The Lightning Tree by Patrick Rothfuss Summary

The Lightning Tree is a novella set in The Kingkiller Chronicle universe that follows Bast, a mischievous fae creature, through a single day in the village of Newarre. Bast meets local children at an old lightning-struck tree, trading favors for their secrets while manipulating events behind the scenes. The story reveals both Bast's charming nature and darker impulses, culminating in his intervention to help a family suffering from domestic abuse.

The Lightning Tree is ideal for fans of The Kingkiller Chronicle who want deeper insight into Bast's character and fae nature. Readers who enjoy morally complex protagonists, fantasy novellas, and character-driven stories will appreciate this glimpse into Bast's world. While it enriches the main series, newcomers can still enjoy it as a standalone introduction to Patrick Rothfuss's writing style and the village of Newarre.

The Lightning Tree is highly praised by readers, with reviewers calling it one of the best fantasy novellas alongside works by Brandon Sanderson. The story balances whimsical moments with emotionally powerful scenes that bring readers to tears. Patrick Rothfuss's lyrical prose and Bast's complex characterization make this 50-page novella a compelling read, though it leaves readers wanting more answers that will only come in the yet-unpublished third Kingkiller Chronicle book.

Patrick Rothfuss is an American fantasy author born June 6, 1973, best known for The Kingkiller Chronicle series. His debut novel The Name of the Wind (2007) won the Quill Award and made the New York Times Bestseller list, followed by The Wise Man's Fear (2011) which reached #1. Rothfuss studied English at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and won the Writers of the Future competition in 2002 before publishing his acclaimed fantasy series.

Bast is a fae creature and companion to Kvothe, the protagonist of The Kingkiller Chronicle series. In The Lightning Tree, Bast is revealed as a manipulative yet compassionate being who trades secrets with village children while operating by his own alien moral code. His fae nature makes glamour and deception "second nature," yet he struggles with convincing humans to see truths they refuse to acknowledge. The novella explores both his mischievous charm and genuine capacity for helping others.

Bast collects secrets from village children in exchange for his help with their problems and questions. One problematic example involves a child revealing where a local woman bathes, which Bast uses to spy on her—though it's later revealed she's also been watching him. These secret exchanges reveal Bast's manipulative nature and his fascination with human behavior, showing how he uses information to influence events in Newarre while satisfying his fae curiosity about mortal lives.

The Lightning Tree takes place in Newarre, the village where Kvothe is hiding in the frame story of The Name of the Wind and The Wise Man's Fear. The novella provides crucial character development for Bast, Kvothe's mysterious companion from the main series. While it can be read independently, it enriches understanding of Bast's motivations and fae nature that readers encounter in the primary trilogy. The story offers a deeper look at daily life in Newarre during Kvothe's self-imposed exile.

The Lightning Tree explores the tension between truth and deception, showing how "fooling folk was simple as singing" for Bast, yet convincing someone of truth they refuse to see proves nearly impossible. Central themes include the complexity of morality, the alien nature of fae beings compared to humans, and the power of small acts of kindness and courage. The novella examines how creatures like Bast view human self-deception and emotional suffering as both baffling and heartbreaking.

The Lightning Tree's most emotionally powerful subplot involves Bast helping a family deal with an abusive father. This section reveals Bast's compassionate side and brings a somber, touching quality to the otherwise whimsical narrative. The intervention demonstrates that despite his manipulative tendencies and alien fae nature, Bast possesses genuine empathy and willingness to protect vulnerable people. This moment showcases the "brighter side" of his complex personality that balances his trickster qualities.

The Lightning Tree was published in the anthology Rogues edited by George R. R. Martin and Gardner Dozois in June 2014. While technically part of The Kingkiller Chronicle universe, it functions as a standalone novella spanning approximately 50 pages. Readers don't need prior knowledge of the main series to enjoy it, though familiarity with Bast and Kvothe enhances the experience. The story is complete in itself but leaves larger questions about Bast's nature unanswered until the forthcoming third Kingkiller book, The Doors of Stone.

The most controversial scene in The Lightning Tree involves Bast obtaining information about where a young woman bathes and then spying on her. Reviewers note this behavior is "just plain creepy" despite being somewhat softened by the revelation that she's also been watching him. This incident exemplifies Bast's morally ambiguous nature and alien fae ethics, which don't align with human boundaries. The novella deliberately presents both admirable and troubling aspects of Bast's character without judgment.

The Lightning Tree first appeared in the anthology Rogues, published in June 2014 by Bantam Books with ISBN 978-0345537263. The anthology was edited by fantasy luminaries George R. R. Martin and Gardner Dozois, featuring stories about morally ambiguous characters from various acclaimed authors. Patrick Rothfuss's contribution focuses on Bast, fitting the "rogues" theme perfectly with his trickster nature and boundary-crossing behavior. The novella showcases Rothfuss's lyrical prose style within a compact 50-page format.