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The Adventures of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle #1
The Thing Beneath the Bed
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.
The Adventures of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle is a dark twist on the classic children's picture-book. I think of it as Calvin and Hobbes meets Coraline, with some Edward Gorey mixed in.
Simply 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.
The Adventures of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle is a dark twist on the classic children's picture-book. I think of it as Calvin and Hobbes meets Coraline, with some Edward Gorey mixed in.
Simply This is not a book for children.
68 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
29 people are currently reading
10345 people want to read
About the author
Patrick Rothfuss
79 books242k followersIt all began when Pat Rothfuss was born to a marvelous set of parents. Throughout his formative years they encouraged him to do his best, gave him good advice, and were no doubt appropriately dismayed when he failed to live up to his full potential.
In high-school Pat was something of a class clown. His hobbies included reading a novel or two a day and giving relationship advice to all his friends despite the fact that he had never so much as kissed a girl. He also role-played and wrote terrible stories about elves. He was pretty much a geek.
Most of Pat's adult life has been spent in the University Wisconsin Stevens Point. In 1991 he started college in order to pursue a career in chemical engineering, then he considered clinical psychology. In 1993 he quit pretending he knew what he wanted to do with his life, changed his major to "undecided," and proceeded to study whatever amused him. He also began writing a book....
For the next seven years Pat studied anthropology, philosophy, eastern religions, history, alchemy, parapsychology, literature, and writing. He studied six different martial arts, practiced improv comedy, learned how to pick locks, and became a skilled lover of women. He also began writing a satirical advice column which he continues to this day: The College Survivial Guide. Through all of this he continued to work on his novel.
In 2000 Pat went to grad school for English literature. Grad school sucked and Pat hated it. However, Pat learned that he loved to teach. He left in 2002 with his masters degree, shaking the dust from his feet and vowing never to return. During this period of time his novel was rejected by roughly every agent in the known universe.
Now Pat teaches half-time at his old school as an assistant-sub-lecturer. He is underpaid but generally left alone to do as he sees fit with his classes. He is advisor for the college feminists, the fencing club, and, oddly enough, a sorority. He still roll-plays occasionally, but now he does it in an extremely sophisticated, debonair way.
Through a series of lucky breaks, he has wound up with the best agent and editor imaginable, and the first book of his trilogy has been published under the title "The Name of the Wind."
Though it has only been out since April 2007, it has already been sold in 26 foreign countries and won several awards.
Pat has been described as "a rough, earthy iconoclast with a pipeline to the divine in everyone's subconscious." But honestly, that person was pretty drunk at the time, so you might want to take it with a grain of salt.
In high-school Pat was something of a class clown. His hobbies included reading a novel or two a day and giving relationship advice to all his friends despite the fact that he had never so much as kissed a girl. He also role-played and wrote terrible stories about elves. He was pretty much a geek.
Most of Pat's adult life has been spent in the University Wisconsin Stevens Point. In 1991 he started college in order to pursue a career in chemical engineering, then he considered clinical psychology. In 1993 he quit pretending he knew what he wanted to do with his life, changed his major to "undecided," and proceeded to study whatever amused him. He also began writing a book....
For the next seven years Pat studied anthropology, philosophy, eastern religions, history, alchemy, parapsychology, literature, and writing. He studied six different martial arts, practiced improv comedy, learned how to pick locks, and became a skilled lover of women. He also began writing a satirical advice column which he continues to this day: The College Survivial Guide. Through all of this he continued to work on his novel.
In 2000 Pat went to grad school for English literature. Grad school sucked and Pat hated it. However, Pat learned that he loved to teach. He left in 2002 with his masters degree, shaking the dust from his feet and vowing never to return. During this period of time his novel was rejected by roughly every agent in the known universe.
Now Pat teaches half-time at his old school as an assistant-sub-lecturer. He is underpaid but generally left alone to do as he sees fit with his classes. He is advisor for the college feminists, the fencing club, and, oddly enough, a sorority. He still roll-plays occasionally, but now he does it in an extremely sophisticated, debonair way.
