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)

Brillant

Completely brilliant.

Performance & story. Patrick Rothfuss is amazing and Nick Podehl does his story justice.

A very easy to enjoy fantasy novel.

The narration starts out stilted, but both the narrator and the listener quickly warm to the material. This wish I would have read this book when I was younger.

Fantastic. What more is there to say.

I got the audio version and Nick Podehl did a great job, his performance made a good book, fantastic. The story was interesting enough for me to get the sequels.

10/10 would listen again

excellently narrated you always knew who was talking and the story is amazing. simply a great book

awsome story

I really enjoyed the story and am already looking for the next book. I like the plot and fell in love with the characters.

awesome

my man patrick bringing his a game to story telling. How about another Critical Role episode?

Super good

Would you consider the audio edition of The Name of the Wind to be better than the print version?

I have not read the print version

What about Nick Podehl’s performance did you like?

He sounded young and age appropriate for the character voice. However I'm concerned about it when the character ages.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed

fantastic

I listened to the audio book everyday while at the gym walking on the treadmill. what a great story. it made my gym time FLY by.
I wanted more story on "the below" but it didn't take away from my overall enjoyment.
On to the next book in the series.

HORRIFIC NARRATOR

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

Sadly, not much has been enjoyable about it, I'm only 3 chapters in and so disappointing. Nick Podehl is horrible and should be banned from any narration except story hour at a local library.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The lead character, Kvothe, is awesome. A bit of a prodigy, but not a snot about it.

What didn’t you like about Nick Podehl’s performance?

Nick Podehl absolutely slaughtered this book. It SOUNDED like a narrator, as in, it sounded as though he were reading and not telling me a story. All the voices kinda sounded the same, with absurd accents, one sounded as though he were from the New England area *eye roll*. The transitions between his character voices and his voice weren't smooth leaving awkward pauses in between the last words the character spoke and "Kvothe said". I was so excited to get this audiobook, and now I just want to cry because he is just so freaking terrible! I can't believe this dude has won awards, blows my mind.

Amazing, believable, entertaining.

I was hesitant to listen to this book for a long time. It remained on my wish list for who knows how long. However, I now wish I had read this book earlier.
I'm a big modern fantasy fan. The Dresden files, the iron druid chronicles, and regular fantasy Harry Potter books. This book was nothing like those books but it was still fantastic in its own style.
It's stated early that the story will be told in three days, this is day one. That being said, the story was amazing. There was magic involved but not as much as you would expect. The characters are believable and their story leave you eager to to finish to the end.
This book was amazing and I will recommend it repeatedly. I can't wait to finish the series.