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The Given
Madison Walter thought she had everything.
A good job. A perfect husband. A baby on the way.
When a terrible tragedy turns her life upside down, Madison knows things will never be the same again.
Intent on saving her marriage, she joins her husband on a luxury trip abroad. However, a week in the sun turns into an abyss of despair and horror.
Can Madison save her life, her sanity and her family before it's too late?
144 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 31, 2018
5 people want to read
About the author
Fiona Dodwell
16 books37 followersFiona Dodwell lives in the UK.
She has studied Theology, Drama, Psychology and Film studies.
She is extremely passionate about horror - both in film and literature - and began writing at an early age.
She has written for Paranormal Underground, Supernatural Magazine, Pinched Literary and completed a writing Internship with Tremr.
She has released several novels, novellas and short stories.
In 2018 she was commissioned to write liner notes for artist Morrissey.
She has studied Theology, Drama, Psychology and Film studies.
She is extremely passionate about horror - both in film and literature - and began writing at an early age.
She has written for Paranormal Underground, Supernatural Magazine, Pinched Literary and completed a writing Internship with Tremr.
She has released several novels, novellas and short stories.
In 2018 she was commissioned to write liner notes for artist Morrissey.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 6, 2018
Dodwell has captured the emotional loss and regrets of a child with her highly suspenseful horror novel.
The author has really matured as an author given the story emotional depth and dealing with complicated issues of the emotional state of a grieving mother. The novel has a sense of dread that drips from every page causing the reader onwards before the humanity within the confines of the mind starts to crack. The humanistic approach is very much explored within the terror that pursues.
The novella is an excellent case study on the human condition and this is where Dodwell excels. Her stories have always dealt with realistic characters told from a realistic realm that experience otherworld occurrences that turn their lives upside down. She has always had a perchance to giving you three dimensional characters whom you generally care about. In ‘The Given’, she has gone far and above to give us the feeling of deep loss and asks the readers to expand on focussing on regrets and living with the could haves and would haves one experiences with loss.
When the catalyst of the supernatural takes hold of the story, the reader is gripped by the terror of the situation. I was pushed forward to the climax of the story and this is where the story really comes into its own. The story ingrains itself into your subconscious long after you read the final sentence.
As an extra bonus, the book also includes two short stories that really knock it out of the park. ‘Red Rain’ is a phenomenal story about a natural disaster and two sisters as they face their evitable future. Again, Dodwell shows the horror of a situation that is out of the norm and the human reaction to the situation. The other story ‘The Univited’ explores life and what happens when you adopt a new addition against the judgement of your significant other as the relationship deteriorates. The story is tight and looks at the multi-faceted emotional strands of relationships.
The Given is a very strong novel and is highly recommended for all readers of dark fiction and even for the casual reader of fiction. The emotional depth that Dodwell has written is truly remarkable and fantastic in every conceivable way. This is one of my favourite reads of 2018 so far and one that will stand out for me, and this is a book that I will cherish and re-read on multiple occasions. I urge you to get yourself a copy of given this a read because it works on multi-levels and the emotional depth shows us the Fiona Dodwell is an author with great depth and talent.
The author has really matured as an author given the story emotional depth and dealing with complicated issues of the emotional state of a grieving mother. The novel has a sense of dread that drips from every page causing the reader onwards before the humanity within the confines of the mind starts to crack. The humanistic approach is very much explored within the terror that pursues.
The novella is an excellent case study on the human condition and this is where Dodwell excels. Her stories have always dealt with realistic characters told from a realistic realm that experience otherworld occurrences that turn their lives upside down. She has always had a perchance to giving you three dimensional characters whom you generally care about. In ‘The Given’, she has gone far and above to give us the feeling of deep loss and asks the readers to expand on focussing on regrets and living with the could haves and would haves one experiences with loss.
When the catalyst of the supernatural takes hold of the story, the reader is gripped by the terror of the situation. I was pushed forward to the climax of the story and this is where the story really comes into its own. The story ingrains itself into your subconscious long after you read the final sentence.
As an extra bonus, the book also includes two short stories that really knock it out of the park. ‘Red Rain’ is a phenomenal story about a natural disaster and two sisters as they face their evitable future. Again, Dodwell shows the horror of a situation that is out of the norm and the human reaction to the situation. The other story ‘The Univited’ explores life and what happens when you adopt a new addition against the judgement of your significant other as the relationship deteriorates. The story is tight and looks at the multi-faceted emotional strands of relationships.
The Given is a very strong novel and is highly recommended for all readers of dark fiction and even for the casual reader of fiction. The emotional depth that Dodwell has written is truly remarkable and fantastic in every conceivable way. This is one of my favourite reads of 2018 so far and one that will stand out for me, and this is a book that I will cherish and re-read on multiple occasions. I urge you to get yourself a copy of given this a read because it works on multi-levels and the emotional depth shows us the Fiona Dodwell is an author with great depth and talent.
February 2, 2018
I was lucky enough to receive a review copy of this great book. I was really looking forward to checking it out, and ended up reading the novella in a few sittings.
Madison and Damon Walter used to have a happy marriage, but after they suffer one of the worst things that can happen to new parents, their life spins out of control. Maddy spirals into a deep well of depression, while Damon throws himself into his work.
So when Damon suggests they go abroad to a luxury resort, so they can take a breath and leave behind the house that reminds them so much of their loss, Maddy agrees. It doesn't matter that it's costing them a fortune, or that a change of scenery won't magically make her forget what she lost, but she's willing to try to reconnect with her husband.
