The Narrow Road Between Desires

A Kingkiller Chronicle Novella

By: Patrick Rothfuss, Nate Taylor - illustrator

Narrated by: Rupert Degas, Patrick Rothfuss

Length: 4 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

The Number One 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, 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?

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2023 Patrick Rothfuss (P)2023 Orion Publishing Group Limited

Critic reviews

'He's bloody good, this Rothfuss guy' - George R R Martin

'The characters are real and the magic is true' - Robin Hobb

'Masterful ... There is a beauty to Pat's writing that defies description' - Brandon Sanderson

Nice story, but poor narrator

The story is a nice expansion of "the lightning tree". It's nearly the same story but fleshed out quite a bit.

But what's with this narrator? The voices are over-the-top and some actually contradict with what we know of the characters, such as Kvothe's voice. Rupert also has an annoying intentional disregard for punctuation sometimes.

I feel that the narrator takes way too much liberty in changing the story and characters through his telling. That's too bad, I enjoyed the story much less because of it.

I really hope there will be another recording of the book with Nick Podehl as narrator. Or maybe Patrick Rothfuss himself as his performance of "the lightning tree" was great.

only for very specific fans

This is probably not the best book for everyone, but it is a wonderful piece for fans of the King killer series! the authors notes made it double as good

how to make a mundane day meaningful

rothfoss draws you in to bast's world in a delightful way. prosaic yet meaningful, we get insights into what bast gets up to when kvothe isn't looking

More wonderful Rothfuss

Just give us Book Three!!
This salves the pain of not having it a little, but we need Book Three,

Lovely as the moon

Beautiful. It made me laugh, think, and wonder. It made tears well up in my eyes. I understand that this story might not be everyone's cup of tea, as it is quite odd; but in a lovely way.

Pat still got it, and I hope he understands that. He is a master at telling stories in a way no-one else can. I have read so many books the last years, but NOTHING compares to Pat's style. There is something fae about his way with words, and it never fails to bind me. Thank you for your stories, Pat.

A beautiful story

Don’t read this expecting a continuation of Kvothe’s adventure, because it’s not. Just let go and enjoy this witty and heartwarming tale

Love it

The Narrow Road Between Desires is a nice lisen while waiting for book 3, love it 😊

Nice book

Big d book, Can recommend. Basicly the Lightning tree but longer and better. Thank you rothuss

good enough story, wrong narrator.

good enough story, but the narrator is not what i want in this story. nothing feels right. he is way to gruff and dark. its just aint right, none of the characters feels right. innkeeper sounds like a 60 year old man that has been drunk all his life and lived by the sea. and bast sounds like creepy dude who is just sad and evil

A most pleasant return

Having never read the lightning tree and being a big fan of Pat's, I was very much pleased to return to his incredible world and his inspiring way with words. I really can't say I was terribly surprised about the story, fulfilling most of my expectations being a rather sort read, but it had all the moments that make up a good telling; sad bits, funny and curious.
It does feel like Rothfuss carefully tries to settle the expectations of his rather zealous fans in the beginning of his author note's and while I'm sure for some of the endless complain fans this is necessary, I honestly could not care less.
I truly enjoyed this book and if you like his character Bast you will most likely love it too. Pat you still got it! and Degas still amaze me with how good he performs, sounds like he has'nt aged a day. The accompanying artwork was interesting aswell, nice to see it was available here on audible.