The Narrow Road Between Desires
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4.2 • 293 Ratings
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- $15.99
Publisher Description
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?
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Embark on a captivating adventure in this novella by fantasy star Patrick Rothfuss. Mischievous Bast, a Fae who works at the Waystone Inn in the land of Temerant, has a side hustle offering advice to the young people of the surrounding village in exchange for their secrets. But when an older boy requests Bast’s help with a weighty task, this fanciful pastime becomes something more serious. An expanded version of Rothfuss’ 2014 short story “The Lightning Tree,” this novella expands the world of The Kingkiller Chronicle series by going deeper, Tolkien-style, on how Fae magic works. It’s probably not the ideal starting point for a new reader, but fans of The Name of the Wind and The Wise Man’s Fear—in which Bast is a fan-favorite side character—will find it fascinating. This immersive tale is a small, enchanting wonder.
Customer Reviews
See AllThe big good wolf
This book is a story of how a clever and sly and mischievous young man can be moved to discover that his fake magic does unintended selfless acts of kindness, all in a fantasy context from the story of Kvothe the incomparable’s retirement.
Waste of time and money
This is one of the most disappointing books I’ve read (really it’s a short story) because I have really enjoyed his other books.
This one has no story, no point, it wanders, it’s full of meaningless dialogue. In several places he makes references to woke subjects that don’t belong. You have a trans character? Ok, great. Tell me why they are important or how they move the story. But he uses that like a punch line, two sentences of “they” to show he’s progressive? It’s like he woke up in the night and said “someone should be trans” and stuck it in there with no relevance. I found myself skimming paragraphs hoping he would get to the point or any kind of storyline.
Rothfuss is hardly a prolific author so maybe they used that to justify the $15.99 they charged for this unedited word vomit they called a story. Save yourself from getting ripped off because believe me you are not missing anything.
I was really looking forward to this and hope someday he writes something reminiscent of his other books.
Disappointing
Patrick’s style and capability with the written word is undoubtedly masterful. The way he writes is an absolute joy to read and it transports me to his world that he has woven into the pages… however, when I read things that are clearly influenced by modern day cultural talking points I can’t help but be yanked out of the story while my eyes roll uncontrollably. Gender identity, moms kissing maids, bast (who is very old as a fae) banging the shepherds and kids, watching young girls bathe, allowing young girls to watch him bathe, I could go on... When did everything get so sexualized? Can’t I just read my favorite fantasy books without being bombarded by modern day influences? This book will not age well with this stuff in it. Representation doesn’t always make sense for all stories and it seems like these fantasy authors are willing to sacrifice their great works on the altar of representation (I’m looking at you too, Brandon Sanderson).