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.
So begins a tale unequaled in fantasy literature—the story of a hero told in his own voice. It is a tale of sorrow, a tale of survival, a tale of one man’s search for meaning in his universe, and how that search, and the indomitable will that drove it, gave birth to a legend.
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“Someone’s parents,” he said, “have been singing entirely the wrong sort of songs.”
Here are a few things you can expect from this book:
- Stunning prose;
- Incredible characters from Kvothe all the way to the secondary characters;
- A well balanced and beautifully structured story; and
- A book wholly worthy of its praise and status in the fantasy community.
On to the full review…
“Kvothe, Defend yourself well at the University. Make me proud. Remember your father’s song. Be wary of folly.
Where do you even begin with a book such as this, nothing I say feels like it can adequately explain what this book is because it is so much more than a book.
So many books are good, even incredible but they aren’t always a story, they don’t give you that bone deep feeling of an age old tale told by only the wisest of your community. Rothfuss makes storytelling feel like what it was, old campfires and bringing people together because they are so enraptured by a tale of a person they have never known yet they need to know more, and it is what brings them back the next day. That is what this book is.
The Name of the Wind is a really hard book to describe, and reviewing it is even harder because it isn’t something that I feel should be reviewed in the normal way. It is so much more, it is about how the book leaves you feeling and you can’t pull that apart into characters, world and blah blah blah. They were all exceptional and this is one of best books I have read, everything within this books pages feels so perfectly balanced.
The Name of the Wind evokes such a level of emotion from you as a reader, it is quite profound. It is the story of Kvothe’s life from his time in a troupe to his time in university, and yes that includes growing up, traveling and going to university. You’re probably thinking okkk but what else happens…well my fellow newcomers to The Name of the Wind, so much happens but it is not a book with huge battles and such but the formation of friendships, lots of rumours, beautiful world building and so much Kvothe.
“I’m to be whipped and admitted to the Arcanum.” He looked at me curiously, trying to see if I was making a joke. “I’m sorry? Congratulations?” He made a shy smile at me. “Do I buy you a bandage or a beer?” I smiled back. “Both.”
The world building is phenomenal, it is so detailed and well thought out but none is told to you, everything is shown and built so well. Entering this world was like stepping into a lusciously hot bath. First the toes slide in and you feel the sensational heat and you want more, up the legs you go until you are fully emerged into the all encompassing heat of the water and there you want to stay. That is what this world is, you are introduced slowly enough that you don’t get burnt by too much of it but are teased with its skill and you want all of it and you want to stay there.
The character work is also exceptional, this is the epitome of a character driven fantasy and I loved every character I came across even the ones I hated. Yes I am looking at you Ambrose! But each character you meet is purposeful and brings so much to their scenes.
Rothfuss is without doubt an incredible writer, each scene is so well crafted to show you the exact emotions he wants you to feel and his writing style is dynamic and ever changing to match that. At one point, when Kvothe is stricken with grief Rothfuss adjust his writing to really exemplify the tone of those chapters and the same goes for when he is writing a joyous scene. And the music…I have never seen something that is so hard to pin down with words and explain so well explained. You felt it all.
“Words have to find a man’s mind before they can touch his heart, and some men’s minds are woeful small targets. Music touches their hearts directly no matter how small or stubborn the mind of the man who listens.”
I have even begun to scratch the surface on how amazing this book is, these are the times a podcast would be better suited because you can discuss this book and all its glory for hours. From your favourite scenes, to the characters, the worlds history and so much more! Me and Davis S from FanFiAddict talked none stop through this, honestly if you saw our chats you be itching to read it all over again. Just seeing quotes from the books has you wanting to read specific scenes again, if not the whole bloody book.
“IT WAS NIGHT AGAIN. The Waystone Inn lay in silence, and it was a silence of three parts.”
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I LOVED this book and I picked up the Illustrated 10th Anniversary Edition for my Buddy Read and I am SO glad I did! I think I paid £28.00 for it and honestly I would pay a whole load more too! As soon as I have a little photoshoot of the book I will show you!
Is The Name of the Wind worth it?
Yes, of course! It is a fantastic fantasy novel and of course I hope that Rothfuss is able to complete the trilogy.
Why is The Name of the Wind so popular?
It's Tolkienesque, poetic, beautifully written, and very detailed. You can tell that a lot of work went into the first novel and Patrick Rothfuss may very well be the best fantasy novel writer of our time. The conflict that polarizes the audience, however relates to either Kvothe's character or Denna.
Is The Name of the Wind Lgbtq?
There is a single, very short reference to homosexuality. There are a few moments where characters in the book are nude, but the author only gets descriptive of a character's nudity once and she is largely covered by a bedsheet. A few instances of Kvothe getting solicitations for sex, but he rejects them.
Is The Name of the Wind inappropriate?
John Daly "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss is an excellent choice for 16-18 year old readers. The story follows the life of Kvothe, a orphaned wizard-in-training, and is largely set within the walls of a magical university.