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). 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. For more detail, see the full Section-by-Section Summary. 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. Cecilia grows up and meets a man named Seb. She published her first novel, Push, in 1996; in 2009 it was adapted into the Academy Award-winning film Precious. Blythe is surprised that Violet accepts the change surprisingly well, and things are better in the house for a while. But that didn't bother me. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Blythe notices the other things that are now missing from her relationship now that Violet is getting Foxs time and attention, like how they no longer do crosswords together. I need to know how it ends before I decide if I want to read it. For all of these reasons, it also makes a great book for book clubs that want a really provocative discussion. WARNING: THIS SECTION CONTAINS BOOK SPOILERS! The book ends by implying that Gemma suspects Violet has now harmed Jet. One of the messages she urgently conveys is, after all, that this reproduction business does not end simply, or easily - or, indeed, ever. Hear a sample of The Push on Audiobook on Libro.fm. Push is narrated by Precious, a Black teenager whose school expels her at . After four weeks, Foxs mother insists that its time Blythe learn how to do it herself. The books ending is both shocking and ambiguous, leaving readers with many questions and different interpretations. The Push is published by Michael Joseph (RRP 12.99 . Their marriage falls apart. Presumably Violet has killed, or attempted to kill him too. I can relate to this, but I try not to find out. 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 . The Push WILL make you feel uncomfortable in exploring that question, in a very necessary kind of way. Seb insists they have the baby (Blythe). After the divorce, Fox has custody, but Blythe has visitation rights. At Penguin, she worked with bestselling authors including Khaled Hosseini, Elizabeth Gilbert, and Meg Wolitzer. Blythe and Fox both pretend not to recognize each other, but Gemma clearly senses something is off. The divorce has happened, and Fox has custody of Violet. Blythe Connor is a woman who had an abusive and uncaring mother, so shes determined to be the best mother for her own daughter, Violet. Required fields are marked *. ), When the phone rings, Blythe is hopeful that it is Violet on the line. In terms of the thriller aspects of it, be forewarned that The Push is not genre fiction, if thats what youre looking for. What if motherhood is not what a woman anticipated it to be? Genre: Adult Psychological Thriller. 2 years ago. Moreover, Violet claimed that Blythe just left these things lying open in the house. . Or Blythe imagined it. When Blythe suggests couples therapy, Fox suggests that Blythe should see someone by herself instead. When she tells Blythe, Fox has already seen them together. They watch a movie and laugh together, and Blythe feels sad about how rare these moments were with Violet. Spoilers. Learn more by clicking here. I still wonder if Gemma suspected she was more. This sort of hand-wringing, at its most extreme, is at the center of Ashley Audrain's taut, chilling debut novel, "The Push.". Some readers may interpret this as a suggestion that Blythe will jump or fall from the rooftop, potentially ending her own life. See all 11 answers. Etta eventually hangs herself. ~Sheila. Soon, Fox tells Blythe they need to rethink their visitation schedule. Violet never goes to see her. Blythe is shocked, knowing that the baby mustve been born in June, considering how Fox only moved out in January of that year. Then, for some reason Violet stops sleeping through the night. One day, Blythe is having a silly moment with a delighted Violet, and Fox sees this. When they get home, Blythe tells Seb about it, and he asks to see the card. All rights reserved. College sweethearts Blythe and Fox Connor have a charmed life and romance. In it, Blythe is a new mother. It wasn't the content that bothered me but the writing style, a neverending, monotonous drawl although I appreciate the second-person pov style. Blythe is a good baby who rarely cries, and each day Seb comments on how lucky they are. The book ends with Gemma hysterical, calling Blythe to say something has happened to her son Jet. Her grandmother Etta's first husband died in a horrified farming accident. 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. When Cecilia gets her period, she wakes Etta from her nap to tell her, but Etta merely gives her two pills and goes back to sleep. I was really impressed by The Push by Ashley Audrain. How reliable of a narrator do you think Blythe was? She attends, but refuses therapy. Like, not every comment from a child needs to have a 24-hour reaction time. Violet didnt care much for Sam, but Sam adores Violet. When they talk, Blythe pretends to still have a son named Sam and gets to pretend for a while that he is still alive. Nothing comes of it, and Blythe is forced to move on, her husband left her for another woman, they have a child together, Violet continues to hate her own mother. Follow along on Goodreads, or keep in touch via the newsletter. She gets home to find that everything is fine. Yeah the internet has gotten really weird. The ending might be sad, or shocking, or some delicious blend of sad and shocking, but either way the end of the book has utterly ruined you and you are now a small pile of rubble lying in the . Blythe mourns her son, she believes her daughter was the one that killed him. Publisher: Penguin Books. Blythe imagines what it would be like to leave all of it behind. This post may also contain other affiliate links by which I earn commissions at no extra cost to you. A woman observes a house where a family of four lives. I loved it myself, the different generations of motherhood. The book ends a year and a half after that point. How did you think things were going to play out with Violet as the book went along? Her own mother and grandmother were not role models; each harbored . After that weekend, Blythe gets the idea to drive over to Foxs house to watch them at night. Blythe even purchases items from secondhand stores to give to Gemma (pretending they are Sams old things), and Gemma gives her a kids gift they didnt need in return. 