2011-03 THE NAME OF THE WIND: roll call and initial impressions (NO SPOILERS)

[Candiss]

I feel almost guilty about this, considering how beloved this work is by so many whose reading tastes I respect, but although I loved the first section, I lost most of my interest once we got deeper into the back story. I really appreciate Rothfuss's way with words, and I like the characters. But I have never really loved coming-of-age tales, and that's a big part of this story. Perhaps it is also because I'm not a usually a big lover of high fantasy; perhaps I'm in the wrong head-space right now.

I certainly didn't dislike what I was reading; it simply couldn't continue to entice me to pick it back up in lieu of other books on my shelf. I've moved it to my Paused shelf here on Goodreads and may revisit it later when I'm looking for a rousing adventure story.

[Barb]

Candiss wrote: " I've moved it to my Paused shelf"

I understand how there are some books you have to be in the right mindset to enjoy. I am surprised I liked this as much as I did because normally, for me to really love a book, I have to feel some connection with the main character & I don't necessarily have that hear yet the I love the story.

By the way--a "paused" shelf is a great idea! So much more succinct that my "started reading but set aside" shelf! :)

[Deedee]

I've read the first 52 chapters so far. It's a slower read than I expected -- I think that's because there is more description of events, people, surroundings and emotions than is usual in fantasy novels. (Chapter 36 regarding an examination our hero takes goes through each and every question on the examination!) I empathized with our hero until that chapter, then I started to lose empathy for the hero. It makes sense that his character at that point should be the way Rothfuss describes it; still, the sympathy factor I had for Kvothe has begun to fade. But then, I'm only on chapter 52.

I'm going to finish, but it will probably take the rest of the month to do so.

[Kathi, Moderator & Book Lover]

If you're interested, author Patrick Rothfuss will be interviewed on Wisconsin Public Radio tomorrow (Friday, March 25). You can listen online at www.wpr.org.

From the website:
For Program On: Friday, March 25, 2011 at 10:00 AM
After ten, Veronica Rueckert talks with Wisconsin-based fantasy writer Patrick Rothfuss about his work and the creative process. Guest: Patrick Rothfuss, author of "The Wise Man’s Fear" and "The Name of the Wind".