The Name of the Wind (The Kingkiller Chronicle, #1) in The Sword and Laser

Dec 28, 2010 Tom Merritt rated it it was amazing

Please march, come soon. I cannot wait until the next day of the story.

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Jan 13, 2010 Carla rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: portuguese, not-own, 2010

I first heard about this writer because of the controversy, so to speak, involving George R.R. Martin and his writing of A Dance with Dragons. I saw a cartoon in which he himself struggled with the writing of his second volume and, me being curious, I decided to research a little. The positive reviews sharpened my curiosity that became even greater with its publication in Portuguese. However, I was always somewhat reluctant to buy a book of such considerable size, so I decided to go to the libra I first heard about this writer because of the controversy, so to speak, involving George R.R. Martin and his writing of A Dance with Dragons. I saw a cartoon in which he himself struggled with the writing of his second volume and, me being curious, I decided to research a little. The positive reviews sharpened my curiosity that became even greater with its publication in Portuguese. However, I was always somewhat reluctant to buy a book of such considerable size, so I decided to go to the library instead. It's in times such as these that I give thanks for being able to read books for free. This book isn't bad but it is not as good as I expected after reading reviews exulting it. I expected something more from this book of fantasy which, if you squeeze it very well, has very little to it.

Well, the story begins with an innkeeper and a few metal spiders, which was interesting. Then enters a Chronicler who asks for the landlord to tell his story, to which the innkeeper complies saying that he needs 3 days to tell it. I knew I should have paid more attention to this part, because those 3 days correspond to the 3 volumes thought for this trilogy but I only discovered this too late. We then get to know Kvothe, born in the Edemah Ruh tribe, a group of travelling artists, and learn about his childhood and his initiation in "sympathy" having Abenthy as a tutor. But all idyllic sceneries have an end and Kvothe is then forced to survive on the streets of Tarbean until he joins the University. This, which I hoped to be the best part of the book, was a deception as it seemed to drag indefinitely and presented among interesting characters, as the master and Elodin Auri, others that deserved little attention from me, such as Denna and Kvothe's supposed rival, both of whom (unfortunately) seem will have greater importance in the following volumes.

Though it has addictive once you picked it up, the slow pace, the actions (somewhat) inconsequential, were a real turn off making me think twice before picking it again. I confess it reminded me a little Stephenie Meyer, an author whose books also had very little substance, but while reading made me clung to her books with the promise of action a few pages ahead, just like this book. But if I loved Rothfuss' writing, I can not say the same about Meyer. Rothfuss has a certain musicality that Meyer has not. But what really enticed me was the part explaining the magic/sympathy, it seemed something in the likes of voodoo, and the history about the Chandrian which, for me, could have been better developed. I also liked how he presented the story, placing it in the voice of Kvothe, but then switching to an omniscient narrator when the narrative returned to the present time of the book, as well as the stories within the story (especially that of Skarpi about the Chandrian). I think it was a wonderful way of presenting the main character.

Unfortunately, despite believing that this saga has a chance of becoming something bigger (hence the note I give to it), I get the feeling that I won't see some of my questions answered. I have no doubt that the author already has everything planned, but putting some thought into it, if the 3 volumes are to tell Kvothe's story will we see some sort of solution to what seems to pass during the time in which his story is told? I don't doubt that Kvothe will tell us what led him there, why are now the roads unsafe, but will we see some kind of conclusion? Will we see him in action and triumph over what appears to be evil? :/ ...more

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Apr 12, 2010 Brittany rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy

There's a wonderful feeling that comes with starting a book this good and this fat. It's akin to the feeling you get putting away all the good groceries. I'd imagine it's the same way a squirrel feels curled up in her nest, knowing that she has a field full of nuts and she knows where each one is. It's a comforting, secure, exhilarating feeling.

Given how good it feels, you would think I'd have the sense to savor it. But instead I read this 672-page book in two days, and I really didn't have the There's a wonderful feeling that comes with starting a book this good and this fat. It's akin to the feeling you get putting away all the good groceries. I'd imagine it's the same way a squirrel feels curled up in her nest, knowing that she has a field full of nuts and she knows where each one is. It's a comforting, secure, exhilarating feeling.

Given how good it feels, you would think I'd have the sense to savor it. But instead I read this 672-page book in two days, and I really didn't have the kind of time or schedule to make that a good idea.

But I did it anyway. Because this book is just that good. Kvothe is a remarkably well-executed narrator. Rothfuss's writing is excellent overall, including in the beginning, but the brilliance of this novel comes in Kvothe's telling of his own story.

When the majority of authors write a first-person narrative, they simply tell the story using the main character's voice, inserting themselves into the narrator's body and role. Rothfuss doesn't do that. You get the feeling that he thought very long and hard about Kvothe's voice, the way he speaks and the way he thinks. I would bet good money that Rothfuss, writing a first-person narrative about himself, wouldn't sound anything like Kvothe. At first, the narration was a little hard to take, a little too consciously dramatic, until I realized that attitude makes perfect sense, given who Kvothe is and what we know about his character.

Not only were the writing and the narration impeccably executed, but the plot was unexpectedly creative. While this book had the feel, the scope, and even the general outline of a basic epic fantasy novel, the plot and details continually took me by surprise. Rothfuss's story was surprising and fresh in ways that didn't feel forced or conscious. The story was admirably original, without falling into the trap of being eccentric for eccentricity's sake. And his word choices and descriptions were astonishingly pleasant to read.

Overall, this book gave me the refreshing feeling that I was in the hands of a true professional, an author who is so rigorous in his thinking, plotting, structuring, characterization, and writing, that I didn't have to worry about all of the details.

This was an excellent book, both in terms of how well it was done and in terms of how much I enjoyed it. I can't wait to read the second one, and the third. I'm grateful they're so fat, and a bit mystified that it's taken me this long to get around to reading them.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy, adventure, or just very well-written first-person narrative. ...more

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Nov 08, 2011 Amanda rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

This has to be one of my favorite books ever. Although I already owned a paperback copy, it was my first e-book purchase when I got my Kindle.

Patrick Rothfuss' writing is like nothing else I've ever read. Each sentence feels so carefully and lovingly crafted, it makes me despair of ever writing anything as poetic and wonderful. I've probably read it four or five times, and I never get tired of it. I still tear up in the same places, even though I know what's going to happen. I also love the way ...more

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Apr 08, 2010 Jason rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fiction

I've found that in Scifi/fantasy, I tend to enjoy worlds more than characters and stories. How is the universe different from our own, what are the flavors of its laws of physics, ways its societies have advanced, etc.

I find the particular form of magic in the Kingkiller Chronicles, 'sympathy', very intriguing. It's useful without feeling like a Plot Transmogrifier if someone whips it out, and forces the characters to be creative by linking things together rather than just saying "hocus pocus".

S ...more

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