The Push

"The Push" is a provocative psychological novel that examines the darkest corners of motherhood and maternal doubt. The story follows Blythe, a new mother who struggles with an unsettling feeling that something is fundamentally wrong with her daughter Violet. As Blythe watches her child grow, she becomes increasingly convinced that Violet is different in disturbing ways, while her husband dismisses her concerns as postpartum anxiety and overreaction. The novel traces multiple generations of complicated mother-daughter relationships in Blythe's family, exploring whether dysfunction and darkness can be inherited. Audrain tackles the taboo subject of mothers who don't instinctively bond with their children, creating an intensely uncomfortable but compelling portrait of maternal ambivalence. The book raises unsettling questions about nature versus nurture, the unreliable nature of a mother's perception, and whether we can ever truly know our own children. With its razor-sharp prose and mounting sense of dread, this psychological thriller will appeal to readers who appreciate morally complex narratives that challenge conventional notions of motherhood. It's a deeply unsettling exploration of family trauma, the pressure of maternal expectations, and the question of whether some people are simply born bad.