176 pages
English language
Published Oct. 28, 2014 by DAW.
Deep below the University, there is a dark place. Few people know of it: a broken web of ancient passageways and abandoned rooms. A young woman lives there, tucked among the sprawling tunnels of the Underthing, snug in the heart of this forgotten place.
Her name is Auri, and she is full of mysteries.
The Slow Regard of Silent Things is a brief, bittersweet glimpse of Auri’s life, a small adventure all her own. At once joyous and haunting, this story offers a chance to see the world through Auri’s eyes. And it gives the reader a chance to learn things that only Auri knows...
In this book, Patrick Rothfuss brings us into the world of one of The Kingkiller Chronicle’s most enigmatic characters. Full of secrets and mysteries, The Slow Regard of Silent Things is the story of a broken girl trying to live in a …
Deep below the University, there is a dark place. Few people know of it: a broken web of ancient passageways and abandoned rooms. A young woman lives there, tucked among the sprawling tunnels of the Underthing, snug in the heart of this forgotten place.
Her name is Auri, and she is full of mysteries.
The Slow Regard of Silent Things is a brief, bittersweet glimpse of Auri’s life, a small adventure all her own. At once joyous and haunting, this story offers a chance to see the world through Auri’s eyes. And it gives the reader a chance to learn things that only Auri knows...
In this book, Patrick Rothfuss brings us into the world of one of The Kingkiller Chronicle’s most enigmatic characters. Full of secrets and mysteries, The Slow Regard of Silent Things is the story of a broken girl trying to live in a broken world.
While I love Auri as a side character, I couldn't power through a novella where all she does is move objects around and name new sections of the Underthing. DNF at 20%.
While I love Auri as a side character, I couldn't power through a novella where all she does is move objects around and name new sections of the Underthing. DNF at 20%.
"This story is for all the slightly broken people out there.
I am one of you. You are not alone. You are all beautiful to me."
As a slightly broken person this was sweet to read. Getting a glimpse inside Auri's world and mind was both touching and illuminating. Now I'm even more excited to re-read The Name of the Wind.
I will preface this by saying that you should probably read 'The Name of the Wind' first. While Auri is somewhat of a minor, elusive character in The Kingkiller Chronicle, she's my absolute favourite. This book is entirely focused on her-- I loved delving into her world and understanding how she views and interacts with it. My go-to comfort read.
I will preface this by saying that you should probably read 'The Name of the Wind' first. While Auri is somewhat of a minor, elusive character in The Kingkiller Chronicle, she's my absolute favourite. This book is entirely focused on her-- I loved delving into her world and understanding how she views and interacts with it. My go-to comfort read.
It was quite a few years ago when I read this. (updating my book list) My recollection was I liked this quite a bit. But since it's a small bit in between the main series it might not be for you.
Below is a bit from the author on this book:
AUTHOR’S FOREWORD
You might not want to buy this book.
I know, that’s not the sort of thing an author is supposed to say. The marketing people aren’t going to like this. My editor is going to have a fit. But I’d rather be honest with you right out of the gate.
First, if you haven’t read my other books, you don’t want to start here.
My first two books are The Name of the Wind and The Wise Man’s Fear. If you’re curious to try my writing, start there. They’re the best …
It was quite a few years ago when I read this. (updating my book list) My recollection was I liked this quite a bit. But since it's a small bit in between the main series it might not be for you.
Below is a bit from the author on this book:
AUTHOR’S FOREWORD
You might not want to buy this book.
I know, that’s not the sort of thing an author is supposed to say. The marketing people aren’t going to like this. My editor is going to have a fit. But I’d rather be honest with you right out of the gate.
First, if you haven’t read my other books, you don’t want to start here.
My first two books are The Name of the Wind and The Wise Man’s Fear. If you’re curious to try my writing, start there. They’re the best introduction to my world. This book deals with Auri, one of the characters from that series. Without the context of those books, you’re probably going to feel pretty lost.
Second, even if you have read my other books, I think it’s only fair to warn you that this is a bit of a strange story. I don’t go in for spoilers, but suffice to say that this one is ... different. It doesn’t do a lot of the things a classic story is supposed to do. And if you’re looking for a continuation of Kvothe’s storyline, you’re not going to find it here.