Through a series of lucky breaks, he has wound up with the best agent and editor imaginable, and the first book of his trilogy has been published under the title "The Name of the Wind."
Though it has only been out since April 2007, it has already been sold in 26 foreign countries and won several awards.
Pat has been described as "a rough, earthy iconoclast with a pipeline to the divine in everyone's subconscious." But honestly, that person was pretty drunk at the time, so you might want to take it with a grain of salt.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 754 reviews
August 12, 2010
This is a pet project of mine that I've been working on with a friend for a couple of years now. It's a not-for-children picture book. I think of it as Coraline meets Calvin and Hobbes.
It will be released from Subterranean Press in July of 2010, and I'm really unreasonably proud of it.
If you want more details, you can read the blog I wrote about it over here:
The Adventures of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle.
Edit: The book is out now. The first printing is almost sold out....
It will be released from Subterranean Press in July of 2010, and I'm really unreasonably proud of it.
If you want more details, you can read the blog I wrote about it over here:
The Adventures of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle.
Edit: The book is out now. The first printing is almost sold out....
October 21, 2012
Given, I have a personal fondness for this book, because it's mine. But I happen to love the this new paperback edition for several additional reasons:
1. It has a new author's note from me and Nathan Taylor, the illustrator.
2. It fixes a very few tiny mistakes nobody but me would ever notice or care about.
3. It's paperback, so it's cheaper.
4. A portion of the proceeds from the book go to Worldbuilders, the charity I run every year.
5. It has a bunch of Nate's original concept sketches in the back,
6. Unlike the hardcover, this version is actually in print, so you can go buy it now.
http://store.sealionbookstore.com/par...
May 2, 2018
When cute fairy tales go *really* wrong. :)
Honestly, I watched this on youtube, with the author narrating it for an audience:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_Q3N...
And he was even so helpful as to break it down and show us just how much of a kid's book this IS NOT. He even shows us how we READ IT WRONG.
I love this man. :)
So cute. So DARK. :)
Honestly, I watched this on youtube, with the author narrating it for an audience:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_Q3N...
And he was even so helpful as to break it down and show us just how much of a kid's book this IS NOT. He even shows us how we READ IT WRONG.
I love this man. :)
So cute. So DARK. :)
March 21, 2020
This story is a little dark and I think you want your kids to be a little older, more like 6 or 7. It’s an adventure story about a Princess. She lives in a castle of marzipan with her teddy and there is something that lives under her bed. There are lots of cliff-hangers at the page turns and it plays on our expectations of what should happen and then being subverted. It happens all the way through.
I really enjoyed this delightful book. It’s black and white, but I enjoyed the artwork done here.
The nephew loved the shocks through this book. He couldn’t believe the ending. He was like, “oh my god.” He couldn’t believe it. He loved this book and he gave it 5 stars. He wants to read this again.
I really enjoyed this delightful book. It’s black and white, but I enjoyed the artwork done here.
The nephew loved the shocks through this book. He couldn’t believe the ending. He was like, “oh my god.” He couldn’t believe it. He loved this book and he gave it 5 stars. He wants to read this again.
May 2, 2018
Disclosure #1: I've never read anything by Patrick Rothfuss although people keep recommending his stuff. I know about him thanks to a few retweets by Neil Gaiman but that's it.
Then, Brad gave me this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_Q3N... and I watched and now ...
Disclosure #2: I can't stop laughing.
This is really not a children's book. Or is it? Well, it certainly depends on the child. *lol* Experiencing this story through Rothfuss' prose, his friend's art AND Rothfuss narrating it and then going back for a closer look was the BEST.
In a nutshell: this is the story of a little princess living all by herself with only a teddy for company.
If you want to know more, read it / watch the video for yourself. I promise you, at least anyone with a really good sense of humour will not regret it!
Then, Brad gave me this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_Q3N... and I watched and now ...
Disclosure #2: I can't stop laughing.
This is really not a children's book. Or is it? Well, it certainly depends on the child. *lol* Experiencing this story through Rothfuss' prose, his friend's art AND Rothfuss narrating it and then going back for a closer look was the BEST.
In a nutshell: this is the story of a little princess living all by herself with only a teddy for company.
If you want to know more, read it / watch the video for yourself. I promise you, at least anyone with a really good sense of humour will not regret it!
June 12, 2018
Cómo Patrick Rothfuss puede convertir un cuento sencillo en algo escalofriante y magistral es algo que está más allá de mi entendimiento. Patrick Rothfuss es un maestro de las palabras, sencillamente nació para contar historias.
En The Adventures of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle nos encontramos con un cuento sobre una princesa que vive sola en un castillo con su osito de peluche y todos los días se embarca en diferentes aventuras. Todo suena súper inocente e infantil y las ilustraciones ayudan con ese engaño; sin embargo, a medida que nos adentramos en la historia y nos fijamos más atentamente en todas las ilustraciones vamos encontrando elementos oscuros que, desde luego, no son nada aptos para niños pequeños.
Con pocas palabras y giros cuidadosamente calculados, Patrick Rothfuss convierte un cuento inocente en una verdadera obra maestra del engaño, el horror y el gore. Es un maldito genio.
Del final sólo puedo decir que realmente me traumatizó, es tremendo el giro que toman los acontecimientos.
En The Adventures of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle nos encontramos con un cuento sobre una princesa que vive sola en un castillo con su osito de peluche y todos los días se embarca en diferentes aventuras. Todo suena súper inocente e infantil y las ilustraciones ayudan con ese engaño; sin embargo, a medida que nos adentramos en la historia y nos fijamos más atentamente en todas las ilustraciones vamos encontrando elementos oscuros que, desde luego, no son nada aptos para niños pequeños.
Con pocas palabras y giros cuidadosamente calculados, Patrick Rothfuss convierte un cuento inocente en una verdadera obra maestra del engaño, el horror y el gore. Es un maldito genio.
Del final sólo puedo decir que realmente me traumatizó, es tremendo el giro que toman los acontecimientos.
September 14, 2015
The Adventures of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle: The Thing Beneath the Bed is a mildly disturbing tale. The biggest reason for that is that it looks like a children's book.
Let me assure you, you must trust the blurb this is not a book for children. I counted at least 5 moments that would cause my 4 year old daughter to never let us turn the lights off in her room again. My 4 year old can read well and I know that sounds cool, but she's been doing it since she was 3 and a half. The problem is there are things you don't want a small child to read like the Fair sells hot dogs, an event is happening that you don't want her to know about, the signs for strip clubs on I-95 near Philadelphia, and other things like that. I have to get this book out of my house without her seeing it because she will read it and likely be mentally disturbed for a minimum of 6 months. The last thing I want to say is the book should have a warning that says don't even bring this book home if you have small kids who pay attention to pictures and/or small kids who can read.
The Thing Beneath the Bed is a fun tale for those with a warped sense of humor and would love to see characters who look kid friendly do some messed up stuff.
Let me assure you, you must trust the blurb this is not a book for children. I counted at least 5 moments that would cause my 4 year old daughter to never let us turn the lights off in her room again. My 4 year old can read well and I know that sounds cool, but she's been doing it since she was 3 and a half. The problem is there are things you don't want a small child to read like the Fair sells hot dogs, an event is happening that you don't want her to know about, the signs for strip clubs on I-95 near Philadelphia, and other things like that. I have to get this book out of my house without her seeing it because she will read it and likely be mentally disturbed for a minimum of 6 months. The last thing I want to say is the book should have a warning that says don't even bring this book home if you have small kids who pay attention to pictures and/or small kids who can read.
The Thing Beneath the Bed is a fun tale for those with a warped sense of humor and would love to see characters who look kid friendly do some messed up stuff.
November 15, 2015
Patrick Rothfuss is a storyteller (The Name of the Wind), a father, a blogger (patrickrothfuss), a humanitarian (Worldbuilders), and more than a little insane:
.
Patrick (I feel I can call him "Patrick" since he will be haunting my dreams for many nights to come) gives voice to his insanity with The Adventure of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle. It is a story that is both touching and diabolical. A reminder of what it was like to be a child in a world fueled by imagination, it is also a cautionary tale where nothing is quite as it seems. Nate Taylor's art could not have been better suited to the story. He maintained the innocence of childhood fairy tales while capturing the feel of Patrick's twisted story.