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. 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. Blythe recalls her parents arguing when she was 8. And why do you think he brushes off Blythes suggestion to send Violet to a child psychologist? There, Blythe meets a woman named Iris, who she likes immediately. If this summary was useful to you, please consider supporting this site by leaving a tip ($2, $3, or $5) or joining the Patreon! Hi Anna, thank you for sharing your comment. 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. 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. [Violet killed her brother. As Blythe grieves, she stays in bed. Blythes relationship with Violet remains strained and eventually, Blythe loses visitation rights. To what extent do you think each aspect came into play when it comes to Violet. This passage suggests that Blythe is struggling to maintain a sense of identity and that she feels like shes losing herself. Meanwhile, Violet makes constant remarks reminding her mother that her father is with the other woman now. I felt like this book was about refuting the idea that motherhood is this inherently blissful joyride and that women should find it endlessly fulfilling, that they should want to abandon their careers to solely mother their kids, that there's a special bond between mothers and their children that transcends . In The Push, Blythe Connor is a woman who is trying desperately to be the perfect mother that everyone else seems to be, but she's struggling. 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. And how big of an impact do you think Mrs. Ellington had on Blythes life? Blythe planned to give Fox a manuscript that shared her "side of the story . 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). At the end of the day, The Push is a compelling novel that pushes us as a society to talk more about the darkest sides of motherhood and to be open to more interpretations to how women are supposed to feel about motherhood. Publication Date: January 4, 2022. Cecilia tells Seb she wants an abortion, but Seb refuses to discuss it, offering only the alternative of her moving out and back home. On the other hand, the book has a resolution (kind off) to the internal conflict that the protagonist is having regarding the nature of her own mental health. is a thriller novel published in 2021 by the Canadian author Ashley Audrain. Your email address will not be published. One night Violet asks if Blythe loves Sam more than her, and Blythe wonders if she has overheard Foxs comments. When Violet is three, Blythe comes back to home after a weekend away and checks on Violet. The one-paragraph summary of this book: Blythe and Fox have a daughter, Violet. 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. They take a family holiday photo. What makes this book such a compelling read is its ability to provoke strong emotions and spark meaningful conversations. Allie (Halle Bush) is a South Carolina girl who runs away to a convent after she kills her abusive foster father. 31 Best Character Driven Novels to Devour, 10 Best Harry Potter Boxed Sets of Books to Gift. Blythe continues seeing the literary agent casually, though unenthusiastically. Rating: 4.5/5 stars. The Connors go to the zoo. What do you think of their expectations of their wives in terms of the types of mothers they expected them to be? The book ends a year and a half after that point. Later, Violet mentions that shes going to hurt a boy she dislikes, Noah. He suggests joint custody over Violet, and Blythe agrees. Its not the most unpredictable ending, but whats so haunting about it is the chilling truth that Violet is the culmination of generations of parental trauma. Refresh and try again. 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. 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. When Henry finally gets home, he staying home the next day to care for Cecilia and removes the door to the cellar completely. 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. Etta insists that Cecilia wear the dress anyway. Its just really raw about that time in life, and I note most other reviews I have seen have said the same. As Blythe grieves, Blythe and Fox's marriage disintegrates, ending with Fox's infidelity. As Violet gets older, Violet continues to be antagonistic and even violent towards Blythe. Its now been seven months since Sams death. This multi-layered family drama is downright chilling, and it will keep you on the edge of your seat until you uncover the most disturbing truths. 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. The last conversation that Blythe has with her ex-friend and Fox's wife is bone-chilling and made my mouth drop. The one-paragraph summary of this book: Blythe and Fox have a daughter, Violet. 