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A Tiny Feeling of Fear
'I've made a decision to become the only person on the planet to become completely truthful about everything. I've never told anyone my secrets before.
I'm hoping that being honest with you may just save my life. And perhaps yours.' This third novel by Jonathan Lee takes the reader through the many insecurities we all experience, through the eyes of Andrew Walker, an ordinary guy with an extraordinary twist to the tale.
Sunday Times best-selling author Milly Johnson describes the book as 'original and inspired'.
I'm hoping that being honest with you may just save my life. And perhaps yours.' This third novel by Jonathan Lee takes the reader through the many insecurities we all experience, through the eyes of Andrew Walker, an ordinary guy with an extraordinary twist to the tale.
Sunday Times best-selling author Milly Johnson describes the book as 'original and inspired'.
Paperback
First published September 21, 2015
5 people are currently reading
160 people want to read
About the author
M. Jonathan Lee
6 books50 followersM Jonathan Lee is a nationally shortlisted author who was born Yorkshire where he still lives today with twins, James and Annabel.
His debut novel, The Radio was shortlisted for The Novel Prize 2012. He has spoken in schools, colleges, prisons and universities about creative writing and storytelling and appeared at various literary festivals including Sheffield’s Off the Shelf and Doncaster’s Turn the Page festival.
His second novel, The Page was released in February 2015.
His much anticipated third novel, A Tiny Feeling of Fear was released in September 2015 and tells the story of a character struggling with mental illness. All profits from this novel are donated to charity to raise awareness of mental health issues. This was accompanied by the short film, Hidden which was directed by Simon Gamble and can be seen here.
In 2016, he signed for boutique publishers, Hideaway Fall and his fourth novel Broken Branches was released in July 2017, winning book of the month in Candis magazine for September.
He is a tireless campaigner for mental health awareness and writes his own column regularly for the Huffington Post. He has recently written for the Big Issue and spoken at length about his own personal struggle on the BBC and Radio Talk Europe.
His fifth book, the critically acclaimed Drift Stumble Fall was released in Spring 2018. His sixth novel, 337 was released on 30 November 2020.
His debut novel, The Radio was shortlisted for The Novel Prize 2012. He has spoken in schools, colleges, prisons and universities about creative writing and storytelling and appeared at various literary festivals including Sheffield’s Off the Shelf and Doncaster’s Turn the Page festival.
His second novel, The Page was released in February 2015.
His much anticipated third novel, A Tiny Feeling of Fear was released in September 2015 and tells the story of a character struggling with mental illness. All profits from this novel are donated to charity to raise awareness of mental health issues. This was accompanied by the short film, Hidden which was directed by Simon Gamble and can be seen here.
In 2016, he signed for boutique publishers, Hideaway Fall and his fourth novel Broken Branches was released in July 2017, winning book of the month in Candis magazine for September.
He is a tireless campaigner for mental health awareness and writes his own column regularly for the Huffington Post. He has recently written for the Big Issue and spoken at length about his own personal struggle on the BBC and Radio Talk Europe.
His fifth book, the critically acclaimed Drift Stumble Fall was released in Spring 2018. His sixth novel, 337 was released on 30 November 2020.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 2, 2015
This book was very different from what I have been reading lately and was a nice change from all the crime and suspence. Interesting subject matter, characters who show their vulnerability and make you think about life and how it can affect each of us in different ways.
February 26, 2016
I was lucky enough to be sent this novel by the author through a Goodreads giveaway. It grabbed my attention from the very beginning. The opening line "Firstly, I'd just like to thank each and every one of you for attending today" is as memorable as the novel itself. Lee's characters are extremely well written and I found myself caught up in their complicated lives. Lee's third novel deals with mental health issues; anxiety and depression. The writing style and complex issues had me believe I was reading a classic. Comparatively I was reminded of Arthur Miller's 'Death of A Salesman.'
'A Tiny Feeling of Fear' deals not only with issues of mental health, but identity, humanity, love and parenthood. Due to the fact Andrew Walker is an extremely anxious individual, as a reader, you cannot help but be physically effected by his narrative. His outlook on humanity is at times horrifying and perhaps is so because it can be validated. In my opinion the pace of the novel was ever-changing however this wonderfully coincided with Andrew's fluctuating outlook and peace of mind. Despite its heavy themes the novel is not a depressing read, Lee seems to have the balance just right with humour propping up at unexpected times. I rooted for Andrew Walker and celebrated his periods of happiness alongside him. I would recommend this novel to anyone and will treasure my signed copy. The amazing twist at the end stopped me in my tracks and made me want to re-read the whole novel as soon as I finished. This novel is psychological, gripping and utterly unique. 'A Tiny Feeling of Fear' deserves so much more recognition and as my 26th novel of 2016 it is by far the greatest novel I have read this year!
'A Tiny Feeling of Fear' deals not only with issues of mental health, but identity, humanity, love and parenthood. Due to the fact Andrew Walker is an extremely anxious individual, as a reader, you cannot help but be physically effected by his narrative. His outlook on humanity is at times horrifying and perhaps is so because it can be validated. In my opinion the pace of the novel was ever-changing however this wonderfully coincided with Andrew's fluctuating outlook and peace of mind. Despite its heavy themes the novel is not a depressing read, Lee seems to have the balance just right with humour propping up at unexpected times. I rooted for Andrew Walker and celebrated his periods of happiness alongside him. I would recommend this novel to anyone and will treasure my signed copy. The amazing twist at the end stopped me in my tracks and made me want to re-read the whole novel as soon as I finished. This novel is psychological, gripping and utterly unique. 'A Tiny Feeling of Fear' deserves so much more recognition and as my 26th novel of 2016 it is by far the greatest novel I have read this year!
October 2, 2015
Andrew Walker lets the reader into his life and talks to us about what is going on in his mind, the difficulties he faces suffering from anxiety and depression and how he sees the world around him and how on the outside he seems fine and successful in his career, but inside he is struggling and fighting a battle within himself.
Andrew Walker is a fictional character but with the story been told from his first person point of view he becomes very real and the lively, fast pace of the book draws you into Andrew's world. Here the reader becomes the confidant. This makes the book interesting and different and because it is so well written it really works and the reader does not become disinterested from this point of view. A lot of people will be able to relate to the circumstances Andrew is going through too.
Andrew Walker is a fictional character but with the story been told from his first person point of view he becomes very real and the lively, fast pace of the book draws you into Andrew's world. Here the reader becomes the confidant. This makes the book interesting and different and because it is so well written it really works and the reader does not become disinterested from this point of view. A lot of people will be able to relate to the circumstances Andrew is going through too.
February 27, 2016
A Tiny Feeling of Fear has such an authentic feel to it that I've no doubt large portions of it are confessional. I know from personal experience the exact feelings he describes so perfectly. The prose is measured and detailed but at no point slows the pace down too much. It is also very cleverly done, and I guarantee you will want to re-read it again once you get to the end, and know the full story. A fantastic and brave story.
October 7, 2015
M. Jonathan Lee 's third novel may just be his best yet! This book is insightful, honest and utterly compelling from start to finish. Lee deserves some serious recognition for this work and indeed for his previous books 'The Radio' and 'The Page'.
June 12, 2017
Got the book in a giveaway ages ago and finally read it.
From the cover and the title, I was expecting a crime story but I was pleasantly surprised that it was not. I have mixed feelings about the writing - at times it felt a bit like a blog, but it suited the theme of the book and the anxiety of the narrator. I am not sure about the end, That was a bit confusing and maybe not necessary. Especially so late in the book.
But I liked the theme and the narrator being so anxious - mental health is a big theme these days and I found the book to be a good illustration on how work, people, daily life can affect some people. Overall, it was a good read.
From the cover and the title, I was expecting a crime story but I was pleasantly surprised that it was not. I have mixed feelings about the writing - at times it felt a bit like a blog, but it suited the theme of the book and the anxiety of the narrator. I am not sure about the end, That was a bit confusing and maybe not necessary. Especially so late in the book.
But I liked the theme and the narrator being so anxious - mental health is a big theme these days and I found the book to be a good illustration on how work, people, daily life can affect some people. Overall, it was a good read.
June 19, 2017
I have family with mental health difficulties and I do love a good yarn, I read this book based on the good reviews. I was hopeful it would give me some new perspectives to take away too. It’s strangely overly well written, to the point where after 50 pages you feel a solicitors child who’s done something wrong. Disappointed really, lots of potential that just didn’t come to fruition.
March 8, 2018
My favourite M Jonathan Lee novel so far. So, so, so clever, and the characters so realistic and ordinary, yet out of the ordinary. The setting is easily identifiable, as are the characters' struggles and traits. The twist was brilliant, just brilliant.
