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The Library Trilogy #1.5
Overdue
This is a 12,000 word short story featuring Yute and Wentworth from The Book That Wouldn't Burn. It can be read as a standalone or between books 1 and 2 of The Library Trilogy. Yute and Wentworth investigate a strange connection between several bookshops.
46 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 27, 2023
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About the author
Mark Lawrence
90 books55.6k followersMy books vary a LOT - so
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[My new book The Book That Broke The World is out now!]
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Mark Lawrence is married with four children, one of whom is severely disabled. Before becoming a fulltime writer in 2015 day job was as a research scientist focused on various rather intractable problems in the field of artificial intelligence. He has held secret level clearance with both US and UK governments. At one point he was qualified to say 'this isn't rocket science ... oh wait, it actually is'.
Mark used to have a list of hobbies back when he did science by day. Now his time is really just divided between writing and caring for his disabled daughter. There are occasional forays into computer games too.
[My new book The Book That Broke The World is out now!]
Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/marklawrencea...
Blog here: http://mark---lawrence.blogspot.co.uk/
I'm on Youtube now! *excitement!*
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIrB...
Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/MarkLawrence...
https://www.instagram.com/mark___lawr...
Threads
https://www.threads.net/@mark___lawrence
Blue Sky
https://bsky.app/profile/marklawrence...
Three-emails-a-year newsletter here:
http://eepurl.com/cimnK1 #Prizes #FreeContent
I'm even on Tumblr!
https://www.tumblr.com/blog/marklawre...
Pintrest!
https://uk.pinterest.com/princeofthor...
Plus I have free stuff on Wattpad!
https://www.wattpad.com/user/MarkLawr...
Mark Lawrence is married with four children, one of whom is severely disabled. Before becoming a fulltime writer in 2015 day job was as a research scientist focused on various rather intractable problems in the field of artificial intelligence. He has held secret level clearance with both US and UK governments. At one point he was qualified to say 'this isn't rocket science ... oh wait, it actually is'.
Mark used to have a list of hobbies back when he did science by day. Now his time is really just divided between writing and caring for his disabled daughter. There are occasional forays into computer games too.
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December 14, 2023For those of you who've read THE BOOK THAT WOULDN'T BURN and want a bit more "library stuff" - here's Overdue : - A Library Trilogy short story, a 12,000 word short story featuring Wentworth and Yute!
Can also be read prior to the book.
Cover art: Tom Brown
Thanks to Mitriel Faywood for adding the lettering.
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C9N51M6Y/
US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C9N51M6Y/
You can get the short story cover art as a print:
A3 - https://ko-fi.com/s/79becb1c12
A4 - https://ko-fi.com/s/a0ede92be2
.
Join my Patreon
Join my 3-emails-a-year newsletter #prizes
.
Can also be read prior to the book.
Cover art: Tom Brown
Thanks to Mitriel Faywood for adding the lettering.
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C9N51M6Y/
US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C9N51M6Y/
You can get the short story cover art as a print:
A3 - https://ko-fi.com/s/79becb1c12
A4 - https://ko-fi.com/s/a0ede92be2
.
Join my Patreon
Join my 3-emails-a-year newsletter #prizes
.
February 7, 2024
My complete review is published at Before We Go Blog.
“…dreams pass into the waking world through the keyhole of compromise.”
Inspiration cuts across space and time in “Overdue,” Mark Lawrence’s first short story from his Library Trilogy. The main action in “Overdue” takes place in independent bookshops, focusing on the store owners’ love of literature and their relative isolation from society.
All bookstores need a cat, and “Overdue” opens with Wentworth, the feline of unusual size from The Book That Wouldn’t Burn. Wentworth is based on Mark Lawrence’s own cat, Wobble, a Maine Coon who may intimidate even the fiercest mountain lion. “Overdue” also has guest appearances by two other animal friends from The Book That Wouldn’t Burn: the pitch-black dog, Volente, and the raven whose name I shall not reveal.
