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The Uncertainty Consolation
If you were given a chance to leave behind your everyday routine - your problems and worries and responsibilities and failures and the chaos that is life and embark on a journey to the stars - would you take it?
11 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2013
2 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
Vardan Partamyan
13Ìýbooks80ÌýfollowersTelling stories has been my lifelong passion, a thread woven through my life from early childhood. The merging and molding of tales, drawing inspiration from various sources to create something fresh and unexpected, has been a constant source of fascination for me.
This enduring intrigue with crafting new worlds and breathing life into characters has evolved but remains unaltered at its core. In my writing, I am drawn to the creation of strange new landscapes, guiding flawed yet, hopefully, relatable characters through transformative journeys wherever the road may lead or end.
To date, I have authored thirteen novels and numerous short stories, each self-published on Amazon. My explorations span across genres including science fiction, adventure, detective mysteries, dark comedy, and satire. Often, my works emerge as a fusion of these genres, mirroring the intricate blend that characterizes our lives.
I extend an invitation to you, urging you to accompany me in exploring uncharted territories through my words. Together, we will navigate unfamiliar worlds, uncover concealed truths, and savor the journey along the way. The literary footsteps of Alfred Bester, Raymond Chandler, Harry Harrison, Arthur C. Clarke, and Ian Fleming have influenced my path and continue to resonate in my creative journey.
As a reader, I invite you to join me on a shared Odyssey, as we delve into the depths of the unknown. And so, our Odyssey begins!
This enduring intrigue with crafting new worlds and breathing life into characters has evolved but remains unaltered at its core. In my writing, I am drawn to the creation of strange new landscapes, guiding flawed yet, hopefully, relatable characters through transformative journeys wherever the road may lead or end.
To date, I have authored thirteen novels and numerous short stories, each self-published on Amazon. My explorations span across genres including science fiction, adventure, detective mysteries, dark comedy, and satire. Often, my works emerge as a fusion of these genres, mirroring the intricate blend that characterizes our lives.
I extend an invitation to you, urging you to accompany me in exploring uncharted territories through my words. Together, we will navigate unfamiliar worlds, uncover concealed truths, and savor the journey along the way. The literary footsteps of Alfred Bester, Raymond Chandler, Harry Harrison, Arthur C. Clarke, and Ian Fleming have influenced my path and continue to resonate in my creative journey.
As a reader, I invite you to join me on a shared Odyssey, as we delve into the depths of the unknown. And so, our Odyssey begins!
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 5, 2013
I wrote this story awhile ago. The concept is a mix of my own feelings from a very turbulent period of my life mixed with the awe and wonder notions of the Golden Age of science fiction where there was much less cynicism and much more hope for a better future, which may still come to be - in spite of all the developments we are seeing around us and in the news every day. Anyhow, before we know for sure that we are doomed, we always have our uncertainty consolation.
December 19, 2013
Reading ‘The Uncertainty Consolation� reminds me of when I read Tom Sawyer when I was a child, and then read it many years later as an adult. In this short story, there are two things going simultaneously -- the details of this young man’s chaotic life and his desire to connect with something greater than himself. Although our dreams are much smaller than those of he narrator, we are still pulled by lifelong desires to be more and to do more.
The plot of this story reminds me of Carl Sagan’s science fiction book, Contact, which was later made into a movie by the same name staring Jody Foster.
The narrator of this story is a member of the earth’s space program. He volunteers to travel to a recently discovered planet where conditions favorable to life have been detected. There is enough Walter Mitty in each of us that we can identify with the narrator, and that is what good fiction is all about. I thought the story should have been developed more in that I had trouble visualizing the world in which the character lived. There was too much narrator and not happening. It was still a good story and one that any science fiction fan will enjoy.
I received a free copy from the author in exchange for a review.
September 5, 2013
A very short, but touching, realistic and beautiful story - something very different from the author's earlier works that were less overtly philosophical.
The narrative is smooth, polished like much of good SF - a major improvement over his earlier works. The lyrical quality of this story works very well with its philosophical, reflective nature. It is crisp, precise, pointed and delivers the desired effect.
Lovely read - thoughtful in a subtle, beautiful way.
The narrative is smooth, polished like much of good SF - a major improvement over his earlier works. The lyrical quality of this story works very well with its philosophical, reflective nature. It is crisp, precise, pointed and delivers the desired effect.
Lovely read - thoughtful in a subtle, beautiful way.
February 5, 2014
Wow! great story for a shorty. I was happily enjoying the ride till the hero pressed the eject button. :)
September 5, 2013
Sometimes striving to accomplish a dream becomes the ultimate goal of one's life that seems to give that life purpose, direction, and focus. That dream becomes an obsession, a guiding principle for one's life. And that's exactly what the narrator of "The Uncertainty Consolation," a short story by Vardan Partamyan, experiences as he embarks on a long journey towards accomplishing his life-long dream of traveling to the distant planet of Remania.