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). Blythe ends up watching their house to catch glimpses of her. The ending is sad and scary to me. The following version of this book was used to create the guide: Audrain, Ashley. Do you think things could have turned out differently if Blythe had done things differently? The one-paragraph summary of this book: Blythe and Fox have a daughter, Violet. It is an ending that may leave you feeling anxious, to put it plainly. When Mrs. Ellington later tell her that you made him very happy to comfort her, Blythe thinks about how it is a kind lie. One day, when Blythe goes to feed Sam at 3AM in the morning, she finds Violet in there, who has taken Sams bunny, Benny. When she goes to tell Fox, he has a gift for her and she doesnt say anything to avoid upsetting him. One day, Blythe attends a meeting for mothers whose children are in jail. I have 18 old months twins and suffer from postnatal depression. Caroline wrote: "That ending devastated me. Blythe knows Fox wouldnt like that, so she settles on taking long walks with Violet. Why do you think Cecilia dislikes Mrs. Ellington? It is a book that demands to be discussed and debated, and one that has the power to inspire change. If this summary was useful to you, please consider supporting this site by leaving a tip ($2, $3, or $5) or joining the Patreon! For the next few months, Blythe is exhausted. Blythe wants to send Violet to day care, but Fox is against the idea because his own mother had never needed to do so. 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. 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 realizes that she misses the friendship. Im interested to hear more about your interpretation and what you believe the actual ending is. . The girl leaves cookies and carrots for Santa and his reindeer. Their wedding bands previously belonged to Foxs great-grandmother, Violet. A few days later, at the age of 32, Etta hangs herself with Henrys belt on a tree out front. January 2021 THE PUSH by Ashley Audrain is a debut novel that is both sharp and thought-provoking. Reader Q&A, Do you think Violet could have turned out differently at all? WARNING: THIS SECTION CONTAINS BOOK SPOILERS! Later, they have sex for the first time in a long while, no stopping even when Violet starts crying. It was okay in the sense that I couldn't put it down. Blythes husband, Fox, abruptly dismisses her fears. As the girl looks out the window, she sees the woman parked on the street. 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. Etta finally forces Cecilia under the water, causing her to choke. The ending itself was predictable. You're awesome for doing it. Blythe lets go of the stroller, and Violet pushes it into the road. After the divorce, Fox has custody, but Blythe has visitation rights. For example, when Blythe grabs her arm, she narrates that Violet looks satisfied? The Push. . 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 wasn't sure what to believe which was frustrating and fascinating all at the same time. When their infant son Sam is killed, Blythe blames Violet. This passage suggests that Blythe recognizes the impact of her own trauma on her parenting and is struggling to break the cycle of abuse. The fact that "smells" were so important to her was very interesting in the story. When Violet walks in on her parents having sex, she demands an explanation. Blythe and Violet's relationship is still fraught. She buys a replica painting of Mother and Child by Mary Cassatt to put in his nursery. Blythe learns they had another son, Jet. Something happened to Jet. Paperback: 336 pages. She tells Violet that shes happy that Violet has someone to talk to that she trusts, even if it isnt her. How so and why do you think things turned out differently for her? Ask the Author. 2023 The Literary Lifestyle. Plus Jace's loss of basically his whole family. Scary because I think that the antagonist persists and may never be held responsible for the mistakes that it did. I came here wondering if I can read this book. Blythe thinks Violet is violent and lacks empathy, but Fox thinks Blythe's insufficient love for Violet is the problem. Author: Ashley Audrain. Warning: This post contains spoilers for Passing. Blythe realizes that the baby must have been conceived the same month that Fox was fired from his job. Blythe realizes that Violet mustve gotten the blade (one of Foxs model-building tools) that was hidden in her dresser. Throughout the book, Blythe struggles to connect with Violet and to understand her daughters behavior. Her husband, Fox, says she's imagining things. Did the ending change your assessment of her reliability as a narrator? Cecilia dislikes being a mother, and she leaves permanently when Blythe is 12. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Violet lies to make Blythe look bad, and she runs away while Blythe is watching her. I may change my mind about reading this. 