The Name of the Wind - by Patrick Rothfuss

⭐ 8.5/10

(Originally written by Joseph)

This is a reread, but I read this book yeeeeears ago, and I feel like I've learned a lot about what I like in fantasy since then. I adored this book when I read it. Would it hold up?

Mostly, yes. During the first half, I fell in love with this book all over. It's so incredibly engaging. I think Rothfus is a master writer, having this fantastic sense of style and craft. Beautiful prose, especially scenes like losing his parents, playing music in the woods, suffering in the city, or playing a song in front of his girl by a fire. It was powerful, moving stuff, and I'm not sure he currently has an equal in the fantasy universe in terms of just crafting beautiful sentences.

But I actually think his writing is secondary to his storytelling! This is a funny one because upon reread, you kinda realize much of the plot is superfluous. Little of it comes into play later in the story, and maybe you could say it helps build the character, but still, these are just stories for the sake of stories. And yet I couldn't get enough! His day to day happenings are super interesting, and despite being a massive novel, I would say this is quite the page-turner.

Even the other things I don't usually care about were great. The lore and world building were clearly very carefully crafted, unique and interesting. The magic system all made sense, and I think Rothfus has some background in science, and it shows. Oddly, I think one of the best parts of this book is it's economy, and you get such a great sense of Kvothe's money situation throughout as it ebbs and flows.

So why doesn't this book have a ten? Well this is maybe the weirdest criticism, but about half way through, I had this thought that Kvothe talks just like a fedora-wearing, neck-bearded Redditor. Once I had that thought, I could not unthink it, and it clouded everything. Kvothe thinks he's soooo cool. He's the best at music, best at magic, he's the smartest, quippiest, cleverest. He knows the most about languages, history, horses. And of course, all the ladies love him.

I think the last is actually a kinda common criticism, that Rothfus doesn't know how to write women. I just find it so unbelievable that any woman would be attracted to this petulant, cocky little shit that doesn't know how to shut the hell up. So many times he'll make a quip and the woman will giggle. Honestly, this book started to feel like the fantasy fulfilment of the Average Redditor. He makes a clever quip against a man with a woman so she falls for him instead. I really loved that chapter where he meets Denna, but by the end I found their relationship incredibly cringey. I know these are all criticisms Tim has of the Witcher, and I get that, but at least Geralt was actually sexy! I'm sorry but women falling for Kvothe would just not happen unless they were dressed as cats and smelled like cat piss.

Wowie! Now that I've gotten that out of the way, let's talk about Sanderson. I'm mostly kidding, but to turn back to the positive, one of the best things I can say about this book is that it feels like it was written and rewritten, edited, and every sentence reconsidered. I love that Rothfus is taking ages to finish this series. You can tell he wants to put out quality work. Again, I just can't emphasize enough that this book feels carefully put together. You can tell that Rothfus really loves this book. And to go back to the Redditor stuff, I'm not actually sure it's a Rothfus problem as much as it is a Kvothe problem... But yeah, I kinda feel like it's a Rothfus problem and Kvothe is who he wishes he was...

But this is the positive part of the review! This was a really fun read, and I think some of my negatives were from reading it so quick, where Kvothe was wearing me out with his personality. But this book is full of good characters and interesting ideas. I loved the climax of the book, kinda putting together everything we've learned. I loved characters like Trapis and Auri.

I dunno, this is a weird review, but it was a weird reading experience. Part of me wanted to hate it but couldn't, and part of me wanted to love it but couldn't do that either. I didn't like the second book at the time and doubt I'll read it now - kinda just all my least favorite parts of this one times a hundred. It's a good fantasy book - maybe a great one - but you might have a different view once you picture Average Redditor or Sensei Le Dew in every scene.

Here is Kvothe buying a sword:

https://youtube.com/shorts/7YAhILzSzLI?si=orUxu3c9F4_wRjg4