Mark Lawrence blew away my expectations with “Overdue.” I expected “Overdue” to be a simple story about an oversized cat going on an adventure. But “Overdue” is so much more: it’s a touching tale full of nuance and emotion, and one of Mark Lawrence’s best short stories to date. Last year, I published a listicle of Top Ten Mark Lawrence Short Stories over at Grimdark Magazine. “Overdue” easily falls within the top five on that list.
The plot is more complex than I had anticipated, as Mark Lawrence constructs a circle of literary influence that transcends geographical and temporal boundaries. The interwoven nature of the tale beautifully conveys how aspiring authors can discover inspiration in the most unlikely sources. I particularly enjoyed the unexpected symmetry of inspiration presented in “Overdue,” which left a great emotional impact on par with Lawrence’s best stories.
Although “Overdue” is set in the same universe as the Library Trilogy, it’s not strictly necessary to read The Book That Wouldn’t Burn before picking up this short story. There are no spoilers here that would lessen your enjoyment of The Book That Wouldn’t Burn, and other than the trio of animal friends, there is only one overlapping character: the kindly and enigmatic librarian, Yute. All the other characters are self-contained within the short story. Hence, “Overdue” can be enjoyed as a standalone tale, although readers who are already familiar with The Book That Wouldn’t Burn will appreciate many subtle and not-so-subtle references made within this short story.
A deep love of literature connects us all in the bookish community, a bond that manifests poignantly in “Overdue” as Wentworth helps lonely booklovers find both inspiration and companionship. “Overdue” is an ode to the power of literature which binds us together. This short story is a must-read for fans of The Book That Wouldn’t Burn and highly recommended for anyone who shares Mark Lawrence’s passion for the written word.
“…dreams pass into the waking world through the keyhole of compromise.”
Inspiration cuts across space and time in “Overdue,” Mark Lawrence’s first short story from his Library Trilogy. The main action in “Overdue” takes place in independent bookshops, focusing on the store owners’ love of literature and their relative isolation from society.
All bookstores need a cat, and “Overdue” opens with Wentworth, the feline of unusual size from The Book That Wouldn’t Burn. Wentworth is based on Mark Lawrence’s own cat, Wobble, a Maine Coon who may intimidate even the fiercest mountain lion. “Overdue” also has guest appearances by two other animal friends from The Book That Wouldn’t Burn: the pitch-black dog, Volente, and the raven whose name I shall not reveal.
Mark Lawrence blew away my expectations with “Overdue.” I expected “Overdue” to be a simple story about an oversized cat going on an adventure. But “Overdue” is so much more: it’s a touching tale full of nuance and emotion, and one of Mark Lawrence’s best short stories to date. Last year, I published a listicle of Top Ten Mark Lawrence Short Stories over at Grimdark Magazine. “Overdue” easily falls within the top five on that list.
The plot is more complex than I had anticipated, as Mark Lawrence constructs a circle of literary influence that transcends geographical and temporal boundaries. The interwoven nature of the tale beautifully conveys how aspiring authors can discover inspiration in the most unlikely sources. I particularly enjoyed the unexpected symmetry of inspiration presented in “Overdue,” which left a great emotional impact on par with Lawrence’s best stories.
Although “Overdue” is set in the same universe as the Library Trilogy, it’s not strictly necessary to read The Book That Wouldn’t Burn before picking up this short story. There are no spoilers here that would lessen your enjoyment of The Book That Wouldn’t Burn, and other than the trio of animal friends, there is only one overlapping character: the kindly and enigmatic librarian, Yute. All the other characters are self-contained within the short story. Hence, “Overdue” can be enjoyed as a standalone tale, although readers who are already familiar with The Book That Wouldn’t Burn will appreciate many subtle and not-so-subtle references made within this short story.
A deep love of literature connects us all in the bookish community, a bond that manifests poignantly in “Overdue” as Wentworth helps lonely booklovers find both inspiration and companionship. “Overdue” is an ode to the power of literature which binds us together. This short story is a must-read for fans of The Book That Wouldn’t Burn and highly recommended for anyone who shares Mark Lawrence’s passion for the written word.
