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)

Couldn’t stop listening!

What a great story and excellent narrating! I would definitely recommend this book to those 14 and up.

Starts really slow but gets better

I found the first 8 hours pretty boring with interesting events scattered throughout. After that the story gets much more interesting.

Amazing

Great story! I did not like how the book opens. Also the ending seemed so veg. Overall amazing!

Woo hoo! Happy to have found this!!

This book came up in my recommendations at a time when I had exhausted all my "must read" titles. I hadn't heard of it - which now seems funny because after looking around at info on it, it's BIG! Game of Thrones (before HBO) big. And, for me, there's no question why. It's a fantastic story. Wonderful in so many subtle ways. I will warn you, the 3rd book isn't done however - and letting go of Kvothe and his adventures is very difficult.
Podehl does a good job of narration. He's not quite on level with Dotrice, but he's definitely close. He's got lots of good voices and his narrator/first person voice gives a depth to Kvothe that allows for easy immersion into the story(s).
Not much more to say. If you love a good fantasy novel that isn't over the top with the "other worldly" aspects - you will fall hard for this one. I have been listening almost non-stop since starting Name of the Wind. I am on the second book now and the commute to and from work isn't enough. I listen in the shower, while I am getting ready and sometimes at night while I am doing dishes and such. It's that good. I know it will be over soon and I will be sad, but I can't stop listening.

My new favorite book

Love this book. It is wonderfully written and the narration is perfect. I recommend this book to anyone.

Good book. Slow, but Engaging

The story spans 5 of 30 some years. I'd like to see how he fits the rest of the story into the remaining 4 books.

What an immense and immersive fantasy

The world Rothfuss creates is massive, immensely intriguing, and immersive. I can't wait to continue the story in book two.

Damn!!! So good

Top 10 books of all time! Listen to this book if you love fantasy, adventure, and great story telling!

Don’t listen to the bad reviews

People who give this a poor review are mostly people who know this is a masterwork of fantasy, know many people will look at reviews and want to shock you with a 1 star then write a long review trying to tell you how much they read and how smart they are. Hundreds of titles I’m my library, fantasy guru I am. This is top 5, could be #1 if dude would write faster and not RR Martin his readers to death.

Absolutely incredible

My friend from work told me of this book and i kept putting it off, so when i finally got it I realized how iv been missing out. This is one of my favorite books now and I’m excited to start the second part.