Rating: 5
I tried to sequester myself as best as possible for this novel; the reading community was raving about it, and I couldn’t stop hearing adulations about Rothfuss’ work. That said, I didn’t have any expectations and tried to keep my hype to a minimum. This was also the first full-length book I read on my brand new Kobo e-reader – and how it changed my reading experience! Nestled snugly in my pocket, I finished this 800-page book in about a week by being able to read on the go, and pretty much everywhere you can imagine. Now, onto my thoughts on the book itself.
Patrick Rothfuss released The Name of the Wind in 2007, with the sequel (The Wise Man’s Fear) scheduled to be published March 1, 2011. It subsequently went on to win numerous awards, positive feedback, and a spot on the New York Times’ Bestseller list. He’s got a very interesting blog over on his website, and I’m dejected I can’t attend his book release and signing down in Seattle next month. I’m not usually enraptured by the fluff written on the back (which authors usually don’t write anyways), but The Name of the Wind was an exception:
Book 1 of the Kingkiller Chronicle
My name is Kvothe. I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kings. I burned down the town of Trebon. I have spent the night with Felurian and left with both my sanity and my life. I was expelled from the University at a younger age than most people are allowed in. I tread paths by moonlight that others fear to speak of during day. I have talked to Gods, loved women, and written songs that make the minstrels weep.
You may have heard of me.
Written almost exclusively from the perspective of Kvothe (pronounced like “quothe”), the author lays a perfect foundation for the rest of the series. To my dismay, none of the aforementioned feats occur in the first book, instead we learn of Kvothe’s childhood and how he set himself up to become the most powerful man alive. The plot may seem cliched looking at just a skeleton version – boy grows up in a travelling troupe, meets mentor who piques his curiosity, mentor leaves while he is still a child, boy is orphaned, grows up to become powerful and avenge his parents, etc. However, Patrick Rothfuss manages to keep the tale gripping and original. He doesn’t try to re-invent the fantasy genre wheel, he sticks with the classic form and simply recounts a wonderful story.
Kvothe is chronicling his own life, and the majority of chapters is his memory of events as he relates them to a scribe and his apprentice – leading to a first-person narrative much akin to Robin Hobb. Told in this manner, there is constant foreshadowing of how awesome (and terrifying) Kvothe will grow up to be, and I found it entertaining reading about his upbringing with this knowledge in mind. I also have a certain soft spot for intelligent children who outperform their peers and their teachers (Ender’s Game anyone?).
The magic system was smartly done. It is complex, but logical, and no superfluous uses which magically (pardon the pun) save the characters from an impossible situation. In fact, other than the students at the University, most townsfolk regard magic with a sense of apprehension, mostly due to their ignorance. The ultimate power stems from knowing the “names” of things – from people, to inanimate objects and elements. Kvothe has called upon the name of the wind (plot hits title!) only once in a fit of rage, and by the end of the novel has not unlocked the secrets of the more powerful magic we, the readers, are assured that he uses eventually. Yet another example of the authors storytelling genius. To spend an entire 800 pages setting up a character, so that when the plot really gets complicated, we have already come to understand Kvothe’s emotions, actions, and way of thinking.
Despite how extraordinary Kvothe is, I found the lack of strong secondary characters a bit disappointing. Perhaps it is because we do not meet them again in future installments, or because Rothfuss wanted us to build a solid connection with Kvothe only. After reading, I couldn’t differentiate between Kvothe’s two best friends, and his antagonist and romantic interest felt two-dimensional. Unlike George R.R. Martin for example, there isn’t a host of characters with switching point-of-views; just Kvothe. But Robin Hobb had a very similar style in Farseer, where it was told only from Fitz’s perspective, but there were multiple other characters which came to life.
Patrick Rothfuss doesn’t waste time mincing words and filling pages with descriptive augmentations – I would compare a reading of The Name of the Wind to sitting by a campfire of old and hearing an elder spin a captivating tale. You don’t need to be a fantasy buff to enjoy this one, the lack of swordfights and abundant magic (and magical creatures) keep this novel accessible to anybody looking to gain insight into the human condition. I vehemently do not recommend The Name of the Wind if you have any deadlines coming up, plan on getting a good night’s rest, or have any friends that would get mad if you dropped off the radar for a week or so.
Have you read this book? I want to hear from YOU! Leave a comment below, or find me through numerous other ways in the panel on the right. My next review of Drew Karpyshyn’s Mass Effect trilogy should be out shortly.
I genuinely enjoy reading your blog.
I know you’re business and money inclined…but have you ever considered journalism?