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Roe V. Wade
At first I couldn't find the words to express my bitter disappointment in the latest happenings over in the United States of America. When I finally did have something to say, I realised I had a whole lot more than just an angry social media status to shout about. Now, I know some people will consider this book poor taste. Some people may even decide to stop reading my work based on this one title and, you know, I'm fine with that.
What happens within this book is a story. Whilst it has the recent abortion laws at the heart of the tale, it takes an extreme turn within the first few pages. Some people may sit there in delight at the deliciously dark goings on, others will worry that - sometimes it is the extreme routes which end up to being the closest to the reality we're faced with.
I hope this book makes you stop and think about what is happening in America. I know it won't fall into the right hands to make a difference, or change the minds of the idiotic but - with enough people standing up and screaming when something wrong is happening in the country they love... Sometimes.... Sometimes their voices are heard.
Be heard.
The year is 2032 and five year old Jacob is opening the biggest gift, beneath the Christmas tree, which is labelled for him. His very first semi-automatic rifle and - he couldn't be prouder. He smiles to his parents who sit close by. They don't smile back. Their minds are stuck on earlier events of what should have been a magical day: The moment they found out Jacob was set to be a brother.
A second child had never been a part of their "plan". Even if they had wanted one, they knew they couldn't afford one. More than that, the first pregnancy almost resulted in the death of both mother and child. Neither husband nor wife wished to chance that again... But it wasn't up to them. She was pregnant and that was that. They had to smile at the news and appear happy and financially stable enough to be able to afford a new addition to the family. If the cracks showed in the relationship, the government would come knocking and, the mother would end up in Room 101. The new child, now property of The Powers That Be.
WARNING: This is an extreme horror story. It is not intended for those who are easily shocked or offended.
What happens within this book is a story. Whilst it has the recent abortion laws at the heart of the tale, it takes an extreme turn within the first few pages. Some people may sit there in delight at the deliciously dark goings on, others will worry that - sometimes it is the extreme routes which end up to being the closest to the reality we're faced with.
I hope this book makes you stop and think about what is happening in America. I know it won't fall into the right hands to make a difference, or change the minds of the idiotic but - with enough people standing up and screaming when something wrong is happening in the country they love... Sometimes.... Sometimes their voices are heard.
Be heard.
The year is 2032 and five year old Jacob is opening the biggest gift, beneath the Christmas tree, which is labelled for him. His very first semi-automatic rifle and - he couldn't be prouder. He smiles to his parents who sit close by. They don't smile back. Their minds are stuck on earlier events of what should have been a magical day: The moment they found out Jacob was set to be a brother.
A second child had never been a part of their "plan". Even if they had wanted one, they knew they couldn't afford one. More than that, the first pregnancy almost resulted in the death of both mother and child. Neither husband nor wife wished to chance that again... But it wasn't up to them. She was pregnant and that was that. They had to smile at the news and appear happy and financially stable enough to be able to afford a new addition to the family. If the cracks showed in the relationship, the government would come knocking and, the mother would end up in Room 101. The new child, now property of The Powers That Be.
WARNING: This is an extreme horror story. It is not intended for those who are easily shocked or offended.
74 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 28, 2022
77 people are currently reading
926 people want to read
About the author
Matt Shaw
529 books2,202 followersBiography
MATT SHAW was born, quite by accident (his mother tripped, he shot out) September 30th 1980 in Winchester hospital where he was immediately placed on the baby ward and EBay. Some twelve years later (wandering the corridors of the hospital and playing with road kill when he was on day release), the listing closed and he remained unsold, he was booted out of the hospital to start his life as a writer and hobbit – beginning with writing screenplays and short stories for his own amusement before finally getting published when he was twenty-seven years and forty-five seconds old.
Once Published weekly in a lad's magazine with his photography work, Matt Shaw is also a published author and cartoonist. Has to be said, can be a bit of a flirt and definitely, without a shadow of a doubt, somewhat of a klutz.
