YA Apocalyptic and Dystopian Fiction discussion

August BOTM is The After/Life by Vardan Partamyan. Once again we are privileged to have the author's participation as he is a group member. I encouraged all of you to read The After/Life and participate in the discussion this month, as well as leave a GR review. Enjoy!

First of all, I would like to once again thank everyone who voted for The After/Life on the BOTM poll. I am pretty much in an uncharted territory here and I am humbled by the overall positive response the novel has been receiving since its publication. This positive response as well as thought provoking critical reviews, comments and recommendations have come from readers and fellow authors from around the globe. Being an indie author and an author from a small country like Armenia, which, in spite of its millenia-spanning history and rich culture, is not exactly known for writers of science fiction genre this is proving to be quite the ride.

I want to thank all the people who bought the novel and supported the cause that I presented. I do wish that all the people who contributed could join me on one of the trips to the town of Gyumri and the orphanage that has already received a variety of gifts for the kids there - mostly toys and sweets...not a big deal, perhaps, but still our own little way of reminding them that there is kindness in the world and the whole world is standing by them on their way to hopefully a better future.

I also want to thank the people who supported the novel for another thing. You see, in Armenia of today there are many aspiring writers who have stories to tell but are turned off by an often dogmatic and conservative publishing establishment dominated by people who still relish their golden years in the now happily extinct Soviet empire and strongly disapprove of all things contradicting the dogma - such as science fiction genre in general and books not in Armenian language in particular. I want to thank the supporters of my work for helping me show the aspiring writers here that there is a world of opportunity beyond the closed doors of the local publishers and that their dreams can come true. The trick is to keep writing.

I will be happy to discuss with you the novel and the themes it talks about. I look forward to good discussions and ideas exchange! Happy reading and have a nice post apocalyptic day!:)

As a special thank-you to the group members for selecting my debut novel The After/Life as the book of the month, I will be doing a special limited time sale of the novel for 99c only starting later today.

Get your copy here and I hope you enjoy it!

http://www.amazon.com/The-After-Life-...

Thanks for this discounted price Vardan. I purchased it this afternoon and finished reading it already. I'm ready for moderating duties as I'm sure there will be some interesting group discussion.

Here is my review:

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Cheer wrote: "Here is my review:

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/..."

Cheer, thank you for your review and insight and you are very welcome for the discount.

Although Goodreads etiquette frowns upon review-replying authors, there are three words with which I would reply to yours - you got it. I love the way you grasped the conflicting character of Nad who is who he is - by no means an easy person and none of them are really easy people as the event they went through (trying not to disclose the obvious:)) cannot leave a person fully intact. What it does leave is a survivor and a survivor is a selfish, introverted creature.

I love your reference to Salinger. I never thought of the story in the vein of the Cathcher in the Rye - which is a book I am not a big fan of but still one I do not regret reading.

I also enjoyed your comparison to Cummings. Another author I will look forward to exploring. What connects the two and makes your reference all the more poignant is the era when the two wrote their landmark works - that period between 1920s and late 50s that brought forth so much great literature. Of course one of the reasons for this is that one may argue and I certainly will that most of the great literature comes from great pain and the period in question (without going into history) was full of the kind of seminal tragedies that shape (and warp) minds of generations to come. It is also a period that I have been inspired by since early childhood - Tolkien, Harrison, Bester, Asimov, Orwell, Bradbury,Hemingway, Fleming...

There is also a lot of pain and cataclysm I can unfortunately relate to as my chilhood coincided with the worst earthquake Armenia has ever experienced, followed shortly by a freedom movement against the Soviet Union, the turbulence and exhilaration of independence regained followed by blockade, war, economic collapse and...yet we are still here - rebuilding and preserving and moving on.

Just found this excerpt from a Cummings novel and can see why you make comparisons about our style:


i carry your heart with me(i carry it in
my heart)i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go,my dear;and whatever is done
by only me is your doing,my darling)
i fear no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want
no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

Vardan wrote: "Cheer wrote: "Here is my review:

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/..."

Cheer, thank you for your review and insight and you are very welcome for the discount.

