Mark Z. Danielewski

Combines lyrical text and evocative sketch art in a ghost story involving five orphans who gather at a party at an East Texas ranch house and listen to the tale of a mysterious latched box that is linked to violent plot for revenge. By the best-selling author of House of Leaves. 60,000 first printing.

The Fifty Year Sword

Colton Ray

Jason Porterfield

There's a good short story layered into this narrative gimmick, and I think there's a deeper story here that would probably reveal itself gradually over the course of multiple readings. I would love to see this read on stage.

Lisa Collins

2.5 stars

So, a lot of the time while I was reading this I wasn't even following. I like the idea of the sword (I don't want to go into detail for fear of spoiling), but I feel like the execution of the story needed a little more--or a lot more--work. I have no doubt in my mind this would be a good story if it were told aloud and spread that way too, as a folk tale is. It has that simplicity and quickness about it that would make it perfect for telling around a bonfire.

While I was still in the first half of The Fifty Year Sword I was fully prepared to give the book a one star rating and say I hated it, but it pulled me back in a bit by the end. It's not my favorite story, but I don't feel like I wasted my time reading it. The book is super artistic and pretty, but I'm afraid the story just isn't enough to make me read it again. Alas.

Witch

T50YS was not just a beautiful grown-up fairy tale, it was also a work of art. It was set against some gorgeous art made from thread that added depth to the story. It read much like a poem and I was sad when it ended. 

This story is no where near as daunting as Danielewski's House of Leaves, which I adored, but I highly recommend this piece. 
4.5 stars

The Fifty Year Sword

Reviews