The Whispers

Ashley Audrain is a talent. I loved The Push and couldn't wait to read her latest.

The Whispers doesn't break new storytelling ground. A domestic drama that lifts the veil on an idyllic wealthy suburb that's thrown into turmoil when a young boy falls out of a window, threatening not only his life but the secrets of the adults around him. We've seen it before but Audrain infuses the characters with depth, feeling and relatability and the pace never lets up. 

It's an easy read, sure, but it's gripping and some moments riddled me with anxiety. But, hey, marriage and… show more.

This book is an unflinchingly honest portrayal of the pressure moms feel to appear perfect, all while grappling with the realities of parenting in a world that demands so much of us. It addresses head-on the silent struggles and unspoken fears that many women face.

Audrain does a brilliant job of putting into words the conflicting emotions of love, guilt, and frustration that often accompany motherhood. It follows four women, all of whom I loved and hated at different moments, and explores how the weight of expectations can drive women to their breaking points.

It’s dark suburbia at its best,… show more.

It’s hard to put into words what a really, really great book does to me. But this one did it, as I knew it would (I loved the author’s debut, The Push).

Audrain manages to capture motherhood in a way no one else does. When a terrible accident happens—but was it an accident?—it forces a wedge between neighborhood friends, all of whom harbor their own secrets. The story explores envy, women’s friendships, motherhood, and lies we tell ourselves in such a raw and unfiltered way. And the ending (!!)…don’t cheat…getting there is the best part, trust me.