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Paul asked this question about The Name of the Wind (The Kingkiller Chronicle, #1):
Anyone else notice the how the story line mimicked the wheel of time? I liked most of the story and there is plenty of original plot so I will recommend it but it was very similar to other books, just more condensed.
RF There are plenty of superficial resemblances that only seem significant when the chapters are boiled down to single sentence plot descriptions. Protag…moreThere are plenty of superficial resemblances that only seem significant when the chapters are boiled down to single sentence plot descriptions. Protagonist trains with isolated warrior culture of redheads following the Indefinable Way of the Leaf. Old traveling man with a cloak of many colors is wise and helpful. Prime numbered group of mysterious and powerful sorcerers from ancient times wreak havoc. Fae.

While actually reading the books they're so completely different I hadn't thought about it. Name of the Wind has so much observational/emotional subtlety and a totally different storytelling focus. The high points in Wheel of Time are usually "some arbitrarily powerful magic satisfied all our goals because I willed it so, like REALLY REALLY willed it, so it happened", whereas memorable Rothfuss moments are more about what it's like to be alive and human. I fandork out when he imbues buildups of emotion/meaning/personal history into what should be mundane actions, like someone looking at a rock or making soap or catching dinner. (wink)(less)
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The Name of the Wind
by Patrick Rothfuss (Goodreads Author)
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