66 pages • 2 hours read
Ashley AudrainThe Whispers
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2023A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Whispers by Ashley Audrain is a twisty psychological thriller centered around four women—Whitney, Blair, Mara, and Rebecca—whose intertwined lives unravel following a mysterious accident involving Whitney's son, Xavier. As secrets of affairs, maternal anxieties, and personal failures surface, the women struggle with societal expectations, personal guilt, and the complex dynamics of their friendships and marriages. The story explores intricate themes of motherhood, betrayal, and the consequences of willful ignorance. The book contains depictions of miscarriage and child loss, as well as discussions of self-harm, suicide, child abuse/neglect, and suicidal ideation.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Ashley Audrain's The Whispers captivates with its suspenseful narrative and intricate character development. Readers appreciate its gripping psychological insight and emotional depth. However, some found pacing issues and felt certain plot elements were predictable. The novel shines in exploring complex familial dynamics, making it a compelling, albeit not flawless, read.
Who Should Read The Whispers?
Readers who relish suspenseful, psychologically intense novels with intricate family dynamics will be captivated by Ashley Audrain's The Whispers. Fans of Liane Moriarty's Big Little Lies or Celeste Ng's Little Fires Everywhere will appreciate the novel's exploration of secrets and suburban relationships.