Favourite books
"Roald Dahl's Collection of Short Stories"
Tim Burton's Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy
Anything, really, written by himself. Because he is that good.
MATT SHAW was born, quite by accident (his mother tripped, he shot out) September 30th 1980 in Winchester hospital where he was immediately placed on the baby ward and EBay. Some twelve years later (wandering the corridors of the hospital and playing with road kill when he was on day release), the listing closed and he remained unsold, he was booted out of the hospital to start his life as a writer and hobbit – beginning with writing screenplays and short stories for his own amusement before finally getting published when he was twenty-seven years and forty-five seconds old.
Once Published weekly in a lad's magazine with his photography work, Matt Shaw is also a published author and cartoonist. Has to be said, can be a bit of a flirt and definitely, without a shadow of a doubt, somewhat of a klutz.
Favourite books
"Roald Dahl's Collection of Short Stories"
Tim Burton's Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy
Anything, really, written by himself. Because he is that good.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews
April 7, 2025
Ok, there was a lot to unpack in this one. Shaw chose a very powerful, important current event to base this tale of terror in. And I don’t think he is trying to sway his readers to subscribe to his particular beliefs, however he makes some very strong and logical points early on, even before the story gets started. I also think it’s equally frustrating, as an author, when readers condemn stories, acting as if an author believes what they’re writing about. I have received several heavy criticisms on my Preternatural trilogy for being too religious and even a few claiming that I was pushing some sort of agenda. That couldn’t be further from the truth. I am not a religious person and just because I chose certain themes for a fictional book, it should not reflect on me personally. Needless to say, while I appreciated Shaw’s intro to vindicate his creativity here, he shouldn’t have to do so. He is a writer and can choose any theme, language, characters, etc to make a good story, While people can certainly judge the quality of his books, it should never be viewed as a personal matter. I don’t mean to go off on a rant or get political here, but I liked the scary reality of parts of this book. We, as a people, have become increasingly impulsive and misled, and very few can agree to disagree on anything anymore. That greatly limits our ability to learn from one another and grow together. And it sets a dangerous precedent for the future, despite whatever race, religion, political affiliations, etc a person may claim to be a part of. It will affect us all negatively in some way. The world is so angry and we all need to find common ground to support each other. It’s that simple. So I really do applaud Matt Shaw here. I think that this a strong story that, as far as real world relevance and very plausible future situations, is comparable to Aldous Huxley’s A Brave New World.
August 3, 2022
Holy Shit!!!!
This is set in 2032 but the scariest part is this could actually happen in the future. This story is the true definition of horror and will stick with me for some time. Thought provoking and gut wrenching.
Matt Shaw f**king nailed it!
This is set in 2032 but the scariest part is this could actually happen in the future. This story is the true definition of horror and will stick with me for some time. Thought provoking and gut wrenching.
Matt Shaw f**king nailed it!
August 26, 2022
My first Matt Shaw!
Even though I was expecting a work of very very extreme horror (it comes with a warning on its cover), I think this was rather a solid dystopia, which takes today's sociopolitical developments in the USA, mainly the overturning of the landmark case Roe v. Wade, but also racism, poverty and gun violence, and inflates them into extreme dimensions.
The year is 2032 and abortion is illegal in ALL US states - even expressing doubts while pregnant prompts the state to arrest and keep you under surveillance, force-feeding and drugging you until the baby is born. We follow two couples from different social backgrounds who both are expecting. While their approaches to pregnancy and to the prospect of another baby vary, their fate seems equally bitter and devastating.
This was much more political than I expected it to be and within the last ten pages the story takes a very unexpected turn which was a very interesting direction but so pleasantly surprising that I actually wish it had been worked into the story sooner. I think the story was a little hasty and too short in general and it could have been absolutely awesome with about two or three hundred more pages to let the story ripen a bit.
As someone who is not from the US I appreciated the introduction explaining the history of the titular case and the author's foreword.
I will definitely read more books by the author.