Although Goodreads etique..."

I'm glad you can see the Cummings comparison. As far as Salinger goes, Nad's attitude at times was cynical and jaded like Holden Caulfield from The Catcher in the Rye. I'm not in any way suggesting The After/Life is like The Catcher in the Rye...I like your book, but I didn't like Salinger's.

I honestly think your writing style is extremely unique and if the plot had a little more action and dialogue, I would have given it another star.

I wish we had some more group members who were done with The After/Life because I'd like to "chat" more about the pool scene and the ending (which the direction Nad took fit him perfectly), but I'm trying to avoid any spoilers.

Cheer, hang in there. I'm starting right after I finish up Joyland by The King.

Kelly wrote: "Cheer, hang in there. I'm starting right after I finish up Joyland by The King."

Awesome! I know we will have a lively discussion:)

I just started it today.

Heather wrote: "I just started it today."

Awesome Heather! It's quite an interesting book. I'm looking forward to finding out what you think about it.

Cheer wrote: "Vardan wrote: "Cheer wrote: "Here is my review:

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/..."

Cheer, thank you for your review and insight and you are very welcome for the discount.

Although G..."

It is interesting that you thought that the ending suited Nad perfectly as it was really one aspect of the story I was not sure about until I actually wrote it down.

Kelly wrote: "Cheer, hang in there. I'm starting right after I finish up Joyland by The King."

It's a tough call - being the author of the next novel you read after a work by The King :)

Heather wrote: "I just started it today."

Thank you for your interest, Heather! Happy reading (and have a nice post-apocalyptic day!)

Vardan wrote: "Cheer wrote: "Vardan wrote: "Cheer wrote: "Here is my review:

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/..."

Cheer, thank you for your review and insight and you are very welcome for the discoun..."

From the moment I read the ending I thought, "That was exactly right!" If you really get Nad, then you know that is the path he would take...it may not be the popular choice however.

Cheer wrote: "Vardan wrote: "Cheer wrote: "Vardan wrote: "Cheer wrote: "Here is my review:

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/..."

Cheer, thank you for your review and insight and you are very welcome ..."

Well, if you look at it as a coming-of-age tale then making the unpopular choices is part of growing up and taking a responsibility and facing the consequences while also letting go of many things that are associated with the past. That is how you deal and that is how you face the future. At the same time, and this is not directly related to the story, the initial rebellion may give way to retrospective understanding and acceptance and the desire to "go back". The question is open whether that is a good thing or a bad thing and the simple answer to that would be that it is life.

I really liked this book. It kind of reminds me of the Wool series, which is one of my favorites. I have a love/hate thing going on with the speed of the book. I love how it gets to the point, but I think it could be developed a little bit more. For instance, there doesn't seem to have much of an emotional response in the beginning. I think a shelter full of kids would be absolutely chaotic. It does reference that, but I think a little more development here and there would have been good. I also like how the story isn't completely wrapped up in romance.

The pool scene is one of those spots that could have used more development. I think Nad should have questioned why and how it got there.

I personally like the ending. It just didn't fit for him to be the leader to me. He obliviously was curious about what was happening above ground. I just didn't feel like his connection with Suzannah was that strong.

Overall I would recommend this book.

Heather wrote: "I really liked this book. It kind of reminds me of the Wool series, which is one of my favorites. I have a love/hate thing going on with the speed of the book. I love how it gets to the point, but ..."

Hi Heather, thanks a lot for reading The After/Life and I am happy you enjoyed it. There are areas unexplored and mysteries unanswered that will be addressed in separate novels. Why I say separate and not part of the series because each novel I write takes place in the same universe but is a stand alone story. I am personally against chopping the story in pieces and inserting unnecessary cliffhangers. Thus, for example, my second novel I, the Provocateur takes place in the same universe - albeit one thousand years later and on a different planet but there are DNA thread connections between the two novels and the third novel I am currently working on The White Wolf is set one month before the first bomb is dropped near Nad's school. Each of the novels is self contained and yet is part of the larger canvas. As a writer - it is an amazing journey - to take the tales that I want to read and write them down. It is also an amazing journey to share these tales with you and talk about them and the themes that I believe are relevant beyond the current geographic border and political alignments.

