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Back Again
PLEASE NOTE THIS IS THE 55 PAGE SHORT STORY THAT PRECEDED AND INSPIRED THE NOVEL BACK AGAIN.
Could there be any greater nightmare than living through the death of your child?
Yes! Reliving it again and again.
A tragic accident takes Dawn’s only child right before her eyes. The following surreal days are filled with soul-destroying grief and moments she never wants to live again—until, inexplicably, she finds herself back again, living that day.
It’s a second chance to save her son. But changing fate is not as simple as it first appears. Time is not Dawn’s ally.
“She’d lost count of the number of times she’d lived through this. Every time it hurt as much as the time before. Eventually, she thought that she must become immune to the events, and that her heart wouldn’t shatter into a thousand, million pieces—
But it always did.”
Could there be any greater nightmare than living through the death of your child?
Yes! Reliving it again and again.
A tragic accident takes Dawn’s only child right before her eyes. The following surreal days are filled with soul-destroying grief and moments she never wants to live again—until, inexplicably, she finds herself back again, living that day.
It’s a second chance to save her son. But changing fate is not as simple as it first appears. Time is not Dawn’s ally.
“She’d lost count of the number of times she’d lived through this. Every time it hurt as much as the time before. Eventually, she thought that she must become immune to the events, and that her heart wouldn’t shatter into a thousand, million pieces—
But it always did.”
56 pages, ebook
Published May 1, 2014
8 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
About the author
Susan May
313 books616 followersTo enjoy a Susan May starter library of two free books, join her reader's club at
susanmaywriter.net/free-books
I was four when I decided I would be a writer, packed a bag, and marched down the road looking for a school. But for forty-six years, I suffered from life-gets-in-the-way-osis. Setting a goal to write just one page a day cured me in 2010. This discipline grew into an addictive habit that has since borne several novels, and dozens of short stories and novellas--many of which are published award-winners in Australia, the US and the UK.
My childhood reading diet consisted of Edgar Allen Poe, O'Henry, and Alfred Hitchcock Presents, plus horror comics like Tales From the Crypt. Anything out of this world like The Twilight Zone and Outer Limits had me glued to the television.
Inspired by these classics, I attempt to pen tales that are simply about the story and the characters and not about fancy words or beautiful descriptions. At the end of my stories I hope, wonderful reader, that you will feel you've enjoyed a journey into the fantastic with a neat twist at the end.
Every day I pinch myself that I am able to do what I love and be in control of every facet of it. And I can wear my track suit pants and slippers while doing it. Bliss.
Most days I'm just an average mother and wife living in Perth, Western Australia, but this darn imagination of mine keeps constantly venturing into the crevices of dark worlds, whether I want to go there or not.
susanmaywriter.net/free-books
I was four when I decided I would be a writer, packed a bag, and marched down the road looking for a school. But for forty-six years, I suffered from life-gets-in-the-way-osis. Setting a goal to write just one page a day cured me in 2010. This discipline grew into an addictive habit that has since borne several novels, and dozens of short stories and novellas--many of which are published award-winners in Australia, the US and the UK.
My childhood reading diet consisted of Edgar Allen Poe, O'Henry, and Alfred Hitchcock Presents, plus horror comics like Tales From the Crypt. Anything out of this world like The Twilight Zone and Outer Limits had me glued to the television.
Inspired by these classics, I attempt to pen tales that are simply about the story and the characters and not about fancy words or beautiful descriptions. At the end of my stories I hope, wonderful reader, that you will feel you've enjoyed a journey into the fantastic with a neat twist at the end.
Every day I pinch myself that I am able to do what I love and be in control of every facet of it. And I can wear my track suit pants and slippers while doing it. Bliss.
Most days I'm just an average mother and wife living in Perth, Western Australia, but this darn imagination of mine keeps constantly venturing into the crevices of dark worlds, whether I want to go there or not.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 17, 2014
Back Again
By: Susan May
Short Story Pages. 64 Suspense 2014
A horrible accident takes Dawn’s son from her. Not only does she have to bury her son, and cope with the loss…she has to endure the event over and over again. Every tens days Dawn watches her son die. Can she break this cycle? Will she be able to alter the past, and save her son…and herself. This story may be short, but the heartache involved is huge. Beyond a mothers nightmare, and the repetition of the events would dive someone to the end of their sanity.
I must say it was a bit like “Groundhog Day” with Bill Murray. I was personally distressed throughout the story, and found that I had a hard time finishing it. I also have a son, and could never even imagine what I would have to withstand in the same situation as Dawn.
