Ashley Audrain

Ashley Audrain is a Canadian author of two novels, The Push and The Whispers. Before becoming a full-time writer, she was of the Canadian division of Penguin Random House.

Ashley Audrain was born in Toronto and raised in Newmarket, Ontario. Recalling her childhood love for Beatrix Potter's books, she confessed a fondness for The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck.

Audrain delved into her teenage years, sharing her penchant for mature reads, including Janet Fitch's White Oleander, inspired by Oprah's book club.

Her literary journey took an unexpected turn in 2015 when a health crisis involving her youngest child led her to retire. She found solace in writing, a pursuit she could pursue at home.

Audrain's debut novel, The Push, garnered widespread acclaim. Released in 2021 in the US and Canada, the psychological drama explored the complexities of motherhood through the lens of a woman uncertain about her daughter's well-being, leading to strains in her marriage with Fox Connor.

Her second novel, The Whispers, came out in 2023. The New York Times Book Review hailed it as "expertly, subtly, and powerfully rendered," delivering a sucker-punch ending that demands a second reading.

Set in the well-to-do neighborhood of Harlow Street, the narrative weaves a tale of a seemingly perfect summer barbecue, unraveling into a chilling exploration of envy, women's friendships, desire, and silenced intuitions.

Beyond her writing career, Audrain revealed a surprising passion for following the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey team despite not being a sports enthusiast.

Ashley Audrain lives in Toronto, where she and her partner are raising their two young children.

Photo credit: Barbara Stoneham