September 3, 2023
A sweet little story featuring Yute and Wentworth about the power of books and their ability to transcend space and time.
I love this world Lawrence created, and can't wait for the second volume in the Library's universe.
I love this world Lawrence created, and can't wait for the second volume in the Library's universe.
August 1, 2023
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Overdue is a novella set in the world of the The Book that Wouldn't Burn and part of The Library Trilogy. It is an interesting story on how some books completely change us and transcend even time, sometimes though not in the right order as time is tricky like that. While you can read Overdue and not spoil anything, I don't think it will have the same impact if you don't know who Yute is and how the Library itself works.
Cats are strange creatures and Wentworth is stranger than most. While he might look like a big coon cat that just likes to lay in the sun, he seems to get around and is one of those special creatures that can find books lost from the Library.
Yute is on a mission and keeps showing up at a book shop, just the when of that book shop has changed. It is hard to tell in the time line if Marie or Cole came first. But in one time Marie runs the shop talking to a dead sister long gone and cut off from the world. There is a cat in the shop that looks very familiar to readers of the The Book that Wouldn't Burn. Always fed and sometimes disappearing for days, he is the only company she has. Cole works in the same bookshop or at least a similar one in a different time. He too is isolated and mostly alone except for one repeat customer. He wrote a book no one would publish, put his heart and sole in it and hoped that it would someday touch anyone. Sometimes when you hope big enough and dream long enough a special cat and the magic of the Library will help you out.
I enjoyed this short story a lot. Yute's ability to maneuver through time with the help of our special cat friend Wobwellington, Third Duke of Catborough or a Shadow Dog is always interesting. I really enjoy that you can't tell for sure if which time is really first in the circle. You would think it was Marie's in what seems like this modern world. But could it be Cole's even though the technology is reduced it seems like his time might be in the future after some event. Or are they concurrent just on different space time lines? I enjoy quandaries like this in books and so the The Book that Wouldn't Burn was a lot of fun for me in that regard.
This was a very interesting short story and I like how it explores the magic of books. It is an interesting tale with Yute and a few of the animal friends of the library who are always fun to see.
Overdue is a novella set in the world of the The Book that Wouldn't Burn and part of The Library Trilogy. It is an interesting story on how some books completely change us and transcend even time, sometimes though not in the right order as time is tricky like that. While you can read Overdue and not spoil anything, I don't think it will have the same impact if you don't know who Yute is and how the Library itself works.
Cats are strange creatures and Wentworth is stranger than most. While he might look like a big coon cat that just likes to lay in the sun, he seems to get around and is one of those special creatures that can find books lost from the Library.
We're following Wobble?" Nicholas hurries to catch up. "I mean he is a lovely boy, but there's nothing between his ears escept more fluff..."
Yute tilted his head. "He had a remarkable talent for getting from here to there. Even from now to then."
Yute is on a mission and keeps showing up at a book shop, just the when of that book shop has changed. It is hard to tell in the time line if Marie or Cole came first. But in one time Marie runs the shop talking to a dead sister long gone and cut off from the world. There is a cat in the shop that looks very familiar to readers of the The Book that Wouldn't Burn. Always fed and sometimes disappearing for days, he is the only company she has. Cole works in the same bookshop or at least a similar one in a different time. He too is isolated and mostly alone except for one repeat customer. He wrote a book no one would publish, put his heart and sole in it and hoped that it would someday touch anyone. Sometimes when you hope big enough and dream long enough a special cat and the magic of the Library will help you out.
I enjoyed this short story a lot. Yute's ability to maneuver through time with the help of our special cat friend Wobwellington, Third Duke of Catborough or a Shadow Dog is always interesting. I really enjoy that you can't tell for sure if which time is really first in the circle. You would think it was Marie's in what seems like this modern world. But could it be Cole's even though the technology is reduced it seems like his time might be in the future after some event. Or are they concurrent just on different space time lines? I enjoy quandaries like this in books and so the The Book that Wouldn't Burn was a lot of fun for me in that regard.