That said, I also found it to be an easy read as far as flow. The characters are true to life, and suffering real day to day problems as everyday people. I have a few more of Susan May stories that I would like to read, and it they are as passionate as this story…I am sure to enjoy them. 3/5
By: Susan May
Short Story Pages. 64 Suspense 2014
A horrible accident takes Dawn’s son from her. Not only does she have to bury her son, and cope with the loss…she has to endure the event over and over again. Every tens days Dawn watches her son die. Can she break this cycle? Will she be able to alter the past, and save her son…and herself. This story may be short, but the heartache involved is huge. Beyond a mothers nightmare, and the repetition of the events would dive someone to the end of their sanity.
I must say it was a bit like “Groundhog Day” with Bill Murray. I was personally distressed throughout the story, and found that I had a hard time finishing it. I also have a son, and could never even imagine what I would have to withstand in the same situation as Dawn.
That said, I also found it to be an easy read as far as flow. The characters are true to life, and suffering real day to day problems as everyday people. I have a few more of Susan May stories that I would like to read, and it they are as passionate as this story…I am sure to enjoy them. 3/5
July 28, 2015
I received a digital copy of 'Back Again' from the talented author, Susan May. Thank you!
This is a sad novella about a mother's loss of her son. Coping with such a devastating loss is unbearable to any mother. Who wouldn't go over and over the circumstances of his death, time-travelling back to the day and events leading up to a tragic accident and hoping by reliving it maybe, just maybe, something would change and the worst would not happen.
This fast-paced novella is very current in that so much is being said about not texting while driving. I wish all people who text while driving could read this story. They would then realize how quickly an accident can happen and how much grief is caused by their careless actions.
Well-written. Thought-provoking. Highly recommended.
This is a sad novella about a mother's loss of her son. Coping with such a devastating loss is unbearable to any mother. Who wouldn't go over and over the circumstances of his death, time-travelling back to the day and events leading up to a tragic accident and hoping by reliving it maybe, just maybe, something would change and the worst would not happen.
This fast-paced novella is very current in that so much is being said about not texting while driving. I wish all people who text while driving could read this story. They would then realize how quickly an accident can happen and how much grief is caused by their careless actions.
Well-written. Thought-provoking. Highly recommended.
November 17, 2014
Back Again (Novel)
By: Susan May
2014 Early Release Ebook Pages. 261
Copy Courtesy of Author
Reviewed by: tk
“If only…”
Have you ever wanted to change an event, or make a wish? Dawn and Kylie experience such events in the amazing story of courage, love, heartbreak, and endless hope. As many mother’s, Dawn will be put through the paces to keep her son safe, and to retain her sanity during time of intense grief, and the unknown.
A fabulous transition from novelette to novel. Susan May takes the short story and expands it to a breathtaking novel of mind-blowing proportions. The characters of Dawn, Kylie and Tommy could be your family, friends, or neighbors. They have realistic fears, and hopes of everyday people. Their journey’s spin into a tangled web of the most dreaded tragic events.
I can’t say enough about this story. Read it. Then you to will become a devoted fan/reader of the talented, inventive, and phenomenal new master of suspense.
Highly recommended. 5/5
By: Susan May
2014 Early Release Ebook Pages. 261
Copy Courtesy of Author
Reviewed by: tk
“If only…”
Have you ever wanted to change an event, or make a wish? Dawn and Kylie experience such events in the amazing story of courage, love, heartbreak, and endless hope. As many mother’s, Dawn will be put through the paces to keep her son safe, and to retain her sanity during time of intense grief, and the unknown.
A fabulous transition from novelette to novel. Susan May takes the short story and expands it to a breathtaking novel of mind-blowing proportions. The characters of Dawn, Kylie and Tommy could be your family, friends, or neighbors. They have realistic fears, and hopes of everyday people. Their journey’s spin into a tangled web of the most dreaded tragic events.
I can’t say enough about this story. Read it. Then you to will become a devoted fan/reader of the talented, inventive, and phenomenal new master of suspense.
Highly recommended. 5/5
April 18, 2015
From the very first chapter you know you're in the hands of a real writer. The quantum-physics premise is not a new one (but not a tired one, either) - that the main character travels back in time to prevent a tragedy. However, Susan May manages to bring fresh heart and intelligence to the formula. Dawn, her heroine, becomes addicted to a time loop which offers her a replay of her son's death over and over but offers her no chance to change the outcome - unless she can discover some window in the dense web of Fate. The author keeps the anguish of a mother raw and alive throughout, for it is Dawn's emotions which fuel the narrative as well as the decisive twist near the end. Lest you think this book is just an exercise in plot, however, there is profound spiritual truth that rewards the heroine - as well as the reader - in the final chapters. I'm very happy to have read this, and it will stay with me.
