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)

great read

fantastic story great narrative enjoyed the production eminsely. would recommend to anyone who likes fantasy.

Captivating novel

Captivating novel, I almost forgot, just re-read it. Glad I did. Looking forward to hearing the next novel.

My new favourite book.

I read this book on paper and lost my copy somewhere, so I decided to pick up the audio version.

This is the best fantasy book ever written, and one of the best books of any genre.

This book is good for people who do not usually like fantasy books. The characters are complex, flawed and interesting. The story in this first book does not come to a conclusion, but the story is worth it even if you don't read the others in the series.

I will probably come back and listen to this book again next year and maybe a few times after that.

Just get this book.

Wonderfully woven story and engrossing performance

I started a new job recently and with it I have a 2-3 hour commute round trip every day. This book takes an hour or so to get off the ground but once it is, oh my goodness does it make that trip fly by! I don't even get irritated by the traffic! I was so excited when I found out how long it is. It meant weeks of occupied commute! It's the sort of book that is so beautifully composed, but so long that I would never have had the patience to read it on my own. I don't get enough opportunities to read, so I would forget details between readings and it would be difficult to stay captured. Instead, I got to listen to the audiobook every day and I looked forward to it. The narrator was perfect and had the exact right amount of expression - as though he really was telling his life's story. His voice seeped into my impression of Kvothe to the point where it was a part of how I pictured our protagonist. Overall, a close to flawless combination of story and narrator.

7/8ths of the story is awesome!

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

The reader is really great. Able to shift tone and speech to indicated characters speaking and it really works well.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Name of the Wind?

Saving Fella from the fire for me was the moment that everything changed in the book. The main character shifts from being acted upon to acting, And I think that is a huge moment.

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

I really like Master Kilvin. I feel this character could not have been created better in my own head then the performance Nick gives him.

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

There are several great parts that I laughed out loud. I giggled uncontrollably during the trial of Kvothe where he has written the song about Ambrose. Truly a funny funny scene.

Any additional comments?

Why 7/8ths? I really love the story being told to Chronicler. I however am not crazy about the present day setup.

simply awesome - EPIC

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

simply awesome - EPIC

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

simply awesome - EPIC

Which scene was your favorite?

simply awesome - EPIC

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

simply awesome - EPIC

Any additional comments?

simply awesome - EPIC

Patrick Rothfuss, an epic author

A great book, however in chapter 86 the chapter cuts off into 87. I don't know how much is missing of the story, but it is frustrating.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Name of the Wind!

The story was contagious. Even with a fair amount of fantasy clichés, the tale unfolds smoothly and draws the reader in for more. Add that to a great narration and you've got yourself quite the beginning to what should be an epic trilogy!

All around great listen

It took me a few chapters to adjust to the Nick's voice, but in the end he was the perfect choice for this book. I have a few high fantasy series I love and this story joins the ranks. Rothfuss dispenses and withholds information in a way that heightens the storytelling value without ever seeming clunky or irritating--I never felt like info was withheld just to create suspense, suspense was built into the story as it should be.

A story with real human emotions

If you could sum up The Name of the Wind in three words, what would they be?

Funny, interesting, great!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Kvothe, as it may be an obvious choice, I loved how the character reactions were not as in other books a "master", like all, Kvothe had to learn the hard way, with the kingkiller Chronicle I felt the difference of a book with characters which youth was not like if they knew exactly what and how to do, Kvothe had doubts, he messed up big time, and I felt related to human relations where you had no idea how to react, opposite to other books where way too many descriptions of lip biting are used as description of the human interaction, instead of going thru the actually interesting part of human relationships, this book does that very well.