bluejay21's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
osier's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
hanamsti's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This is a strange book. Be very aware of that. I gave it up a handful of times but each time I came back until I finally finished it. It took me years. It is wonderfully written, and Auri is the most beautiful of souls, but it can be tough to get through and I definitely don't recommend reading it in chunks so far apart you forget half the plot. But yes. If you have the patience and a fondness for odd things, this may be a good match for you.
yuper's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
whimsydances's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this book less than I had hoped, but more than I had feared I wouldn't. It was bizarre in a strange and beautiful way. The writing was beautiful. I think part of my dislike comes from feeling that Auri has been damaged, and rather than healing and gaining power over those things or persons who may have oppressed her, she instead has retreated to a world she can completely control and only catch glimpses of longing of other ways of being. Longingly stroking the soft sheets that she for some reason deems that it wouldn't be right for her to have, though they languish forgotten in another space. As a survivor of many personal circumstances, including domestic violence, I find the narrative a bit disempowering. I can only hope that someday Auri finds the strength she needs to rescue herself.
Beyond that, I was troubled that the entire story was spent with Auri preoccupied by a visit from Kvothe, but we know little else. We are led to believe it is an important visit, and it has been so long since I have read the novels, I forget if the details of this one intersect. Regardless, a visit from Kvothe seems to be a regular thing, and in fact, in the book itself, when she believes he may have come early, she still tries to find a gift. In any case, the thought I have is this: a woman, preoccupied with thoughts of pleasing a man. That every time he plans to visit she is preoccupied with finding a gift for him in this way. That the best gift she can find for him is to take care of him. Now, I am not saying that there isn't a seed of deep and true friendship in her gesture. I can also see the economy of exchange in which Auri seems to operate. It still bothers me, because it still has implications for the overall narrative of relationships between men and women in our society.
One whole chapter that just said Auri wept. Entire chapters spent describing everything about the ways that her psychological stability was breaking down, and then -- nothing. No description of whether this is a regular occurrence, a weeping day, or because of yesterday's events. Nothing about her internal dialogue or the ebb and flow of emotions. Sure, there is something to be said about making the reader do the work, but in this case, too much was left for conjecture, and there was so much to explore. That is where the story begins in a woman's life. When she breaks down and finds some answers. I love Pat's writing, and I want to love his women, but I sometimes feel he doesn't understand us at all.
Finally, I guess I just felt a bit disappointed that the visit never came. Like almost but not quite getting there. Though there was also a sense of rightness in keeping it as just Auri's story.
Beyond that, I was troubled that the entire story was spent with Auri preoccupied by a visit from Kvothe, but we know little else. We are led to believe it is an important visit, and it has been so long since I have read the novels, I forget if the details of this one intersect. Regardless, a visit from Kvothe seems to be a regular thing, and in fact, in the book itself, when she believes he may have come early, she still tries to find a gift. In any case, the thought I have is this: a woman, preoccupied with thoughts of pleasing a man. That every time he plans to visit she is preoccupied with finding a gift for him in this way. That the best gift she can find for him is to take care of him. Now, I am not saying that there isn't a seed of deep and true friendship in her gesture. I can also see the economy of exchange in which Auri seems to operate. It still bothers me, because it still has implications for the overall narrative of relationships between men and women in our society.
One whole chapter that just said Auri wept. Entire chapters spent describing everything about the ways that her psychological stability was breaking down, and then -- nothing. No description of whether this is a regular occurrence, a weeping day, or because of yesterday's events. Nothing about her internal dialogue or the ebb and flow of emotions. Sure, there is something to be said about making the reader do the work, but in this case, too much was left for conjecture, and there was so much to explore. That is where the story begins in a woman's life. When she breaks down and finds some answers. I love Pat's writing, and I want to love his women, but I sometimes feel he doesn't understand us at all.
Finally, I guess I just felt a bit disappointed that the visit never came. Like almost but not quite getting there. Though there was also a sense of rightness in keeping it as just Auri's story.
zoe86's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
slymonsen's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
nglofile's review against another edition
2.0
Somewhere between two and three stars. I feel like a bit of a heel, but I also resent that feeling.
I’ll just state it baldly: I was disappointed. I adore Auri and was looking forward to learning more of her. I’m a reader who can appreciate setting and symbolism and quiet moments. This just wasn’t what I had hoped, and I didn’t find it successful as more than a sketch. One of the aspects of Auri’s specialness is her mystery and wonder and unique way of looking at the world [stay with me now] as revealed in tantalizing bits of interactions with others. By isolating her, by giving her little of the populated world to bump up against or even from which to hide, there is no contrast. She’s still pixie-ish and childlike and clever and filled with untapped treasure, but those qualities are somewhat diminished with nothing to offset or juxtapose.
Why did I postpone writing this for weeks? Because the author defends the narrative departure 1) in the foreward, 2) in the endnote, 3) on his blog, and 4) in multiple interviews. He cites all the people whom he thought wouldn’t like it but who insisted they do. By feeling less than enthusiastic, I’m cast as someone who is either narrow in her appreciation, shallow in her taste, or a hater who can’t cheer a writer who is brave enough to put out something completely different. That isn’t a person or a reader I want to be, nor do I believe I am. This is simply my true experience with this particular novella, and I shouldn't need to defend it.
The title itself is magical, an example of the inventive dexterity with language that I so admire in the author's work.
audiobook note: It has struck me that perhaps one of the obstacles was that I listened to the work. With no dialogue, action, or conflict, it may be a story better absorbed through the eyes, though that could also be a scapegoat excuse. Pat Rothfuss has a delicious voice, and obviously he knows the intonation with which he wants to imbue his work. However, it’s slightly possible that a practiced audiobook narrator may have been able to offer a bit of enhancement to the performance. [See? There I go again, feeling disloyal and petty.] I’m only saying it’s possible. I’m leaving the door open to trying again in print, and time will tell if my reservations are reinforced or assuaged. Now that I've seen a print copy with illustrations and storybook-like layout, I'm even more convinced audio would have been a better revisit than a first encounter.
I’ll just state it baldly: I was disappointed. I adore Auri and was looking forward to learning more of her. I’m a reader who can appreciate setting and symbolism and quiet moments. This just wasn’t what I had hoped, and I didn’t find it successful as more than a sketch. One of the aspects of Auri’s specialness is her mystery and wonder and unique way of looking at the world [stay with me now] as revealed in tantalizing bits of interactions with others. By isolating her, by giving her little of the populated world to bump up against or even from which to hide, there is no contrast. She’s still pixie-ish and childlike and clever and filled with untapped treasure, but those qualities are somewhat diminished with nothing to offset or juxtapose.
Why did I postpone writing this for weeks? Because the author defends the narrative departure 1) in the foreward, 2) in the endnote, 3) on his blog, and 4) in multiple interviews. He cites all the people whom he thought wouldn’t like it but who insisted they do. By feeling less than enthusiastic, I’m cast as someone who is either narrow in her appreciation, shallow in her taste, or a hater who can’t cheer a writer who is brave enough to put out something completely different. That isn’t a person or a reader I want to be, nor do I believe I am. This is simply my true experience with this particular novella, and I shouldn't need to defend it.
The title itself is magical, an example of the inventive dexterity with language that I so admire in the author's work.
audiobook note: It has struck me that perhaps one of the obstacles was that I listened to the work. With no dialogue, action, or conflict, it may be a story better absorbed through the eyes, though that could also be a scapegoat excuse. Pat Rothfuss has a delicious voice, and obviously he knows the intonation with which he wants to imbue his work. However, it’s slightly possible that a practiced audiobook narrator may have been able to offer a bit of enhancement to the performance. [See? There I go again, feeling disloyal and petty.] I’m only saying it’s possible. I’m leaving the door open to trying again in print, and time will tell if my reservations are reinforced or assuaged. Now that I've seen a print copy with illustrations and storybook-like layout, I'm even more convinced audio would have been a better revisit than a first encounter.
madisonmakena's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
captainozone's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.25