December 10, 2014
I'm a bit of a Susan May groupie - in my humble opinion she's next Stephen King (and I want to see the Scenic Route on the big screen if anyone out there in the movie biz is listening!) This is one of my faves of her books - I won't rehash what the story is about as other reviewers have it covered, but I loved the insight into the main characters, and being a mum myself, it was a story with an added vividness for me. I'm a professional book reviewer so I read a lot, and I found this a really riveting read; great suspense and well told - which can be hard to do with time slip books (I don't know if it's just me, but I try to pick plot holes in books of this genre, and I couldn't find one!)
February 22, 2017
This is the second short story of this author's I have read and it definitely cements the quality of her work.
An ultimately tragic story of a mother forced to relive her son's death and the ensuing days after, over and over again.
"Can we ever change the past to affect the future" is the underlying theme here and the ending poses not only that, but forgiveness, guilt and redemption.
Not an easy book to read if you are full of emotions but one that does leave you grasping on of hope just as the main character does. The quality of writing is proved by the fact that the author went on to expand this short story into a novel, at the behest of others. Highly recommended.
An ultimately tragic story of a mother forced to relive her son's death and the ensuing days after, over and over again.
"Can we ever change the past to affect the future" is the underlying theme here and the ending poses not only that, but forgiveness, guilt and redemption.
Not an easy book to read if you are full of emotions but one that does leave you grasping on of hope just as the main character does. The quality of writing is proved by the fact that the author went on to expand this short story into a novel, at the behest of others. Highly recommended.
August 3, 2014
This is the first book that I have read about time travel. The main character Dawn had to keep repeating her sons death over and over. Can she change the outcome? Will she live in this horrible loop in time forever? This is an exciting adventure of a read. The one thing that keep me from giving it the fifth star was that the ending could have been better. What really did happen at the end?
( I recieved this book from Susan May for a honest review)
( I recieved this book from Susan May for a honest review)
November 26, 2014
I enjoyed this short story, but the novel with the same title is even better.
September 13, 2018
Category: Time travel, fate
Synopsis: A taut, breathless-speed story about a woman stuck in a time loop, reliving the death of her little boy, trying with all her soul to change the outcome. There are three main characters, the mother, the woman who runs over the boy while focused on texting rather than driving, and the presence of the boy which the reader and the other two are keenly aware of, but who remains oblivious through it all.
What’s good: Everything. Plot, characterisation, plot twists, writing quality, high emotion, suspense.
What’s not good, if anything: -
It was subsequently expanded into a book (like Nightfall and Flowers for Algernon and other classics, it probably did equally well in a longer format, but I haven’t read that version).
Synopsis: A taut, breathless-speed story about a woman stuck in a time loop, reliving the death of her little boy, trying with all her soul to change the outcome. There are three main characters, the mother, the woman who runs over the boy while focused on texting rather than driving, and the presence of the boy which the reader and the other two are keenly aware of, but who remains oblivious through it all.
What’s good: Everything. Plot, characterisation, plot twists, writing quality, high emotion, suspense.
What’s not good, if anything: -
It was subsequently expanded into a book (like Nightfall and Flowers for Algernon and other classics, it probably did equally well in a longer format, but I haven’t read that version).
November 23, 2014
This was a difficult book for me to read and finish. There is no real reason, except that I did not like all the time travel and back and forth. Dawn loses her child in a horrible accident and goes back and forth trying to come to grips with it while reliving the horror of that day. There are lots of additional throwback to her childhood and how she experienced and coped with time lapses throughout. I found it a bit tedious to keep reading about these, but they were an important element to the story. The story delves into Dawn’s loss and ensuing grief, and is not for anyone who may have experienced such a loss or who is not really into this sort of thing. The author does a great job of describing the loss, so the reader begins to personally understand and feel Dawn’s loss almost as their own. I just found the skipping around and the discussions of Dawn’s past life too much for me to keep getting through as well as interrupting my current train of thought. However, as I said, I do see their need, as they become an essential part of this story. I found myself definitely relating to and appreciating all the main characters, especially Dawn and her son. There was great character development. Some reviewers obviously read a shorter version than I did, so their reactions were different from mine. The author did a pretty good job expanding the story to its current length, though it could have been a bit shorter for my taste. All in all, it is a good book to read, for the reader who enjoys delving into the character’s psyche as well as understanding the whys and wherefores of the character’s current state of mind and actions. I received this from Library Thing read and to provide an honest review.
August 26, 2014
I won this book through the Member Giveaways in exchange for a review.