The resort is a strange place. There might be good food, plenty of sun, and even a friendly couple they manage to befriend, but something dark is going on beneath all the brightness. Something that doesn't feel right.
And it looks like everything might lead back to Maddy...
Wow. Okay.
I need a moment.
After I finished this novella, that's exactly how I felt. As soon as I started reading this story, I was caught in its mysterious web. I couldn't put it down.
The best thing about this novella is the quiet genius that sweeps the reader away. How caught up I got in what starts as a troubled marriage in desperate need of healing, and quickly evolves into a roller-coaster ride into the darkness of grief.
Maddy and Damon find themselves continually circling back to the same argument. Things between them get so bad she starts to push him away, begins to see things no one else seem to notice. A nightmarish situation ending in a horrifying, yet promising decision. A double-edged sword loaded into an unfathomable choice she knows she has to make.
The Given is an excellent, often nightmarish suspense novella. The atmosphere is vivid and even sickly. The story is so well written that even though the luxury of the resort shines through, there's no denying the rotten core. And when you reach the ending. Wow. I did NOT see THAT coming. Yet as soon as I read it and retraced the story, it made total sense.
Loved this story!
Oh, and there are also two bonus short stories:
Red Rain was a very dark story about two sisters who are forced to stay indoors as smelly, lethal torrents of fleshy rain fall from the sky and never seem to end.
It's very post-apocalyptic, and although it hooks you in and I enjoyed it, don't expect much hope from this one.
The Uninvited is another dark story. This time about a waitress who works her butt off every single day to support herself and her lazy boyfriend. The only light of her day is a stray dog that eventually ends up meaning more to her than anyone else in the world.
It's another great read, especially if you're an animal lover who can't stand cruelty against them.
Madison and Damon Walter used to have a happy marriage, but after they suffer one of the worst things that can happen to new parents, their life spins out of control. Maddy spirals into a deep well of depression, while Damon throws himself into his work.
So when Damon suggests they go abroad to a luxury resort, so they can take a breath and leave behind the house that reminds them so much of their loss, Maddy agrees. It doesn't matter that it's costing them a fortune, or that a change of scenery won't magically make her forget what she lost, but she's willing to try to reconnect with her husband.
The resort is a strange place. There might be good food, plenty of sun, and even a friendly couple they manage to befriend, but something dark is going on beneath all the brightness. Something that doesn't feel right.
And it looks like everything might lead back to Maddy...
Wow. Okay.
I need a moment.
After I finished this novella, that's exactly how I felt. As soon as I started reading this story, I was caught in its mysterious web. I couldn't put it down.
The best thing about this novella is the quiet genius that sweeps the reader away. How caught up I got in what starts as a troubled marriage in desperate need of healing, and quickly evolves into a roller-coaster ride into the darkness of grief.
Maddy and Damon find themselves continually circling back to the same argument. Things between them get so bad she starts to push him away, begins to see things no one else seem to notice. A nightmarish situation ending in a horrifying, yet promising decision. A double-edged sword loaded into an unfathomable choice she knows she has to make.
The Given is an excellent, often nightmarish suspense novella. The atmosphere is vivid and even sickly. The story is so well written that even though the luxury of the resort shines through, there's no denying the rotten core. And when you reach the ending. Wow. I did NOT see THAT coming. Yet as soon as I read it and retraced the story, it made total sense.
Loved this story!
Oh, and there are also two bonus short stories:
Red Rain was a very dark story about two sisters who are forced to stay indoors as smelly, lethal torrents of fleshy rain fall from the sky and never seem to end.
It's very post-apocalyptic, and although it hooks you in and I enjoyed it, don't expect much hope from this one.
The Uninvited is another dark story. This time about a waitress who works her butt off every single day to support herself and her lazy boyfriend. The only light of her day is a stray dog that eventually ends up meaning more to her than anyone else in the world.
It's another great read, especially if you're an animal lover who can't stand cruelty against them.
March 10, 2019
The Given was another creepy and surprising novel from one of my favorite icky bug (horror) writers, Fiona Dodwell. With a sensibility that can only be drawn from someone living in Jolly Olde’ Englande’, she gives a flavor to the story that’s unique and builds to a conclusion with a wild plot twist.
The writing was outstanding as usual, with solid third-person, past-tense and no noticeable head-hopping. The narrative was slightly literate, but still brisk and to the point. Her insights into the characters were detailed but did not in any way bog down this brief but fun novella.
I had a great time and was surprised and satisfied at the ending.
Afterward were two cool little short stories, Red Rain and The Uninvited. While Red Rain ended hanging, The Uninvited reminded me of a movie I watched a long time ago, but don’t want to say and spoil things.
This was a fun book, and I highly recommend it. She’s one outstanding writer!
The writing was outstanding as usual, with solid third-person, past-tense and no noticeable head-hopping. The narrative was slightly literate, but still brisk and to the point. Her insights into the characters were detailed but did not in any way bog down this brief but fun novella.
I had a great time and was surprised and satisfied at the ending.
Afterward were two cool little short stories, Red Rain and The Uninvited. While Red Rain ended hanging, The Uninvited reminded me of a movie I watched a long time ago, but don’t want to say and spoil things.
This was a fun book, and I highly recommend it. She’s one outstanding writer!
June 20, 2018
The book is slow at the beginning, building up the drama between husband and wife, but the ending makes the book and the suspense upon bringing in the horror elements.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews