjoyed the book - found it a little disturbing, a few did not finish.

WHAKA 020

22-06-2022

Our group found this book particularly harrowing to read. It created a lot of discussion - even though harrowing, you couldn't put it down.