The Name of the Wind

Kingkiller Chronicle, Book 1

By: Patrick Rothfuss

Narrated by: Nick Podehl

Length: 27 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

Discover #1 New York Times bestselling Patrick Rothfuss’ epic fantasy series, The Kingkiller Chronicle.

“I just love the world of Patrick Rothfuss.” (Lin-Manuel Miranda)

“He’s bloody good, this Rothfuss guy.” (George R. R. Martin)

“Rothfuss has real talent.” (Terry Brooks)

Over 1 Million Copies Sold!

Day One: The Name of the Wind

My name is Kvothe.

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.

So begins a tale unequaled in fantasy literature - the story of a hero told in his own voice. It is a tale of sorrow, a tale of survival, a tale of one man’s search for meaning in his universe, and how that search, and the indomitable will that drove it, gave birth to a legend.

Praise for The Kingkiller Chronicle:

“The best epic fantasy I read last year.... He’s bloody good, this Rothfuss guy.” (George R. R. Martin, New York Times bestselling author of A Song of Ice and Fire)

“Rothfuss has real talent, and his tale of Kvothe is deep and intricate and wondrous.” (Terry Brooks, New York Times bestselling author of Shannara)

"It is a rare and great pleasure to find a fantasist writing...with true music in the words." (Ursula K. Le Guin, award-winning author of Earthsea)

"The characters are real and the magic is true.” (Robin Hobb, New York Times bestselling author of Assassin’s Apprentice)

"Masterful.... There is a beauty to Pat's writing that defies description." (Brandon Sanderson, New York Times bestselling author of Mistborn)

©2007 by Patrick Rothfuss. (P)2009 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“The originality of Rothfuss's outstanding debut fantasy, the first of a trilogy, lies less in its unnamed imaginary world than in its precise execution…As absorbing on a second reading as it is on the first, this is the type of assured, rich first novel most writers can only dream of producing. The fantasy world has a new star.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

“Fantasy readers-a notoriously discerning group-tend to dole out praise judiciously, which makes the reception of The Name of the Wind, the first volume in Patrick Rothfuss's The Kingkiller Chronicle, that much more remarkable. Critics are already throwing around comparisons to some of the biggest names in fantasy, including George R. R. Martin, Tad Williams, the recently deceased Robert Jordan, and even Tolkien. (Bookmarks Magazine)

“New fantasy authors are usually overhyped, and it's rare to find one who writes with such assurance and narrative skill right from the start. I was reminded of Ursula LeGuin, George R. R. Martin, and J. R. R. Tolkien, but never felt that Rothfuss was imitating anyone. Like the writers he clearly admires, he's an old-fashioned storyteller working with traditional elements, but his voice is his own. I haven't been so gripped by a new fantasy series in years. It's certain to become a classic." (Lisa Tuttle, The Times)

The beauty of the writing

Honestly I loved all of it. A beautiful book, and a strong telling of it.

Beautifully written

There's no second book. I want to hear more of this story. I feel as though there is so much missing.

Not sure why the reviews are so polar opposite.

So it looks like people either love or hate this book. I loved it and actually got the audio book just so I could write a review and listen to it before the next one comes out. Maybe it is because I read the actual book, but this is the first book I have read in a long time that I just could not put down. I read the whole thing in 2 days. It is true that this first of the trilogy is really just character development and setting the stage, there is not a whole lot of action yet, but I swear while reading it I felt like I was sitting there at the table with them and that is due to the incredible writing style. The way this book sucked me into it's world is amazing. I have read all the other greats of this genre and while many of them are wonderful, I never felt as attached to them.

Wow!

This isn't the kind of book I would normally pickup or download but a co-worker recommended it to me. Wow! Where to begin? The story itself is beautifully written. The author weaves stories within stories to create a fabric of fiction as warm and familiar as a favorite blanket. I was immediately reminded of Neil Gaiman's writing. I always joke that if I were diagnosed with a terminal illness that I would want Neil Gaiman to come to my house and read to me from one of his books as I cuddled up with my pound puppy in bed. (A little dark but you get my point!) I've added Patrick Rothfuss to the list as well. It's one thing to have a mind that can image, in great detail, an entire world and culture but it is a true treat to find an author that can both create and pull you into that world and make you feel like you are a part of it. I was afraid it would be too "fictiony", too many fairies and dragons. I'm not sure how but Rothfuss manages to incorporate them both without the story becoming too "fake". There is a certain harsh reality within the story that sharpens the sometimes softened edges of fiction. Excellent writting! Nick Podehl's reading is spot on! The character voices are wonderful. Not over the top but obviously performed. It's like having a great actor perform a great play. It's the perfect pairing. I can't wait to start on the second book. Enjoy!

GENIUS AT WORK!!! :-))

WHATEVER I SAY IT WON'T BE ENOUGH TO DESCRIBE THIS MASTERPIECE!!!!!
I WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN THE BOOK....

AND THAT'S IT!!!!, BECAUSE MY MIND STILL SWIMS SOMEWHERE IN THAT UNIVERSE!!!!!

Great first book

I love the world that Rothfuss has painted and I can't wait for the other 2 books to come out.
I can tell you that if you like fantasy books with lots of details where the world's magic has reason to it this is the book for you :D

Excellent Epic Fantasy Novel

What did you love best about The Name of the Wind?

The story was amazing. I can't wait for more sequels in this relatively new series. Patrick Rothfuss does an excellent job weaving a story you will find very easy to immerse yourself in. I enjoyed the "rules" of the magic and think it will lead to a progressively better story.

What other book might you compare The Name of the Wind to and why?

Some parts of it remind me of some of Brandon Sanderson's work, with a unique take on magic and an imaginative, yet familiar, world setting.

What about Nick Podehl’s performance did you like?

He was very easy to listen to and understand, and had very consistent pronunciation and voices for different characters. Midway through the book, I was easily able to identify the speaker before they were identified.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

I don't think this would adapt well to a movie; a long running TV series, perhaps, but the story is too large to fit on a 2 hour DVD.

Any additional comments?

I highly recommend this book to those looking for more epic fantasy after you've run out of Sanderson and Jordan books.

Character Autobiography

The setup for this book is a good one. Discovered in the act of leading a "normal" life, the legendary Kvothe is coaxed into telling his complete story to a Chronicler. What follows is one of the most detailed fictional autobiographies I've ever had the pleasure to read.

I've read some opposing reviews on this, which stands to reason as the level of minutae will either make or break the story for most readers. To me, that's what makes this story that much more real. Kvothe and his world feel alive. The storytelling is as compelling as anything you'd find from Sanderson or other contemporaries without dipping into the gore and perversity found in Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire. At least, not yet. Book 2 is still out there, and this story has planted its seeds of darkness and despair. Likewise, the characters work for the right reasons. Many of them are very much the stenciled template archetypes as so many fantasy characters are, but the way they're written makes you forget that very quickly. The world around them is built in five senses, base needs, and realistic motivations. They interact with that world and each other in the same way.

As a surprise, when Rothfuss ventures into the poetic, it's as rich as Tolkien, which is something I rarely see. Most prose writers don't feel they can write poetry, so they don't try, but for Kvothe's beginnings as a bard in a nomadic troupe, it's not only believable, it's necessary. It's part of what gives the world the feeling of depth and history, through culture. I don't know if Rothfuss studied theater and music, but based on what I'm reading, I'd be surprised if he didn't. If he didn't, he certainly knows people who did. Either way, you can't fake the experience he writes when it comes to the musical performances. There's a line from Mr. Holland's Opus where he instructs his student to "play the sunset." Rothfuss is able to describe that experience in a way that will make you feel it. For me, this is what truly makes this novel a literary treasure. If he can do that, imagine what happens when the pendulum swings the other way into the realm of dread.

love it

What made the experience of listening to The Name of the Wind the most enjoyable?

All of it. The characters are wonderful and the narrator is amazing.

Have you listened to any of Nick Podehl’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes it was I didnt want to put it down

Great series so far

Fantasy is only secondary for me. Must be well written and entertaining. This series is both. Looking forward to the third installment.