Electronic resource
English language
Published Aug. 8, 2008 by Penguin Group USA, Inc..
Not to be missed: The powerful debut novel from fantasy's next superstar Told in Kvothe's own voice, this is the tale of the magically gifted young man who grows to be the most notorious wizard his world has ever seen.The intimate narrative of his childhood in a troupe of traveling players, his years spent as a near-feral orphan in a crime-ridden city, his daringly brazen yet successful bid to enter a legendary school of magic, and his life as a fugitive after the murder of a king form a gripping coming-of-age story unrivaled in recent literature. A high-action story written with a poet's hand, The Name of the Wind is a masterpiece that will transport readers into the body and mind of a wizard.
i'll write a review after the third book is published.
4 1/2*
I think my experience with this book suffered a little from high hopes. Everything I heard made me think this was going to be epic, and it was! It just wasn't the most epic. It is a fantastic story that kept me reading until I'd be tired the next day. It's we'll written and enthralling. It was just missing a little something. Something I think I might find as the story progresses. I'm starting the sequel tonight to keep up the story line. I only occasionally do that. I'm even putting off Iron Gold for it. Gasp!!
Not my cup of tea, at all, though I realize that I am pretty alone with this opinion. "The worst of Harry Potter meets the worst of Fitz & Fool" is how I'd describe this one in conversation. Now, the introductory chapters - until the actual start of the story - seemed pretty engaging, and Rothfuss definitely uses language well; but the actual action of the book left me almost completely unfazed.
The prose flows like water but the story is frustratingly well-rehearsed by other works and lacks luster.
Enjoyable magic world and well-drawn teen boy main character, but underwhelmed by the story's direction and pace.
As we all know, the most talented and the greatest heroes and deities of legend are – and with good reason – redheads. It is thus easy to take in stride the fantastic feats and tales of the fiery-maned hero, Kvothe, in this masterwork from Patrick Rothfuss. Though the general tenor of these tales is no surprise, the notes combine to enchant and delight. Having burnt through the first two novels with rapacious glee, I patiently await the third!
I could immerse myself in Rothfuss' world for weeks. I will start book two immediately!
I read this book a few years ago and loved it! Recently, I got the second book as a gift and decided to reread this to fresh up my memory. I was surprised... It does not hold up well.
Kvothe is the biggest Mary Sue (Gary Stu?) character I've ever read! He has no flaws (or his "flaws" are, like, caring TOO MUCH, being TOO trusting). He is always naturally good at everything to a point of being unbelievable even in a book full of magic. The story is not as exciting as I remembered, it's very predictable.
Still, for all its flaws, the book is quite good and super easy to read. Patrick Rothfuss uses language that is simple to understand while still providing depth to the narrative.
Overall, I would recommend this book if you are new to the fantasy genre. For more experienced readers, it can still …
I read this book a few years ago and loved it! Recently, I got the second book as a gift and decided to reread this to fresh up my memory. I was surprised... It does not hold up well.
Kvothe is the biggest Mary Sue (Gary Stu?) character I've ever read! He has no flaws (or his "flaws" are, like, caring TOO MUCH, being TOO trusting). He is always naturally good at everything to a point of being unbelievable even in a book full of magic. The story is not as exciting as I remembered, it's very predictable.
Still, for all its flaws, the book is quite good and super easy to read. Patrick Rothfuss uses language that is simple to understand while still providing depth to the narrative.
Overall, I would recommend this book if you are new to the fantasy genre. For more experienced readers, it can still be an entertaining, albeit light, read.
Kvothe is an enigma, a fascinating juxtaposition. In his stories he is a hero, overflowing with vitality.
He seems to using his inn to hid, troubled by the past, and quickly becoming another fixture. As he tells his story, I feel that Kvothe is bravado personified. Full of life and himself, his story is captivating.
I worried, reading other reviews, that I'd tire of reading of someone that thinks so highly of himself; but if you pay attention, I think you will see a person who is at one time both lost and sure of his place in the same instant.
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the story I typically enjoy fantasy, but rarely does a book capture my attention as well as The Name of the Wind.
3.5/5
Baffled by the effusive praise. The prose is okay, borders on indulgent. Kvothe is insufferable - he succeeds at everything he tries, he has no meaningful flaws. The setting is nothing notable. The magic is interesting but lightly explored. The women in the book are largely caricatures.
The book was fun enough for my morning commute, and I will likely pick up the sequel at some point, but altogether unremarkable.
This book was great. I'm so happy I finally read it.
You will find yourself pulled into Kvothe's story, rooting for him to make better decisions and turn things around. But he's brave, and impetuous, and just the sort of tragic, flawed hero that I love.
Definitely will be reading book 2.
"A new voice in this genre", "in a grand style". Yes, it really is that good, if you like kings and knights and swords and stuff.
I honestly thought I was done with the core Fantasy genre books until I read this one. All the great fantasy tropes are there - tragic histories, comfy inns, creeping evil, and magic - but Mr. Rothfuss makes them all shine anew.
Good start of the series. I'm trying to hold off grabbing the 2nd and diving in!
