A review by pokecol
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

SpoilerThe Name of the Wind is, plainly put, enjoyable. There are criticisms levied all over the place in the face of problems with the series and there is a heaping of praise said for that which it achieves in spite of its contemporaries.
I don't think either of these perspectives are necessary to expose the nature of the book or series (singular) to. There is outside context but leave this to a future generation and such context will be largely meaningless. We can discuss the impact of WWII on Tolkien's Trilogy, but that is not the critical point on what makes Middle-Earth and The Lord of the Rings what they are - nor is its exclusive positives in prose the aspect we solely take away from that series.
When it comes to the King Killer Chronicles, the Name of the Wind is, again, just enjoyable. Its a straight-forward story with brilliant description, beautiful flow, interesting if not particularly deep characters, great moments and a wonderful sense of connection.
My way of looking at it is mostly that its a book where nothing really happens - a little silly sounding, but in the idea of a story there is no main plot that unfolds and ends its just part of an adolescent boys journey written through extremely lyrical expression and perspective. Its like a riveting tale a new friend might tell you about their time in another country or some fun way they look back on things they did as a child that they've mastered the telling of - because that's what the book is, Kote providing a personal take on how he perceives the tale of his life so far. Its a really enjoyable peek into nothing happening. Weird.
The book also leaves off on just enough of a hook to get you to keep wanting to read, ultimately it feels like a foundation to build upon and I gather that is it's purpose in part. If the context of the pages of The Name of the Wind were evaluated alone though, I would say it was great.
The highlights were often the parts that in other books would be dull, in how story-tellers with a story-telling told tales of the world. That of Lanre sticks out VERY specifically. The downsides however are that lack of central plot means it doesn't feel like we're moving towards anything and for a book touting the name "King Killer Chronicles Book 1" it had an awful lack of King Killing, or steps towards King Killing, or reference to Killing a King at all for that matter - in terms of expectations it is disappointing as the scope of the story is very small. And the book could do without the very dated way women are perceived by straight men, its old-hack and was the most detractive part of the book, even if Denna specifically was able to appear fairly  involved as a character, taking a breath to describe her sexual perception to Kvothe is unnecessary and is explicitly about appealing to a pretty bad straight male ideology which should probably be avoided.
At the time of writing, this was the longest book I have read, and simultaneously one the books I had the easiest time getting through. I know not what to feel for things to come but I intend to proceed without any lens coming from Patrick Rothfuss' public expression or the public perception of the books, it services no-one.

Tl;dr: a book where nothing happens, but its the most enjoyable nothing I've had the pleasure to read.
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