The Name of the Wind

[Lisa]

Cherie, Suzanne and myself are going to be reading The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss next month. The start date will be November 1st if anyone else would like to join in.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

I'll happily chat too since I read it in June-ish.

[Janice, Moderator]

There is another buddy read kicking around here for the Name of the Wind. You're welcome to revive that thread, or start a new one... whatever you fancy.

[Paolo]

I'd like to lurk and chat here as well since I finished the book a month ago and loved it!

If there will be carryovers from here who are willing to buddy read The Wise Man's Fear afterwards, I'd be interested to join that.

[Peggy]

Have fun! I really enjoyed it.

[Esther]

Paolo wrote: "I'd like to lurk and chat here as well since I finished the book a month ago and loved it!

If there will be carryovers from here who are willing to buddy read The Wise Man's Fear af..."

Some of us did a buddy read of wise man's ffear around Christmas time last year. As always, we were pretty good with spoilers. Visit it if you go on.

[Kirila]

I just bought the book and November seems like a good time to start it :)

[Janice, Moderator]

Sorry, the buddy read I was thinking of was for book 2 in the series The Wise Man's Fear.

[Erica]

I just bought the book so I would also like to join you too. :)

[Liz]

I'll chat, too! One of my favorite books. I love me some Kvothe.

[Suzanne]

Yay! I'm so glad you all will be joining us for reading/discussion. I'm excited to read this one!

[Sarah]

I will be reading all your comments - I might comment although as I've read both books it might be best if I don't in case I mix the two books up. I do love this series though!

[Lisa]

It's great to have you all reading and chatting along with us! I can't wait to start it!

[Cherie]

Me either, Lisa!

[Tasha]

I'm going to join in as well. :)

[Canadian Dragon]

I am going to join in too

[Lisa]

Yay! I'm glad to have you with us Tasha and Tasha!

[Tasha]

Looking forward to it. :D

[Lisa]

Me too! :)

[Paolo]

I read this on Kindle a couple of months ago. I think this is a good time now to listen to the audiobook :)

[Lisa]

I have started and am up to Chapter 15 (page 105).

I really like the writing style and the way that the narrative switches from the third person (present day) to the first person (past). I also think the world building is good except there are quite a lot of names and terms to get your head around!

(view spoiler)[I like Kvothe as a character so far, he is complex and intriguing but there are also occasions when he comes across as a bit cocky and arrogant, particularly as a child. He is certainly not without faults and I think this helps to make him more relatable as a character. I am really enjoying finding out about his past and how it is that he came to be working as an innkeeper under an assumed name with only Bast for company. He clearly gained a formidable reputation for himself but why is he now essentially in hiding? (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 1-3 -(view spoiler)[Those scrael things creeped me out! It's the fact that they look like huge spiders! I certainly wouldn't want them anywhere near me! Judging by the scars that Kvothe has all over his body, he has had several encounters with them before. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 4 - (view spoiler)[I am liking the relationship between Kvothe and Bast and the banter that they have with each other. I was actually laughing when Bast berated him for going off into the woods without telling him, apart from the rather unhelpful note! They seem pretty close, more like brothers than teacher-pupil. Although, having said that, I find it a bit strange that Bast likes to go into Kvothe's room and watch him sleeping. The way he brushed his hair back from his face in this chapter seemed a little ambiguous too. Do his feelings for Kvothe go beyond friendship? Or am I looking too much into it? He could just be very protective of him I suppose. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 7-15 - (view spoiler)[I enjoyed the focus on Kvothe's childhood and his friendship with Ben during these chapters. They really help you to gain a greater understanding of what Kvothe is like and why he is the way he is. He is certainly a gifted individual, he seems to be able to master anything he puts his mind to, including the art of sympathy. What is this gift of 'naming the wind' that Ben seems to have and Kvothe is so desperate to possess himself? I think the relationship between himself and Ben is great, they have a really good bond and Ben almost comes across like a second father to Kvothe. I didn't like the ominous ending of Chapter 14 though. It sounds like their relationship may be about to come to an abrupt end. (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[I am looking forward to seeing what role (if any) the Chandrian will play in this book. There seems to be a lot of mystery surrounding them so it will be interesting to see what they are actually like. (hide spoiler)]

So far, so good. I am looking forward to seeing how the story unfolds from here.

[Travis]

While I hope you all greatly enjoy this I must admit it didn't do a lot for me. I liked the second book better

[Tasha]

I'm finishing up a book and then I'll get started. It's on my kindle all ready to go.

