The Name of the Wind

‘I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kings. I burned down the town of Trebon. I have spent the night with Felurian and left with both my sanity and my life. I was expelled from the University at a younger age than most people are allowed in. I tread paths by moonlight that others fear to speak of during day. I have talked to Gods, loved women, and written songs that make the minstrels weep.

You may have heard of me’.

That is the impeccable synopsis that one can be read when is interested in The Name of the Wind. It is a completely new bestseller, reason why some people won’t recognize the author, Patrick Rothfuss. Unfortunately, some would just ignore it because of a raising trend of awareness of new authors. It could be one of the greatest failures in one’s life. Because this book is more than just’ worth it’. Because it is different to everything else. Because it is not other attempt of imitate Tolkien’s world. Also because this fear is completely groundless. Even the synopsis is just perfect.

The story finds its stem in the slaughter of the parents and troop of Edema Ruh – a travelling ethnic group similar to the real gypsies- of the main character, Kvothe, by some gloomy people –The Chandrian-. Left as an orphan, Kvothe loses part of his childhood trying both to survive in an aggressive world and uncover the truth behind the death of his beloved family. During that time, the reader can imagine the different situations and complications he come across in his way to maturity, followed by his desire of being accepted in a mysterious institution called The University.

Even though that doesn’t sound very new or original, the thing that makes this book special is, apart from its plot, the storytelling. It is supposed to be the first book of three, the Kingkiller Chronicles. Nowadays the second book –Wise men’s fear- can be found in the majority of bookshops, but the ones like me who are eager to read to third one will have to wait a little bit more. Rothfuss’ revolutionary method lies on, basically, a perfect way of explaining the world, of building characters and describing sceneries. He makes it with such precision that the reader never finds it tedious or tiresome. It is always interesting. Even when he describes a daily activity such as have some beers with friends in a bar. The most part of the book is in first person, a kind of autobiography. Nevertheless, the story is being told by the own Kvothe in a bar, so sometimes the author swaps the point of view from first to third person. With this book Patrick Rothfuss doesn’t prove just a cunning narrative, but a beautiful one.

Also, one of the strongest points of the book is the way the characters think. The author creates so many characters, being –obviously- Kvothe the main one. However, the most interesting thing about the book lies on Kvothe’s point of view. Some of the readers may expect the typical hero; brave and handsome why always follows the rules of chivalry. But this is not Kvothe’s case. It is true that he is a talented, full-fledged magician… as well a rogue. It can be said that he is some sort of genius, and he really knows how to take advantage of that. He has also a lot of flaws, he is arrogant and mendacious, but still has a good heart, which makes him more human than the other typical main characters.

So, taking into account that it is my idea to write another article to explain my impression about Wise men’s fear, I will leave some of the interesting details for that. But before, I would like to conclude reiterating myself: this book is an absolute masterpiece, incredible and recommendable not for a read, but for a re-read.