This was a very interesting short story and I like how it explores the magic of books. It is an interesting tale with Yute and a few of the animal friends of the library who are always fun to see.
To sell a book I need to match a text to a type and arrange a happy marriage, or torrid affair, or merely a debauched weekend, but whichever it is it needs to be a discovery, something that would not have happened without my intervention. That, my dear Miss Pency, is how books are sold rather than merely purchased.
June 6, 2024
“When you sell someone a book you give them ownership of something without it being taken away from anyone else. You give them a ticket for a voyage. A door to other worlds.
This novella is from the Library Series though this story can be read as a stand alone. I will tell you about the two main characters from the series that you need to know.
Yute is one of the main librarians for The Library. Yute is of undetermined age with white almost translucent skin. His companion is Wentworth. “They told me he was a Maine Coon….but I’m not so sure. I don’t think they get this big.” The cat who can find anything in The Library even if it resides in a different wing, or different time, or different dimension.
This story is ostensibly about two book shops. But if you look at the dialogue the characters use, you see that it is really a discourse about books, how they are written, how they are sold and marketed and what their value is and who determines the value. Whew!
And Mark Lawrence does all of that with his incredible prose and convoluted story telling.
nothing kills off a book like too much hype – though ironically hype’s exactly what’s needed for them to flourish. Similar deal with oxygen: too little, you die; too much, you die.
He left unvoiced that he had opened himself to the world, bled upon the page, and gone unnoticed, his words whispered into an uncaring wind. It had been his greatest act of courage and of faith.
I don’t want to talk about the plot too much because that is something you should experience for yourself. Read this if you want to enjoy the thoughts of a gifted writer regarding his profession. Plus it’s just a great story.
Special Thanks to my Buddy Reading Friend Sara
This novella is from the Library Series though this story can be read as a stand alone. I will tell you about the two main characters from the series that you need to know.
Yute is one of the main librarians for The Library. Yute is of undetermined age with white almost translucent skin. His companion is Wentworth. “They told me he was a Maine Coon….but I’m not so sure. I don’t think they get this big.” The cat who can find anything in The Library even if it resides in a different wing, or different time, or different dimension.
This story is ostensibly about two book shops. But if you look at the dialogue the characters use, you see that it is really a discourse about books, how they are written, how they are sold and marketed and what their value is and who determines the value. Whew!
And Mark Lawrence does all of that with his incredible prose and convoluted story telling.
nothing kills off a book like too much hype – though ironically hype’s exactly what’s needed for them to flourish. Similar deal with oxygen: too little, you die; too much, you die.
He left unvoiced that he had opened himself to the world, bled upon the page, and gone unnoticed, his words whispered into an uncaring wind. It had been his greatest act of courage and of faith.
I don’t want to talk about the plot too much because that is something you should experience for yourself. Read this if you want to enjoy the thoughts of a gifted writer regarding his profession. Plus it’s just a great story.
impossibilities have a habit of causing trouble for reality.
Special Thanks to my Buddy Reading Friend Sara
February 7, 2024
5.0 stars—-
Magical.
I hope every installment in this series is as good as the first two. One of the better short stories I’ve read recently.
Magical.
I hope every installment in this series is as good as the first two. One of the better short stories I’ve read recently.
June 28, 2023
This one is for readers and writers, both. I absolutely adored it. It’s beautifully written, wonderfully moving and captivating. If you enjoyed The Book That Wouldn’t Burn, you’ll love this.
November 14, 2023
“She was very much alive in her time. I think … I think that everyone who ever lived is still alive in every moment of their lives, strung out through the prism of time like beads on a thread.”
A brilliant short story including this beautiful quote, which I actually used in the eulogy at my mother’s funeral recently. Like me she was a huge Mark Lawrence fan.
Thank you, Mark.
