Gemma says that Jet ended up with a blade that mustve come from her house. Why do you think he is reluctant to send Violet to day care initially? So just what happened at the end of The Push? I enjoyed the book, but yes, kids die so it can be upsetting. 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. Posted on Last updated: February 15, 2023, Home Books Ashley Audrains The Push Book Review. The ending of The Push confuses me : r/books - Reddit Blythe realizes that Violet mustve gotten the blade (one of Foxs model-building tools) that was hidden in her dresser. Why do you think Audrain shifts POVs (from first person to third person) for the epilogue? She imagines it would be the tiles from the changing room at the public pool. When Cecilia is five, Etta is trying to wash Cecilias hair and Cecilia is being difficult. As Blythe grieves, Blythe and Fox's marriage disintegrates, ending with Fox's infidelity. Later, Violet mentions that shes going to hurt a boy she dislikes, Noah. Back at home, Fox leaves on a trip, leaving Blythe and Violet alone. She wasnt Blythe, the girl who had dreamed of a family, who had wanted so badly to be loved. The way the book is left open leaving questions about just what happened. Blythe realizes that the baby must have been conceived the same month that Fox was fired from his job. 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. Then, in the final lines, she learns from Gemma that something has happened to Jet (with the implication that it was Violet's fault.). 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. The Future of Publishing: What Recent Changes Mean for Readers and Writers. When Mrs. Ellington later tell her that you made him very happy to comfort her, Blythe thinks about how it is a kind lie. The books ending is open to interpretation, and there are several possible ways to read it. Blythe takes a seat and the other woman, Gemma, happens to sit beside her. Cecilia grows up and meets a man named Seb. It was an interesting read. See the archives. The Sandman . The audiobook for The Push is good. 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. Spoilers. Fox, meanwhile, comes from a loving and stable family. Publisher: Penguin Books. After Fox leaves, Blythe secretly uses a fake name to befriend Fox's girlfriend, Gemma, to learn about their life. I read this in one day, and it felt very effortless. 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 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. This passage suggests that Blythe recognizes the impact of her own trauma on her parenting and is struggling to break the cycle of abuse. Her grandmother Etta's first husband died in a horrified farming accident. The Push Summary and Study Guide | SuperSummary Her husband, Fox, says she's imagining things. Join our community of book lovers and receive the best book recommendations straight to your inbox . Warning: This post contains spoilers for Passing. document.getElementById( "ak_js_9" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hello, and welcome to Wrote a Book! The book is also a bit of a downer, and I would go so far as to say it occasionally toes the line into feeling like misery lit (or misery pn, for a less proper term), wrapped up in a thriller-esque package. The girl leaves cookies and carrots for Santa and his reindeer. This passage suggests that Blythe is beginning to understand that her own failures as a mother have contributed to the distance between her and Violet. (The Detailed Plot Summary is also available, below). Etta suffered from moods and needed sedatives to calm her down. 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. Blythe Connor is determined that she will be the warm, comforting mother to her new baby Violet that she herself never had. 3. Blythe struggles with Violet, who cries all the time and doesnt latch well, and Blythe thinks the baby hates her. 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. I get this. Blythe and Fox both pretend not to recognize each other, but Gemma clearly senses something is off. Blythe lets go of the stroller, and Violet pushes it into the road. I so hope, whoever makes the movie or series, will focus on the "smells" that the protagonist talks about all the time. 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. Blythe senses that Gemma is upset with her later. Cecilia wears the dress at the next dance and then never again. Violet says to Blythe pointedly that the mother saves her son every time. Blythe knows Fox wouldnt like that, so she settles on taking long walks with Violet. Her own mother and grandmother were not role models; each harbored . He is supportive and thoughtful. Sapphire is the pen name of author Ramona Lofton. After Blythe is born, she thinks of how she looks like her doll from childhood. The ending of The Push confuses me. She is surprised when Violet is upset, saying that Blythe is all too willing to give her up and that Blythe hates her. Seb insists they have the baby (Blythe). After the divorce, Fox has custody, but Blythe has visitation rights. 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? Morgan Hedglin Yes! The next day, Seb dies of what the police think was a heart attack. Fox claims hes not seeing the other woman anymore. Push is narrated by Precious, a Black teenager whose school expels her at . One day Fox comes home early to the sound of Violets cries, and he is furious. When Violet walks in on her parents having sex, she demands an explanation. As Blythes relationship with Violet becomes increasingly strained, she begins to question her own sanity and fears that she may be repeating the cycle of abuse. The trip changes the way Blythe sees Violet, as a sad, powerless girl. What do you think of their expectations of their wives in terms of the types of mothers they expected them to be? You're awesome for doing it. For financial reasons, Cecilia and Seb move out of the city and into his parents house in the suburbs. She is surprised, but curious. 11. 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. The Push by Ashley Audrain review - the dark side of motherhood She later cheats on him and wants to leave him, but then they find out she is pregnant. One day Cecilia is looking for the doll, but Etta has placed it in the back of the cellar. But one fateful night Ryle finds Atlas's number and goes in a rage. Blythe imagines what it would be like to leave all of it behind. Blythe realizes that she misses the friendship. or ask your favorite author a question with It was such a cliffhanger to end the novel on and I think that Audrain really made a brave choice to end the book with such an unfinished ending. The stroller collides with a car and Sam is killed. Instead, it is Gemma. She starts casually sleeping with a man, a not particularly successful literary agent, but she suspects hes also interested in having her write something that he could monetize. ), When the phone rings, Blythe is hopeful that it is Violet on the line. Blythe suggests having Violet see a child psychologist, but Fox thinks the Violet is coping well so it is unnecessary. Seb had been playing poker with some friends when he referred to another man as a cheater. 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. When their infant son Sam is killed, Blythe blames Violet. Published on February 6, 2021. Passing: The Tragic Ending of the Netflix Movie, Explained - Screen Rant 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. 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. Even Violet seems to love her little brother. Three months after the discovery of the affair, Blythe packs up Foxs things. Sounds a bit dark for me. I also interpreted the push literally like when Violet pushed Sam. The next day, Cecilia leaves for good. However, one day as Blythe crosses the street, Sam's stroller rolls into the intersection and he is killed. Blythe recalls one day while her mother was brushing her hair, Blythe asked Cecilia if she wishes she werent a mother. The Push : Book summary and reviews of The Push by Ashley Audrain Fox doesnt want a funeral, so there isnt one. She goes to see a doctor too, but the doctor encourages her to do something for herself like writing. 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. Blythe wants Fox to go away with her, just the two of them, but Fox doesnt want to leave Violet. Hi Anna, thank you for sharing your comment. Blythe wants another baby, another chance at motherhood. She buys a replica painting of Mother and Child by Mary Cassatt to put in his nursery. After that, Blythe stops taking his mothers calls. thats awesome to hear! 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. Can someone please tell me the ending? I The Push Q&A 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Allie (Halle Bush) is a South Carolina girl who runs away to a convent after she kills her abusive foster father. Blythe continues seeing the literary agent casually, though unenthusiastically. Blythe is convinced she saw Violet push the stroller. There, Blythe meets a woman named Iris, who she likes immediately. As Blythe thinks about it, shes sure something is wrong and rushes out part-way through. For more detail, see the full Section-by-Section Summary. Or Blythe imagined it. . 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. To think he let Krissy suffer like that for so long. When their infant son Sam is killed, Blythe blames Violet. Try audio books or writing classes for free for 30 days.. I have 18 old months twins and suffer from postnatal depression. Afterwards, Foxs mother comforts Violet and comforts Blythe, telling her to hang in there. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Good call above on the "Push" title. Then, in the final lines, she learns from Gemma that something has happened to Jet (with the implication that it was Violet's fault.). I may change my mind about reading this. What did you think of Blythes relationship with Foxs mother? document.getElementById( "ak_js_8" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); In this blog post, we will dive deep into the ending of The Push and explore some of the possible meanings and implications. Blythe thinks Violet is violent and lacks empathy, but Fox thinks Blythe's insufficient love for Violet is the problem. Rating: 4.5/5 stars. One day, she asks Violet about Gemma, but Violet just says shes fine. 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). When Violet is four, Blythe and Fox meet with her teacher, who says she is bright, but has exhibited hurtful, aggressive behaviors toward other kids. When Cecilia is 15, Etta seems to be slipping away. I wasn't sure what to believe which was frustrating and fascinating all at the same time. The next day, Blythe starts apologizing profusely (about acting like a psycho), but Gemma simply expresses her condolences about Blythe losing Sam. Being snarky and ridiculing a person asking a sincere question is idiotic. In terms of the thriller aspects of it, be forewarned that The Push is not genre fiction, if thats what youre looking for. She keeps screaming at Cecilia until Henry comes in. Thomass younger brother, Daniel, adored her. Cecilia runs off and by that night Etta has awkwardly sewn panels into the side. Or is it all in Blythe's head? Like, not every comment from a child needs to have a 24-hour reaction time. She is taking steps to address her mental health and is seeking professional help. I hope you enjoyed this ending explanation for The Push by Ashley Audrain! Blythe ends up watching their house to catch glimpses of her. After a particularly grueling day of kicking and screaming, Fox agrees to three days of day care a week. Their marriage falls apart. WARNING: THIS SECTION CONTAINS BOOK SPOILERS! A series based on this book will be HUGE success! Coraline: Your mother is made of buttons. Monster? I also ran a charitable campaign that collected 1,500 book donations for Philadelphia schools. Meanwhile, Blythe is lonely at home. Blythe has started therapy to try to move on. Blythe thinks to herself about how she and Cecilia broke his heart (by leaving him behind). These actions demonstrate a willingness to change and to take responsibility for her own actions. She admits it in the end but only to Blythe. 