World-Renowned Pianist Christopher O'Riley Joins Mark Z. Danielewski for Productions of 'The Fifty Year Sword' in Five Locations Across the US

Mark Z. Danielewski pushed the boundaries of bestselling fiction with his experimental and phenomenal House of Leaves (2000), and with Only Revolutions, his novel in verse that became a National Book Award Finalist in 2006.

In his new novel, The Fifty Year Sword, available Oct. 16, a local seamstress named Chintana finds herself responsible for five orphans in East Texas 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 The 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

In addition to these events, Danielewski will appear at bookstores and festivals around the country for a discussion and book signing (St. Paul, Pasadena, Portland, St. Louis, Boston, New York, New Haven, Austin, Redondo Beach and Los Angeles).

For a full listing of his tour appearances, and for ticket information, please visit www.facebook.com/MarkZDanielewski/events