Despite the hardships, the difficulties, and the personal sacrifices, he is determined to realize, "an opportunity and a dream that has been keeping" him "awake for all" his life. Rigorous training for the space program and the narrator's willingness to risk his health, his life, and to leave his home behind for a chance of attaining his childhood dream of seeing the distant stars up close, help him forget the chaos of his home life, his multiple broken relationships, his disheveled apartment, his drinking, and his insomnia.
Escaping to the stars feels like the only way out of the chaos that his life had become. And even before he embarks on the journey, that escape seems to be a success. At least temporarily, it makes him forget his problems and focus on the one goal of reaching the distant star.
I don't want to spoil the plot, so I'll just finish by saying that the story ends with an unexpected twist that will make you question the fantasy of a dream vs. its practical implementation, reasons behind our decisions, contradictions in our feelings towards our own homes (hometowns? homelands?), and the whole idea of certainty and uncertainty in life as a whole. A well-written and thought-provoking story. Highly recommended.
Despite the hardships, the difficulties, and the personal sacrifices, he is determined to realize, "an opportunity and a dream that has been keeping" him "awake for all" his life. Rigorous training for the space program and the narrator's willingness to risk his health, his life, and to leave his home behind for a chance of attaining his childhood dream of seeing the distant stars up close, help him forget the chaos of his home life, his multiple broken relationships, his disheveled apartment, his drinking, and his insomnia.
Escaping to the stars feels like the only way out of the chaos that his life had become. And even before he embarks on the journey, that escape seems to be a success. At least temporarily, it makes him forget his problems and focus on the one goal of reaching the distant star.
I don't want to spoil the plot, so I'll just finish by saying that the story ends with an unexpected twist that will make you question the fantasy of a dream vs. its practical implementation, reasons behind our decisions, contradictions in our feelings towards our own homes (hometowns? homelands?), and the whole idea of certainty and uncertainty in life as a whole. A well-written and thought-provoking story. Highly recommended.
April 15, 2014
This is the story of a man that has always wanted not only to look at the stars, but to reach for them. When the planet Remania, possibly inhabited by some kind of living form, is discovered and he is offered to embark on a very long journey, he doesn't hesitate. It has been his dream for a very long time, he is completely sure about it, he thinks he is certain.
It's a very realistic science-fiction story with, in my opinion, a very unexpected ending. Another interesting thing was the message sent through it: Escaping to the stars means having a goal in life, not living immerse in chaos, but it's not a decision any person can make.
I would had liked a little bit more insight on the historical context, more descriptions of the war that led them to that situation. Anyway, it's a really great short story, with a touch of philosophical questioning and the adrenaline of a good science-fiction tale.
I'll definitely try another book written by Vardan Partamyan.
It's a very realistic science-fiction story with, in my opinion, a very unexpected ending. Another interesting thing was the message sent through it: Escaping to the stars means having a goal in life, not living immerse in chaos, but it's not a decision any person can make.
I would had liked a little bit more insight on the historical context, more descriptions of the war that led them to that situation. Anyway, it's a really great short story, with a touch of philosophical questioning and the adrenaline of a good science-fiction tale.
I'll definitely try another book written by Vardan Partamyan.
October 17, 2013
To me "The Uncertainty Consolation" is about the dilemma between mankind's inexhaustible desire of reaching the stars and the fear of uncertainty and loneliness. I borrowed this short story with Amazon Prime and had a quite pleasing half an hour of reading it. The storyline is simple, not overwhelmed with philosophical monologues. The author's style is "strict to business" and doesn't go much into details or description of scenes and/or characters. Nevertheless, the story is a really good one and the ending is nice as well.
A recommended read for everyone (not only science fiction readers).
A recommended read for everyone (not only science fiction readers).
October 3, 2014
It is 150 or so years in the future. Mankind has survived, barely, another world war. Now, mankind is looking towards the stars. This is the story of the man who gets to make that first trip. Of course, the rocket will probably explode on takeoff; he will get no special recognition until after he has left; he very likely will be crippled, blind, and deaf when he gets there; and naturally will not be able to return. Who wouldn't want to go after hearing all of that?
A very convincing short story about the feelings of the first explorer to another planet as he prepares for that trip.
A very convincing short story about the feelings of the first explorer to another planet as he prepares for that trip.
August 8, 2017
This short story shook me. It showed me that a story is powerful no matter what its length is! this story packed a punch for me because its ending was more like a message to me and so I have a kind of strong liking to this story and cant stop myself from praising how brilliant yet simple it is! I recommend everybody read this at least once. It is short and perfect and bound to evoke something in all of you. Thank you Mr.Vardan Partamyan for giving me a copy of this beautiful story.
November 6, 2013
The story met my expectations completely. It has a philosophical side I loved. Very good read by my favorite author.
June 18, 2016
This was the first story, written by the author, which I read. It is short, but very-very
interesting, making you transported right in the center of the happening...
P.S. EVERYTHING goes to its non-logistic ending and that's what you will like the best.
:))))
interesting, making you transported right in the center of the happening...
P.S. EVERYTHING goes to its non-logistic ending and that's what you will like the best.
:))))
January 7, 2014
this short story did nothing for me
April 7, 2014
This is a short story about a young man who doesn't really know what he wants. But aren't we all a bit like that?
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
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