The Fifty Year Sword

This story is about a storyteller telling a story, to a group of orphans at an orphanage, of their travels & items they had picked up along the way. The writing style is highly aesthetically pleasing, the alliteration and repetition work incredibly well, as I was able to picture, like a dream, the story unfolding before me. This version, or the newer version are both awesome, the artwork is top notch, and the theme of the newer one certainly keeps with the story. At The Strand in New York I saw Mark do a read and after he spoke about his girl friend he was with at the time of writing The 50 Year Sword, and how she was a seamstress and sewed a bunch, and him being in her took kit closet surrounded by the needles and thread, he go the inspiration and ideas for the book and the beautiful packaging & illustrations throughout the orange new version. But back to the story, it is billed as a fairy tale or camp fire tale for adults, and I completely agree. It's totally worth reading to a significant other. The entire book is great too, even the end, which can be rare. Enjoy.

I am a great admirer of MZD's work, and T50YS is no exception. I actually tracked down an original 50pg copy from the Netherlands last year for quite a hefty sum, and am both disappointed and delighted that it is now widely available at such a low price. Don't let the number of pages fool you, it is exactly the same story, just reformatted to a lofty 298pgs with more artistic inserts and less words per page. It is no mater, the novela is just as powerful, filled with eccentric characters and an intricately woven plot that is so mysterious it will keep the reader coming back for 2nd and 3rd helpings. MZD is one of the few authors who is trying to expand the medium of literature while simultaneously interact and engage the reader. MZD reminds us that literature can be more than just words on a page.

I have not had a chance to read this book yet, so my review is based entirely on the presentation and material quality of this "Deluxe Edition."I purchased this as a gift for my boyfriend, who is a huge Danielewski fan. Overall, I was pleased with the appearance, though the latches were not quite as high of quality as I had anticipated. I fear if we don't store the box away, they are likely to bust off if they come into contact with pretty much anything. Other than that, the quality is great. The book design is very Danielewski-esque and the paper quality is high. The Nepalese stitched binding is a nice touch, and my boyfriend was very excited about the signature, though it is only an initial and not a full signature. My only other issue with this product is there is no serialization of any kind. Beside the signature, there is no number or anything. Supposedly only 1,000 of these exist, but with no serialization whatsoever how do I know for sure that only 1,000 were made? It slightly diminishes the collector's value to me, but I am impressed with the book and it made the perfect Christmas gift for a Danielewski lover.

MZD, tells a story like no one else. The flow of this book is an easy read. A quick read. All told in a style that takes the reader straight into the story. It is a magical book, weaving in and out of characters and action. It is provocative. The story meanders along a winding road, taking the reader along for the ride. The Fifty Year Sword, is written beautifully and is couched in pretty graphics, swirling, flying images serve as the prefect backdrop for the story and in many ways, are actually part of it. A part of the delivery. It is a beauty of a book visually, and the story line seems timeless. A definite must have.

Since the underground hit of House of Leaves, I have been an avid fan of Mark Danielewski. I have waited for a new novel by him for many years. I could not wait to get it. But I was let down by the image that the book presents. I.e. many people will by it strictly because they like House of Leaves. But The Fifty Year Sword does not compared to that master piece of literature at all. It does not even compare to Only Revolutions, which was not that great. Mark's popular work has always been experimental, and that is what I love about him. The Fifty Year Sword is experimental, but it is not a novel; I do not think, by word, count that it is a novella. There is about six or seven lines on each page, only on the front. Each "character" is color coordinated, but there is not a need for different colors; the only person telling the story is the narrator, and the "man" with the sword.To be fair the story was very interesting and I plan on reading it again. It only took me about an hour and a half to read the entire book. And that included starring at the magnificent artwork embedded here and there.I would recommend finding this book at a book store and try to read it. Or rent it from a library. Unless you are a hardcore fan, which I am, who only wants the book to shine on their shelf, do not buy. It is a little over a hundred page, not using the backs, with images. So, the way a regular novel goes it may be twenty pages, and I am being generous.

With the exception of Only Revolutions I love everything that Mark Z. Danielewski has ever written. The Fifty Year Sword is my favorite book though because it isn't a gigantic mind f*** like House of Leaves, it's more of a twisted bed time story. It's a pretty quick read that keeps with his style that is both wildly unexpected and totally engrossing, not to mention that almost every page in the book is gorgeous. Seriously, buy it and read it.

This book is an incredible fairy tale. I loved everything about it except for the fact that It took me only at most 45 minutes to read. It is definitely not a novel but it is a truly amazing tale. The ending is gold old fashion Danielewski that lets you interpret how it all ends. The dust jacket and outside is awesome as well. I wish I could afford the deluxe edition which is even cooler.

Read it in one sitting. Its engrossing and captivating. I expect nothing less from MZD. And when you're done,read House of Leaves.

Very dark.Read it in half an hour.Read it againDarker still.Strange book wish It had an explanation of some sort.

Une sorte de conte de Noël fantastique, avec encore un jeu sur la typographie (dans un esprit proche de the house of leaves, mais moins flippant). J'ai adoré, du grand Danielewski, mais c'est vraiment trop court, je suis resté sur ma faim.

Quando si parla di scrittura creativa o di come il libro vada oltre le semplici "letture" è indispensabile appellarsi a Mark Danielewski. Casa Di Foglie, Revolutions e anche questo The Fifty Year Sword sono scorci di arte letteraria che hanno davvero qualcosa di nuovo da dire. Il trattamento di una storiella di fantasmi, qui, non ha alcun rivale. Ovviamente non aspettatevi niente che sia lontanamente paragonabile nè a un racconto lineare nè a una storia alla Dickens. Chapeau.

Molto contenta grazie , bella rilegatura !

Thank you. Very happy.