The Narrow Road Between Desires
Books | Fiction / Fantasy / Action & Adventure
4.3
Patrick Rothfuss
An instant New York Times, USA Today and Indie Bestseller!#1 New York Times-bestselling phenomenon Patrick Rothfuss returns to the wildly popular Kingkiller Chronicle universe with a stunning reimagining of "The Lightning Tree." Expanded to twice its previous length and lavishly illustrated by Nate Taylor, this touching stand-alone story is sure to please new readers and veteran Rothfuss fans alike.Bast knows how to bargain. The give-and-take of a negotiation is as familiar to him as the in-and-out of breathing; to watch him trade is to watch an artist at work. But even a master's brush can slip. When he accepts a gift, taking something for nothing, Bast's whole world is knocked askew, for he knows how to bargain—but not how to owe. From dawn to midnight over the course of a single day, follow the Kingkiller Chronicle's most charming fae as he schemes and sneaks, dancing into trouble and back out again with uncanny grace.The Narrow Road Between Desires is Bast's story. In it he traces the old ways of making and breaking, following his heart even when doing so goes against his better judgement.After all, what good is caution if it keeps him from danger and delight?
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Author
Patrick Rothfuss
Pages
240
Publisher
Astra Publishing House
Published Date
2023-11-14
ISBN
0756419174 9780756419172
Community ReviewsSee all
"Given that this series has been awaiting its third book for nearly 15 years (if I remember correctly), I expected this little novella to be a pacifier for the fans. Just a little something to placate everyone. But it is a careful, determined, lovely story. You can read it without having ever read another one of the authors books. It is a quick read, as well, which I think makes for a delightful break in between whatever else you’re doggedly consuming. But the prose? The prose! You know when you hear a song that feels so beautiful it’s like it reached inside you and pulled out a sliver of your soul? Or you see a painting that connects to your heart with such depth you almost feel you could’ve painted it yourself? The prose in this book hits me in just that way. The language is flowery and considered without feeling stodgy and verbose. The words seem as a poem, but read smoothly and swiftly, not detouring your imagination from the plot. It is prose I wish all fantasy books could have, quite honestly. A little treasure I feel heartbroken to nestle back into its book jacket and place on the shelf."
Laura C. George
"Republication of a short story with minor adjustments. Fun, but not worth the re-read."
Jean-Claude Paquin
"I really wanted to enjoy this book, especially since it featured one of my favorite characters from the books but unfortunately it fell fairly flat. In many ways Bast's behavior felt like it didn't align with how Bast behaved in the books. While I appreciate the update from the original short story to be more inclusive, the entire juxtaposition of Bast's sex adventures along with his bonds with children made me a bit uncomfortable. It wasn't always clear that the people he was having sex with were adults (Shepard/Prettiest girl in the villiage come to mind). <br/>Hidden among awkard fumbling sex scenes there is some interesting things to be told, about fae bargains, the nature of trades etc but I feel like it got lost in the descriptions of people watching Bast bathe. <br/>There's a good story here, the pieces are there, but it's a rough clumsy road to get here."
Barbara K
"<strong>The Ending They Deserved</strong><br/><br/>A lot of people are angry at Pat’s lack of published work. I’m happy to have a little more of his obvious talent out in the world."
Dann Clinton