[Cherie]

I started reading Lisa. I can't read your spoilers on my IPod. I think you said something about past and present. Either I haven't gotten far enough yet or I haven't noticed. I ended at chapter 5 and am in chapter 7 now. I spent most of the day reading American Gods though.

As I picked this one up again, it feels a little disconcerting. Too many names and strange happenings going on in both books. I really like Kote and Bast. I like the way PR writes, kind of tongue-in-cheek. Like it is serious, but he doesn't mean for it to be.

I am reading three books with red-haired men MCs. How strange is that? I hope the guy in Harlan Corben's book doesn't have red hair. I'm afraid to start it and find out. Back to reading!

[Cherie]

The beginning of the story: "wild as a fire, sharp as shattered glass, sweet and clean as clover." Yes! This is why I read! 1/2 hr more and I need to get some shut-eye!

[Lisa]

Cherie wrote: "The beginning of the story: "wild as a fire, sharp as shattered glass, sweet and clean as clover." Yes! This is why I read! 1/2 he more and I need to get some shut-eye!"

I loved that quote too Cherie! Patrick Rothfuss is a really good writer!

[Paolo]

Yeah I love the way that Rothfuss writes as well. It's not like Brandon Sanderson who is amazing at building worlds and magic systems, but writes very bland... Rothfuss' work is something that you will want to come back to again and again just for the sake of the prose.

One particular quote I love early on into the book is: "The sky was a featureless grey sheet of cloud that looked as if it wanted to rain but couldn’t quite work up the energy." --- I thought that was a really clever way of putting it.

[Suzanne]

I plan to start it today. You girls are really moving right along!

[Tasha]

Actually, not sure I'm in the mood to read this right now. I'll check in to see what you guys are feeling about it and it may get me in the mood. :)

[Lisa]

Paolo wrote: "Yeah I love the way that Rothfuss writes as well. It's not like Brandon Sanderson who is amazing at building worlds and magic systems, but writes very bland... Rothfuss' work is something that you ..."

I agree Paolo, that was a great quote too. This book seems to be full of them! I can understand why many people rave about this book/series now.

I haven't read any of Brandon Sanderson's works yet but I have heard nothing but good things about them. I don't mind simplistic writing styles as long as the world building is good. Have you read any of 'The Broken Empire' trilogy by Mark Lawrence which begins with Prince of Thorns? They are written in quite a simplistic style. I read POT a couple of months ago and was quite disappointed in it. The world building was really lacking for me.

[Lisa]

Cherie wrote: "I started reading Lisa. I can't read your spoilers on my IPod. I think you said something about past and present. Either I haven't gotten far enough yet or I haven't noticed. I ended at chapter..."

Lol Cherie, that is pretty strange that all the books you are currently reading have red-haired men as main characters! Perhaps this is going to be a red month for you ;)

[Cherie]

Of course I could not stop after only 1/2 hour last night. I am at where you reported in your first post, Lisa. Ben is talking to Kvothe's parents and he is eavesdropping on them.

I will get onto my laptop and post my comments later today.

[Suzanne]

I've read through Chapter 9 now. Another great thing about this author is that he starts the book off with a bang. Really gets you interested, which is important with a novel taking place in a fictional world. You're already lost from the start, so he does a great job of keeping you focused and attentive.

Chapters 1-3: (view spoiler)[Love the scraels! They really give me the creeps, too! It was great how Rothfuss set up the scene with Carter standing in the doorway, white as a sheet and covered in blood. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 4-9: (view spoiler)[It's great how the author builds the suspense with Kote. Who is he? What's he trying to hide? And the scene where he hunts the scraels - great! I agree with you about the relationship between Kote and Bast. Love the banter - and it's needed to give you a breather from the sense that trouble is headed towards them. (hide spoiler)]

[Lisa]

Looking forward to reading your comments Cherie! :)

I am now up to Chapter 33 (page 213).

Chapter 15 - (view spoiler)[It was really quite sad when Ben left Kvothe and the troupe to go and live with the young widow that he met. Still, at least they weren't parted due to Ben being killed which is what I initially thought was going to happen.