Even though I was expecting a work of very very extreme horror (it comes with a warning on its cover), I think this was rather a solid dystopia, which takes today's sociopolitical developments in the USA, mainly the overturning of the landmark case Roe v. Wade, but also racism, poverty and gun violence, and inflates them into extreme dimensions.
The year is 2032 and abortion is illegal in ALL US states - even expressing doubts while pregnant prompts the state to arrest and keep you under surveillance, force-feeding and drugging you until the baby is born. We follow two couples from different social backgrounds who both are expecting. While their approaches to pregnancy and to the prospect of another baby vary, their fate seems equally bitter and devastating.
This was much more political than I expected it to be and within the last ten pages the story takes a very unexpected turn which was a very interesting direction but so pleasantly surprising that I actually wish it had been worked into the story sooner. I think the story was a little hasty and too short in general and it could have been absolutely awesome with about two or three hundred more pages to let the story ripen a bit.
As someone who is not from the US I appreciated the introduction explaining the history of the titular case and the author's foreword.
I will definitely read more books by the author.
April 16, 2024
Claude laughed. Then, he shook his head. ‘No,’ he said, ‘I don’t think I’ll be doing that for you.’ The moment he finished his sentence, he went to point the gun to the officers and… Before the barrel had barely moved an inch, he dropped to the floor with the Taser’s barbs sticking in his chest…
It really is a fucked up world we live in.
It really is a fucked up world we live in.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 21, 2022
This book is my nightmare. As someone who doesn’t want children and getting pregnant and being forced to STAY pregnant is a real fear of mine, this book shook me to my core. I don’t know if 74 pages has ever rocked me like this. I’m having a hard time finding words because this was so…fucked up, but also felt like a real possible future with the way shit is going.
I get there are many reasons why this book will offend people, but it made SO many good points about a uterus having person and how their lives are seen as less important than a cluster of cells. The ending: where Clyde gets tasered after his killing spree and his speech about how fucked up it is that he’s being given a choice to put the gun down while a person’s right to choose is stripped of them…fucking hell. I officially have an answer for “what book fucked your up the most?”
I get there are many reasons why this book will offend people, but it made SO many good points about a uterus having person and how their lives are seen as less important than a cluster of cells. The ending: where Clyde gets tasered after his killing spree and his speech about how fucked up it is that he’s being given a choice to put the gun down while a person’s right to choose is stripped of them…fucking hell. I officially have an answer for “what book fucked your up the most?”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2022
Yikes! This is honestly the only book I’ve read that has scared the living shit out of me. Knowing this can become a reality . Especially for my children🥺This book will keep me awake at night.
August 13, 2022
Pure Propoganda
If this was satire as to how batshit crazy the Far Left is with their beliefs on what "Pro-Life" people actually think and want then it would have been great because it's absolutely insane. But it's not. This at least to me wants to come off as a serious, "extreme" "horror" novella. If I could give this negative stars I would. I've heard nothing but good things about Matt Shaw but this really makes me reconsider giving any of his other work a try
If this was satire as to how batshit crazy the Far Left is with their beliefs on what "Pro-Life" people actually think and want then it would have been great because it's absolutely insane. But it's not. This at least to me wants to come off as a serious, "extreme" "horror" novella. If I could give this negative stars I would. I've heard nothing but good things about Matt Shaw but this really makes me reconsider giving any of his other work a try
August 21, 2022
I either like or hate Matt Shaw’s books.. this one was definitely a like.. possibly love.
I was devastated at the overturning of Roe vs. Wade. This story highlighted the reasons why. It’s easy to imagine the world ending up in a place where women are held captive, force fed, and restrained until they give birth. It seems a bit over the top now, but that’s how many changes happen. Your rights are taken away slowly enough that they don’t cause any alarm.
I was devastated at the overturning of Roe vs. Wade. This story highlighted the reasons why. It’s easy to imagine the world ending up in a place where women are held captive, force fed, and restrained until they give birth. It seems a bit over the top now, but that’s how many changes happen. Your rights are taken away slowly enough that they don’t cause any alarm.
