First volume of literary fantasy series
Allow me to unveil The Inscrutable Ways of Fate, the opening volume of our literary fantasy series, Divine Tragicomedy. First published in Czech in April 2020, this tale is being reborn for English readers, guided by the wisdom of a UK editor.
Far from a mere translation, I am crafting a new narrative, delving into the childhoods of our protagonists to lay a fresh cornerstone for the saga. To focus our craft, we have stepped away from the Czech market, directing all efforts toward the Western audience. While a return to Czech publishing may one day glimmer on the horizon, our quill is presently devoted to this English pilgrimage.
A Tapestry of Youth
The Inscrutable Ways of Fate traces the early years of four souls, each treading a solitary path in a mediaeval world of grit and yearning, their lives destined to intertwine in later volumes. They are no heroes, but rather their opposites, each standing in contrast to the others.
Eiri, a wild girl from Goldiloop, bristles with envy for her friend, an only child, while tending to her three younger brothers. Craving adventure, she complains fiercely but shrinks from the risks, her spirit a tangled knot of desire and fear
Pepin, a slow boy from the elven village of Lexaurrin, bears a full beard and corpulent frame, unlike his petite and hairless kin. He yearns for magical power but lacks both wit and talent, his dullness leading him to woeful decisions.
Sebas, second-born son of a famed ranger in the remote Distemper Hamlet, wrestles with hatred towards his elder brother Akles, their father’s favourite. He seeks recognition and glory, whatever the cost.
Hilda, sole child in the bustling city of Silverloop, navigates a life upended by her father’s debts. Craving calm and security, she discovers love and solace in unexpected corners, though such treasures bear a hidden price.
These children, unchosen and unadorned, grapple with the quiet battles of youth—family rifts, stifled dreams, and the ache of longing. Their journeys, solitary as a winter’s dawn, weave a tapestry of self-discovery, each thread dyed with the cruel truths of an unjust world.
Our Craft and Pledge
The Inscrutable Ways of Fate shuns the tropes of generic fantasy. No dragons roar, no chosen ones rise. This is literary fiction, laced with fantasy’s subtle threads, crafted for deep thinkers who savour prose that lingers like mist over a moor.
Our mediaeval stage—alive with the scent of sweat and clatter of spinning wheels—mirrors the grey of everyday lives not saved by magical rings or swords. Satire simmers beneath, while feminist and LGBTQ+ themes weave delicately into the universal cloth of human frailty.
Written in British English, this slow-burn tale spans nearly a decade, its 120,000 words rich with poetic imagery, dialects, and archaic terms. An explanatory appendix illuminates mediaeval crafts, herbs, and weaponry, bridging classic literature and fantasy for the curious mind.
Tailored for adults who relish the depth of Ursula K. Le Guin or Gene Wolfe, it is no haven for young adult readers or those seeking swift thrills.
A Glimpse of the Tale
Hilda’s heart, a fragile ember, flickers in this excerpt:
“The feeling Hilda heard about in romance ballads, yet none of the ones she knew spoke about love between two girls. She could not identify with noble knights, wealthy merchants, or bold sailors struggling to capture the heart of their chosen one, though she understood the part about being interested in the fairer sex. Unsure how to express herself without a model situation described in story, and scared of rejection as well, Hilda kept her emotions under wraps. There was no one in her life she could confide in or ask for advice anymore, and she knew it was not right to turn to her father on this matter.”
This passage unveils our intent: morally grey characters, achingly human, navigating a world both vivid and unforgiving. Their choices, like ripples in a pond, carry weight revealed only through patient reading.
Forthcoming Light
I am still shaping the Inscrutable Ways of Fate in English, a solitary task stretching my self-taught prose. With Raine’s faith as my anchor, I aim to self-publish via Amazon KDP/D2D in winter 2025.
This tale, recounted in third-person past tense with shifting voices, is a pilgrimage for those who seek meaning over flash.
An explanatory appendix, rich with notes on herbs, garments, and mediaeval wares, awaits inquiring readers, while a vocabulary guide eases the journey for those new to British English or archaic styles.
Join me on this journey. Share your thoughts below in the comment section. Your reflections, as fellow seekers of depth, fuel this arduous craft.
Yours Truly,
Nathaniel Wonderful
Author
nathanielwonderful@gmail.com
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