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)

Perfectly told story! can't wait to read the next

Perfectly told story! can't wait to read the next part. great from start to finish

Epic world building and character development

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

I found the audio version added to the enjoyment of what is a truly long read.

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

I cannot think of a book that comes close to the world of this book or even the many varied characters of this story. The closest would be Wizards First Rule.

Which character ??? as performed by Nick Podehl ??? was your favorite?

Kvothe

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There are many through this whole book, but the scene with the fathers lute when he first arrives in the new town after the wilderness is heartbreaking.

Is Kvothe a Eunuch?

This is well written and well performed alas, I have a nit to pick. Has there every been a teenager with less sex drive drive than our man Kvothe?
The term "conspicuous by its abscense" fairly leaps to mind.
I would have preferred a bit more dirt in the soul and little less pandering to a PG13 audience.

Storytelling style hero's tale, masterfully acted

I wasn't sure what to expect going into the book, having read reviews that made me wary and a synopsis that didn't grab me. The beginning of the story reinforced my fears but the story within the story shattered them.

Patrick Rothfuss has a great storytelling style of writing which builds the character of the narrator both in what is told and how. Normally I'm not a big fan of the storytelling style narative because of the voice beyond the forth wall. Here it's beautiful as the protagonist is telling the story so the voice of those portions, which is most of the book, builds his character.

Nick Podehl gives a masterful performance. His pacing is great, tonal variety interesting, and voice acting brilliant. I'm certainly going to seek him out as a narrator for purchases in the future.

I'm moving ahead to book two immediately and highly recommend this to fantasy fans.

Simply a masterpeice!

Where does The Name of the Wind rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Easily in the top 5, along with other works of Rothfuss.

What did you like best about this story?

The mastery of language used here to paint a scene in my mind more vivid than even a movie could do.

Which character – as performed by Nick Podehl – was your favorite?

Kvothe was my favorite, but he was the main voice of the book as most of it (but not all) is in first person POV from Kvothe.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Several, but one that stood out was when Kvothe tried for his talent pipes at the Eolian.

Fantastic!

I have read all of Pat's books, (waiting impatiently for the conclusion) and loved them all. I purchased the audio version so I could revisit this work during work and my commute. The story holds me from beginning to end, even though it is a second time through for me. I recommend it to anyone. The narrator is excellent.

A masterfully crafted novel

My favorite book, the subtleties and nuances of Patrick Rothfus's writing built layer by layer took me to a place far away, and it was wonderous.

Love this book/audiobook, narrator not so much

Where does The Name of the Wind rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I would rank the audio book solidly in the middle. Nowhere close to the best I've heard but it's not bad.

What did you like best about this story?

I've read the book three times and this was just my first time listening to it, and I love Kvothe, the story, and the university. My only gripe is that sometimes Kvothe is just really dumb, especially when it comes to money and women.

What does Nick Podehl bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Honestly nothing really, he was not my favorite narrator and was kind of boring at times. Maybe I'm asking for too much but I really want to feel a connection with the characters in an audio book (which is very hard to do when one narrator is playing every character, male and female), and in this one I found my attention wandering and almost no connection.

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

Harry Potter meets Lord of the Rings meets any kind of music-themed reality show (but good) on steroids.

Simply fantastic!

This story keep me so intrigued the whole time! I cannot wait to start book two!

Great

I am very pleased with the story and the reader. I am downloading the next book right now.