A brilliant short story including this beautiful quote, which I actually used in the eulogy at my mother’s funeral recently. Like me she was a huge Mark Lawrence fan.
Thank you, Mark.
July 10, 2024
"Every bookstore needs a cat." How true. Wentworth is possibly my favorite character in the Library books. We also have a Maine coon cat, big in size and bigger in personality.
Cats (all Wentworth in various incarnations), bookstores, Yute, and cameos by Volente and the raven. What's not to like?
Cats (all Wentworth in various incarnations), bookstores, Yute, and cameos by Volente and the raven. What's not to like?
December 30, 2024
Cool short story about Yute and Wentworth. Can’t wait to read The Book That Broke The World!
September 1, 2023
A beautiful short story linked to the author’s recent The Book That Wouldn’t Burn.
Being a short story there’s no need or opportunity to spend much time world building or introducing substantial numbers of new characters with back stories. So the main thing that stood out for me in this tale of 40 ish pages is the beautiful prose, something that can be hidden sometimes in a more complex story. Not that this doesn’t have some complexity to it too…
The Book That Wouldn’t Burn gave me a feeling of a separate universe of books and that’s possibly the foundation of this story, and the problems (or benefits) should it penetrate other worlds.
If you’ve ever followed the author’s social media you may have come across his rather impressive cat, Wobble. He has a major supporting role here.
I suspect that as this series, ‘The Library Trilogy’, continues there may be plenty of scope for other book themed, bookshop, library spin off short stories. I hope so.
Strongly recommended to those who’ve read The Book That Wouldn’t Burn. 5*.
Being a short story there’s no need or opportunity to spend much time world building or introducing substantial numbers of new characters with back stories. So the main thing that stood out for me in this tale of 40 ish pages is the beautiful prose, something that can be hidden sometimes in a more complex story. Not that this doesn’t have some complexity to it too…
The Book That Wouldn’t Burn gave me a feeling of a separate universe of books and that’s possibly the foundation of this story, and the problems (or benefits) should it penetrate other worlds.
If you’ve ever followed the author’s social media you may have come across his rather impressive cat, Wobble. He has a major supporting role here.
I suspect that as this series, ‘The Library Trilogy’, continues there may be plenty of scope for other book themed, bookshop, library spin off short stories. I hope so.
Strongly recommended to those who’ve read The Book That Wouldn’t Burn. 5*.
June 28, 2023
I loved this short story from Mark Lawrence.
The prose is beautiful (as you would expect from Mr Lawrence). It also gave me Cloud Atlas vibes!
This can be enjoyed by anyone - even those who haven’t read The Book That Wouldn’t Burn.
The prose is beautiful (as you would expect from Mr Lawrence). It also gave me Cloud Atlas vibes!
This can be enjoyed by anyone - even those who haven’t read The Book That Wouldn’t Burn.
May 5, 2024
"Overdue" by Mark Lawrence is a shorts story that is best experinced after finishing his new wonderful work, "The Book That Wouldn't Burn".
This is perfect for readers who enjoy books about books and musings about the beauty of writing.
For me this short story was a lovely gem, a beautiful glance at other parts from the world of "The Library Trilogy".
For me, "The Book That Wouldn't Burn" and "Overdue" are clear signs that I fell in love with Mr. Mark Lawrence's prose and I'm looking forward to try more of his works.
You can now support my passion for books with a small donation here https://ko-fi.com/mariareadssff
This is perfect for readers who enjoy books about books and musings about the beauty of writing.
For me this short story was a lovely gem, a beautiful glance at other parts from the world of "The Library Trilogy".
For me, "The Book That Wouldn't Burn" and "Overdue" are clear signs that I fell in love with Mr. Mark Lawrence's prose and I'm looking forward to try more of his works.
You can now support my passion for books with a small donation here https://ko-fi.com/mariareadssff
March 2, 2024
Awww I really liked this little story with Yute from The Book that Wouldn't Burn.
It was more enchanting and whimsical than awe inspiring like it's big brother.
I'm going to need a few more of these to tide me over until The Book that Broke the World is released.
It was more enchanting and whimsical than awe inspiring like it's big brother.
I'm going to need a few more of these to tide me over until The Book that Broke the World is released.
January 16, 2024
How is it possible to make me cry in just 40 pages. Superb!
September 19, 2024
This was a beautiful love letter to writers and the worlds they create with just words. A gentle push to keep writing stories.
October 11, 2023
I thought this was gonna be a comedy so i was not ready to hold back tears this morning on public transport lol
July 11, 2023
If you loved The Book That Wouldn't Burn, this short story is a must-read. An ode to writers and readers, and the love of books they both share. If you've read TBTWB, you'll notice nods to the story and a few familiar characters. However, Overdue can be read on its own.
July 15, 2024
This is a long short story set in the Library series. I'd say it's best to read "The Book that Wouldn't Burn" before reading this story otherwise some things won't make sense.
This is a masterfully told story of a bookstore that doesn't get much traffic and is owned by a few different people over decades and the name of the bookstore changes each time but it's the same store. The timelines and interwoven with just little hints that we pick up to tell us we're in an older time period now. Then back to modern day. Then back to another time period. And at the end it all makes sense.
It's about inspiration and imagination and how a good book can touch a person's life so much that they decide to write their own book.
Other than a character from the series, and a dog and cat too, it has nothing to do with the main story of the series and can be read at any time. It's a side story. Like a main road and then at one side there's a dirt path leading off and one wonders where that goes and what lies at the other end.
This is a masterfully told story of a bookstore that doesn't get much traffic and is owned by a few different people over decades and the name of the bookstore changes each time but it's the same store. The timelines and interwoven with just little hints that we pick up to tell us we're in an older time period now. Then back to modern day. Then back to another time period. And at the end it all makes sense.
It's about inspiration and imagination and how a good book can touch a person's life so much that they decide to write their own book.
Other than a character from the series, and a dog and cat too, it has nothing to do with the main story of the series and can be read at any time. It's a side story. Like a main road and then at one side there's a dirt path leading off and one wonders where that goes and what lies at the other end.
May 9, 2024
Part of what made The Book That Wouldn’t Burn so enjoyable a read for me is that I love the way Mark Lawrence writes. I love his sentence structures, the words he uses and how he says them. This very short story was a dip back into this world that reminded me how much I love his prose and how captivating I find the world of the library
September 3, 2023
Cats and books what could be better! Nothing. I hope there’s cats in the next book.
September 21, 2023
Very cute short story. Made me feel warm and happy. I think I need more adventures on Yute and Wentworth now.
February 15, 2025
A Short Story in the Library Trilogy, which can be read at any time.
Taking place in a number of different bookshops, and different times, the story features Yute and the cat Wentworth (who goes by different names in different bookshops). Yute follows a couple of books through different times, to re-unite them with the space they should inhabit. It is a wonderful tale showing the emotion and love that can be generated through a book, if it's right for you! Loved it.
Note, I think you should read at least the first book in the trilogy before reading this.
Taking place in a number of different bookshops, and different times, the story features Yute and the cat Wentworth (who goes by different names in different bookshops). Yute follows a couple of books through different times, to re-unite them with the space they should inhabit. It is a wonderful tale showing the emotion and love that can be generated through a book, if it's right for you! Loved it.
Note, I think you should read at least the first book in the trilogy before reading this.
July 20, 2023
I'm not normally a fan of short stories, but this...... ❤️
I read it in one sitting, the day after I finished The Book That Wouldn't Burn, needing more. It has filled my little heart with such joy and awe. What a beautiful world Mark Lawrence has created. I feel very much like Any right now, holding the book to my chest with tears in my eyes.
I read it in one sitting, the day after I finished The Book That Wouldn't Burn, needing more. It has filled my little heart with such joy and awe. What a beautiful world Mark Lawrence has created. I feel very much like Any right now, holding the book to my chest with tears in my eyes.