This novella was incredible!! A story that I will not soon forget. When I read the description I was a bit hesitant to try to win it, as my husband and I lost our first and only child 17 days after birth, and wasn't sure if it would hit too close to home. But the premise sounded so interesting that I decided to chance it. I am so glad that I did! Did it hit close to home once I started reading it? Yes, absolutely! Although the circumstances were different, the fact was that I and the main character, Dawn, still lost our son's. Yet the story grabs at you from the first word and does not let go. What a story!! I can't wait to read the book!! This was an extremely emotional story and your heart breaks for Dawn, the mother, as she tries to change the outcome over and over again. But any mother would do the same, regardless if changing the outcome was successful or not. This was a great story that I will not forget. Ever. If only this could happen in real life!! Susan May knows how to get into the heart and mind of the characters and in turn, also knows how to reach the heart and mind of her readers! A story that I will read and re-read again and again!!
This novella was incredible!! A story that I will not soon forget. When I read the description I was a bit hesitant to try to win it, as my husband and I lost our first and only child 17 days after birth, and wasn't sure if it would hit too close to home. But the premise sounded so interesting that I decided to chance it. I am so glad that I did! Did it hit close to home once I started reading it? Yes, absolutely! Although the circumstances were different, the fact was that I and the main character, Dawn, still lost our son's. Yet the story grabs at you from the first word and does not let go. What a story!! I can't wait to read the book!! This was an extremely emotional story and your heart breaks for Dawn, the mother, as she tries to change the outcome over and over again. But any mother would do the same, regardless if changing the outcome was successful or not. This was a great story that I will not forget. Ever. If only this could happen in real life!! Susan May knows how to get into the heart and mind of the characters and in turn, also knows how to reach the heart and mind of her readers! A story that I will read and re-read again and again!!
December 15, 2016
"the little I see you there wave."
For one mother it was an ordinary day filled with trivia, like shopping and updating social media, until she sees her young son struck by a car: despite medical services doing all they can, he dies. For a teenage girl caught up in the confusion of job loss and pestering by an ex-boyfriend, it was the end of her life as she knew it, too, when she realises she has killed a child. Two very different women, beautifully and convincingly drawn by author Susan May, whose fates collide in those few fateful minutes. Then, every ten days, the mother is back, replaying that terrible day, forced to watch it repeat over and over. if only there was a way to alter the past
A carefully crafted short novella which, apparently, spawned a full length novel, Back Again, is moving, emotionally charged and very revealing. I notational as well as a pleasure to read.
Also included in the book is a second short story, Do Us Part, as well as an excerpt from the thriller, Deadly Messengers and Ms.May's brief notes about the conception of the story, Back Again.
For one mother it was an ordinary day filled with trivia, like shopping and updating social media, until she sees her young son struck by a car: despite medical services doing all they can, he dies. For a teenage girl caught up in the confusion of job loss and pestering by an ex-boyfriend, it was the end of her life as she knew it, too, when she realises she has killed a child. Two very different women, beautifully and convincingly drawn by author Susan May, whose fates collide in those few fateful minutes. Then, every ten days, the mother is back, replaying that terrible day, forced to watch it repeat over and over. if only there was a way to alter the past
A carefully crafted short novella which, apparently, spawned a full length novel, Back Again, is moving, emotionally charged and very revealing. I notational as well as a pleasure to read.
Also included in the book is a second short story, Do Us Part, as well as an excerpt from the thriller, Deadly Messengers and Ms.May's brief notes about the conception of the story, Back Again.
March 6, 2017
got this as giveaway from the writer, and the full versus this novelette is available for under 6 usd and the blurb at the end of this says available on kindle unlimited but could be the full length, but also in this shorter story there are some short additional stories at the end
available kindle unlimited, longer story, audible, etcetera
available kindle unlimited, longer story, audible, etcetera
August 6, 2014
Do not read if you are feeling any sort of emotion other than stoic! Heartbreaking and yet, wonderfully told. Going back every 10 days and figuring out the 'how' of it all, trying to grasp something and change the outcome made for an intense and worthwhile journey. Descriptive in a lively and very human way, and I enjoyed it from start to finish. It was tough, as well, it's a child dying, but the mom's journey to fix it was fascinating.
January 17, 2016
I know the dates on this is wrong but I finished this book right after reading the third book of her shirt stories. As with all Susan's books I have loved and became a bigger fan of hers and after started reading the full length book I have to say I'm giving this one another 5 star for this is one of the best authors to keep watch for in the coming year...
August 31, 2014
I loved this tragic short story, in which the reader is kept uncertain until the very last paragraph!
I can highly recommend this to all fans of drama, time travel & science fiction.
I can highly recommend this to all fans of drama, time travel & science fiction.
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February 19, 2018Well, quite interesting...grabbed me right away...again! I wasn't sure about reading it since it had some details about the son's death...heart wrenching...but I didn't give up...and it looks like I must get the full novel now!! It caught me as I finished the short story...of course...so, on to the next book until I get the full novel Back Again...
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews