The Push - Book Ending Explained One night Violet asks if Blythe loves Sam more than her, and Blythe wonders if she has overheard Foxs comments. The Push WILL make you feel uncomfortable in exploring that question, in a very necessary kind of way. Do you think Gemma was always being truthful with Blythe about her feelings for Violet? 2 years ago. Angel. For example, when she looks in the mirror, she sees a stranger looking back at her: I didnt recognize the woman in the mirrorI had seen her before, but she was a stranger to me now. She senses Violet prefers Fox, but Fox insists it's all in her head. Violet lies to make Blythe look bad, and she runs away while Blythe is watching her. When the police make their standard inquiries, she denies seeing anything. Your email address will not be published. I wasn't sure what to believe which was frustrating and fascinating all at the same time. At the next moms meet-up, Gemma brings Fox. Warning: This post contains spoilers for Passing. All rights reserved. Its beautiful, but the dress doesnt fit and Cecilia cant get it on. Then, Gemma asks about what happened with Sam, saying that Fox doesnt like to talk about it. The Push explores the differences between nature and nurture, and how the effects of motherhood can affect generations of family, including the marriages at their cores. I actually only read it because one of my book clubs put it on the docket, and I wanted to be able to participate. She asks Joe if he saw the accident, and he merely says that he was glad she had Violet to live for (indicating that if he did see it, then he thought it was Blythes fault). When Blythe finally meets another new mom (with a baby named Harry) who admits to the difficulties of being a mom, she gives the other woman her phone number to keep in touch, but the other woman never reaches out. When Violet turns 1, Blythe and Fox throw a party, and they take a family picture. Then, in the final lines, she learns from Gemma that something has happened to Jet (with the implication that it was Violet's fault.). The book ends by implying that Gemma suspects Violet has now harmed Jet. Fox doesnt want a funeral, so there isnt one. After the weekend with Violet, Blythe gets a call from Gemma, who is upset. She and Lenny continue on and she considers leaving Seb for Lenny, but then Cecilia learns she is pregnant. Instinctively, Cecilia hides the truth of what happened from her father. She thinks Violet is saying I pushed him but she cant hear through the glass. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. For all of these reasons, it also makes a great book for book clubs that want a really provocative discussion. Do you think Violet could have turned out differently at all? Their wedding bands previously belonged to Foxs great-grandmother, Violet. Throughout the book, Blythe struggles to connect with Violet and to understand her daughters behavior. She is surprised when Violet is upset, saying that Blythe is all too willing to give her up and that Blythe hates her. I came here wondering if I can read this book. Violet looks disappointed to see her and continues to sleep. Then, in the final lines, she learns from Gemma that something has happened to Jet (with the implication that it was Violet's fault.). Blythe is shocked, knowing that the baby mustve been born in June, considering how Fox only moved out in January of that year. Push is narrated by Precious, a Black teenager whose school expels her at . I'm a reader of 100+ books per year, I studied English literature, and I've been on The Today Show's Read with Jenna Book Club, Oprah's Book Club, Reese's Book Club, and media outlets including Buzzfeed, The Atlantic, and Esquire. But Violets behavior seems off. Blythe thinks Violet hates her and may even be malicious. When Cecilia left for good, Mrs. Ellington stepped up to provide Blythe with some stability in her life. What did you think of Seb as a husband and a father? It wasnt a book I was expecting to like, much less one that Id be eager to recommend to others. Did this story make you reflect on your personal experiences, and if so how? Blythe sees that its actually Fox who dropped it off and thanks him for it, but he also says that Blythe needs to move on with her life and not call Gemma anymore. When her mother doesnt know, he insists that Blythe find it, and Blythe senses that theyve pushed Cecilia too far. What if motherhood is not what a woman anticipated it to be? The book ends a year and a half after that point. They talked frequently. I agree! Blythe ends up watching their house to catch glimpses of her. He suggests joint custody over Violet, and Blythe agrees. 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. Like, not every comment from a child needs to have a 24-hour reaction time. Genre: Adult Psychological Thriller. 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. See Everything We Know About the 'The Push' Adaptation. Blythe and Fox Connor meet as students in college. Some readers may interpret this as a sign that Blythe is beginning to understand her daughters needs and to develop a better relationship with her. When Blythe and Fox have their second child, a boy named Sam, Blythe's connection with him is immediate, and she adores him. 