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. Its not a perfect book, and there are things you could nitpick about it if you were inclined to do so. 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. Later, Blythe purchases a wig and attends another meeting for the moms group, going by the name Anne. If this summary was useful to you, please consider supporting this site by leaving a tip ($2, $3, or $5) or joining the Patreon! When Cecilia is in the sixth grade, Etta decides to make Cecilia a dress for the school dance. 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. Ashley Audrain's "The Push" Book Review - The Literary Lifestyle Blythe suspects something is wrong with Violet, but Fox clearly thinks Blythe is the problem. Her grandmother Etta's first husband died in a horrified farming accident. The book ends with the line: Blythe, she finally whispers. This passage suggests that Blythe is beginning to empathize with her mothers own difficult circumstances and is starting to understand that her mother did the best she could under the circumstances. By now, Violet is around 13 years old. Foxs mother hires them a night nurse, and for that time things are better. 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. The book ends by implying that Gemma suspects Violet has now harmed Jet. However, once her daughter is born, she sees this as a lot less wonderful than what she had hoped for. What a bizarre way of approaching literature. Later, Violet finds a book Blythe had been reading about how to move a marriage past an affair. The next morning is peaceful, and Blythe heads to the park with the kids. I honestly could not figure out who was the deranged person in this book until the end. Happy reading! Blythe tries to convince herself she mistook what she saw. How so and why do you think things turned out differently for her? Fox moves the Mother and Child painting into the bedroom. When Violet is 5, there is a funeral for a boy named Elijah. I think the book shows how easily we raise evil people and how parents cannot see bad in their kids. The Push Reader Q&A - Goodreads Laughed out loud at how on a site dedicated to helping people assess whether they want to read a book someone would take a question about a book, make, Laughed out loud at how on a site dedicated to helping people assess whether they want to read a book someone would take a question about a book, make assumptions,and feel the need to provide acondenscending respond . Seb tells Blythe that Cecilia has had a procedure, and Blythe finds blood in the bathroom. After yelling, he storms off and when stopped, he pushes her. Fox is less attentive this time around, but Blythe wants only her baby. Fox has a son, Jet, with his new wife, Gemma. Eventually, Cecilia discovers she also likes the wildness of fooling around with and feeling wanted by Sebs friend Lenny. The Push - Ashley Audrain | Review | 2021 | Spoilers - Peridot Rose Books Violet lies to make Blythe look bad, and she runs away while Blythe is watching her. What did you think of Seb as a husband and a father? When she goes to tell Fox, he has a gift for her and she doesnt say anything to avoid upsetting him. 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--and everything she feared. This passage suggests that Blythe is aware of the potential danger she poses to herself but is also struggling to control her thoughts and impulses. Spoiler-Filled Review: The Push by Ashley Audrain - Blogger This passage suggests that Blythe is struggling to maintain a sense of identity and that she feels like shes losing herself. Colleen Hoover's It Ends with Us: ending, explained - OkayBliss 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. 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. To what extent do you think each aspect came into play when it comes to Violet. Do you think Gemma was always being truthful with Blythe about her feelings for Violet? Blythe mourns her son, she believes her daughter was the one that killed him. Things improve with Fox. (It sounds like shes hoping Violet will come and be curious about her the way she was curious about their family. She pushed her real brother Sam's stroller killing him and now she has done something to her half-brother Jet. I still wonder if Gemma suspected she was more. For the next few months, Blythe is exhausted. Violet has trouble getting along with other kids and there's incidences of violence towards them, too. Over the years, Cecilia continues to notice Ettas nerves acting up, and Etta would occasionally lock Cecilia out of the house. One of the messages she urgently conveys is, after all, that this reproduction business does not end simply, or easily - or, indeed, ever. Caroline wrote: "That ending devastated me. Daughter. Overall I did enjoy this and would definitely check out more from Audrain in . Then, she asks Gemma whether shes ever wondered if her son was safe with Violet? 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. Book Review: The Push by Ashley Audrain - Criminal Element Then, Blythe makes the critical mistake of saying she wants to meet her family. Despite knowing it is bad advice, Blythe strongly advises Gemma to go to the hospital immediately and leave Violet. 2 years ago. The Literary Lifestyle is written by: Julianne a/k/a Jules Buono. She thinks Violet is saying I pushed him but she cant hear through the glass. Required fields are marked *. Fox has a son, Jet, with his new wife, Gemma. Then he tells Blythe that even so, Violet deserved more from Blythe, but that Blythe had deserved more from him as well. Afterwards, she talks to another parent who insists her child just make a mistake. If this summary was useful to you, please consider supporting this site by leaving a tip ($2, $3, or $5) or joining the Patreon! Do you think Foxs mother handled things well? Were your initial assumptions correct or not? When they talk, Blythe pretends to still have a son named Sam and gets to pretend for a while that he is still alive. Its just really raw about that time in life, and I note most other reviews I have seen have said the same.
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