One sentence really made me laugh in this chapter, the one where it was describing the mock sword fight at the farewell/birthday party and Trip started to 'fence with a sausage'. Oh the imagery! Lol. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 16-17 - (view spoiler)[Talking of sad, I can't believe what happened to Kvothe's parents and the rest of the troupe! All of them murdered by those men who turned out to be the Chandrian! What a horrific thing for Kvothe to come back to! The question is, why did they kill everyone in the troupe? Cinder made it sound like they were killed for singing the 'wrong songs' but there has got to be more to it than that. Also, why did Haliax keep Kvothe alive? Was it simply because he was a child? Also, what did he mean when he said to Cinder "you seem to forget our purpose. Or does your purpose simply differ from my own"?

You can see how much the loss of his family still affects Kvothe when he told Bast off for nearly crying following Kvothe's revelation about the loss of his family yet he then goes out into the woods alone and cries his eyes out. Despite the passing of time, he is obviously still hurting badly from what happened that day. He seems to think that he is responsible in some way due to the fact that he wasn't around when it happened. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 20-33 - (view spoiler)[Kvothe certainly didn't have an easy time of it in the city of Tarbean! All his life seems to have consisted of is beatings and violence! At least the occasional person showed him a little kindness such as Trapis and the lady from Hillside who gave him a silver coin when he went there begging!

It was awful when his father's lute got destroyed when he got picked on by that boy Pike and his gang! That was all he had left of his family, apart from the book that Ben gave to him when he left. It sounds like he got his revenge on Pike later though when he set him on fire! I think it's pretty fair to say that Kvothe might be the kind of guy who bears a grudge!

Chapter 24 - What happened to that eight year old boy in the alley? Was he sexually assaulted or beaten to death? I am not sure so was wondering what you all think? I know he may not have been able to do much but I wish Kvothe had tried to do something to help. I can understand his reasons for not getting involved but there was a part of me that was virtually crying out for him to intervene. He certainly seemed to feel guilty about not doing anything later on.

I loved it when Skarpi was reciting the stories and we found out about the tale of Lanre and Selitos. I think my jaw virtually hit the floor when it was revealed that Lanre became Haliax, the leader of the Chandrian! At least Kvothe now has a bit more of an idea as to who killed his family and can start putting his plans for revenge into motion.

Why did those two priests have Skarpi arrested for heresy for reciting his stories? What are they trying to hide and who are they working for? There is obviously something that they are trying to keep under wraps.

It seems that the Chadrian are not without enemies. I wonder if any of them will make an appearance later? Also, are the scrael linked to the Chandrian or are they an entirely different problem altogether?

So, it's now on to the University for Kvothe. I wonder if the girl he is now travelling with is going to become his love interest? (hide spoiler)]

I am enjoying this book so much! I actually wish I had read it sooner!

[Lisa]

Suzanne wrote: "I've read through Chapter 9 now. Another great thing about this author is that he starts the book off with a bang. Really gets you interested, which is important with a novel taking place in a fi..."

I completely agree Suzanne. This book really grabs you from the first page and then holds you there. You just have to know what is going to happen next!

[Cherie]

Lisa wrote: "Cherie wrote: "The beginning of the story: "wild as a fire, sharp as shattered glass, sweet and clean as clover." Yes! This is why I read! 1/2 hr more and I need to get some shut-eye!"
"

Chapter 1-3 to keep the same format: (view spoiler)[I really liked the introduction and the setting of the Waystone Inn. Nothing like a group of farmers and old guys sitting around on a cold night and telling stories and have someone come clomping in all cut up and bloody to get the juices flowing. All of the talk of the Chandrain and the people that they are telling stories about that we know nothing about yet.
Yes - the creepy black spider like things gave me a definate shiver. I didn't expect that Kote was going to go off and fight the scraeling alone though. Pretty cool that Kote, was not only the Innkeeper, but a doctor and teacher and a singer too. The talk of the war seems ominous. The cold iron to ward off the demons reminded me of The Iron Druid books. I thought the Chronicler's laid back attitude when the soldiers robbed him was pretty interesting. Then he started pulling money from secret stashes and it was clear that he had not wanted to rile them up. I still do not understand the wooden plack that Kote and Bast hung over the bar. And the part about Kote seeming sickley. The sword was called Folly or what it stood for did? (hide spoiler)] I was just re-reading the third chapter and realized that I missed a page or two, where the drunk man is talking to Kote about Kvothe the Bloodless.(view spoiler)[ ahh. it is obvious that he has things to hide. Who he is and what he has done. Now he is hiding out in his room and. Oh and all of the scars on his body - all smooth and silver except one. "Sleep met him like a lover in an empty bed." I love it! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 4- (view spoiler)[ OMG - the fight with the scrael and Kote breaking the Chronicler's ribs trying to kill the thing on him. I felt so bad for Kote. He was all cut up and bleading and had to do all of the digging and burying by himself! Then, Bast berating him about the note. It did seem like quite an over-reaction. It was funny though. "If you are reading this I am probably dead." Then Bast seeing how pale he was and all covered in dirt and blood. Their conversation did seem a little more than teacher and pupil. Very touching when Bast came back ino Kote's room and sang to him and watched him sleep. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 5-7 (view spoiler)[all of the negotiating about the story telling was meh. Okay - we had to know who these guys were, but I just wanted them to "get on with it!". (hide spoiler)] The introduction to the old man with the donkeys was great.

