When you find yourself in a locked room, how do you escape? In one tale, a girl transforms into a gargoyle during a vacation in Paris. In another, a soul is imprisoned in an empty room, waiting to be born. A woman who appears to be disabled reveals that her only true disability lies elsewhere. Young lovers, disguised as sisters, witness the end of their lives amidst the destruction of an iconic city.
With rapid and intense build-ups, these stories explore what we hold dear when we know we are about to lose it, how we maintain hope despite our circumstances, and how to navigate life even when we feel as if we are not truly living.
The Only Way Out Is Through The Window
Stories by Christine Vartoughian
Published by Queer Mojo on 8 July 2025
About The Book:
- Digital: 71p ISBN: 978-1608643882
- Paperback: 78p ISBN: 978-1608643875
Buy on Amazon, Rebel Satori Press, Waterstones
Find on Goodreads and Storygraph
About The Author:
Christine Vartoughian is an award-winning, Armenian-American writer and film director + producer whose work has shown at the Museum of the Moving Image and Lincoln Center.
Her feature film about love and suicide, Living with the Dead: A Love Story, has been awarded the Audience Choice Award at The Art of Brooklyn Film Festival and is available on Apple TV , Amazon, and Tubi.
She is a member of Lincoln Center Theater Directors Lab, Film Fatales, SAG-AFTRA, and a founder of (Screen)Play Press, a publishing company for unproduced film scripts. She lives and people-watches in NYC’s East Village
You can find Christine on Instagram @christinewritesaboutyou
My Review:
The Only Way Out Is Through the Window by Christine Vartoughian is a beautifully written and thought-provoking short story collection that completely captivated me.
The very first story resonated deeply with me — it felt personal and almost reflective of what I’m currently going through. That immediate connection set the tone for the rest of the collection. While the book itself is under 100 pages, it carries a weight far beyond its length. These aren’t stories to rush; they invite you to slow down, sit with the emotions, and truly think about what’s being said between the lines, not just the words on the page.
I read it cover to cover and was impressed, but what really struck me is how I’ve since returned to individual stories on their own. Each time, I’ve found myself reflecting on the characters, their feelings, and the circumstances they’re in. This isn’t just a book to read once — it’s one that lingers and invites deeper contemplation.
This review may also appear on my social media and selected book platforms. All links are correct at the time of posting.
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