The Name of the Wind
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Map Rant
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Try writing a blog post instead of opening a forum topic next time, maybe? Rants are better off there - in personal blogs.To be honest, this sounds more like you have a hard time imagining where the stuff in fantasy novels is happening. So, Rothfuss only has vague maps. Not a big deal, because you can't trust his first person narrator anyway.
Also, you don't need a map to figure out how far away characters are from each other. It's the author's responsibility to show you how far it really is, using words.
Like I said, personal blog because like this you'll get lots of people disagreeing.
The lack of a proper map is intentional, and a part of the story. Patience :-)
EIGHT CHAPTERS? Dude, you have not even scratched the surface.......
Sparrowlicious wrote: "Try writing a blog post instead of opening a forum topic next time, maybe? Rants are better off there - in personal blogs.To be honest, this sounds more like you have a hard time imagining where ..."
Why would I write a blog post over one little rant? I can put it any discussion forum that is relevant. As this is the most recent book to cause this frustration, it's perfectly appropriate. And it's most appropriate where it's going to be read - by other fantasy readers or, hopefully, fantasy writers. Why would anybody read my personal blog?
If you don't like it, don't read it.
Paul Martin wrong: "The lack of a proper map is intentional, and a part of the story. Patience... If you say so...
Imagination...He also didn't include sketches of all the characters.
I'm with you on the maps. Detailed maps used to be part and parcel of fantasy novels and it seems to have dropped out of favor for some reason. Enjoying maps in fantasy novels has nothing to do with lack of imagination, they're a useful addition to what are generally stories involving long journies. Besides helping keep track of where you are in the tale, they're just plain neat to look at. I recall buying a Forgotten Realms atlas when I was a kid and spending hours pouring over it and imagining the characters in the stories I'd read travelling through it. I can spend hours pouring over real atlases too and like to have maps handy when I read non-fiction.
Kyla wrote: "I recall buying a Forgotten Realms atlas when I was a kid and spending hours pouring over it and imagining the characters in the stories I'd read travelling through it."Thanks for the flashback to my youth :)
Julia wrote: And it's most appropriate where it's going to be read - by other fantasy readers or, hopefully, fantasy writers. "I'll add my support to your campaign. When I'm reading, it's not unusual for me to have my laptop handy with google maps displayed. It doesn't work very well with fantasy novel's though...
Mary wrote: "Imagination...He also didn't include sketches of all the characters."
I don't care what the characters look like, they're people. I can Google "man with red hair" and find a picture that can pass for Kuothe. Can't do even that much with a fictional world.
Kyla wrote: "Detailed maps used to be part and parcel of fantasy novels and it seems to have dropped out of favor for some reason."
Yes. I've read the Hobbit twice and Lord of the Rings once, but I can't even guess how many times I've opened up the books and studied the maps. The text tells the story, but the map is what really transports me there.
I agree , it's a rubbish map, considering the amount of detail Rothfuss has put into the book. He was working on it for 10 years, and is an uber geek...A decent detailed map should have been part of the plan! You're only 8 chapters in Julia, what an amzaing ride you've got to come. Here's a little something to whet the imagination! ;-)
Maybe what's needed is a book of maps?Or even a set on a website.
Once in awhile I'll check a map to get my bearings on where things are, in general, but if there's no map it doesn't bother me. If I need it, I make it in my head from what's written.
LittleRed wrote: "I agree , it's a rubbish map, considering the amount of detail Rothfuss has put into the book. He was working on it for 10 years, and is an uber geek...A decent detailed map should have been part o..."Thanks, I like that picture. I did finish the book about a week ago though. I can see that a map isn't so necessary in this one, because he really doesn't travel that much in this book. But my general sentiment remains the same.
To those teasing me about needing more imagination, consider this:When I'm a passenger on a road trip I keep the map open in my lap and track our progress. I don't need it to imagine the places I'm visiting because they're right in front of me. I just like to see where I am in the world. When I read a story that involves a journey I find the start point on the map and track our progress the exact same way. For me it's like being on the journey with the characters.