On the other hand, if you’d like to learn more about Auri, this story has a lot to offer. If you love words and mysteries and secrets. If you’re curious about the Underthing and alchemy. If you want to know more about the hidden turnings of my world...
Well, then this book might be for you.
This is absolutely not for everyone, but it does make that pretty clear up front. The pacing is very slow and it focuses a lot on Auri's internal world and thoughts in relation to the desires of the world around her. I liked in in large part because Auri's mind works in a similar way to mine, other people could very easily not like it at all for the same reasons I love it.
This is absolutely not for everyone, but it does make that pretty clear up front. The pacing is very slow and it focuses a lot on Auri's internal world and thoughts in relation to the desires of the world around her. I liked in in large part because Auri's mind works in a similar way to mine, other people could very easily not like it at all for the same reasons I love it.
this story works, but only if you have read the first books in the Kingkiller Chronicle
That was not enjoyable.
The Underthing is mysterious and all things are personified by quirky Auri. Objects are picked up, given apologies or kissed and then put back down.
I appreciate Rothfuss taking a chance on telling a story of Auri in her own voice but this wasn't well met. Auri will be a neat little sideshow for me in the Kingkiller stories but feel she may be better suited for the Haven/Rookery.
That was not enjoyable.
The Underthing is mysterious and all things are personified by quirky Auri. Objects are picked up, given apologies or kissed and then put back down.
I appreciate Rothfuss taking a chance on telling a story of Auri in her own voice but this wasn't well met. Auri will be a neat little sideshow for me in the Kingkiller stories but feel she may be better suited for the Haven/Rookery.
Auri! I am so glad Patrick gave her a moment in the moonlight. During the other books, I would tell my wife how much I enjoyed this girl/woman who would take the inanimate and give them something more. Not quite a life, but a place in the world. It delighted me to read this novelette.
Auri is a confused but very bright young woman. She has a past, and it eats at the edge of her but for the most part, she keeps it at bay, and we stay in the dark over what it was. Which is fine, that's not for this tale. Here we get to romp around the understructures of the academy and explore her world and quirkiness and the very strange and derelict structures that exist.
I liked this book. Patrick says it is not for everyone and I can nod my head to that. It's …
Auri! I am so glad Patrick gave her a moment in the moonlight. During the other books, I would tell my wife how much I enjoyed this girl/woman who would take the inanimate and give them something more. Not quite a life, but a place in the world. It delighted me to read this novelette.
Auri is a confused but very bright young woman. She has a past, and it eats at the edge of her but for the most part, she keeps it at bay, and we stay in the dark over what it was. Which is fine, that's not for this tale. Here we get to romp around the understructures of the academy and explore her world and quirkiness and the very strange and derelict structures that exist.
I liked this book. Patrick says it is not for everyone and I can nod my head to that. It's a life study of someone who is not quite right, or maybe they are right, and we are all wrong. Regardless, Auri is a treasure and the way she finds what goes where and the study of those objects makes me continuously smile. I take a lesson from her and want to give gifts that have a bit of magic inside them. I'm not just giving you a pen but a story trapped in a vessel. Not just flowers but a spring smile on the lips of a child.
I hope Auri has a good life and we see more of her. She has some rough edges, and a good part of me wants to see her grow and have a life well lived.
I thought this was a brilliant, beautiful little book, but I can see how many readers would be infuriated with it. It is nothing like Rothfuss’ other more traditionally-plotted fantasy books, and there’s an introduction where he says in so many words that it’s a vignette, nearly plotless, with only one very strange character, and little conflict. In many ways it’s almost experimental fiction. If you like that kind of thing this is the kind of thing you will like. I found it completely captivating.
To be clear it can’t really be read as a stand-alone book — it relies on plot and characterization from the Kingkiller series. But by the same token if you read and loved that series (so far) you also don’t have to read this book at all; there’s nothing here that changes Kvothe’s story in the main series.
I thought this was a brilliant, beautiful little book, but I can see how many readers would be infuriated with it. It is nothing like Rothfuss’ other more traditionally-plotted fantasy books, and there’s an introduction where he says in so many words that it’s a vignette, nearly plotless, with only one very strange character, and little conflict. In many ways it’s almost experimental fiction. If you like that kind of thing this is the kind of thing you will like. I found it completely captivating.
