Hi Rothfuss Readers,
The Narrow Road Between Desires by Patrick Rothfuss publishes November 14, 2023. Like many of you, I cannot wait to read it and marvel at its wonderful wordsmithery.
When he wrote "The Lightning Tree" short story for George R. R. Martin & Gardner Dozois's anthology Rogues, Pat had hoped to have more words to play with to tell the story. But anthology's only have so much space and editors have to be fair to all contributing writers. Now, years later, The Narrow Road Between Desires addresses that, being almost twice as long as "The Lightning Tree."
Here are more details about the novella:
#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?
The Narrow Road Between Desires is 240 pages and, as you can see from the description above, illustrator Nate Taylor joined the project. He has been friends with Pat a long time, contributed the maps in The Name of the Wind and The Wise Man's Fear, and drew the artwork in The Slow Regard of Silent Things. For The Narrow Road Between Desires, he and Pat worked closely together to produce 30 interiors which will make the novella a gorgeous thing to behold.
Nate and I are also friends. He contributed the pencils to my forthcoming graphic novel The Briar-Sword Monk (its main character looks a bit like Pat, no?). And the best part? Nate lives near me. That means it is easy to have him stop by and sign copies of The Narrow Road Between Desires!
You are probably asking, "What about Pat signing them too?" Astra Publishing and DAW Books are currently figuring out the tour, but we all hope they send him to Seattle so these copies will be double-signed. Anyone who orders a copy signed by Nate will automatically get Pat's signature if that happens. No muss, no fuss, no extra charge.
There will be two signed editions of The Narrow Road Between Desires:
The Regular Hardcover will ship in November. Nate needs more time for the Remarqued Hardcovers though. These should ship by the end of December. Both will be available for pre-order now.
A reminder: This website is new. Your account from the old website must be activated on this new one. Be sure you have access to your account before these books go live. If you do not, contact me and we can get it straightened out before Friday.
If any of you have any questions, feel free to reach out. I'm always available.
With Magic,
Shawn