I can't give this book enough praise. Nor can I ever read it to my young nephews. They would never sleep again.
.Patrick (I feel I can call him "Patrick" since he will be haunting my dreams for many nights to come) gives voice to his insanity with The Adventure of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle. It is a story that is both touching and diabolical. A reminder of what it was like to be a child in a world fueled by imagination, it is also a cautionary tale where nothing is quite as it seems. Nate Taylor's art could not have been better suited to the story. He maintained the innocence of childhood fairy tales while capturing the feel of Patrick's twisted story.
I can't give this book enough praise. Nor can I ever read it to my young nephews. They would never sleep again.
August 19, 2010
My daughter had the privilege of being one of the first people Pat read this to and she LOVED his reading of it. My daughter is 7 (she was 6 when he read it to her). She loves this book. Reads it over and over. Finds it hilarious. Mind you, my daughter loves animals. But she is also aware of the cycle of life and is not horrified when one animal eats the other (despite the fact that I, her mother, am a vegetarian). My point is that some kids will be horrified by this book, certainly. And some will LOVE the heck out of it. My daughter is one of the latter. I myself find the book absolutely charming and kinda disagree with the label that this book is not for kids. It depends on the kid (and the parents, I guess). The art in the book is AMAZING, btw. The facial expressions are priceless.
June 25, 2023
JAJAJAJA AMÉ
GRACIAS PATRICK
Caí a esta historia por casualidad y bien que hice 😅 este libro no es para niños.
La princesa y el señor Fu son muy (terrorificamente) adorables y el autor sabe sin duda generar una historia bien turbia con un lenguaje de cuento infantil que nunca sabés si te está tratando de niño o no. Además de que juega con lo esperado y lo no esperado para un lector de cuentos. Sabe qué va a suponer el lector en cada escena y logra darle una vuelta de tuerca para sorprenderte.
QUÉ TURBIO
Lo recomiendo, me encantan los cuentos y este no se queda atrás.
Yo leyendo la princesa, el señor Fu y la cosa abajo de la cama: 😳😱😬🙃
GRACIAS PATRICK
Caí a esta historia por casualidad y bien que hice 😅 este libro no es para niños.
La princesa y el señor Fu son muy (terrorificamente) adorables y el autor sabe sin duda generar una historia bien turbia con un lenguaje de cuento infantil que nunca sabés si te está tratando de niño o no. Además de que juega con lo esperado y lo no esperado para un lector de cuentos. Sabe qué va a suponer el lector en cada escena y logra darle una vuelta de tuerca para sorprenderte.
QUÉ TURBIO
Lo recomiendo, me encantan los cuentos y este no se queda atrás.
Yo leyendo la princesa, el señor Fu y la cosa abajo de la cama: 😳😱😬🙃
February 19, 2017
Ay Pat... Pat Pat. This is amazing.
August 12, 2010
Remember how the Calvin and Hobbes anthologies would start off with some elaborate, full-color artsy extended bit of weirdness from Bill Watterson? My favorite was "A Naseous Nocture," an long poem about something creepy under the bed in the closet, with lines like this: "In the morning, they’ll come in/And say, 'what was that awful din/We heard last night? You kept us both from sleep!' Only then will they surmise/The gruesomeness of my demise/And see that my remains are in a heap."
The Adventures of the Princess and Mr. Wiffle SO wants to be the cool color beginning from a Calvin & Hobbes anthology. But it's... not. The art is cute and all, and the idea of a dark faux-kid's book is always a welcome one, but the writing isn't very clever, letting the cartoons do most of the work. The ending is a cheap, surprisingly obvious gag, and while the whole "stop reading now if you want a happy ending" conceit sounds neat, it fails when the second fake ending comes a page too soon.