The pool scene is a mystery to all the residents of the School. In The After/Life, I deliberately avoided being the omniscient narrator - we know what they know and they know very little beyond the fact that they are still alive and perhaps are the only ones alive. They also know that they must either find the strength to move on or die (if you stop you die:)).

Heather wrote: "I really liked this book. It kind of reminds me of the Wool series, which is one of my favorites. I have a love/hate thing going on with the speed of the book. I love how it gets to the point, but ..."

Just received a review from Sahan who said that he would have preferred the story to end with the first part. What do you think, Heather, Cheer? Do you agree or do you think that the journey should continue?

Vardan wrote: "Heather wrote: "I really liked this book. It kind of reminds me of the Wool series, which is one of my favorites. I have a love/hate thing going on with the speed of the book. I love how it gets to..."

On one hand, I think there is plenty to explore in a sequel. On the other hand, I'm not sure I care enough about Nad to see what happens; however I'm deeply curious to get some answers about what is waiting on the outside. I'd rather read Suzannah's story personally.

I think the ending was good. I also think that it could go on with another point of view. I agree with Cheer that it would be interesting to hear Suzannah's story after she left shelter or maybe another survivor in the relative area of their shelter.

Vardan wrote: "Heather wrote: "I just started it today."

Thank you for your interest, Heather! Happy reading (and have a nice post-apocalyptic day!)"

I could see that :) but there really is no comparison to him besides maybe Gillian Flynn. I often think of her as the female Stephen King. I ended up not liking it as much as some of his other work. I am off to finish your novel tonight!

Cheer wrote: "Vardan wrote: "Heather wrote: "I really liked this book. It kind of reminds me of the Wool series, which is one of my favorites. I have a love/hate thing going on with the speed of the book. I love..."

Hey Cheer! Some of the answers will be revealed in The White Wolf and I have to tell you that I am really taken by your and Heather's suggestion of shifting to Suzannah - after all, she is (view spoiler)[ actually the first person to leave the shelter (hide spoiler)]

A question - do you prefer reading narratives from first person perspective or a third person one?

Kelly wrote: "Vardan wrote: "Heather wrote: "I just started it today."

Thank you for your interest, Heather! Happy reading (and have a nice post-apocalyptic day!)"

I could see that :) but there really is no co..."

Hi Kelly, well, in terms of storytelling prowess he is the undisputed champ - no doubt about that. Give him one little idea or just any random sentence and he will be able to transform it into an enjoyable 700 page book :)

Vardan wrote: "Cheer wrote: "Vardan wrote: "Heather wrote: "I really liked this book. It kind of reminds me of the Wool series, which is one of my favorites. I have a love/hate thing going on with the speed of th..."

I would love to read Suzannah's experience! I personally prefer first person over third. I think reading a story in the first person is richer and portrays and evokes more feeling, but that is just me.

Cheer wrote: "Vardan wrote: "Cheer wrote: "Vardan wrote: "Heather wrote: "I really liked this book. It kind of reminds me of the Wool series, which is one of my favorites. I have a love/hate thing going on with ..."


I will definitely look into that as I think Suzannah got an excessive amount of (undeserved?) bashing in The After/Life.
I agree with you concerning the first person narrative(obviously, because my two novels are in first person), but somehow, there are stories that come to you as third person tales. It is a weird feeling when you start writing and that is just the way it has to be. I have tried shifting to first person in The White Wolf and it simply does not work out :)

Vardan wrote: "Cheer wrote: "Vardan wrote: "Cheer wrote: "Vardan wrote: "Heather wrote: "I really liked this book. It kind of reminds me of the Wool series, which is one of my favorites. I have a love/hate thing ..."

