A review by kierkegaawd
The Narrow Road Between Desires by Patrick Rothfuss

adventurous lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Patrick Rothfuss undeniably writes good incredibly long, winding fantasy epics, but I think excels in his novellas. 

I can work myself up into a tizzy imagining readers of his dismissing this and The Slow Regard of Silent Things because they want him to continue The Kingkiller Chronicle. I don't even know if such people exist, but I love getting mad at them on Patrick's behalf. 

Beautiful story about how incredible children are. Really liked the childlike qualities of the Bast being part of his charm, and otherworldliness, and magical nature, which was reflected back at him through the charm and otherworldliness and magical nature of the human children he plays with.

I also really liked in the author's note where he philosophized about writing fantasy about nothing in particular, with no huge world ending conflict, just realistic characters interacting with a world. Reminds me of Le Guins science fiction. 

Speculative fiction used as a lens is when speculative fiction is at its best, and I like when there's no orc wars obfuscating that lens.

Language got a little too flowery at times for me to give it the full five stars.

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