Chapter 8-12 (view spoiler)[Okay - he is a smart kid and bla, bla. I enjoyed the introduction of his parents and their troup of players. Abenthy is wonderful and I love how Roth is setting the stage for the future story. I guess it is always nice to start at the beginning. How did you like that part about Alar and the stones falling up. Did it hurt your head too? Sympathy must be another word for magic. That is what it seems to me. This part reminded me of Arthur and Merlin when Arthur was Wort and he was Merlin's apprentice. At least Roth is not breaking the rules of physics with "First, energy cannot be created or destroyed." It makes it seem more real, to me at least. Do you like the poems and rhymes? I do! (hide spoiler)] I only got to the middle of chapter 12, where Ben is talking to Kvothe's parents and Ben asked the father not to say the names out loud.

Can't wait to read more tomorrow! I am almost finished with American Gods. I spent all afternoon and evening reading it. I finally decided that I could not read any longer and had to put it down.

[Sarah]

I'm really excited reading all of your thoughts on the story - it's making me want to re-read it! Glad you are enjoying it.

[Lisa]

Cherie, (view spoiler)[I am thinking that the sword Folly that Kvothe and Bast hung in the bar must have some kind of significance in Kvothe's life. Also, he is pretty pale in terms of his skin colour which would give him a sickly appearance. That could be why he earned the nickname 'The Bloodless', because his skin colour makes it look like he doesn't have much blood left in his body. However, he could actually be ill of course. I'm wondering if there is also a link to all the iron that is being mentioned and the 'Kvothe the Bloodless' nickname, seeing as blood contains iron? Does he have some kind of power that revolves around iron? Hopefully we will find out the answers to this for definite, either in this book or later in the series.

Yes, I also think sympathy is a word for magic. I like the reality of it too, it really feels like this world and all its strange creatures and magic could exist.

I love the poems and the rhymes! There is so much meaning hidden within them! (hide spoiler)]

I read in an article yesterday that a tv series has been optioned of this trilogy, although it doesn't seem to be moving forward very quickly at the moment. I am not sure how I feel about it tbh. I think it could be brilliant if they get it right but there is an awful lot that could potentially go wrong. What do you all think?

[Sarah]

I was excited to see there'd be a series but I'm also a little bit scared that they'll change things or cast the wrong actors/actresses for the roles and that it will be either too hollywood or cheesy! It's a complex book to make in it a film so glad they've chosen TV series as they can do more with that but they still may over simplify things - who knows!

[Peggy]

I'm not always a big fan of seeing books I love made into movies. It's just often so different from how I imagined people, settings and events in my head, and it's strange if it doesn't match and then afterwards I can never see it in my head like I used to, because the tv-image is stronger and overshadows my own images.

It doesn't happen always, and sometimes I really want to see the movie of a book I liked, but I'm afraid what I wrote above does apply to The Name of the Wind.

[Suzanne]

You all MUST read Patrick Rothfuss' biography on Goodreads. He obviously wrote it himself and it is hilarious!

[Lisa]

I have just taken a look at it Suzanne. It is very funny!

[Lisa]

Just reached Chapter 48 (page 319).