Also, I don't have so much trouble imagining as remembering. In any well-written book, the lay of the land is described in bits and pieces throughout the entire book (or even an entire series) as the pieces become relevant. A town's location might be described in chapter 1, with the town's features described in chapter 10, and I'm left wondering things like "it's snowing... is this in the mountains or the far north? Need to find it again..."
In life, I also have trouble receiving driving directions if I don't have a map to relate them to. It's just how my brain works.
I think things like maps, character lists/trees and glossary's of terms are nice little touches that enhanced a book overall.There by no means necessary and not something I would hold against a book for not having its just a nice little touch that I like I guess because a lot of the books I grew up with had them.
I agree, the map is pretty much useless. I think the frustration lies in the fact that, while I don't need a map, if you're going to include one at least put the cities mentioned in the text on the thing!
I like maps in fantasy novels. My beef with them is they're too small to see, especially in Kindle. You need a magnifying glass to read it, and it's awkward navigating back to it each time. I write fantasy novels, and I've drawn my own map and will continue to draw future maps myself. Not difficult at all. Because I find it difficult reading them on kindle I put my map up on my website with a link. That way, it is larger, and I hope just as accessible.
Karen wrote: "I like maps in fantasy novels. My beef with them is they're too small to see, especially in Kindle. You need a magnifying glass to read it, and it's awkward navigating back to it each time. I write..."So glad to see its not just me who has this problem. Sadly I took a super lazy route and buy a dead tree copy and digital copy and flip between them both.
Sparrowlicious wrote: "Try writing a blog post instead of opening a forum topic next time, maybe? Rants are better off there - in personal blogs.To be honest, this sounds more like you have a hard time imagining where ..."
I do not believe there is anything wrong with broaching this topic on here. We are supposed to be talking about the contents of the books, this i feel includes the maps or other appendices found within. At least it isnt one of those word game or 'last person to post' threads.... ugh....
I love maps too and it is a bummer when they skimp. I definitely think these books should have had a little more. If you like maps, read Wheel of Time. Sooo many detailed maps!
With you on the maps. Almost as bad as no maps at all are the hand-drawn maps with scripty artistic writing that turn into smudges of frustration on the Kindle.I went to state in the geography bee as a kid 'cause I liked maps so much. Finding out a fantasy novel, with a world I'm wholly unfamiliar with, doesn't include a map is always a disappointment.
I like appendices, too. Like, ones that list the categories of magic or heirarchy of nobility or whatever. Want to know how big a nerd I am? Sometimes, if I like the book a lot, I make my own.
I believe there's an unspoken rule in fantasy that if there IS a map, the first few chapters must refer to an important place that will not be on the map.
I don't think I've once felt the need to look at a map in a fantasy novel, and I've read of bunch of them.
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Name of the Wind does have a map, but it's a useless one. I'm about 8 chapters in and none of the places mentioned so far are on it. WTF is it for then?
This is becoming a pet peave of mine - largely triggered by the Green Rider series that doesn't have any maps at all (except for a completely useless one of Blackveil forest in the 4th book).
I guess if the whole story takes place in one town, a map isn't necessary. (But I would still enjoy a map of the town.)
To be honest, my biggest complaint of Harry Potter is that there are no diagrams of Hogwarts. But I realize this is just whining.
If a story involves characters moving around a fictional country, then readers like me NEED a map of that country. Otherwise I can all-too-easily imagine them simply moving in circles around a central town. This is also necessary if the story tells of different characters in different places (like A Song of Ice and Fire). Without the map to see how far apart the characters are, they could be simply across town.
I don't blame the writers for the lack of maps. I somehow doubt that good writers that can also draw well are all that common. It's the publishers that should know this and encourage hiring an artist to create a good map. They hire artists the create the cover art, knowing that it's what sells the book.
In lieu of physical travel, maps are what make the world feel real. I can sit in my home in Anchorage and watch the ball drop in Times Square. Without looking at a map, I can't truly comprehend just how far away Times Square is. When I studied history, I spent lots of time pouring over the historical maps included in the text. If I'm reading a book that takes place on earth in recent times, I go on Google Earth and look up the places the characters visit.
Maps make the whole story more enjoyable.
Ok, rant over.