To be clear it can’t really be read as a stand-alone book — it relies on plot and characterization from the Kingkiller series. But by the same token if you read and loved that series (so far) you also don’t have to read this book at all; there’s nothing here that changes Kvothe’s story in the main series.
I really enjoyed this, in spite of the "you probably won't like this book" message in the introduction.
This book is a combination between a prose poem and a character study. Don't expect any action, but the writing is beautiful, and Auri is an interesting and different person.
(I've read "The Name of the Wind", but not yet "The Wise Man's Fear".)
I really enjoyed this, in spite of the "you probably won't like this book" message in the introduction.
This book is a combination between a prose poem and a character study. Don't expect any action, but the writing is beautiful, and Auri is an interesting and different person.
(I've read "The Name of the Wind", but not yet "The Wise Man's Fear".)
This was a very odd book, that even the author says shouldn't work. it's almost a fairy tale, but not quite. in many ways it reminded me of Neil Gaiman or Charles de Lint.
This was a very odd book, that even the author says shouldn't work. it's almost a fairy tale, but not quite. in many ways it reminded me of Neil Gaiman or Charles de Lint.
Honestly at this point I am so impressed with Patrick Rothfuss that I would read his rendition of a phone book.
If you haven't already been warned, this is about a side character, and it might be difficult to understand not having read the first two books of the Kingkiller Chronicle. To which the author actually warns you in the preface. That being said, I LOVE IT, and I think a lot of joy could be had from reading it without the previous two.
Read this. Do it.
Honestly at this point I am so impressed with Patrick Rothfuss that I would read his rendition of a phone book.
If you haven't already been warned, this is about a side character, and it might be difficult to understand not having read the first two books of the Kingkiller Chronicle. To which the author actually warns you in the preface. That being said, I LOVE IT, and I think a lot of joy could be had from reading it without the previous two.
Read this. Do it.
I read this about a month ago, but it is sticking with me.
Patrick Rothfuss has spun a tale that, at first glance, feels like cotton candy. It is light, sweet and beautiful. As time goes on, it feels so much more real, with true depth. Auri feels like a fully fleshed person, not someone in the pages of a book. It's the best character study I have ever read.
I identified with Auri more and more throughout the story. I don't see myself as broken but simply as seeing the world in a unique way. It feels wonderful to be able to connect with a character in this way and to feel a sort of kinship with them. Even a month later, I find myself thinking or saying things and then laughing, because it was something Auri would understand.
As said in the book, everyone seems to have the …
I read this about a month ago, but it is sticking with me.
Patrick Rothfuss has spun a tale that, at first glance, feels like cotton candy. It is light, sweet and beautiful. As time goes on, it feels so much more real, with true depth. Auri feels like a fully fleshed person, not someone in the pages of a book. It's the best character study I have ever read.
I identified with Auri more and more throughout the story. I don't see myself as broken but simply as seeing the world in a unique way. It feels wonderful to be able to connect with a character in this way and to feel a sort of kinship with them. Even a month later, I find myself thinking or saying things and then laughing, because it was something Auri would understand.
As said in the book, everyone seems to have the opinion that while they loved it, they aren't sure someone else would. I found myself saying the same exact thing. I thought it was excellent.
Example: I had boiled potatoes and them left them in their hot water as I was busy with the rest of dinner. I commented that potatoes were friendly, easy going things that were happy to be left to their own devices. They tasted fine.
It feels more like a feeling, an impression written in to a story. I feel Auri so close sometimes. Mending the world and running around and so much more and less.
Light as a feather and heavy as a bronze gear ;)
A must read
I thought this was an interesting read and overall a good novella that takes the reader inside the mind and daily activities of Auri who features as an intriguing and mysterious character in Rothfuss's book series. I do agree it's not for everyone and there is a pretty steep price on the book given that one can probably read it in about an hour or two.
I thought this was an interesting read and overall a good novella that takes the reader inside the mind and daily activities of Auri who features as an intriguing and mysterious character in Rothfuss's book series. I do agree it's not for everyone and there is a pretty steep price on the book given that one can probably read it in about an hour or two.