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. At night, when Blythe falls asleep on the couch, she hears Violet digging around her dresser, but its not clear why. (The Detailed Plot Summary is also available, below). Soon, they are a couple, he introduces her to his friends and he supports her financially. Fox has a son, Jet, with his new wife, Gemma. The next day, Blythe starts apologizing profusely (about acting like a psycho), but Gemma simply expresses her condolences about Blythe losing Sam. Blythe starts thinking that perhaps its time for her to let it go. There were periods of time when Etta managed to act the way others expected her to be. 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. Then, for some reason Violet stops sleeping through the night. Violet has trouble getting along with other kids and there's incidences of violence towards them, too. Blythe becomes pregnant after theyve been trying for a few months. Meanwhile, the narration is interspersed with information about the women in Blythe's family and her childhood. A few days later, at the age of 32, Etta hangs herself with Henrys belt on a tree out front. What do you think of Violets reactions to things? Henrys sister suggests boarding school for Cecilia to get her away from Etta, but Henry disagrees. Afterwards, Foxs mother comforts Violet and comforts Blythe, telling her to hang in there. Then, Blythe makes the critical mistake of saying she wants to meet her family. Blythes grandmother, Etta, was born the day WWII began. Cecilia is determined to make some money and leave town after graduation. She falls down the stairs with that push. What did you think of Blythes relationship with Foxs mother? He inquires about a type of flowers, and she catches him looking at a picture of himself, as if thinking about how attractive he might be to other people. The note is from Gemma and it says that Fox had the painting up in Violets room, but Gemma thinks Blythe should have it since it clearly means so much to her. If this summary was useful to you, please consider supporting this site by leaving a tip ($2, $3, or $5) or joining the Patreon! Spoilers. As Blythe thinks about it, shes sure something is wrong and rushes out part-way through. She was someone else entirely, someone who felt like she was fading away into nothingness. (Chapter 22). 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? The next day, she tells Fox that she hates her mother and only want to live with him. It seems like you have a different understanding of the books ending. Could you please provide more details or insights? When Violet walks in on her parents having sex, she demands an explanation. Cecilia responds that she wished she were different in some ways. A month later, Violet returns to Blythes place, but things are cold between them again. Fox is less attentive this time around, but Blythe wants only her baby. 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. Blythe imagines what it would be like to leave all of it behind. Its just really raw about that time in life, and I note most other reviews I have seen have said the same. Back in her childhood, Blythe recalls Cecilia upset and being unable to get out of bed for a while. After four weeks, Foxs mother insists that its time Blythe learn how to do it herself. Blythe and Fox Connor are a couple who meet in college and get married at 25. Hope it will find a home on Goodread's bookshelves. Two years after Blythes meeting with Cecilia and Richard, Seb tells Blythe that hes going to drop her off for lunch with Cecilia, who Blythe has not seen in the interim. 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. Etta suffered from moods and needed sedatives to calm her down. Moreover, Violet claimed that Blythe just left these things lying open in the house. Soon, she starts to resents Fox for seeing her solely as Violet's caregiver, and Fox thinks Blythe is deficient as a mother. The one-paragraph summary of this book: Blythe and Fox have a daughter, Violet. How did information about the generations of women preceding Blythe affect your perception of her? 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. How The Book Ended. For all of us. Your email address will not be published. Julie Clark | The Lies I Tell. Still, Blythe thinks about the things Seb never did to stop Cecilia from going out at night or how he never took away the pills she was using. This book presented mothers as strong, caring women who love their children deeply and can rise above gutteral turmoil when needed. Spoiler-Filled Review: The Push by Ashley Audrain - Blogger For example, when Blythe grabs her arm, she narrates that Violet looks satisfied? Help spread the word. Blythe recalls how growing up, the Ellingtons, a black family, lived three doors down. The Push is a really well-crafted novel, and it would be so perfect as a book club read. Otherwise, I feel very comfortable giving this a strong recommendation. 