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. Even though they are not married, Gemma refers to Fox as her husband. The author captured it beautifully and so accurately in the beginning. Soon, Fox says hes resigning from his job. The stroller collides with a car and Sam is killed. She falls down the stairs with that push. As the days pass, Blythe sees that Violets emptiness is back. The Future of Publishing: What Recent Changes Mean for Readers and Writers. Etta suffered from moods and needed sedatives to calm her down. Despite knowing it is bad advice, Blythe strongly advises Gemma to go to the hospital immediately and leave Violet. Blythe thinks to herself about how she and Cecilia broke his heart (by leaving him behind). Whether you're a newbie or an avid reader, here you've found an authentic community dedicated to helping you relax, learn, and embrace a very cozy way of life. Blythe and Gemma become close, but eventually Fox finds out Blythe has been pretending to be someone else to get close to Gemma. Blythe recalls how growing up, the Ellingtons, a black family, lived three doors down. Be advised that there are spoilers ahead, obviously, so be entirely sure you want to continue reading. Their marriage falls apart. As we have seen, the ending is open to interpretation and can be understood in various ways, depending on our own perspectives and experiences. When Blythe leaves the kids with a sitter to get a pedicure with a friend, she worries Violet will hurt Sam. 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. Watch for it's arrival in 6-10 weeks, June, 2022. Ishmeet Singh It is an ending that may leave you feeling anxious, to put it plainly. Were your initial assumptions correct or not? Mrs. Leda Ellington was kind and caring towards Blythe, but Cecilia disliked her. She writes poetry, but takes a job as a caregiver for an elderly woman, Mrs. Smith. What do you think of the portrayals of the men and fathers in this novel in general? Genres: Fiction, Psychological Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Suspense, Thriller, Women's Fiction. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. One day, she asks Violet about Gemma, but Violet just says shes fine. Back at home, Fox leaves on a trip, leaving Blythe and Violet alone. Fox also makes a comment about Blythe calling his mom about his job resignation, and Blythe knows that Foxs mother told him about their call. Cecilia knows she is beautiful and heads to the city and meets Seb, who is a doorman at a fancy hotel. Their basement was kept permanently boarded up, and when Blythe keeps asking for it to be opened, Cecilia slaps her. Gemma says that Jet ended up with a blade that mustve come from her house. Violet says to Blythe pointedly that the mother saves her son every time. Sounds a bit dark for me. What do you think of Violets reactions to things? 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. American Gods: Gods are made of stories. If Fox had done things different? Cecilia is determined to make some money and leave town after graduation. Cecilia responds that she wished she were different in some ways. She wasnt Blythe, the girl who had dreamed of a family, who had wanted so badly to be loved. 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. Rebecca Hall's Passing ends on a devastating yet ambiguous note here is what Passing's ending means, particularly the impact of Clare's death. As they chat, Gemma mentions that she has a son, Jet, who is going to be five months old soon. My essay was published in the bookBut I'm a Gilmore! Blythe is worried that the old, detached Violet was now back. Violet typically wakes up and cries after napping for two hours, but Blythe puts on headphones and lets her cry for some time so that she can get some more work done. Blythe readily agrees. (The Detailed Plot Summary is also available, below). Afterwards, Blythe settles into a routine, but she still struggles to find other moms who are willing to admit that motherhood is difficult. 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. Three months after the discovery of the affair, Blythe packs up Foxs things. By delving into these themes, Ashley Audrain has created a novel that is both gripping and thought-provoking. By now, Violet is around 13 years old. like. Fox has a son, Jet, with his new wife, Gemma. When confronted, Violet denies doing anything bad. Blythe was such a likeable character--proof that just because your own parents [emailprotected], doesn't mean you will too. I'm also surprised that this is Audrain's debut novel, because the pacing, structure and voice of the book . Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. As time passes, Blythe starts to doubt what she really saw that day and whether Violet really did push Sam. After the run-in, Blythe doesnt hear from Gemma at first, and Blythe doesnt attend anymore meetups. Blythe never sees her mother again. How did your perceptions of Blythe change as the book progressed or did it stay the same? As they are there, Violet tells Blythe that she wants Blythe to leave, so it will just be her and her father alone. 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. Cecilia wears the dress at the next dance and then never again. There were periods of time when Etta managed to act the way others expected her to be. 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. Welcome back. The arrival of a child also alters the relationship you have with your partner forever . Prior to Penguin, she worked at a global public relations agency in consumer . When a boy falls off a playset and dies, Blythe suspects Violet tripped him on purpose. Cecilia dislikes being a mother, and she leaves permanently when Blythe is 12. 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. By recognizing Violets attempts at communication, Blythe may be able to repair their relationship and become a better parent. It turns out Curtis will deliver a warning to someone and ultimately sneak off to find Trina Robinson (Tabyana Ali), who'll apparently be separated from Spencer Cassadine (Nicholas Chavez) after another incident on the ship.