I love to read historical novels and spy thrillers, murder mysteries and some autobiographies if the person is someone I admire. In 2020, I made myself a promise that I would expand my reading genres.
So far I think I have accomplished that task and will continue to expand into other genres just for my own interests.
The Push by Ashley Audrain was a book that I really wasn't sure I would like. It was made available to me through #Netgalley, as a pre-published book. The only requirement to being able to access this book, was that I provide a review when I was finished reading it.
Personally, I'm a very sensitive person, and I don't like things that upset my sense of balance. Psychological Thrillers are among the types of books that tend to really upset my life, but I was willing to give this one a try. Suffice it to say that it turned me upside down and inside out, yet I could not put the book down.
My husband would chuckle when I would be getting ready to sleep for the night and be repeating the mantra "It's only a Story!" , over and over again.
This book is a must read for those who like this genre of deeply disturbing mentally challenging type of books. It is haunting but at the same time very understandable and possible. This book has been read and acclaimed by many authors and found it's way to the New York Times Best New Books List. It already has over 1500 reviews and is highly recommended by many different authors.
Author Claudia Dey puts her thoughts on this book as follows:
“A meteoric debut. Ashley Audrain’s The Push is a force of nature, an unforgettable arrival that will linger in your heart—shimmer, darken and then haunt you. Every sentence is just so achingly alive. Audrain descends with near pointillistic precision into the gore of motherhood and love. Perhaps if Stephen King had experienced motherhood—the singular exaltation and morbid terror of that state—he might have been able to dream up this book. Wise, monstrous, and tender, The Push operates at a different frequency. It seemed to pulse in my hands. I could not put it down. I could not look away.”
—Claudia Dey, author of Heartbreaker and Stunt
That is the draw of this book, even if you don't like mentally jarring books, you cannot put this one down.
This book has just been published and it is #6 on Amazon Best Sellers this week. It is a book that book clubs and mothers will be talking about for a long time.
All of the thoughts on motherhood, marriage, child raising and everything we think we know is in question. Haunting is a great adjective for this book.
I haven't really told you any of the story and I don't think I will. It is one of those books that you just have to get a copy of and read it for yourself. Trust me, you won't be able to put it down.
Should you decide to get this book, I'd love to know how you reacted and what you thought.
**I am a member of NetGalley and as such have access to many books that have not yet been published. These books are given to members electronically, and the only requirement from members is an honest review!