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. One day, she asks Violet about Gemma, but Violet just says shes fine. Do you think things could have turned out differently if Blythe had done things differently? [Violet is at it again. Blythe is convinced she saw Violet push the stroller. The book raises important issues about the expectations placed on mothers, the impact of childhood trauma, and the need for support and understanding in our society. As we have seen, the ending is open to interpretation and can be understood in various ways, depending on our own perspectives and experiences. After Blythe is born, she thinks of how she looks like her doll from childhood. Pamela Dorman Books/Viking, 2021. Meanwhile, Blythe is lonely at home. Blythe recalls one day while her mother was brushing her hair, Blythe asked Cecilia if she wishes she werent a mother. The books ambiguous ending invites readers to grapple with difficult questions and to consider how our past experiences can shape our present actions. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The strongest part of this book is the perspective of new motherhood, and just how awful the dichotomy of it can be. 2023 The Literary Lifestyle. When the baby is born, Blythe feels euphoric. What follows is a longer driving sequence that hits . After the run-in, Blythe doesnt hear from Gemma at first, and Blythe doesnt attend anymore meetups. Why do you think Audrain shifts POVs (from first person to third person) for the epilogue? Cecilia runs off and by that night Etta has awkwardly sewn panels into the side. The book ends with Gemma hysterical, calling Blythe to say something has happened to her son Jet. After the revelation of the betrayal, Blythe finds herself surprisingly numb to the pain given that she is still grieving over Sam. As the girl looks out the window, she sees the woman parked on the street. I loved it myself, the different generations of motherhood. See the archives. When Blythe goes home, her father doesnt ask any questions, but Blythe tells him that it wasnt him who had made Cecilia unhappy (since its clear Cecilia is bored/unhappy with Richard as well). Blythe explains her version of the story. So, perhaps Violet really isnt a bad child after all, and its Blythe who is an unreliable narrator of this story. After a particularly grueling day of kicking and screaming, Fox agrees to three days of day care a week. Your email address will not be published. Blythe is a good baby who rarely cries, and each day Seb comments on how lucky they are. When Blythe and Fox have their second child, a boy named Sam, Blythe's connection with him is immediate, and she adores him. See all 11 answers. Blythe is convinced she saw Violet push the stroller. Whether you found the ending satisfying or frustrating, one thing is clear: The Push is a book that will stay with you long after you turn the final page. She attends, but refuses therapy. She imagines it would be the tiles from the changing room at the public pool. The novella The Mist ends pretty similar to the movie, with a daring escape being made by David, his son, and two others. Blythe is tempted to talk to Foxs mother about Violet, but can see that Sams death has been weighing on her, too. . And why do you think he brushes off Blythes suggestion to send Violet to a child psychologist? She wonders if Violet goes in to watch him sleep. (Much later, Blythe continues to feel guilt over her actions when she recalls what happened and remembers the shame over being found out.). Etta eventually hangs herself. By Angie Barry. Bookends - How did that book end? Book spoilers to jog your memory. 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. And as always, I wish you happy reading! January 2021 THE PUSH by Ashley Audrain is a debut novel that is both sharp and thought-provoking. Blythe and Gemma become close, but eventually Fox finds out Blythe has been pretending to be someone else to get close to Gemma. Audrain's debut is a stunning, devastating novel and, frankly, one hell of a way to start a year of reading. What do you make of that statement? For days she works on it and finally presents it to Cecilia. Then, Violet turns around and walks home. Later, Violet mentions that shes going to hurt a boy she dislikes, Noah. After the divorce, Fox has custody, but Blythe has visitation rights. 20 Best Book Club Books for 2022 (New & Anticipated), Best Mystery & Thriller Books for 2022 (New & Anticipated), 20 Best Books with Asian American Protagonists (for Adults), Persephone by Madeline Miller: What We Know, Books to Movies & TV in 2022: 25+ Adaptations Coming Soon, Your email address will not be published. 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. They talk about kids in their future. Cecilia later explains that its because her mother once did something very cruel to her because there was something wrong with Etta. She goes to see a doctor too, but the doctor encourages her to do something for herself like writing. Blythe ends up looking for photos online to find ones of a four-year-old that can serve as a stand-in for Sam. The divorce has happened, and Fox has custody of Violet. Blythe recalls her parents arguing when she was 8. 