Visions of Grace Under Pressure: The Unseen Horrors of Alison Littlewood’s New Novella
A Horror Book Review by Anthony Watson
Visions of Grace is the new novella from Alison Littlewood and has been released through the Absinthe Books imprint from PS Publishing.
It tells the story of the eponymous character as she prepares for a birthday party for one of her neighbour’s daughters. Her relationship with Katie is a strong one, indeed the girl regards Grace as an auntie – her favourite auntie – an arrangement which helps assuage any feelings of (inappropriate) guilt or inadequacy that Grace has over not being a mother herself. That mother/daughter dynamic is a major theme of the novella, with Grace having lost hers at the age of five.
This information is revealed in a prologue, an opening passage which also subtly hints that Grace is able to see portents, in this case the death of her mother in a car accident. This ability is what drives the narrative of the novella; in the days approaching the party, Grace begins to see other girls who will be attending, including Katie’s older sister Chloe. Knowing that her visions presage something terrible happening to the people she sees, Grace takes it upon herself to protect the girls and stop whatever is going to happen to them. Something she was unable to do for her mother.
It’s a well-worn trope in genre fiction of course but I’m pleased to say that the ending of the book was one that – unlike Grace – I didn’t see coming.
The story is told in first person narration by Grace herself and, significantly I believe, in present tense. This of course raises the subject of reliability of the narrative, something I believe is a strength of the book. It also means that this is a character study of the titular character and the ambiguity this story telling device bestows is enhanced by subtle hints and clues, grace notes if you like, which are scattered throughout the text.
There’s a quote from Hamlet, a play all about ghostly portents and impending doom but it’s the name Grace itself which allows for some added speculation, particularly when considering the religious definition of the word and its connotations of divine assistance. It’s fair to say that Grace regards herself as a guardian angel towards the children and to Catholics, being in a state of grace – free from sin – is the only way in which salvation can be gained.
I’m of the opinion that a novella is the best length for a horror story, avoiding the constriction of a short story and giving the ideas space to breathe whilst avoiding the problems of maintaining tension over the course of an entire novel and Visions of Grace further cements that view in my mind. It’s a cleverly constructed piece of work with an engaging storyline containing some genuinely creepy moments but there’s also plenty of stuff going on beneath the surface with big themes tackled, familial relationships, guilt, fate and the effects of trauma to name but a few and it’s a book I highly recommend.
Visions of Grace by Alison Littlewood
Katie is almost six. She’s very much looking forward to her birthday party, with her mum Leanne and sister Chloe and of course her very best friend, JoJo.
Grace has no daughter, no mum, no family, but she loves her friends next door, perhaps especially Katie, since she has no child of her own.
It’s a good life. It’s enough. So when Grace begins to see things that can’t possibly be there, strange visions that seem to portend something happening to those she cares about, it’s a mother’s love she feels. A mother’s rage. A mother’s determination to protect them . . .
PUBLICATION DATE October 2025
COVER ART Beatriz Martin Vidal
PAGES 87
EDITIONS
Unsigned Jacketed Hardcover — ISBN 978-1-80394-561-3 [£18]
100 JHC signed by the author — ISBN 978-1-80394-560-6 [£25]
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