But maybe that's a production error because there is also a terribly obvious typo that I can't believe no one caught. "The princess was sore wounded"? That's a typo, right? This book has about 150 words. How did everyone miss that one? (In the comments, another reader pointed out that this is an example of antiquated phrasing. Which... I guess. It does indeed show up on Google Books searches of ye olde books, though most matches are poems or the bible. But it seems like a typo even if it isn't, because pretty much none of the rest of the book is written in flowery or antiquated phrasing, which is yet more evidence of the fact that the text seems tossed off.)
I'm hoping my "limited run" copy manages to be worth what I paid for it some day. Unamused. Grumpy, even.
The Adventures of the Princess and Mr. Wiffle SO wants to be the cool color beginning from a Calvin & Hobbes anthology. But it's... not. The art is cute and all, and the idea of a dark faux-kid's book is always a welcome one, but the writing isn't very clever, letting the cartoons do most of the work. The ending is a cheap, surprisingly obvious gag, and while the whole "stop reading now if you want a happy ending" conceit sounds neat, it fails when the second fake ending comes a page too soon.
But maybe that's a production error because there is also a terribly obvious typo that I can't believe no one caught. "The princess was sore wounded"? That's a typo, right? This book has about 150 words. How did everyone miss that one? (In the comments, another reader pointed out that this is an example of antiquated phrasing. Which... I guess. It does indeed show up on Google Books searches of ye olde books, though most matches are poems or the bible. But it seems like a typo even if it isn't, because pretty much none of the rest of the book is written in flowery or antiquated phrasing, which is yet more evidence of the fact that the text seems tossed off.)
I'm hoping my "limited run" copy manages to be worth what I paid for it some day. Unamused. Grumpy, even.
July 13, 2010
4.0 stars. I have been waiting for this to come out ever since I first read that Patrick Rothfuss was writing a "not for children" children's book and it did not disappoint. Diabolically clever, this is a book you will want to go back through a second time after you finish it so you can really appreciate the brilliance of the artwork that absoutely makes the story. Highly Recommended!!!!
January 11, 2018
This fucked me up.
(I wish this wasn't out of print so that it could be a part of my library)
(I wish this wasn't out of print so that it could be a part of my library)
August 7, 2010
This book is seriously awesome, and also SERIOUSLY not for kids! The illustrations are fantastic, and most adults will be sufficiently creeped by the storyline.
January 9, 2016
Hilarious and UTTERLY DISTURBING!!!!!!
February 13, 2013
For the Dark Humor
The ones who love night monsters
The bumps and thumps there
I was so surprised
By how much I enjoyed this
It’s a dark twist tale
I’m not a hobbs fan
So I don’t compare the two
It’s a good read though
The ones who love night monsters
The bumps and thumps there
I was so surprised
By how much I enjoyed this
It’s a dark twist tale
I’m not a hobbs fan
So I don’t compare the two
It’s a good read though
August 6, 2016
Es lo mejor que he leído en mi vida en estos cortos minutos. Lo mejor de todo es que al encontrarlo y ser tan barato, fue automático: TENGO QUE TENERLO. Amo la manera de Rothfuss juega con el humor en un cuento que parece muy infantil, aunque nada tiene que ver con los niños.
November 18, 2016
Also missing. What's happening?
November 6, 2017
This was very fun, but definitely not for children!
March 25, 2013
The description of this book boasts: "The truth is, this is a book for adults with a dark sense of humor and an appreciation of old-school faerie tales." But the old school Grimm's faerie tales had a lot more meat on their bones -- pun intended, if you've read this book -- than this little illustrated edition. And while the art was beautiful, it felt... lacking. The whole thing probably had one hundred words in it, and they weren't used to tell much of a story, just to jump from one not-terribly-clever ending to the next, of which there are three.
Readers looking to get a Patrick Rothfuss fix while waiting for The Doors of Stone should look elsewhere. Try the upcoming Unfettered anthology, which will have a story of his set in the Four Corners.
Readers looking to get a Patrick Rothfuss fix while waiting for The Doors of Stone should look elsewhere. Try the upcoming Unfettered anthology, which will have a story of his set in the Four Corners.
