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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
Dear Pat,
I’m not going to rate this book because I feel like those handful of GR stars are being used as some kind of currency in a reactive, binary, public display- spent to either punish or defend someone that few, if anyone here actually knows in real life. Firstly, and most importantly, Pat, brother, I may not know you IRL, but I love ya. I love you like a dear friend because the thoughts you have carefully labored over and shared hold a place of great importance in my interior life. Like, you have seriously saved my ass a time or two with what you have put out in the world. That said- I’m not gonna pull my punches either- I’m going to be honest w/you because you’ve earned my respect.
As someone within spitting distance of your age, I’m assuming we’ve both participated in generational conversations about trying to relate to the attention spans and expectations of people who have been blessed/burdened with knowing *only* a kind of societal instant gratification that we are all now living through. I'm not even sure if that more cerebral conversation even fits in here, but I’m genuinely surprised at the negativity that has come up around your deadlines. I’m just gonna say- I’m not mad about waiting for a publication release with your name on it- if anything I’m just seriously bummed that I had to wait so long to get a copy of this book from my local library (it’s currently August of 2024). I am sorry that you have been thrust amidst the slings and arrows- I know you didn’t come looking for that action, and hope that you find strength and heal wholly.
Now, I’m not going to go out of my way to defend you against all the specious accusations floating around. Anyone who’s been paying attention, who looks into the public information available, knows that you are a good guy doing good work in this world. We live in a space and time that encourages devision and my voice isn’t going to make a dent in that vast noise. I do, however, have something to say on the topic of mental health. I don’t particularly enjoy hearing that I "can’t possibly understand" this or that if I haven’t been through something, because of the otherness such broad statements create, AND YET- there is absolutely truth to be found in some of these pronouncements. Like...if you have dealt with (or been directly affected by) the array of "mental disorders" (the likes of which can barely be conveyed accurately by the DSM, much less the affected) then you just effing know in your bones, in a way the unaffected could not possibly know, OK? This is why (I’m directing the following statement to the rest of y’all here) it is not OK to dump on someone who’s situation you don’t know- especially when they are trying to signal that they are struggling with something real. You can not know someone else’s path, therefor you can’t really tell someone how to travel through their own life.
One of the reasons your work means so much to me, Pat, is because you are one of those rare creatures who is telling timeless stories with heart and a good measure of cleverness. That said, I strongly feel like reworking a piece after a lot of time has passed is risky and I’m not sure the story landed as well as it might have if told in a more coherent context. I also feel that accompanying artwork is distracting from your work. That’s just my 2 cents.
THAT said- Bast is one of my favorite characters, if not my absolute favorite and I thoroughly enjoyed spending more time with him. There were several moments in this book that warmed my cockles. Thank you for the fortifying snack before the final course is served. There are those of us who still want you to deliver the book that you are proud of, who will wait patiently and faithfully. Take heart, Pat, and keep doing the good work.
Yours in kinship,
Donovan
#thenarrowroadbetweendesires #patrickrothfuss #dearpat
I’m not going to rate this book because I feel like those handful of GR stars are being used as some kind of currency in a reactive, binary, public display- spent to either punish or defend someone that few, if anyone here actually knows in real life. Firstly, and most importantly, Pat, brother, I may not know you IRL, but I love ya. I love you like a dear friend because the thoughts you have carefully labored over and shared hold a place of great importance in my interior life. Like, you have seriously saved my ass a time or two with what you have put out in the world. That said- I’m not gonna pull my punches either- I’m going to be honest w/you because you’ve earned my respect.
As someone within spitting distance of your age, I’m assuming we’ve both participated in generational conversations about trying to relate to the attention spans and expectations of people who have been blessed/burdened with knowing *only* a kind of societal instant gratification that we are all now living through. I'm not even sure if that more cerebral conversation even fits in here, but I’m genuinely surprised at the negativity that has come up around your deadlines. I’m just gonna say- I’m not mad about waiting for a publication release with your name on it- if anything I’m just seriously bummed that I had to wait so long to get a copy of this book from my local library (it’s currently August of 2024). I am sorry that you have been thrust amidst the slings and arrows- I know you didn’t come looking for that action, and hope that you find strength and heal wholly.
Now, I’m not going to go out of my way to defend you against all the specious accusations floating around. Anyone who’s been paying attention, who looks into the public information available, knows that you are a good guy doing good work in this world. We live in a space and time that encourages devision and my voice isn’t going to make a dent in that vast noise. I do, however, have something to say on the topic of mental health. I don’t particularly enjoy hearing that I "can’t possibly understand" this or that if I haven’t been through something, because of the otherness such broad statements create, AND YET- there is absolutely truth to be found in some of these pronouncements. Like...if you have dealt with (or been directly affected by) the array of "mental disorders" (the likes of which can barely be conveyed accurately by the DSM, much less the affected) then you just effing know in your bones, in a way the unaffected could not possibly know, OK? This is why (I’m directing the following statement to the rest of y’all here) it is not OK to dump on someone who’s situation you don’t know- especially when they are trying to signal that they are struggling with something real. You can not know someone else’s path, therefor you can’t really tell someone how to travel through their own life.
One of the reasons your work means so much to me, Pat, is because you are one of those rare creatures who is telling timeless stories with heart and a good measure of cleverness. That said, I strongly feel like reworking a piece after a lot of time has passed is risky and I’m not sure the story landed as well as it might have if told in a more coherent context. I also feel that accompanying artwork is distracting from your work. That’s just my 2 cents.
THAT said- Bast is one of my favorite characters, if not my absolute favorite and I thoroughly enjoyed spending more time with him. There were several moments in this book that warmed my cockles. Thank you for the fortifying snack before the final course is served. There are those of us who still want you to deliver the book that you are proud of, who will wait patiently and faithfully. Take heart, Pat, and keep doing the good work.
Yours in kinship,
Donovan
#thenarrowroadbetweendesires #patrickrothfuss #dearpat
El hecho de que me lo he leído prácticamente del tirón el mismo día cuenta bastante sobre lo mucho que lo he disfrutado. Ha sido como volver a casa después de una larga ausencia. O como tomar una taza de chocolate caliente en una fría tarde de invierno.
Bloody.brilliant.
This was a reminder of just how much Patrick can hook you with his writing. Really loved this Novella.
This was a reminder of just how much Patrick can hook you with his writing. Really loved this Novella.
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
I ignored the author's advice and read this novella without having read the rest of the series. It feels a little unfair to judge it without knowing the broader world—but even so, I found it very enjoyable and deeply moving.
At its heart, this is a story about childhood trauma, framed through the lens of fae bargains—dangerous, magical pacts that only children can make. Because only children still believe with the purity and desperation needed to bridge the gap between magic and the mundane, especially when trying to save the ones they love.
A beautiful, bittersweet tale that stands strong even when read on its own.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes