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.

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.

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.

Mysterious / Unnerving / Emotional / Contemplative / Dark

Ashley Audrain

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

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content

Overview

Kickstart your reading experience with this summary of The Whispers. Best-selling author Audrain explores the trials of motherhood in her 2023 thriller. 

The Whispers Summary and Study Guide

Background

Get ready to explore The Whispers and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Whispers Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Prelude-Prologue

The Whispers Prelude-Prologue Summary & Analysis

Chapters 1-5

The Whispers Chapters 1-5 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 6-10

The Whispers Chapters 6-10 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 11-15

The Whispers Chapters 11-15 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 16-25

The Whispers Chapters 16-25 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 26-33

The Whispers Chapters 26-33 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 34-45

The Whispers Chapters 34-45 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 46-55

The Whispers Chapters 46-55 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 56-Epilogue

The Whispers Chapter 56-Epilogue Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

The Whispers Character Analysis

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Themes

The Whispers Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The Whispers Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

The Whispers Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

The Whispers Essay Topics

The Whispers

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The Whispers?

Reading Age

Book Details