July 31, 2022
I don’t have the right words for this novella. I uttered out loud Holy Shit twice. We are living in odd times and Matt Shaw nailed it. He nailed all of it.
July 20, 2022
I'd read a small amount of this on social media and thought I was prepared but it ended up being a lot more horrific than I could possibly have thought. This Dystopian future horror not only deals with abortion rights being stripped away along with other rights and also extreme racism.
Absolutely horrific but I really hope that future governments do not use this as a template as we have seen with other dystopian books.
Absolutely horrific but I really hope that future governments do not use this as a template as we have seen with other dystopian books.
August 16, 2022
Well.... Ok holy Fuck bout sums it up. This story was a very good but also very horrific and disturbing in a very real way. It's "extreme" but not in a gore filled way but is definitely "extreme" in a psychological way. This story takes place in 2032 that's just 10 years away and even though this is fiction I feel the way things are in the United States today that This COULD happen and that the true horror of it all. I think Matt Shaw nailed this. The story was way different than I thought it was going to be but it was masterfully executed and will be stuck in my head for quite a while.
September 9, 2022
Excellent book
This is an unreal and unsettling read. Not because it's grusome, but because it's a story that isn't beyond the realm of possibility.
This is an unreal and unsettling read. Not because it's grusome, but because it's a story that isn't beyond the realm of possibility.
September 25, 2022
"extreme horror" my ass. this reads like a white feminism rendition of soylent green.
April 6, 2023
a gazillion stars. This book terrified me. America is heading this way and it’s scary. Everyone should read this book. it should be mandatory reading material lol
August 23, 2022
“It really is a fucked up world we live in.”
I’ve never read a more true statement of the world we live in today, whether it’s on a macro level of women’s rights or the micro level of someone trying to demonize this gifted author for no ascertainable reason.
This world fit like the missing puzzle piece to Atwood’s world in the Handmaid’s Tale. It filled all the holes that I never realized existed in the back of my mind, with a little added nod to Soylent Green, tucked there in the background.
The shifting plot line and perspectives were a brutally realistic look at what we are capable of as humans if we continue down the road we are on … how quickly we can adapt and turn blind eye to atrocities, for our own personal survival.
“Turning a blind eye never helps in the grand scheme of things though, does it? Instead of dealing with a problem, they just bury their heads in the same and either hope it fixes itself or, they act all confused and shocked when the problem becomes worse.”
What scares me wasn’t the content, nor the gore - but don’t worry there’s plenty of gore… it’s how I could see it becoming reality.
A world where as a woman, her “unborn child without the ability of thought - had more rights than she seemed to have at any stage of her own life. What made the frustration worse was, there was nowhere she could vent such thoughts”
I don’t know if I should tell you all to read this because it’s up there with Handmaid’s as a cautionary tale or just because it was really good. Either way, nab this one, sooner rather than later; because who knows what the future will bring to this world?
“This was the world now. Instead of progressing, it had taken massive backward steps and, it was only getting worse.”
I’ve never read a more true statement of the world we live in today, whether it’s on a macro level of women’s rights or the micro level of someone trying to demonize this gifted author for no ascertainable reason.
This world fit like the missing puzzle piece to Atwood’s world in the Handmaid’s Tale. It filled all the holes that I never realized existed in the back of my mind, with a little added nod to Soylent Green, tucked there in the background.
The shifting plot line and perspectives were a brutally realistic look at what we are capable of as humans if we continue down the road we are on … how quickly we can adapt and turn blind eye to atrocities, for our own personal survival.
“Turning a blind eye never helps in the grand scheme of things though, does it? Instead of dealing with a problem, they just bury their heads in the same and either hope it fixes itself or, they act all confused and shocked when the problem becomes worse.”
What scares me wasn’t the content, nor the gore - but don’t worry there’s plenty of gore… it’s how I could see it becoming reality.
