Great exploration of nature vs nurture. thats awesome to hear! 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. A few days later, at the age of 32, Etta hangs herself with Henrys belt on a tree out front. Blythe and Violet's relationship is still fraught. 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. When he suggests that Blythe start writing again she knows she has passed whatever test he was putting her through. Its a good day, but that night Violet says that she doesnt want Sammy anymore. . Etta is also said to have suffered from nerves and occasionally needed sedatives. The Push by Ashley Audrain - Book Journey The Push Summary & Study Guide - www.BookRags.com Blythe ends up looking for photos online to find ones of a four-year-old that can serve as a stand-in for Sam. If Fox had done things different? 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. How did you think things were going to play out with Violet as the book went along? Thanks for the answers Mary and NicoleW! Blythe knows Fox wouldnt like that, so she settles on taking long walks with Violet. This post may also contain other affiliate links by which I earn commissions at no extra cost to you. Blythes husband, Fox, abruptly dismisses her fears. Their marriage falls apart. Finally, at one point Blythe grabs Violet arm hard enough to hurt her, and Fox cuts off visitation. As the arrive at an intersection, Violet takes both hands and yanks at Blythes elbow causing her to spill her coffee. Book Review: The Push by Ashley Audrain - i've read this As The Push unravels from here, it definitely keeps you guessing whos good and whos bad in this mother-daughter relationship, but more importantly, why. But some parts of us are shaped by what we see. What do you think the book overall is trying to say about nature vs. nurture? Blythe still tells Gemma her suspicions about Violet anyway. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. Blythe instinctively calls out the name Sam, and when Violet catches her fathers attention, she stops what shes doing. So, lets unravel the mystery and try to make sense of what really happened in The Push. Blythe senses that Gemma is upset with her later. It made sense with all the signs left throughout the book. The first time Violet smiles is with Fox, who continues to insist she just needs to relax with the baby. Ishmeet Singh It is an ending that may leave you feeling anxious, to put it plainly. The leader of the group, Sydney, welcomes her warmly. Blythe continues to look for acknowledgement from others that there is something wrong with Violet, until she finally starts to doubt herself. The one-paragraph summary of this book: Blythe and Fox have a daughter, Violet. Book Review: 'The Push,' by Ashley Audrain - New York Times Blythe Connor is reluctant to become a parent . When the Connors go on a beach vacation, Violet buries another kid in the sand. She wasnt Blythe, the girl who had dreamed of a family, who had wanted so badly to be loved. As Violet gets older, Violet continues to be antagonistic and even violent towards Blythe. The ending is sad and scary to me. But in the thick of motherhood's exhausting early days, Blythe becomes convinced that something is wrong with her daughtershe doesn't behave like most children do. This passage suggests that Blythe recognizes the impact of her own trauma on her parenting and is struggling to break the cycle of abuse. Before he leaves, Fox also admits to something from a long time ago. 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). She tells Cecilia where to find it, then shuts Cecilia in the tiny space and then Etta gets distracted. But that didn't bother me. Soon, they have their first child, a girl named Violet. When Fox gets home, they both downplay the incident. It was an interesting read. The Push Movie: What We Know 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. They take a family holiday photo. When Blythe and Fox have their second child, a boy named Sam, Blythe's connection with him is immediate, and she adores him. She is haunted by memories of her mothers abusive behavior and struggles to connect with Violet because she fears repeating the same patterns of abuse: I couldnt shake the feeling that I was repeating the same patternsthat I was becoming the monster that I had always fearedI didnt know how to love Violet the way that she needed to be loved. (Chapter 13). I don't love cliffhangers so Margot's ending bothered me a bit" Something in me felt for Krissy the entire time. 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. One of the messages she urgently conveys is, after all, that this reproduction business does not end simply, or easily - or, indeed, ever. Seb insists they have the baby (Blythe). When Violet is 5, there is a funeral for a boy named Elijah. Blythe wants to send Violet to day care, but Fox is against the idea because his own mother had never needed to do so. For all of these reasons, it also makes a great book for book clubs that want a really provocative discussion. I get this. She published her first novel, Push, in 1996; in 2009 it was adapted into the Academy Award-winning film Precious. Before graduation, she stops off at home and asks him about her mother. The trip changes the way Blythe sees Violet, as a sad, powerless girl. Blythe continues to look for acknowledgement from others that there is something wrong with Violet, until she finally starts to doubt herself. I also ran a charitable campaign that collected 1,500 book donations for Philadelphia schools. Read my Disclaimer to learn more. In it, Blythe is a new mother. As Blythe grieves, she stays in bed. Blythe suspects something is wrong with Violet, but Fox clearly thinks Blythe is the problem. Afterwards, Foxs mother comforts Violet and comforts Blythe, telling her to hang in there. Plus, some of the scenes and language are not kid-friendly. In love with books? 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Good call above on the "Push" title.