January 25, 2015
Me ha gustado mucho, sobretodo, que tenga tres finales. Puede parecer un cuento para niños en su primera parte, la segunda ya empieza a dar algo de miedo, pero la tercera, madre mía, no me lo esperaba, que gore. La verdad que lo he disfrutado mucho, las ilustraciones de Nate Taylor son geniales, el cuento me ha gustado y solo me da pena que sea tan cortito. A ver si pronto publican la segunda parte de estos cuentos de este maravilloso escritor.
July 19, 2010
This long-awaited gem showed up in the mail today, much to my delight. Read it once in about five minutes, laughing out loud several times. Then read it a second time more slowly, poring over the background details of Nate Taylor's luscious art.
Promoted as a not-for-children children's book, the ending is not for the timid, but delightfully wicked.
Recommended.
Promoted as a not-for-children children's book, the ending is not for the timid, but delightfully wicked.
Recommended.
November 3, 2015
Este cuento me encantó!! La edición es una preciosidad y las ilustraciones, hermosas.
Es un cuentro creepy que parece para niños, pero no lo es.
Narrado como un cuento clásico tiene 3 finales y el último es el que más me gustó!!
Lo único malo es que lo leí en 10 minutos :(
Me hubiera gustado que tenga páginas infinitas
Es un cuentro creepy que parece para niños, pero no lo es.
Narrado como un cuento clásico tiene 3 finales y el último es el que más me gustó!!
Lo único malo es que lo leí en 10 minutos :(
Me hubiera gustado que tenga páginas infinitas
December 23, 2016
Not really a book for children - it is modeled after books for children - there are three possible endings...one is quite shocking.
August 4, 2010
So long ago I don't remember when I first heard about Patrick Rothfuss' not-for-children children's book. What began as a bedtime story he told his girlfriend made its way to publication through Subterranean Press. I put my copy on reserve months ahead of time and, eventually, the book arrived at my house.
At a cursory glance, The Adventures of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle seems like any other children's book. The cover has a cute little girl and her stuffed teddy bear playing in a creek. Even the names "the Princess" and "Mr. Whiffle" imply all is well within the pages. But, as the author, the publisher, and the accompanying sticker tell the reader, this book is not for children.
The Thing Beneath the Bed is a story of three parts, that is to say it has three different endings. One ending is a sweet, happy ending that may be read to appease the lighthearted or those in need of a happy ending. One ending leaves a bit more to the imagination and has horrifying ramifications to the story. And the third ending, Pat's "true ending," as he calls it, hearkens back to an older style of fairy tale ending. Of the three, the third is certainly my favorite, as it captures both my type of humor as well as offers a shock value that can let the reader think.
But what about the plot? What about the illustrations? Both of these work hand-in-hand together in this book (as they do in any comic or picture book). Illustrated by Nate Taylor, each page is beautiful and conveys a certain message or feeling. Some pages require background investigation to pick up on things in the Princess' kingdom. One thing about the illustrations that I particularly liked was the use of black and shadows, especially when dealing with the Thing. I also liked the sweet caricatured facial expressions of the Princess. As for written plot, the story is simple. There is a Princess that lives alone with her stuffed teddy bear, Mr. Whiffle, in a castle, and together they play and try to avoid the Thing that lives beneath the bed. The duo have adventures and fun together during the day, and at night they keep the lights on.
One thing that greatly intrigued me about this book was the prospect of three completely different endings. I was intrigued to see how the story would end, and I'm glad to say that Pat did not meet any of my expectations, but instead well exceeded them. I was thoroughly pleased with all endings, and I think that if one were to stop at the first then it would be a fine book for children. The latter two endings still may be fine for children, depending on maturity levels and faith in the world, but to be on the safe side I'd recommend the multiple warnings to keep from kids.
Overall, I really enjoyed Patrick Rothfuss' picture story book. It was short, dark, twisted, and bittersweet, and it fit right up my alley. I read the book aloud to my wife, showing off each page like a kindergarten teacher. (My wife preferred the first ending.) If you didn't get your hands on a copy of The Adventures of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle, know that this book is currently only available through Subterranean Press. It was one of Sub Press' fastest selling books of all time, and they currently are offering a signed 2nd printing for $25. (Makes me feel conflicted. I have an unsigned 1st printing...) So, if you've the money to spare and are interested in reading Pat's delightfully dark "children's" story, click the above link and order your copy today.
