The Name of the Wind
by Patrick Rothfuss
ISBN 978-0-7564-1371-2
When Bonnie Knight of Lady Knight Editing recommended that I read The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss, I went right down to my local library to pick up a copy, but I was out of luck. Not only were both of the library’s copies of this book already checked out, but there were more than ten other people waiting in the wings to read it! It took several weeks before I was able to procure a copy from the library. I was worried that it wouldn’t live up to the hype.
I had no reason to worry. It was worth the wait.
This remarkable novel, the first in a series of three by Patrick Rothfuss, starts and ends with nearly the same paragraphs; paragraphs that speak of a silence of three parts. The story being told, on the other hand, is about the things that surround those silences; the music, the magic, and the madness
The author tells his story through the voice of Kvothe, a man revered for his ability to use both mind and magic, legendary for his deeds, and hiding from his past.
Kvothe begins his story by giving us a glimpse of his happy childhood growing up among the Edema Ruh, a well-respected troupe of entertainers. He tells us of meeting with the arcanist Abenathy, who kindles his interest in magic and in the power of names, and he introduces us to his exceptionally talented parents, extraordinary performers who adore both Kvothe and each other
Then he tells us how his whole world was turned upside down for the sake of a song.
While the world that Kvothe lives in is fictitious, the masterful storytelling of Patrick Rothfuss takes us on a journey with Kvothe that sometimes feels all too real. While Kvothe works to master the principles of magic and medicine, a difficult task in itself, he is also beset by problems that we recognize in this world as well. Like many of us in the real world, Kvothe has bills to pay, rivals to defeat, and well-meaning but meddling friends.
As mentioned earlier, this is the first part of a three-part trilogy. The second book, The Wise Man’s Fears, was released in 2011, while the third book, with the current working title of Doors of Stone, is still to be released.
You can get your own copy of The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss at the author’s website!