The Push

After seeing so many positive reviews of this debut novel on Booktube, I was intrigued and decided to read it. I was a little nervous about the subject matter, but I ended up finding it quite interesting and somewhat provocative.

The main character, Blythe Connor, does not descend from motherly women. Instead, both her grandmother and mother were ill-equipped for motherhood and left their families. Because of this, Blythe is understandably nervous about becoming a mother. Her inner dialogue is very honest about her feelings about motherhood and her concerns about her daughter, Violet. The author is not afraid to reveal thoughts that some women might feel about being a mother, thoughts that challenge the traditional idea that women are natural nurturers. Without demonizing Blythe, the author shows the struggle that some women face when they become mothers.

The husband in this story is not very understanding of what his wife is experiencing. This makes him a frustrating character. He dismisses her concerns about their daughter and only sees their situation through his narrow viewpoint. However, he is justified in his concern over some of the actions Blythe takes while caring for their children. He just does not respond to the incidents in a way that shows any desire to help or understand Blythe.

The plot of the story jumps around occasionally to past events with Blythe and her mother, Cecilia and past events with Cecilia and her mother, Etta. These flashbacks add backstory that allows for a better understanding of the feelings and behaviors of Blythe. The end of the book falls a little flat because it is predictable, but it does not ruin the story.

This was an interesting and thought-provoking read. I would highly recommend it!