A world where as a woman, her “unborn child without the ability of thought - had more rights than she seemed to have at any stage of her own life. What made the frustration worse was, there was nowhere she could vent such thoughts”
I don’t know if I should tell you all to read this because it’s up there with Handmaid’s as a cautionary tale or just because it was really good. Either way, nab this one, sooner rather than later; because who knows what the future will bring to this world?
“This was the world now. Instead of progressing, it had taken massive backward steps and, it was only getting worse.”
August 24, 2022
I don't usually read extreme horror but I was interested in the author's take on the current insanity gripping the USA in terms of abortion rights.
I didn't find the book extreme, so I'm interested in reading more of his work.
It was a short read and I thought it would go much worse for the characters than it did, so this tells me that Mr. Shaw has a saner head and better heart than me. And I think both Mr. Shaw and I would agree the true horror is what is happening in the country right now and I'm thankful he wrote a version of a future out of control.
I'm glad he takes a story and extrapolates what might happen and takes it somewhere unbelievable, but then again... is it really that unbelievable?
But I'm glad to say I am a fan.
I didn't find the book extreme, so I'm interested in reading more of his work.
It was a short read and I thought it would go much worse for the characters than it did, so this tells me that Mr. Shaw has a saner head and better heart than me. And I think both Mr. Shaw and I would agree the true horror is what is happening in the country right now and I'm thankful he wrote a version of a future out of control.
I'm glad he takes a story and extrapolates what might happen and takes it somewhere unbelievable, but then again... is it really that unbelievable?
But I'm glad to say I am a fan.
August 19, 2022
This is my first Matt Shaw book. I felt like it was written by a juvenile and just a poorly thought out book. I’m amazed by all the good reviews - did they read the same thing?
Also, I realize the author is from the UK, but the story is about the USA. The dialogue and setting is definitely written like someone who doesn’t live in the US, and did little research into remedy that.
Also, I realize the author is from the UK, but the story is about the USA. The dialogue and setting is definitely written like someone who doesn’t live in the US, and did little research into remedy that.
July 28, 2022
Thank you Matt Shaw for publishing this. As an American, I feel this is the exact direction this country is heading towards and it's terrifying 😳. Everyone needs to read this! I know you wrote this as fiction, but it could honestly become our future if we keep heading in the direction we are going. 5 🌟
November 23, 2022
Great book! I kind of wish it went a little longer and had more detail, but I'm used to reading epic fantasy and this is basically a novella.
Very dark and interesting. Yet not as dark as I thought from hearing about Matt Shaw books. But still brutal. I will definitely read more Shaw books in the future and will let some friends borrow this book whom I know enjoy dark content.
Very dark and interesting. Yet not as dark as I thought from hearing about Matt Shaw books. But still brutal. I will definitely read more Shaw books in the future and will let some friends borrow this book whom I know enjoy dark content.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2022
Thought provoking read!
Good job, Matt Shaw!! I think you hit every concern a lot of us are having. Then you threw in a couple I hadn't thought of, so now I get to increase my anxiety med! 😂😂😂
Definitely recommend!!
Good job, Matt Shaw!! I think you hit every concern a lot of us are having. Then you threw in a couple I hadn't thought of, so now I get to increase my anxiety med! 😂😂😂
Definitely recommend!!
September 14, 2022
I appreciate the overall point being made here, but it was just so poorly written. Still would have given it 2 stars for effort if not for the ridiculous ‘reason behind it all’ that’s revealed at the end.
August 15, 2022
An extremely bleak look at a potential fictional dystopian future in the post RvW overturning in the US. Hard hitting in this current political climate
September 6, 2022
Freaking good, if only it was not that short 😭
July 31, 2022
**Possible spoiler contained. You have been warned**
A couple of years ago I read an anthology titled The Dystopian States of America, a disturbing collection of themed stories from a diverse and amazing group of authors, edited by Matt Bechtel. It was a disturbing read of a *possible* future if a gullible society allowed a totalitarian government gain power.