April 6, 2024
I think I should have read this collection before ‘Returns’ but hey ho. A sweet story starring Yute and Wentworth and books and bookshops which are mysteriously connected.
July 3, 2023
Mark Lawrence follows my favorite novel with my favorite short story. The man doesn’t like hype but he will just have to eat this review and grin.
Plot—5
In a lot of ways this story was the ilk of a microcosm of “The Book That Wouldn’t Burn”. The same experience of puzzle pieces arrayed before the reader and watching them slowly come together. Masterful storytelling form that doesn’t reveal the plot until it’s already slapped you in the face. Not a dull moment in the whole 12,000 words.
Characters—5
Obviously, you can’t do much with 12,000 words. Or so I thought! Lawrence utilizes excellent word economy to reveal just enough detail of the 4 new characters to develop a good amount of familiarity. If you read TBTWB first, you have the added advantage of a pre-established relationship with the other 2 characters, who are both phenomenal.
Writing—5
Both the prose and the dialogue are top-shelf. The best of the best of all currently living fantasy authors in my humble opinion. I dunno what’s up with Lawrence lately, but he is putting out cracking, witty, and thoroughly thought through writing.
Technicals—5
Brilliant design and structure. No grammar or spelling blunders to my eyes after one general pleasure read. Excellent use of the literary devices of parallels and symbolism. The worldbuilding is continuing (or beginning) the great work done in TBTWB. Like I mentioned under plot, the narrative and structure had a brilliant design. And we once again get brilliant philosophy which has been a hallmark of this series so far. A nice joke that took the whole book to gather the context for was the cherry on top.
Personal Enjoyment—could it be anything other than another 5?
In conclusion, I don’t read a lot of short stories these days. I read a bunch as a literature student in undergrad. Other than that, I also own Penguins collection of Japanese short stories in a brilliant pink hardback edition. But as far as I can remember, I don’t think Ive read another short story as skillfully put together or as enjoyable as this one. Perfection.
Thanks for the stories Mark. I will never forget ‘The Library’!
Plot—5
In a lot of ways this story was the ilk of a microcosm of “The Book That Wouldn’t Burn”. The same experience of puzzle pieces arrayed before the reader and watching them slowly come together. Masterful storytelling form that doesn’t reveal the plot until it’s already slapped you in the face. Not a dull moment in the whole 12,000 words.
Characters—5
Obviously, you can’t do much with 12,000 words. Or so I thought! Lawrence utilizes excellent word economy to reveal just enough detail of the 4 new characters to develop a good amount of familiarity. If you read TBTWB first, you have the added advantage of a pre-established relationship with the other 2 characters, who are both phenomenal.
Writing—5
Both the prose and the dialogue are top-shelf. The best of the best of all currently living fantasy authors in my humble opinion. I dunno what’s up with Lawrence lately, but he is putting out cracking, witty, and thoroughly thought through writing.
Technicals—5
Brilliant design and structure. No grammar or spelling blunders to my eyes after one general pleasure read. Excellent use of the literary devices of parallels and symbolism. The worldbuilding is continuing (or beginning) the great work done in TBTWB. Like I mentioned under plot, the narrative and structure had a brilliant design. And we once again get brilliant philosophy which has been a hallmark of this series so far. A nice joke that took the whole book to gather the context for was the cherry on top.
Personal Enjoyment—could it be anything other than another 5?
In conclusion, I don’t read a lot of short stories these days. I read a bunch as a literature student in undergrad. Other than that, I also own Penguins collection of Japanese short stories in a brilliant pink hardback edition. But as far as I can remember, I don’t think Ive read another short story as skillfully put together or as enjoyable as this one. Perfection.
Thanks for the stories Mark. I will never forget ‘The Library’!
April 11, 2024
Overdue is a short story set in the world of The Library Trilogy.
It's a 12000 word story and it can be read before or after The Book That Wouldn't Burn or just as a standalone.
I personally think it works really well as an extra between volumes 1 and 2. The only characters from book 1 that appear are the mysterious librarian Yute, and a certain large cat called Wentworth.