Chapters 33-35 - (view spoiler)[I was kind of hoping that a relationship would develop between Kvothe and Denna but sadly it wasn't to be. They both seemed to like each other a lot so it's a shame that whatever they were feeling for each other went unspoken. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 36- (view spoiler)[The way Kvothe gained admission into the University was brilliant! First of all he cheats by listening in on other students interviews and then he manages to convince the masters to pay the fee for his first term of tuition! He really is quite something isn't he? (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 37-40 - (view spoiler)[I really don't like Master Hemme! He is such a bully and you could tell that he had it in for Kvothe from the start. It's probably because he feels threatened by Kvothe's intelligence and abilities. It was kind of rewarding seeing Kvothe get the better of him when he challenged him to give the lecture on sympathy. You could see that Hemme was really annoyed that he had been shown up! I was also glad when the other masters learnt the truth about what happened, that Hemme had asked Kvothe to give the lecture and demonstrate the principles of sympathy despite Hemme's claims to the contrary. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to get Kvothe completely off the hook. I found it pretty funny when Kvothe refused to go and see the masters until he had finished his dinner! They certainly don't strike me as people that like to be kept waiting! He certainly has guts does Kvothe! (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 41-42- (view spoiler)[It would appear that Kvothe's nickname of 'The Bloodless' may have come from the fact that he hardly bled during his punishment whipping. I think that the truth that often lays behind these stories is one of the most fascinating aspects of this book. All these fearsome, heroic and strange stories surround Kvothe yet there is often a very human, very real explanation behind them, in this case the fact that he had taken nahlrout beforehand to numb his pain. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 43- (view spoiler)[I can't stand Ambrose! He seems like a sneaky piece of work who thinks that he can do whatever he likes and get away with it due to his status as the son of a noble! I couldn't believe it when he got Kvothe banned from the Archives! He actually had me fooled for an instant too, just like he did Kvothe. I thought maybe he had seen sense and was trying to be nice for once but no! As Kvothe thought later, 'Ambrose wasn't half the bastard I thought he was. He was ten times the bastard'. I think that line sums him up so well!

What is behind that hidden door named 'Valaritas' in the stacks? It seems to be pretty much a secret so there is obviously something in there that someone wants to keep out of sight. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 46 - (view spoiler)[There appears to be a lot more to Elodin than first meets the eye. I am wondering if he was really locked up inside the asylum because he was driven mad by his powers and magic or if there was another reason behind it? Maybe someone didn't want him becoming too powerful?

I don't know if it was meant to be funny but I found the part where Elodin got Kvothe to jump off the roof quite amusing. He must have looked ridiculous! For someone so intelligent he really is gullible sometimes. That is one of the things that I love about him as a protagonist though, the fact that he is so human, with faults and fears that we can all relate to. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 47 - (view spoiler)[I loved the explanation for why Kvothe allowed (and sometimes encouraged) the stories about him to circulate, how they created a reputation for him which in turn acted as armour. Again this helps to highlight the humanity in him, he has been hurt so much during his life that he is willing to let people turn him into something he is not in order to try and avoid further pain and torment. He might be hiding the real Kvothe away but I completely understand his reasons for doing so.

It looks like Ambrose is is going to cause more problems for Kvothe and they could well be dangerous this time. I am not liking the sound of that at all! (hide spoiler)]

That's me done for tonight. I can't wait to pick this up again tomorrow!

[Suzanne]

Jeez, this book is addicting! I think my family may have to get used to me saying "I'm reading. Don't talk to me" for awhile!

I just reached Chapter 38.

Chapters 10-15 (view spoiler)[I enjoyed Kvothe's scholarship with Ben, and their growing relationship. Obviously, Kvothe is something special, and his recklessness makes Ben realize that he's taught him too much. Which gets back to the question about the sword on the shelf marked "folly." I'm guessing that it's a reminder to Kvothe not to chase folly - which is what Ben noted him the book he gave him. I gather Kovthe did just that and it must have cost him a lot. It'll be interesting to find out more about this as the story develops. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 16-18 (view spoiler)[Wow. The way his parents and troupe died were shocking to say the least. That's the great thing about fantasy. Anything can happen. It raises so many questions about who the Chandrian are and why father's song upset them enough to kill all those people. Also interesting was the conversation they had and how Haliax said "they come" to indicate that perhaps there were other scary beings out there that were enemies of the Chandrian. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 19-25 (view spoiler)[Time passes in Tarbean showing a rough life for Kvothe. I do appreciate the help he receives from Trapis - like a kindly old uncle. And of course in this section we hear another story, which reveals more about their religion and folklore. I like how the author employs storytelling to give the readers the backstory. It works well. Kvothe suspects Trapis of being a priest. Interesting. I wonder if we'll hear more about this later on. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 26-29 (view spoiler)[Enter Skarpis and his storytelling, which give us much more information about the Chandrian. He's also nice Kvothe, another helper along his way. His arrest by the Tehlu priests raises the question "what are they trying to hide and why?" (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 30-37 (view spoiler)[With Skarpis gone, Kvothe decides it's time to think again about University. I kept cheering every time some nice person helped him along - the innkeeper and the bath and the shoemaker with his son's shoes. Kovthe's admissions audition was an especially impressive use of the author's writing skill. I couldn't help but cheer for Kovthe when he convinces them not only to let him attend for free, but to give him money for room and board as well. (hide spoiler)]