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 leader of the group, Sydney, welcomes her warmly. Some readers may interpret this as 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. She wasnt Blythe, the girl who had dreamed of a family, who had wanted so badly to be loved. In the last lines of the book Blythe seems to have made peace and was moving on with her life. 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. 2. 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. is a thriller novel published in 2021 by the Canadian author Ashley Audrain. Violet asks why she doesnt seek out her real mother, and Blythe responds that she is afraid of what has become of her. Driven by curiosity, Blythe stalks their apartment to catch a glimpse of the unknown woman, and she ends up following her to a moms group meetup. Days of Our Lives (DOOL) spoilers tease that Talia Hunter (Aketra Sevillian) will become increasingly torn about the mess she's gotten herself stuck in. Foxs mother hires them a night nurse, and for that time things are better. They watch a movie and laugh together, and Blythe feels sad about how rare these moments were with Violet. College sweethearts Blythe and Fox Connor have a charmed life and romance. The ending of The Push confuses me. Violet says to Blythe pointedly that the mother saves her son every time. I didn't think it was her. Some mothers think its their own fault, while others do not. Spoilers For Every Book Ever | Tor.com The fact that "smells" were so important to her was very interesting in the story. With the new baby, the connection is immediate, what shes been looking for. For a non-spoiler version of the plot synopsis, see The Bibliofile's review of The Push by Ashley Audrain. I think the book shows how easily we raise evil people and how parents cannot see bad in their kids. Their marriage falls apart. Sapphire continued the story with a 2011 sequel called The Kid, which focuses on Abdul, Precious's son. . Finally, at one point Blythe grabs Violet arm hard enough to hurt her, and Fox cuts off visitation. 'The Power' Book Ending & Plot Summary - Bustle Her husband, Fox, says she's imagining things. Book Summary. Sounds a bit dark for me. The Push - Ashley Audrain | Review | 2021 | Spoilers - Peridot Rose Books Blythe thinks to herself about how she and Cecilia broke his heart (by leaving him behind). Fox wants his parents to come help out, but Blythe says shes in no condition to have Foxs perfect mother there, since shes still bleeding, she hasnt showered and shes too sore to wear a shirt. I finished the book simply for the sake of Sam and Blythe. Later, Blythe purchases a wig and attends another meeting for the moms group, going by the name Anne. Then their son Sam is bornand with him, Blythe has the blissful connection she'd always imagined with her child. 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. The next day, Henry drops her off at the train station. If Fox had done things different? As Violet gets older, Violet continues to be antagonistic and even violent towards Blythe. When Blythe leaves the kids with a sitter to get a pedicure with a friend, she worries Violet will hurt Sam. Violet then brings over a bucket of water, and Blythe is unsure whether Violet plans to dump water on the kid to make him choke while he is immobilized. It is a book that demands to be discussed and debated, and one that has the power to inspire change. At Penguin, she worked with bestselling authors including Khaled Hosseini, Elizabeth Gilbert, and Meg Wolitzer. On the trip, Blythe notices how Violet is an outcast. Thomass younger brother, Daniel, adored her. What a bizarre way of approaching literature. Coraline: Your mother is made of buttons. The Graveyard Book: Your family is made of ghosts. See the archives. ), When the phone rings, Blythe is hopeful that it is Violet on the line. Blythe has started therapy to try to move on. Blythe never sees her mother again. As Blythe grieves, she stays in bed. Blythe thinks Violet is violent and lacks empathy, but Fox thinks Blythe's insufficient love for Violet is the problem. Fox is out of town, and Gemma wonders whether she should take him to the hospital and if so whether to wake Violet (who is 11 now) in the middle of the night or just leave her there alone. Questions that even those in the book may not have gotten answers to. Violet didnt care much for Sam, but Sam adores Violet. Blythe ends up watching their house to catch glimpses of her. Even when Cecilia is seven, she still clings to her doll, Beth-Anne. The next day, Blythe tells Fox, who brushes it off. 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. She admits it in the end but only to Blythe. How so and why do you think things turned out differently for her? The next morning, Blythe sees Noah who is clearly afraid of Violet. Summary and Review: The Push by Ashley Audrain - The Bibliofile One day, Blythe is having a silly moment with a delighted Violet, and Fox sees this. Publisher: Penguin Books. She is surprised, but curious. So, lets unravel the mystery and try to make sense of what really happened in The Push. Then there's Tunde (Toheeb Jimoh), a Nigerian man who begins to document the .
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