At a cursory glance, The Adventures of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle seems like any other children's book. The cover has a cute little girl and her stuffed teddy bear playing in a creek. Even the names "the Princess" and "Mr. Whiffle" imply all is well within the pages. But, as the author, the publisher, and the accompanying sticker tell the reader, this book is not for children.
The Thing Beneath the Bed is a story of three parts, that is to say it has three different endings. One ending is a sweet, happy ending that may be read to appease the lighthearted or those in need of a happy ending. One ending leaves a bit more to the imagination and has horrifying ramifications to the story. And the third ending, Pat's "true ending," as he calls it, hearkens back to an older style of fairy tale ending. Of the three, the third is certainly my favorite, as it captures both my type of humor as well as offers a shock value that can let the reader think.
But what about the plot? What about the illustrations? Both of these work hand-in-hand together in this book (as they do in any comic or picture book). Illustrated by Nate Taylor, each page is beautiful and conveys a certain message or feeling. Some pages require background investigation to pick up on things in the Princess' kingdom. One thing about the illustrations that I particularly liked was the use of black and shadows, especially when dealing with the Thing. I also liked the sweet caricatured facial expressions of the Princess. As for written plot, the story is simple. There is a Princess that lives alone with her stuffed teddy bear, Mr. Whiffle, in a castle, and together they play and try to avoid the Thing that lives beneath the bed. The duo have adventures and fun together during the day, and at night they keep the lights on.
One thing that greatly intrigued me about this book was the prospect of three completely different endings. I was intrigued to see how the story would end, and I'm glad to say that Pat did not meet any of my expectations, but instead well exceeded them. I was thoroughly pleased with all endings, and I think that if one were to stop at the first then it would be a fine book for children. The latter two endings still may be fine for children, depending on maturity levels and faith in the world, but to be on the safe side I'd recommend the multiple warnings to keep from kids.
Overall, I really enjoyed Patrick Rothfuss' picture story book. It was short, dark, twisted, and bittersweet, and it fit right up my alley. I read the book aloud to my wife, showing off each page like a kindergarten teacher. (My wife preferred the first ending.) If you didn't get your hands on a copy of The Adventures of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle, know that this book is currently only available through Subterranean Press. It was one of Sub Press' fastest selling books of all time, and they currently are offering a signed 2nd printing for $25. (Makes me feel conflicted. I have an unsigned 1st printing...) So, if you've the money to spare and are interested in reading Pat's delightfully dark "children's" story, click the above link and order your copy today.
October 29, 2014
This is an awesome and terrifically fun take on the whole locked away princess tale. Have you ever wondered WHY she's locked away? Well here's your answer.
The pictures are engaging (and even more entertaining on the second read). Be sure to watch the background for the aftermath of the battle on the bridge, analyze that buried treasure and take note of the placement of the locks and spikes on the gate.
The story has three endings. The first is sweet, the second is suggestive of horrific events, and the third is the sort of thing I would write. I'm so jealous I didn't think of this first. It is the ultimate strong princess story.
My only beef with this book and the many reviews I've seen, is the whole "THIS IS NOT FOR KIDS" spiel. It may not be for all kids, but no book is. Kids often freak out at things you don't expect but don't freak out at the things you do expect them to. My three-year-old and five-year-old love it and frequently request it. They didn't have the cultural context to 'get' the second ending, but they got the final ending just fine. Like any book you'd choose to give a young child, know the child's temperament (or ask the parents), and be prepared to have a discussion at the end if it's needed.
The pictures are engaging (and even more entertaining on the second read). Be sure to watch the background for the aftermath of the battle on the bridge, analyze that buried treasure and take note of the placement of the locks and spikes on the gate.
The story has three endings. The first is sweet, the second is suggestive of horrific events, and the third is the sort of thing I would write. I'm so jealous I didn't think of this first. It is the ultimate strong princess story.