Fast forward to 2022, where a stacked court decided to overturn decades old precedent (despite recorded evidence of acknowledging said precedent as settled) to cater to its deranged core of supporters, stripping the rights to privacy and bodily autonomy for millions.
I have just finished reading this story. In comparison to some of the other titles I have read from this author, I was surprised at how restrained his writing was. Although it is based on an abhorrent current event, and for the most part so easily and frighteningly believable, it is (at this point) just a reader's glance at a *possible* future through a grimy window pane. USSC law meets overbearing xtianity meets an early '70s Heston movie. It would've been a perfect fit in The Dystopian States.
Kudos to Matt. This title and its theme may drive some of his readers away simply because of their pathetic intolerance. Read the foreword and you will see this doesn't worry him at all.
I'm not going to (cannot) say I "enjoyed" this quick read. The writing is tight and to the point. It is easy to feel compassionate about most of the characters; outrage and disgust at the rest. In this, Matt has done his job well.
If you choose to read this title (and I do recommend it), leave any preconceived baggage at the door.
5 stars.
A couple of years ago I read an anthology titled The Dystopian States of America, a disturbing collection of themed stories from a diverse and amazing group of authors, edited by Matt Bechtel. It was a disturbing read of a *possible* future if a gullible society allowed a totalitarian government gain power.
Fast forward to 2022, where a stacked court decided to overturn decades old precedent (despite recorded evidence of acknowledging said precedent as settled) to cater to its deranged core of supporters, stripping the rights to privacy and bodily autonomy for millions.
I have just finished reading this story. In comparison to some of the other titles I have read from this author, I was surprised at how restrained his writing was. Although it is based on an abhorrent current event, and for the most part so easily and frighteningly believable, it is (at this point) just a reader's glance at a *possible* future through a grimy window pane. USSC law meets overbearing xtianity meets an early '70s Heston movie. It would've been a perfect fit in The Dystopian States.
Kudos to Matt. This title and its theme may drive some of his readers away simply because of their pathetic intolerance. Read the foreword and you will see this doesn't worry him at all.
I'm not going to (cannot) say I "enjoyed" this quick read. The writing is tight and to the point. It is easy to feel compassionate about most of the characters; outrage and disgust at the rest. In this, Matt has done his job well.
If you choose to read this title (and I do recommend it), leave any preconceived baggage at the door.
5 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 18, 2022
2.5 stars. This is an incredibly short novella and I have some issues with it. This is my first Matt Shaw and while I have issues with the story itself, I enjoyed the writing style and am open to trying some more Shaw. I have issues with this novella in the fact that it reads like a lackluster and underdeveloped Tender is the Flesh. From the commentary on social issues of overpopulation, racism, xenophobia, and even cannibalism. I will say it isn't fleshed out enough to be effective because the story is so short and so the overall dichotomy and pain the male character is experiencing at his terrible job in this center feels cut off. I'd be interested to see what other Black reviewers and readers thoughts are towards the commentary on racism because it felt performative to me and like it was saying the "right things," but there was no nuance. I didn't hate this, but I didn't love reading it and I found the ending to be...deadpan. Pretty contrite in terms of typical commentary on American violence in regards to shootings. Lots of commentary in 70 pages, but not enough grit and spirit in the characters to carry the emotional impact and messaging that I think Shaw was going for. More thoughts possibly to come.
February 5, 2025
It's horrifying that I wasn't picturing this as fiction whilst reading it.
July 30, 2022
This book is the conceptualization of what COULD happen in today’s society given that a person’s specifically a woman’s right to choose has been stripped by patriarchal buttholes and women whose IQ is equivalent to their shoe size. This novella is a clever presentation of the secret thoughts of those who are “pro-choice”.
September 29, 2022
The reviewer who said this was an underdeveloped “Tender is the Flesh” is spot on. This reads as a draft. The large print is ridiculous, and I could have lived without the authors little rant in the front. It took me 45 minutes to read, and I doubt it took the author any longer to write it. But feel proud I guess, bud.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews