The Slow Regard of Silent Things

By: Patrick Rothfuss

Narrated by: Patrick Rothfuss

Length: 3 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's Summary

Patrick Rothfuss narrates The Slow Regard of Silent Things, a companion novella to his bestselling Kingkiller Chronicle novels that shares an enchanting new perspective on the Four Corners realm.

Renowned as a bastion of knowledge, the University draws the brightest minds to unravel the mysteries of enlightened sciences, such as artificing and alchemy. Yet deep below its bustling halls lies a complex web of abandoned rooms and ancient passageways.

In the heart of this cavernous maze is a young woman named Auri, who calls this Underthing her home. Formerly a student at the University, Auri now spends her days tending to the world around her. She knows that some mysteries are better settled and safe. No longer fooled by the sharp rationality so trusted by those above her, Auri sees beyond the surface of things, into subtle dangers and hidden names.

At once joyous and haunting, The Slow Regard of Silent Things is a richly atmospheric and lyrical tale that features one of the most beloved characters from his acclaimed fantasy series.

©2014 Patrick Rothfuss (P)2014 Penguin Audio

Magnificent

Wonderful, heartbreaking and lovely; hauntingly beautiful word-smithery. I love it, more than just a little. Like Auri.

1 of 2 people found this review helpful

Unlike anything else, enjoy!

In this book, narrated by the author (which is more perfect here than anywhere else I've encountered it), is a masterful picture lovingly painted in words. A strong recommendation to any who enjoy new ways to view how the English language can be used.

The picture itself paints a way to view the world, as it is seen by the main character. Not in the sense that it's for you to adopt, it just explains how this person in particular sees her surroundings, using the context and world set up in the King killer chronicles. This puts the story itself in the sidelines, and let's us marvel at the ride we are along for.

Again, a unique story to enjoy.

1 of 2 people found this review helpful

I got lost in the Underthing :)

I got hopelessly lost in the Underthing by listening to this story. Then I discovered someone's blog posts with chapter by chapter analysis - and pictures that are in the print version of this book. Those told me A LOT. And they are so beautiful.

This Rothfuss book is just so... different :) Mind the disclaimer at the beginning.

I was a bit wary of Pat Rothfuss narrating his own story, but that worked out very nicely. Good job, sir!

Amazing!

I think it works on it's own but having read the first set of kingkiller chronicle books first feels very important. It allows this little masterpiece it's full potential to be lovely.

Lovely.

Nothing like you'd expect, all you'd want

great to hear Patrick Roth fuss narrate a wonderful expansion of his world. a must read for fans.

What a wasted opportunity - skip it

Waste of time, credit, patience and opportunity. If I could have given minus scores I would have. Pity cause I LOVED the KingKiller Chronicles and this character. I hope this has satisfied whatever artistic expression he was after before writing his next book. I know I’m being ungrateful but geez!

1 of 3 people found this review helpful

A heartbreaking yet wonderful peek into a delicate mind

This was a lovely and very strangely written short story. The reader must take heed of the authors warning that it is not written in a conventional manner at all. It is, however, a beautifully described insight into the life and mind of one of the most wonderful characters ever conceived.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful

I liked it

It might lack everything that should be in a proper story, but I liked it

0 of 1 people found this review helpful

A magnificent and delightfully joyful book.

What made the experience of listening to The Slow Regard of Silent Things the most enjoyable?

This is an unusual and delicious piece of writing. Patricks use of language and his story telling are simply elegant and and endlessly enjoyable.

Any additional comments?

Although I appreciated the authors reading of this work...I hope and request that his next novel of the series returns to the original narrator...to keep the voices of each character through the whole series.

20 of 21 people found this review helpful

Title sums it up "SLOW regard of silent things"

Starts with a forward warning "you might not want to buy this audiobook", pointing anyone who hasn't read the first two books would do better buying those before reading this. Then even warns those who have that's "it's a strange story".

Narrated by the author and is 7 days in Auri's underworld. Was expecting to learn interesting insights into the character and underworld - but I didn't. To me, not much seems to happen! It's a "SLOW regard of silent things" - no dialogue, no other characters. It's not dull, but it's not riviting! Just "OK".

10 mins at the end is spent by author "apologising" for the book which he describes himself as a "narrative train wreck" and hoping that it's quirky style will resonate with some fans (since kingkiller chronicles fans will be like lemmings off a cliff - dying to read it).

You may be left with the feeling that time spent on the third kingkiller chronicle book would have been more worthwhile.

65 of 71 people found this review helpful

Dry Reading, Good Content, Bad Price

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Patrick is a very good author but his reading style is very dry and monotone. Overall I found this an interesting concept and while I'd have preferred more of an expansion on Auri's story, I enjoyed the (almost) poetry, which seemed to compliment her character very well. I'd have given a higher rating if the narrator had more expression and the price wasn't quite so steep.

What will your next listen be?

Not sure.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Very dry monotone voice with the same intonation repeatedly. Would have preferred a more expressive voice, especially as this was basically poetry rather than a story.

You didn’t love this book--but did it have any redeeming qualities?

I really liked the concept (although getting rid of the preface warning would have made it better). I thought the story content was actually quite good and didn't have any issues with it.

Any additional comments?

None.

15 of 16 people found this review helpful

It's not what you think - in a GOOD way!

What did you like most about The Slow Regard of Silent Things?

Beautiful use of language - the book sparkles with description and elegant sentences. It's clear Patrick really connects with the story - his prologue confirms this. What also capitured me was the connection with "things", it made me pause and regard my world differently - which we should all do!

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Slow Regard of Silent Things?

Her swim.

What does Patrick Rothfuss bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

That his speech style is so clearly pronounced within the writing style. obvious really but it gives me a new regard for his writing - and clear why he connected with this story so deeply.

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

yes

Any additional comments?

Just read this book with an open mind! ENJOY!

16 of 18 people found this review helpful

A beautiful narrative of the nature of beauty

Any additional comments?

The Slow Regard of Silent Things is a lovely story about Auri. However, if you expect to glean all the untold secrets about her past Pat taunts us with in The Name of the Wind and The Wise Man's Fear, you will be disappointed. The facts about Auri's life before she was the wonderful character we all wish to understand better remain hidden. Instead, Pat will take you to the Underthing, to spend time in Auri's company, as she lives as in a differnt reality plane. A beautiful telling about a different perspective and life philosophy.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Odd but beautiful

The authors note at the start of this strange little story warns you not to buy it! His note at the end explains his warning. And, yes, this is a very odd tale told it a very odd way. But odd is not bad, and this tale is told beautifully, and oozes a very gentle charm. It's a lullaby of a story, and it made me feel at peace. I'm not sure I can think of a higher compliment.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Gorgeous

The King Killer Chronicles are far and away my favourite fantasy series so I was excited to finally get to listen to this story about Auri. I suppose it's not really a story, more a vignette; a glimpse of her world.

The whole thing is told in Auri's voice and from her own fractured perspective down in the Underthing. This doesn't pick up on any of Kvothe's story but as long as you don't mind that and just let yourself be carried away by Auri's reality you will have a beautiful and melancholy time. The language is lyrical and poetic and builds visual images in a way that is quite magical and really rather lovely.

Patrick Rothfuss does a fine job of narrating his own story but loses one star just by not being Rupert Degas who narrates the novels and is perfect (but of course you know that).

15 of 18 people found this review helpful

What a shock!

Why oh why Patrick did you decide to narrate this!? Keep to the written word my friend.

I was so disappointed to not hear rupert degas' narration and to find out this is not a continuation of the previous two books.

Such a shock. 😟

13 of 17 people found this review helpful

Not for me

Not for me if u liked his other books (as I did) give this one a miss, not to my liking

8 of 11 people found this review helpful

So disappointing

What disappointed you about The Slow Regard of Silent Things?

Nothing. I was expecting to find out a little bit more about Auri as she is a really interesting character that we know very little about from the first two king killer books. However, this book is basically 7 days in the life of Auri, which as it turns out is actually pretty boring. Absolutely nothing happens. The story mostly tells Auri moving between different parts of the under thing, all of which have random names that mean nothing to the listener. Surely the most interesting and most obvious thing to write about would be how she ended up living underground in the first place?! This is a massively selfish and self-indulgent book, the author and publishers have taken advantage of a dedicated fan base, and has wasted 3hrs of my time. I am also so so disappointed that the third king killer has been delayed because of the author wasting everyone's time writing this book. Will be contacting customer services for a refund.

What could Patrick Rothfuss have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

I adore the first two king killer books, am still a dedicated fan of kwothe but no longer respect the author or publishers.

Would you be willing to try another one of Patrick Rothfuss’s performances?

No. Poorly written book.

What character would you cut from The Slow Regard of Silent Things?

Everything. The fact the author narrates this book when he clearly has no narration skills is just further evidence of his self-indulgent selfishness.

Any additional comments?

How did the publishers let this happen? Don't bother with this book but don't let it put you off the trilogy, they are some of the most beautiful books written.

32 of 46 people found this review helpful