THE FIFTY YEAR SWORD

By Mark Z. Danielewski

 

Mark Z. Danielewski pushed the boundaries of bestselling fiction with his experimental and phenomenal House of Leaves (1999) and with his novel in verse about two young lovers on a road trip that was a National Book Finalist in 2006, Only Revolutions.

 

The internationally best-selling author has crafted a powerfully chilling novella—a ghost story for grownups, THE FIFTY YEAR SWORD (Pantheon Books/October 16, 2012/$23.95).

In this story set in East Texas, a local seamstress named Chintana finds herself responsible for five orphans who are not only captivated by a storyteller’s tale of vengeance but by the long black box he sets before them. As midnight approaches, the box is opened, a fateful dare is made, and the children as well as Chintana come face to face with the consequences of a malice retold and now foretold.

 

As part of a nationwide book tour, Danielewski will be joined by celebrated pianist Christopher O’Riley in five cities, thanks to an ARC grant from the Center for Cultural Innovation. Danielewski will be reading The Fifty Year Sword in its entirety, and O’Riley has composed original music for the one-hour production.

 

O’Riley, an internationally-renowned, award-winning pianist, has received acclaim for his Radiohead, Nick Drake and Elliott Smith piano interpretations, in addition to his performances with philharmonic orchestras around the world. He is also the host of National Public Radio’s From the Top, where he works and performs with the next generation of brilliant young musicians. His tour dates with The Fifty Year Sword are as follows:

 

Chicago

Monday, October 15, at 7 p.m.

Unity Temple, 875 Lake Street, Oak Park Writers at Wright event hosted by Book Table

 

Brooklyn

Monday, October 22, at 7:30 p.m.

St. Joseph’s College, Tuohy Auditorium, 245 Clinton Avenue, Brooklyn Hosted by Greenlight Books

 

San Francisco

Tuesday, October 23, at 7:30 p.m.

Swedish American Hall, 2170 Market Street, San Francisco Hosted by the Booksmith

 

Seattle

Sunday, October 28, at 6:30 p.m.

Town Hall Seattle, 1119 8th Avenue, Seattle Also featuring Seattle Radio Theatre; to be aired live on KUOW Sponsored by the Elliott Bay Book Company

 

Los Angeles

Wednesday, October 31, at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

REDCAT, 631 West 2nd Street, Los Angeles Final performances of The Fifty Year Sword, complete with actors (to be announced) and a few surprises