You may also spot appearances from a black dog and a raven 👀.
Overdue is a story that celebrates independent bookshops. It appears that all the bookshops need a resident cat and there are links between the shops in this story. Some bookshops you can get lost in amid the packed shelves and teetering stacks.
It's a clever story with a great plot, a nice bit of humour and surprisingly emotional especially for a character who is an aspiring author.
This author discovers that inspiration can come from unlikely sources and that anything written can have surprising influences.
The celebration of bookshops and the joy they bring to readers is a big part of the story. There's a wonderful point made about a vast difference between selling someone a book rather than a customer buying a book.
A wonderful addition to the world of The Library Trilogy.
It's a 12000 word story and it can be read before or after The Book That Wouldn't Burn or just as a standalone.
I personally think it works really well as an extra between volumes 1 and 2. The only characters from book 1 that appear are the mysterious librarian Yute, and a certain large cat called Wentworth.
You may also spot appearances from a black dog and a raven 👀.
Overdue is a story that celebrates independent bookshops. It appears that all the bookshops need a resident cat and there are links between the shops in this story. Some bookshops you can get lost in amid the packed shelves and teetering stacks.
It's a clever story with a great plot, a nice bit of humour and surprisingly emotional especially for a character who is an aspiring author.
This author discovers that inspiration can come from unlikely sources and that anything written can have surprising influences.
The celebration of bookshops and the joy they bring to readers is a big part of the story. There's a wonderful point made about a vast difference between selling someone a book rather than a customer buying a book.
A wonderful addition to the world of The Library Trilogy.
October 14, 2024
Excellent companion to the Library Trilogy
So few words for such a powerful story. I just finished reading the Book That Broke the World (book 2 of the Library Trilogy) and I needed to stay in that world longer. I thought this story would be a light hearted way to do that and in a way it was, but it also had a great impact. Mark Lawrence is a magician with words. The ideas presented were poignant and beautiful.
I keep coming back to the idea of meta-analysis, except this is meta-reading, or reading about reading. This story makes you look at how you read and why it's important, and also why the stories people write are important and how writing connects people.
So few words for such a powerful story. I just finished reading the Book That Broke the World (book 2 of the Library Trilogy) and I needed to stay in that world longer. I thought this story would be a light hearted way to do that and in a way it was, but it also had a great impact. Mark Lawrence is a magician with words. The ideas presented were poignant and beautiful.
I keep coming back to the idea of meta-analysis, except this is meta-reading, or reading about reading. This story makes you look at how you read and why it's important, and also why the stories people write are important and how writing connects people.
June 30, 2023
5/5 stars.
Overdue is a short story in the new world that Mark Lawrence has crafted beginning with The Book That Wouldn't Burn. Wentworth, a large feline is the star of the show but this story is not without purpose. It has some amazing lines, such as, "When you sell someone a book you give them ownership of something without it being taken away from someone else."
While you can technically read the short story prior to book 1, as it does not spoil the plot, I would not recommend doing so. You will get so much more out of reading it after you finish The Book That Wouldn't Burn, which if you have not picked up yet, I highly recommend.
Overdue is a short story in the new world that Mark Lawrence has crafted beginning with The Book That Wouldn't Burn. Wentworth, a large feline is the star of the show but this story is not without purpose. It has some amazing lines, such as, "When you sell someone a book you give them ownership of something without it being taken away from someone else."
While you can technically read the short story prior to book 1, as it does not spoil the plot, I would not recommend doing so. You will get so much more out of reading it after you finish The Book That Wouldn't Burn, which if you have not picked up yet, I highly recommend.
January 14, 2024
I had such a delightful experience with The Book that Wouldn’t Burn that I picked this up eager to return to this world and characters. This story did not disappoint and gave me something fun (and emotionally moving) to read while awaiting the next novel. The work is short, but it still contains great writing and tells an interesting story that is compelling. I fully connected with the theme of taking risks and the vulnerability this creates.
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