December 22, 2015
This review originally appeared on my blog at www.gimmethatbook.com.
Thanks to Publishing Push and the author for gifting me this review copy!
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book, as the blurb talks about mental health. Was this going to be the crazy ramblings of a manic depressive, or a thinly disguised dream sequence passed off as real life until the very end?
It’s neither. A TINY FEELING OF FEAR is a wonderfully down to earth, no holds barred tale of a man who is suffering from depression. It’s also something more—a story with a crazy, jaw dropping twist that no one could EVER see coming, not in a million years. The plot kept me interested, and I so appreciated the author’s wry humor, especially when describing Walker’s coworkers. After spending time with his office mates, it’s no wonder he was depressed. Hostility and impotence hang over everyone’s head like a miasma, with Andrew Walker at the center. The author’s recounting of a nasty, demanding customer is spot on and cringingly accurate. Anyone who has ever worked in client services will have flashbacks, especially when an angry customer is abusing Walker and we are privy to his mental dialogue. Those are the bright spots. Interspersed with these moments are Walker at his darkest, when he is having such a bad day he can’t even get out of bed and is contemplating suicide. His anxiety and how it affects him is recounted in excruciatingly correct detail; anyone who has suffered from this all too prevalent malady will be intimately familiar with the pounding heart, crushing doubt, and sense of failure. A simple trip to the supermarket nearly turns into a disaster, as Walker almost loses his grip on reality as he travels up and down the aisles.
The one bright spot in his life is his next door neighbor, newly moved in and with issues of her own. The two form an oddly awkward yet comforting relationship, and she helps Walker come to grips with a personal decision that is a long time coming. Some details about his life are revealed very slowly, and I got the sense that even though he was keen enough to make others familiar with the anxiety, I was not permitted to gain very much insight into the man that Walker was. Often the character says that he is worthless, ordinary, and uninteresting, which is normal for someone with depression. Over time, we learn exactly what happened to bring about this life change.
As Walker leaves for a business trip, a few plot lines are near to becoming resolved. I felt so bad for the character and wondered what would be happening–would the author create a happy ending or would there be more misery? Depression and anxiety are not always “fixed”, and I was curious to see how things would turn out. After all, the blurb says that the character is being honest, and this may just save a life.
In any case, no matter what scenario you may have built up in your mind will not prepare you for how things end. Anyone who says they saw this coming is either lying or crazy–or both. I felt exhilarated and manipulated all at the same time, and there were times where I wasn’t sure what just happened. Jonathan Lee is crazy talented and crafty as hell to have pulled this off, that is about all I can say without spoiling the surprise. He has managed to create a book that will spark dialogue about mental illness while entertaining the reader and making their mind boggle. Quite impressive.
Thanks to Publishing Push and the author for gifting me this review copy!
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book, as the blurb talks about mental health. Was this going to be the crazy ramblings of a manic depressive, or a thinly disguised dream sequence passed off as real life until the very end?
It’s neither. A TINY FEELING OF FEAR is a wonderfully down to earth, no holds barred tale of a man who is suffering from depression. It’s also something more—a story with a crazy, jaw dropping twist that no one could EVER see coming, not in a million years. The plot kept me interested, and I so appreciated the author’s wry humor, especially when describing Walker’s coworkers. After spending time with his office mates, it’s no wonder he was depressed. Hostility and impotence hang over everyone’s head like a miasma, with Andrew Walker at the center. The author’s recounting of a nasty, demanding customer is spot on and cringingly accurate. Anyone who has ever worked in client services will have flashbacks, especially when an angry customer is abusing Walker and we are privy to his mental dialogue. Those are the bright spots. Interspersed with these moments are Walker at his darkest, when he is having such a bad day he can’t even get out of bed and is contemplating suicide. His anxiety and how it affects him is recounted in excruciatingly correct detail; anyone who has suffered from this all too prevalent malady will be intimately familiar with the pounding heart, crushing doubt, and sense of failure. A simple trip to the supermarket nearly turns into a disaster, as Walker almost loses his grip on reality as he travels up and down the aisles.
