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cathepsut's review
4.0
Do not read the goodreads synopsis, it gives away too much of the story.
Our protagonist Orion is a „monitor“ on a generation ship with 1000 humans in a deep sleep. His sole companion is the ship‘s AI Dan. Orion does menial tasks that Dan can‘t perform himself. Dan serves as his father, friend, teacher, entertainer and sole social contact. Which is why I believe that the story premise is faulty and could never happen like this. Alas, I would spoil you, if I told you more. This is only 20 pages, so have a look yourself. Despite my reservations I enjoyed reading this story.
Our protagonist Orion is a „monitor“ on a generation ship with 1000 humans in a deep sleep. His sole companion is the ship‘s AI Dan. Orion does menial tasks that Dan can‘t perform himself. Dan serves as his father, friend, teacher, entertainer and sole social contact. Which is why I believe that the story premise is faulty and could never happen like this. Alas, I would spoil you, if I told you more. This is only 20 pages, so have a look yourself. Despite my reservations I enjoyed reading this story.
bookfever's review
4.0
This is why I love science fiction!
This Long Vigil follows Orion's last hours as Monitor on the Interstellar Ark "Hermes", who, like the summary says, is scheduled to be placed back in his hibernation chamber, knowing he will die there. He knows he wants more than to die without seeing space again but to do that he'll have to go against his only friend, whihc is the artificial intelligence of the ship, Dan.
I honestly think that this story is one of the best short stories I've ever read. It's only twenty pages long but there's a message behind it and other than that it was just really good. I wish more stories, whether or not they're short stories of full-lenght novels, were like it.
If you think a twenty-page story isn't worth it, think again because This Long Vigil by Rhett C. Bruno is so much more than just a short sci-fi story. It was well-written, the message behind it was a great one and it definitely has me intrigued for Titanborn, which takes place in the same universe.
All I can say is: Read this story!
This Long Vigil follows Orion's last hours as Monitor on the Interstellar Ark "Hermes", who, like the summary says, is scheduled to be placed back in his hibernation chamber, knowing he will die there. He knows he wants more than to die without seeing space again but to do that he'll have to go against his only friend, whihc is the artificial intelligence of the ship, Dan.
I honestly think that this story is one of the best short stories I've ever read. It's only twenty pages long but there's a message behind it and other than that it was just really good. I wish more stories, whether or not they're short stories of full-lenght novels, were like it.
If you think a twenty-page story isn't worth it, think again because This Long Vigil by Rhett C. Bruno is so much more than just a short sci-fi story. It was well-written, the message behind it was a great one and it definitely has me intrigued for Titanborn, which takes place in the same universe.
All I can say is: Read this story!
rustymiller's review
4.0
This is a well-done short story that packs in a clear scenario with layers of choices that must be made. There is a minimal number of characters but we still get the sense that they fit within a larger story. There is emotion and suspense, and dare-I-say, even a satisfying conclusion.
I am not one who reads a lot of science fiction, but this taste of Rhett C. Bruno’s “world” makes me curious to try more.
I am not one who reads a lot of science fiction, but this taste of Rhett C. Bruno’s “world” makes me curious to try more.
gs_jennsen's review
5.0
A heart wrenching tale of the very real sacrifices humans will have to make to reach other stars and other worlds.*
This Long Vigil is heart wrenching in part because there’s no one to blame for denying Orion the myriad of human experiences that signify a life well-lived. There are no evil AIs, aliens or corporate overlords here. Dan, the Hermes’ artificial intelligence, is simply doing its job as it was programmed, with enough personality to serve as an almost fulfilling companion for Orion. Of course, Orion has never known human companionship, so he has no measure by which to judge Dan. It’s a reality of the trip and the technology available that most of the people who make the voyage will never see their new home; by this point in the trip, most of them will never know anything at all.
It’s heart wrenching because even as we share Orion’s excitement in the final moments—his childlike wonder at seeing real stars, at seeing a planet and experiencing the vastness of space all around him—there’s sadness for the reader, for we know all the wonders of life Orion never saw. Yet at the same time, he is at peace, content with the knowledge that in the end he made his own choices about how to live—is there any act so human as this? And in that respect, we also can’t help but feel joy for him. Anyone who looks up at the stars at night and dreams knows why he made the choice he did.
*Unless we invent FTL travel, which is my personal bet, if only so people need not pay the price the Hermes crew does.
This Long Vigil is heart wrenching in part because there’s no one to blame for denying Orion the myriad of human experiences that signify a life well-lived. There are no evil AIs, aliens or corporate overlords here. Dan, the Hermes’ artificial intelligence, is simply doing its job as it was programmed, with enough personality to serve as an almost fulfilling companion for Orion. Of course, Orion has never known human companionship, so he has no measure by which to judge Dan. It’s a reality of the trip and the technology available that most of the people who make the voyage will never see their new home; by this point in the trip, most of them will never know anything at all.
It’s heart wrenching because even as we share Orion’s excitement in the final moments—his childlike wonder at seeing real stars, at seeing a planet and experiencing the vastness of space all around him—there’s sadness for the reader, for we know all the wonders of life Orion never saw. Yet at the same time, he is at peace, content with the knowledge that in the end he made his own choices about how to live—is there any act so human as this? And in that respect, we also can’t help but feel joy for him. Anyone who looks up at the stars at night and dreams knows why he made the choice he did.
*Unless we invent FTL travel, which is my personal bet, if only so people need not pay the price the Hermes crew does.
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