Dolman
by
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DOLMAN Chapter 1 – June 2005 Imagination The early summer sun was warm and very welcome. Jamie McFadden sipped at his coffee. He sat on a rock, at the end of his garden, looking out high across a shining Scottish loch to the sea. How did he ever get this lucky? Since his best friend, Ewan, had introduced him to Joanne nine years ago, at Edinburgh University, he had gained a wife, a job, a house, and a beautiful daughter. Yes, there was no doubt, he felt richly blessed. The black labrador at his feet broke his reverie by barking and running towards the cottage. “What is it Bonny?” Jamie turned to see the disturbance. Sally was running towards him down the path. Child and dog greeted one another excitedly. “Hello hen! You're back. Did you have a good time?” Sally was a pretty, vivacious eight-year-old with strawberry blonde hair and blue eyes just like her mother. “It was great!” she jumped up, flinging her arms round her dad's neck. He swung her round in a big circle. Bonny bounced around, wagging her tail in a frenzy of excitement. “Katie's mum was so funny! She kept falling down and she said she had a big bruise on her bum!” Jamie laughed. “And what about you? Did you fall over?” “Yes I did, but me and Katie held on to each other so we didn't slip on the ice.” It was the first time Sally had been to the ice rink in Inverness. It had been her friend Katie's birthday treat, followed by lunch at McDonalds. “Does your mum know you're back?” “No, not yet. I saw you sat on the rock.” “Come on then, let's go and find her.” Jamie took Sally by the hand. They hurried back towards the cottage. Joanne was coming towards them from the house. “Hello Sal,” she called, “did you enjoy it?” Jo was a slim, thirty-five year old with medium blonde hair and what Jamie considered to be the most beautiful blue eyes in the history of the world. “We had ever so much fun! It was brilliant!” There was a toot of a car horn as Katie and her mum drove away. “See you Monday!” Her voice echoed back up the hill. “Can I take Bonny for a walk?” Sally asked excitedly. “Aye hen, but be careful it's not slippery on the loch path. It rained earlier.” The two ran off towards the rocky path that led from the garden down to the loch.
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About the Book
Adapt or Die! This is the theme of Dolman, debut novel of Oxford writer Victoria David. Topical and controversial, Dolman will entertain all those, from 15 to 115, who have even the slightest interest in the outcome of global warming. Where Six Degrees (Mark Lynas) gives us a view of environmental disaster, Dolman imagines a way for humanity to survive the coming Armageddon. Many and varied news items abound concerning human/animal experiments and warnings surrounding climate change, Dolman is a sci-fi fantasy which weaves the two concepts together to form a plot which may be closer to what could happen than we might care to believe. Sebastian James is an obsessive scientist charged with creating a 'new human' capable of withstanding the onslaught of a future hostile environment. He vows to complete his remit at any cost. His obsessive nature makes him unpopular with almost everyone. Hated by his daughter he struggles with his own emotions, at times allowing his single-mindedness to rule his actions. In 2008 Sebastian is given the opportunity to be reconciled with his daughter Belinda. Can they reunite before tragedy strikes? And can the new beings ever be accepted into society? Dolman spans thirty-six years, moving from Portsmouth to the waters of the Mediterranean via the beauty of Scottish Highland lochs, following the lives of the people touched by the Phoenix Project, the fate of the hybrids and the effect they have on their human contacts. Dr Charles Muller, editor-in-chief at Diadem Books says “What a brilliant novel! Global warming, climate change - will man survive as the seas rise? In the old days of science fiction, an imagined human hybrid was an acceptable solution when it came to adapting life for the thin air of Mars or the gas clouds of Jupiter - but genetic engineering for humans on Earth? A controversial issue! Nevertheless, you will find Dolman is an exciting read, a real page-turner as you begin to see the truth!” Michelle Moore of Book Club Forum says in her review “ For me, the strength of this book is the way Victoria writes her characters, their intertwining stories and the way they relate to each other. There is a lot going on, it's a hard book to put down, and will certainly keep you thinking after you finish.” Altogether Dolman is an emotional roller-coaster of a read with a strong message of hope for the future.
About the Author
Victoria David is a 55-year-old former civil servant and teacher. She has only recently returned to storytelling after caring for her Mother until her death four years ago. Victoria lives in Oxford where she runs her sugarcraft shop and cares for her elderly Father.