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A Good Morning America Book Club Pick

"An intense psychological drama that will be embraced by serious book clubs and fans of Lionel Shriver's We Need to Talk about Kevin." (Kristin Hannah, number one New York Times best-selling author)

"A poetic, propulsive read that set my nerves jangling." (Lisa Jewell, number one New York Times best-selling author of Then She Was Gone)

A tense, pause-resisting psychological drama about the making and breaking of a family - and a woman whose experience of motherhood is nothing at all what she hoped for - and everything she feared.

Blythe Connor is determined that she will be the warm, comforting mother to her new baby, Violet, that she herself never had.

But in the thick of motherhood's exhausting early days, Blythe becomes convinced that something is wrong with her daughter - she doesn't behave like most children do.

Or is it all in Blythe's head? Her husband, Fox, says she's imagining things. The more Fox dismisses her fears, the more Blythe begins to question her own sanity, and the more we begin to question what Blythe is telling us about her life as well.

Then their son, Sam, is born - and with him, Blythe has the blissful connection she'd always imagined with her child. Even Violet seems to love her little brother. But when life as they know it is changed in an instant, the devastating fallout forces Blythe to face the truth.

The Push is a tour de force you will listen to in a sitting, an utterly immersive novel that will challenge everything you think you know about motherhood, about what we owe our children, and what it feels like when women are not believed.

Explore the Dark Depths of Motherhood in Ashley Audrain's "The Push"

In the realm of motherhood, where unconditional love and unwavering devotion are often held as sacred truths, Ashley Audrain's debut novel, "The Push," dares to venture into the unsettling shadows of maternal instinct. Through the eyes of Blythe Connor, a new mother grappling with the complexities of motherhood, Audrain weaves a chilling tale that challenges our notions of maternal bonds and unveils the unsettling truths that can lurk beneath the surface of familial love.

Blythe's journey into motherhood begins with a seemingly ordinary pregnancy. Yet, as her due date approaches, an ominous feeling creeps into her heart. When she finally gives birth to a daughter, Violet, Blythe's fears materialize. Violet is a fussy, colicky baby who seems to thrive on chaos and disruption. As the months pass, Blythe's exhaustion and desperation grow, and she begins to question her own sanity. Is she truly a bad mother, or is there something more sinister at play?

Audrain masterfully crafts a narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, questioning Blythe's perception of reality and the true nature of her relationship with Violet. Through Blythe's eyes, we witness the insidious erosion of her mental and emotional well-being as she battles the relentless demands of motherhood. The author's exploration of postpartum depression and anxiety is unflinchingly honest, shedding light on the often-overlooked struggles that many mothers face.

The novel delves into the complexities of the mother-daughter relationship, exposing the dark side of love and the suffocating weight of societal expectations. Audrain deftly weaves together Blythe's past experiences and present struggles, creating a tapestry of emotions that is both haunting and thought-provoking. As Blythe's grip on reality continues to slip, the line between love and obsession becomes blurred, leaving readers questioning the limits of maternal devotion.

"The Push" is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the depths of the human psyche, exposing the fragile nature of familial bonds and the dark corners of the maternal heart. Through Blythe's harrowing journey, Audrain challenges our perceptions of motherhood and forces us to confront the unsettling truths that can lurk within the confines of the family unit. A must-read for fans of suspenseful fiction and thought-provoking literature, "The Push" is a haunting exploration of the complexities of motherhood and the boundaries of love.