My only beef with this book and the many reviews I've seen, is the whole "THIS IS NOT FOR KIDS" spiel. It may not be for all kids, but no book is. Kids often freak out at things you don't expect but don't freak out at the things you do expect them to. My three-year-old and five-year-old love it and frequently request it. They didn't have the cultural context to 'get' the second ending, but they got the final ending just fine. Like any book you'd choose to give a young child, know the child's temperament (or ask the parents), and be prepared to have a discussion at the end if it's needed.
July 28, 2010
I had pre-ordered the book, and it came with the promised "This Shit is Not for Kids. Seriously." sticker to place on the front cover. At first, I wasn't sure if I wanted to put the sticker anywhere; the cover art is delightful and balanced, and I felt the sticker might spoil it.
Then I finished the book, and I applied the sticker.
I'd heard the first two thirds of the book before, read by Rothfuss, and I had an idea of what to expect. The ending doesn't disappoint, but it's probably not the thing to leave out when your young nieces and nephews are likely to visit. The art, as I have said, is fantastic and will absolutely suck in young readers (especially as many of today's children's books are generally so bland). Adults will enjoy them even more. The story is fun and generally paces well.
Overall, recommended if you're the sort of person who likes this sort of thing. It's not for everyone, so don't say you weren't warned. But it certainly is for a lot of people with a particular type of humor.
Then I finished the book, and I applied the sticker.
I'd heard the first two thirds of the book before, read by Rothfuss, and I had an idea of what to expect. The ending doesn't disappoint, but it's probably not the thing to leave out when your young nieces and nephews are likely to visit. The art, as I have said, is fantastic and will absolutely suck in young readers (especially as many of today's children's books are generally so bland). Adults will enjoy them even more. The story is fun and generally paces well.
Overall, recommended if you're the sort of person who likes this sort of thing. It's not for everyone, so don't say you weren't warned. But it certainly is for a lot of people with a particular type of humor.
January 4, 2013
My 3 through 8 year old kids would love this book(they love scary stories just like their dad). It comes off sweet and innocent with a taste of darkness hanging out in the corner just out of range.
I asked myself throughout: Why is this girl all alone in this marzipan castle with no one around but her teddy bear? Why is she stuck behind a gate with a big lock on it? Why are there spikes on the inside of the wall, are they trying to keep her in? After playing war with her stuff animals did she really put their decapitated head on spikes in the back ground and lock them in cages for the crows to eat? Very nice story, the art work is great as many details are brought out through it on what is really happening, pictures of people on the walls, stuff animals scrubbing the floors, by the way who sent her a little kitten?
I would recommend this story to those that would like to hear both sides of a fairy tale story. As for the end I am just happy that the Thing gets whats coming to him for scaring her so much. 4 out of 5 stars.
Thanks Eric for this review.
I asked myself throughout: Why is this girl all alone in this marzipan castle with no one around but her teddy bear? Why is she stuck behind a gate with a big lock on it? Why are there spikes on the inside of the wall, are they trying to keep her in? After playing war with her stuff animals did she really put their decapitated head on spikes in the back ground and lock them in cages for the crows to eat? Very nice story, the art work is great as many details are brought out through it on what is really happening, pictures of people on the walls, stuff animals scrubbing the floors, by the way who sent her a little kitten?
I would recommend this story to those that would like to hear both sides of a fairy tale story. As for the end I am just happy that the Thing gets whats coming to him for scaring her so much. 4 out of 5 stars.
Thanks Eric for this review.
October 23, 2017
The Thing Beneath the Bed has three endings. You can keep proceeding to the last one or stop at any of them but at 72 pages you are all but guaranteed to keep reading.
There are multiple warning that despite looking like a children's book this is NOT a children's book and I gotta say
It's too short to hold the interest of most adults IMO but probably a fun coffee table book to have lying around to lure in unsuspected people into a bit of fun reading with a diabolical twist.
There are multiple warning that despite looking like a children's book this is NOT a children's book and I gotta say
It's too short to hold the interest of most adults IMO but probably a fun coffee table book to have lying around to lure in unsuspected people into a bit of fun reading with a diabolical twist.
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