I like Suzannah! I think she was quite selfless. I understand why she ends her relationship with Nad and why she marries another. I felt that Suzannah was trying to not only protect herself emotionally, but she was trying to keep both of them out of harm's way. Marrying someone else may have been the only weapon she had to protect them both; Nad wouldn't accept an end to their relationship otherwise. She knew how combustible their relationship was, despite her love for Nad, she gets it. She also knows that Nad isn't her everything and she is strong, stronger than Nad. Freedom drives Suzannah, but she doesn't really desert Nad in the end, so what's the problem?

Vardan, I'm impressed that you find yourself writing in third person. Your first person narrative is so strong and I can't imagine you writing without that constant stream of unfiltered consciousness. Do you find yourself writing in third because you aren't feeling the character or do you just feel like an observer more than the narrator? Just curious.

I finished. Here is my review. (Contains spoilers)

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Cheer wrote: "Vardan wrote: "Cheer wrote: "Vardan wrote: "Cheer wrote: "Vardan wrote: "Heather wrote: "I really liked this book. It kind of reminds me of the Wool series, which is one of my favorites. I have a l..."

You got it, Cheer! While I am still not sure whether Suzannah will make a comeback or not (need to get The White Wolf done first and it's proving to be an ambitious beast!) I do agree with the points you make concerning her motivations - while the narrator is obviously disagreeing with her actions (mildly speaking) she is the one person who was trying to get to the core of the things. Part of it could be due to her family and her father who was quite a highly ranked officer in the military with a little more insight into the situation preceding the nuclear apocalypse apart from the TV propaganda that everyone else was fed. Part of it was the fact that some people are born free and cannot be trapped anywhere and not even the massive steel door of the vault will stop them in their pursuite of freedom (remember the scene where Nad sees her running through the military port - her hair flying, her white dress dirty - oblivious to the efforts of one of her father's soldiers to stop her lest she hurts herself). And while Nad was basically forced out - Suzannah's choice was more of a contemplative process that brought her to the simple realization of who she was and what she really wanted with her life. And when she realized that - she just did it - no regrets...whatever makes you happy.

Concerning the third person narrative of the new novel - the style is indeed quite different from The After/Life. Then again, I, the Provocateur is also very different in style although it does have the first person narrative of the first novel. Books are like people and no two are alike and no two tales are the same - each has its tone of voice, its temperament, its shape and form and mood. With The White Wolf, it is rather the way I want the reader to see the character. I don't want you to see through his eyes - I want you to be the onlooker as the protagonist isn't someone who will easily allow you to get into his head. His thoughts are his own and very seldom will someone get a glimpse of what he really thinks. In terms of the relative age of the protagonists - Nad Raven starts his story at 5 and ends it in his late 20s, Adrian Temple - the protagonist of I, the Provocateur is in his early 30s and Sly Palatine - the MC of The White Wolf is in his late 40s - with this kind of progression, I will soon be writing about the bicentennial man!

Kelly wrote: "I finished. Here is my review. (Contains spoilers)

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/..."

Hey, Kelly! Thanks for the review and finding the time to read The After/Life. I want to stop on one of the questions you raise about the people's tolerance towards the authoritarian rule. While the fact of the acceptance of such rule as well as the repercussions of such rule are tragice, they are all but uncommon in the human history. Without bringing textbook analogies, I will bring the example of my own country - Armenia. For 70 years, it was usurped by the Soviet Union, which was a totalitarian, brutal system that took 15 very different countries and put them in the rigid confines of its twisted ideology. People living inside the system were ruled by fear and oppression and the paranoia of unseen enemies and the long shadow of an eternal war and an enemy within that kept the masses in line as well as twisted the normal outlook of the individual. Did you know that after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the shutdown of operations by Stasi (the East German secret service) it came out that over 40%(!) of population was in one way or the other engaged in its activities? Spying on their neighbors, reporting on their parents, ensuring the dominance of the rulers. I explore this issue further in I, the Provocateur where the flow of the narrative is more of the kind that you enjoy for I never meant The After/Life to be a thriller (in spite of the several action pieces) it is - in its heart and soul a coming of age story in a abnormal setting.

Dear All,

It is my pleasure to inform you that my novel The After/Life is currently on a one-day free promotion on Amazon. Get your copy here and happy reading!

http://www.amazon.com/The-After-Life-...