The one bright spot in his life is his next door neighbor, newly moved in and with issues of her own. The two form an oddly awkward yet comforting relationship, and she helps Walker come to grips with a personal decision that is a long time coming. Some details about his life are revealed very slowly, and I got the sense that even though he was keen enough to make others familiar with the anxiety, I was not permitted to gain very much insight into the man that Walker was. Often the character says that he is worthless, ordinary, and uninteresting, which is normal for someone with depression. Over time, we learn exactly what happened to bring about this life change.
As Walker leaves for a business trip, a few plot lines are near to becoming resolved. I felt so bad for the character and wondered what would be happening–would the author create a happy ending or would there be more misery? Depression and anxiety are not always “fixed”, and I was curious to see how things would turn out. After all, the blurb says that the character is being honest, and this may just save a life.
In any case, no matter what scenario you may have built up in your mind will not prepare you for how things end. Anyone who says they saw this coming is either lying or crazy–or both. I felt exhilarated and manipulated all at the same time, and there were times where I wasn’t sure what just happened. Jonathan Lee is crazy talented and crafty as hell to have pulled this off, that is about all I can say without spoiling the surprise. He has managed to create a book that will spark dialogue about mental illness while entertaining the reader and making their mind boggle. Quite impressive.
March 13, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. I was lucky enough to receive a signed copy in a Goodreads giveaway, without which, I may not have come across it.
Lee tackled a difficult subject matter with understanding and respect and if you haven't already lived with mental illness in one way or another, it would surely act as an eye opener. There was a lot of the story that would resonate with a wide audience. The day to day mundane is a familiar theme at least.
As I started the book I was slightly concerned that it could be a little heavy due to the subject matter, however as I turned page after page, I realised I had nothing to worry about. It is very well written and kept me involved from start to finish. I enjoyed the story being told in first person narrative. I liked that Andrew was talking to me, it helps the reader to connect, whether or not they truly understand his daily struggle. The pace changed throughout the book, almost reflecting his current state of mind, again, helping you connect to Andrew.
This is without doubt, the best book I've read in a while, and now I know what I know from the ending, I will be reading it again very soon. I would absolutely recommend this book and I will certainly be looking out for other books by the author, as I really enjoyed his writing style.
Lee tackled a difficult subject matter with understanding and respect and if you haven't already lived with mental illness in one way or another, it would surely act as an eye opener. There was a lot of the story that would resonate with a wide audience. The day to day mundane is a familiar theme at least.
As I started the book I was slightly concerned that it could be a little heavy due to the subject matter, however as I turned page after page, I realised I had nothing to worry about. It is very well written and kept me involved from start to finish. I enjoyed the story being told in first person narrative. I liked that Andrew was talking to me, it helps the reader to connect, whether or not they truly understand his daily struggle. The pace changed throughout the book, almost reflecting his current state of mind, again, helping you connect to Andrew.
This is without doubt, the best book I've read in a while, and now I know what I know from the ending, I will be reading it again very soon. I would absolutely recommend this book and I will certainly be looking out for other books by the author, as I really enjoyed his writing style.
March 4, 2016
I won this book through the Goodreads giveaway.
I chose the 2 stars rating as it describes exactly what I feel about it. It was ok.
The book is written so the protagonist is talking to the reader, trying to get them inside the book and what he is living.
He is the typical over burned company worker that on day decided he had enough, and good for him. Not a lot of people would age the courage to do it.
It was very well written; I finished it quite quickly, even if I had to fight myself to stop reading after one chapter. It is very slow to start and the topic is not an epic one.
I chose the 2 stars rating as it describes exactly what I feel about it. It was ok.
The book is written so the protagonist is talking to the reader, trying to get them inside the book and what he is living.
He is the typical over burned company worker that on day decided he had enough, and good for him. Not a lot of people would age the courage to do it.
It was very well written; I finished it quite quickly, even if I had to fight myself to stop reading after one chapter. It is very slow to start and the topic is not an epic one.
October 13, 2015
Well, I'm glad I stuck with this. I will admit I do like a little bit more of a storyline to my books, but I liked how this one turned out, and the neat little twist at the end was pretty cool. The beginning third was difficult to read, for me, as it reflected so closely on how I feel most of the time (minus a few things). The depth of feeling Lee accomplishes here should be commended.
January 27, 2016
Outstanding third novel. A twist to rival the sixth sense. Read this novel.
November 23, 2016
Slipshod.
In my view this book is an inaccurate and bedraggled poke around MI issues, this book completely misses the mark.
In my view this book is an inaccurate and bedraggled poke around MI issues, this book completely misses the mark.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews