“This is not a book for children.”
~Patrick Rothfuss
“This might possibly be the most WTF?!?! book I have ever read.”
~Me
Gather round children and let me tell you a story.
This past Saturday evening, on what would become a dark and stormy night, six (ostensibly) grown men (five present in person and one via the internet) gathered together for the time honored tradition of drafting players for Fantasy Football. After pizza was devoured, beer (and soda pop) was drunk, and decisions were made and lamented, what do you suppose these red-blooded He-men did to occupy their evening?
That’s right, they took turns reading a children’s picture book. Or at the very least something that looked suspiciously like a children’s picture book.
Looks can be deceiving.
Author Patrick Rothfuss had this to say about his book, The Adventures of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle:
“This is not a book for children.
It looks like a children’s book. It has pictures. It has a saccharine-sweet title. The main characters are a little girl and her teddy bear. But all of that is just protective coloration. The truth is, this is a book for adults with a dark sense of humor and an appreciation of old-school faerie tales.
There are three separate endings to the book. Depending on where you stop, you are left with an entirely different story. One ending is sweet, another is horrible. The last one is the true ending, the one with teeth in it.”
Let me start off by saying this book is terrific. Nate Taylor’s lovely clean line work combined with atmospherically appropriate shades of black, white and gray make the words of author Patrick Rothfuss come alive. This is the kind of picture book you cannot help but pick up and want to take home purely because of the quality of the illustrative work.
The story is told in three parts, each with its own ending, while at the same time blending together to form a complete whole. The reader can pick and choose just one story to consider the “real” story, based on their own sensibilities, or can read it as a subtly moving descent into something that is not quite right.
This story is not for children. Or at the very least it is only for children who are mature enough to handle darker, scary stories. I wouldn’t give it to any child to read unless I planned to spend the night standing guard by their bed to calm them during the nightmares that are sure to follow.
That being said, there are some really charming, sweet moments in the Princess’ life. She has a dynamic imagination in which a myriad of stuffed animals take part in lively adventures. It is here where Taylor’s illustrations are particularly strong. Careful viewing reveals all manner of funny, yet oddly foreshadowing, situations in which these stuffed animals find themselves.
Rothfuss’ story telling is more engaging that one would expect from so slight a book. He invites you into the Princess’ world and you walk right in as if you were in a trace. His prose elicits a sense of peace and tranquility as you remember your own childhood and what it was like to take marvelous imaginary journeys in which you were the hero or heroine. Rothfuss and Taylor capture so cleverly the magic of having that special stuffed friend who never leaves your side, the confidant to which you shared all your hopes and fears.
And then you get to the end…
And if you are like those of us taking turns with the book that night, you are jarred out of your reverie, you turn back a few pages thinking, “what just happened?”, and you may even find yourself releasing an incredulous expletive or two.
The Adventures of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle is a surprising book. That is all I can say about it. Unfortunately this book was released as a special project with Subterranean Press. The book is still available. In fact it is in its third printing. The unfortunate thing is the cost. $25. That is a lot to ask for even those who would collect this kind of book.
We were able to read it because Jeff borrowed it from the local library and had the good sense to know his audience. He knew we would love the chance to read it, and we did.
The book can be found for around $20 on Amazon and about that same price, once shipping is included, on Half.com.
I highly recommend that you check your local library or inter library loan, at the very least. It is a quick read, but one that certainly captures that deliciously creepy feeling you look for in a good autumn read.
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This book is a selection for the 6th Annual R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril (R.I.P.) Challenge. For more information and/or to take part in the event please visit the introductory post here.
This sounds very tempting Carl, but not $20 worth. I think I need to drive over to your house and read your copy.
I don’t have one. I just read the one Jeff brought from the library. I’m still tempted to buy it, but will wait to see if it drops in price on Half.com now that they are continuing to increase the print runs.
It is worth checking the library for, that’s for sure.
Oh well, I tried the library but they didn’t have a copy. Let me know when you see it on half.com.
It is on half.com right now for $17 and change, plus shipping. Stop tempting me!!!
I don’t know what it is about Nate Taylor’s illustrations here, but one look at the princess and I was hoping she’d drop the bear in a safe place just before she fell into the giant meat grinder. Every picture, except those in which she was sick or scared, made me fear for the animals, real and stuffed, in her world. It’s an odd reaction to illustrations, I know, and I haven’t read a word of the book, but from the moment I saw the cover at the Subterranean website, I heartily disliked the girl. Can’t explain it.
I think your reactions are certainly part of what ends up being intended with the book. There are many images when she does look like a charming young girl, but not all of them, to be sure. I hadn’t noticed the differences when I read it but as I was looking for illustrations online to include in the post I did notice it. It is one more reason to heap kudos on Nate Taylor. His illustrations do A LOT to add to the feeling of the story.
oh, my, but this looks fantastic! must find it!!
I thought of you, L, as I was typing this review, knowing that you’ve read and reviewed several interesting picture books lately. You’ll like it.
SQUEEEE! I went straight to my library website and one of the local branches has it so I put it on hold. I can’t wait to get it! If it’s even half as wonderful as I think it’s going to be after reading your review, I suspect I won’t be able to resist buying it though. 🙂
Glad to hear it Debi. You and Annie for sure need to give it a read. It is delightful and deliciously creepy all in one. I’m certainly wanting to get a hold of a copy some day for myself.
I am officially intrigued! I’ll definitely be checking my library for this one!
Great! Hope you’ll review it if you get a chance to read it.
The book it on hold. I love the way the book looks and enjoyed Name of the Wind. I can’t wait to get my hands on this one.
Name of the Wind was great. I need to get A Wise Man’s Fear read sometime after the R.I.P. Challenge is over. Hope you get this soon, look forward to your thoughts.
It is ready for pick up. I can get it Thursday. WooHooo!!!
Awesome! Can’t wait to see what you think.
Man, I have had this book on my wishlist since Subterranean announced it. I think I’m just going to have to break down and get it now that I’ve heard someone I trust talk about it 🙂 Love the idea of these perfectly happy drawings set against the dark and sinister. Can’t wait to read it now!!
You will definitely like this Chris, I have no worries on that front. It is cheaper on Amazon and Half.com. Not by much, but a little bit. Enjoy!
This sounds great! The art is fantastic from what you showed and the story itself sounds good. 🙂
I was thrilled to see that Subterranean Press had art samples up on their site. Makes it easier to help sell the book, in my opinion. And obviously few people have the qualms that I do about paying $25 for a book like this since they’ve sold out the more expensive signed editions and it is on its third printing. Being a newly minted Rothfuss fan, I’m very happy for him.
I know. I just ordered The Lantern and I was very tempted to get this one, but I am cheap… I’d rather read it through the library. But, I did buy The Lantern!
Wonderful. I was hoping you would be able to take part in that October group read with us.
And, well, since I was buying I ordered a few others… 🙂 I call it a birthday present, it is just the timing of The Lantern read that makes it a bit early present.
Well Happy Early-Birthday! Or Happy Un-Birthday, as they would say in Wonderland.
lol Thanks! By the time they ship and such it should be close to the day. I couldn’t wait until after, though, or I would have been behind in The Lantern read-along. I also pre-ordered the two Fables books out later in the year. They are just a splurge. For what I justify as a birthday present, I bought the new Skulduggery Pleasant, bought my own copy of Rebecca by du Maurier, and bought Prince of Thorns because it sounds really good.
I need to track down a nicer copy of Rebecca at some point. The copy I have is a cheap ugly beat up paperback.
I’ve read interesting reviews of Skulduggery Pleasant, either by L or Little Red…can’t recall which now.
I’m really looking forward to Down the Mysterly River. Peter and Max was such a great book.
I LOVE Skulduggery Pleasant! It’s the first and only time I have had a literary crush on a skeleton. 🙂
uh, what is Down the Mysterly Road… I need to go look that up!
Also, I love Rebecca. I didn’t like the copy I had, so I read it through the library. I bought a copy based on the ISBN that the library has…
Never mind.. I looked it up… I ordered that, too… Going to be a good birthday. lol
Mwahahahahahahahahahaaahahaa. As a Rothfussian, I of course have this book (pre-ordered and now autographed, baby!) and I loved it. The story was definitely twisted and beautifully illustrated. Bittersweet was the term I used in my review, I think. Ah, you make me want to pull my copy from the shelf and dive in soon.
Glad you got to read and enjoy the book.
I knew you had it. Did you review it? I seem to remember it in connection with you. It was bittersweet, and twisted…very good description. It is certainly worth more than one read, for many reasons including really taking the time to see the background images. An example is the little stuffed horse mopping the floor in the kitten illustration in this post. Love those small touches that could easily be overlooked if a person rushes through the book.
Looks like a great book to enjoy with others. Good luck with your fantasy football this season. I always mean to do it, but can never find the time. I’m thinking this season won’t work out either 🙂
It was fun and incredibly odd, if not darkly whimsical, to see all these grown men passing around this book while college football played in the background.
Thanks. This is my 5th year as Commish of this league and I’ve only done well the first year. The others I’ve either been at or very near the bottom. I’m hoping to turn that around. My fellow league members are of course not crossing their fingers for me. Jerks!
Now, this…this is delightfully enticing. I’m intrigued by the three endings and especially by your “WTF” quote. I’m heading over to the library tomorrow – fingers crossed!
I’ll cross my fingers for you as well, Natalie. It is too much fun, in a wicked sort of way.
How fascinating? A picture book with that kind of quality really amazes me. I hope to read it as a part of the RIP VI challenge if I get to lay my hands on it. And I must say the review was totally cool and intriguing too 🙂
Thanks, I tried not to give anything away while enticing people to track it down. It is chilling enough to make for a good R.I.P. read.
That’s funny, Kailana. I assume when you said you ordered the two Fables books that you meant one of them was Down the Mysterly River. Have you read Peter and Max? If not I would strongly encourage you to add it to your list, perhaps for Once Upon a Time next year. It is a great book.
Let me also add a vote for the awesomeness that is Peter & Max. 🙂
Want it, want it, want it!!! You’re a bad influence on me Carl 😉
I try!
Being a huge Rothfuss fan after reading Name of the Wind last year I knew I wanted to read this book once it was announced. Unfortunately I had sticker shock when the price was announced. You can imagine my happiness when I was able to order it through my local library. After reading and loving it I just knew I had to share it with Carl before returning it. I was equally excited that our friend Cameron was able to read it as well. It was quite funny to see multiple grown men enjoying a “picture” book after completing this years fantasy football draft. I know its a moment I’ll never forget. 🙂
Sidenote: I hear a sequel in the works…
It will be one of my iconic memories of our fantasy football league, the anachronism of grown men watching and discussing football and reading a picture book. Too fun. So glad you shared that one with us. I had forgotten it even existed until you brought it and it was well worth taking the time to read, even if I had to re-read part of it because of my shock.
A sequel would be fun to read. Lets hope your library gets it as well. 🙂
Carl I have just read this one. It is fantastic! Loved the endings. Very much left me with a wtf!!
Isn’t it though? I was so shocked. In hindsight maybe I shouldn’t have been so much, but I was.