[Suzanne]

Lisa - I totally agree with you about Chapter 24. (view spoiler)[I thought for sure he would intervene to help the boy. But it is interesting that he said it's something that always stayed with him. Perhaps that's a sign that he would stand up for the defenseless from then on. I hope so. (hide spoiler)]

[Carolyn]

Sarah wrote: "I'm really excited reading all of your thoughts on the story - it's making me want to re-read it! Glad you are enjoying it."

I'm a bit the same, I read it years ago maybe I need to pull it out again

[Cherie]

Lisa wrote: "Cherie, I am thinking that the sword Folly that Kvothe and Bast hung in the bar must have some kind of significance in Kvothe's life. Also, he is pretty pale in terms of his skin colour which would..."

I don't watch enough TV any more to really care. It would be awful if they changed too much, but if they are as good as the team that is doing the G.R.R. Martin series - it could be great!

[Cherie]

Suzanne wrote: "You all MUST read Patrick Rothfuss' biography on Goodreads. He obviously wrote it himself and it is hilarious!"

I think I have read it, but I will look at again when I get a chance. I follow his reviews for books he reads, and he is very funny, if not just a little profane. I do not mind it, but it can be over-done.

[Cherie]

Whew - I think I am about where Suzanne posted last (view spoiler)[Kvothe is on his way to University (hide spoiler)].

Lisa - I like your response to Kote's paleness. It makes sense, I think.

re Ben: (view spoiler)[ I was sad when he left too. I did not expect that he was going to be killed, but that something was going to happen to him, and yes, it did. (hide spoiler)]

re:folly - I think you are both right and I just blew through it too fast to pick up on the meaning. That is one of the reasons why I like to do a re-read after I finish the first time for stories like this. It helps me pick up on those things.

Ch 10-18: (view spoiler)[ I really loved the way PR was writing about Kvothe's parents and how he would go away when they first made camp - to give them time to be alone. And then he came back and I could not believe what had happened. I was initally thinking that the Chandrain were good, but obviously that was totally wrong and that Halifax guy was bad news! How did they know about the song that his father was writing and what they were singing about? Spies?
How awful, and then for Kvothe to accidentally set fire to the wagon and have to leave with so little.

His time in the woods was awful and beautiful at the same time. I liked how PR wrote about memory and putting things behind walls. It was interesting to me. I loved how he could loose himself in the music and actually compose music for how things looked. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 19-33 (view spoiler)[Kvothe's time in the city is so painful to read about. It is unimaginable. I almost cried when the lute was broken and he was beaten so badly. RE - the little boy in the alley. I am sure that he was being molested, but not 100% sure. Part of me wanted Kvothe to help him, but understood why he did not. The beatings and other things that happen to the children are so awful. I was glad when he found Trapis and the could help each other out.
I am not sure I got all there was out of the storytelling, but it was an interesting part of the lead up to him going to school. How did Skarpis know his name? (hide spoiler)]

LOL! about your family getting used to "I'm reading"
My girls always knew that is what I was doing in my room when I got home from work. I just needed an hour of downtime-before I had to face them and dinner and everything else. It was "my" time from 4-5.

[Lisa]

Cherie, (view spoiler)[I have been wondering the same thing about the Chandrian. How did they know about the song? I think a spy makes sense, it seems the most logical explanation for why they knew about it. I have just had a bad thought, it wasn't Ben was it? It just seems slightly coincidental that he leaves and then a short time later the whole troupe is murdered by the Chandrian. I really hope it's not him (and it probably isn't) but the timing of the whole thing seems off to me. But then, why would he start to train Kvothe in the ways of sympathy and encourage him to go to the university? Unless he is some kind of double agent?

I got a lump in my throat when his father's lute got destroyed too. This book has made me feel so many emotions so far which has been an unexpected but very pleasant surprise.

I was wondering how Skarpis knew Kvothe's name as well. My guess would be that he has some kind of power, possibly psychic. Unless he knew him from before. Maybe Kvothe and his troupe met him on their travels and Skarpis learnt his name that way but Kvothe doesn't really remember him? (hide spoiler)]