The Name of the Wind

1. Title, author, and date of book?
The Name of the Wind
The Kingkiller Chronicles: Day One
Patrick Rothfuss
Debut novel, 2007

2. Genre: fiction, nonfiction, memoir, history, etc.?
Fantasy

3. What made you want to read it? Did it live up to your expectations?
Recommended by Nancy Pearl.
More than lived up to my expectations.

4. Summarize the book without giving away the ending.
From the website:
Told in Kvothe’s own voice, this is the tale of the magically gifted young man who grows to be the most notorious wizard his world has ever seen. The intimate narrative of his childhood in a troupe of traveling players, his years spent as a near-feral orphan in a crime-ridden city, his daringly brazen yet successful bid to enter a legendary school of magic, and his life as a fugitive after the murder of a king form a gripping coming-of-age story unrivaled in recent literature. A high-action story written with a poet’s hand, The Name of the Wind is a masterpiece that will transport readers into the body and mind of a wizard.

5. What did you think of the main character?
Kvothe is so interesting. He has many layers that are portrayed well.

6. Which character could you relate to best, and why?
Not a character in the traditional sense but Grief plays a major role in this book. And, I could relate to Kvothe thru his relationship to Grief and how it transforms him.

7. Were there any other especially interesting characters?
Some of the teachers at the University are intriguing. And, I wanted more from his student, Bast.
I think we will get to know these people more in the other books.

8. Did you think the characters and their problems were believable?
Right, now we are focused are Kvothe and what his issues are and yes it is believable.

9. From whose point of view is the story told?
The Chronicler came for Kvothe’s story and most of the book is Kvothe telling the beginning of his tale.

10. Was location important to the story?
Yes. You have to believe in the World he created and I did. Plus where they are, at the Inn, is going to very important in future books. There are incidents happening that not everything is at it seems.

11. Was the time period important to the story?
High Fantasy so no, not really.

12. Was the story told chronologically? Was there foreshadowing?
We have two stories going on. One is the story of Kvothe and the other is what is happening while the story is being told. We just see bits and pieces of it but things are stirring and going to explode.

13. Did you think the story was funny, sad, touching, disturbing, moving?
Parts are sad. Some are so funny. You get a lot of emotions when the book is 662 pages. So far we do not have a “End of the World” scenario. Which is kind of refreshing in a fantasy novel.

14. What did you like most about the book?
That Kvothe is making it on his own. Unusual for a fantasy book. Usually you have a Quest and the Hero/Heroine ends up w. a bunch of teacher and friends to help them. Right now Kvothe only has a few friends and they are not there to help his save anything, but for companionship.

15. What did you like least?
That it ended and the next when will not be out until 2008.

16. Share a quote from the book.

Perhaps the greatest faculty our minds possess is the ability to cope with pain. Classic thinking teaches us of the four doors of the mind, which everyone moves through according to their own need.
First is the door of sleep. Sleep offers us a retreat from the world and all its pain. Sleep marks passing time, giving us distance from the things that have hurt us. When a person is wounded they will often fall unconscious. Similarly, someone who hears traumatic news will often swoon or faint. This is the mind’s’ way of protecting itself from the pain be stepping through the first door.
Second is the door of forgetting. Some wounds are too deep to heal, or too deep to heal quickly. In addition, many memories are simply painful and there is no healing to be done. The saying “time heals all wounds” is false. Time heals most wounds. The rest are hidden behind this door.
Third is the door of madness. There are times when the mind is dealt such a blow it hides itself in insanity. While this may not seem beneficial, it is. There are times when reality is nothing but pain, and to escape tat pain the mind must reality behind.
Last is the door of death. The final resort. Nothing can hurt us after we are dead, or so we have been told.

17. Share a favorite scene from the book.
One of my favorite scenes is when Kvothe decides he must get to the University. He was so filthy that when he cleans himself up and is not recognized by his few acquaintances.
Another is when he sings for the first time at the Eloian.

18. What about the ending?
We stopped at good place, but cannot wait for the next one.

19. What do you think will be your lasting impression of this book?
I want to know what happens to Kvothe. Does he find the revenge he seeks? Will he ever haveenough money? Will he get the girl? And, what is going on in town? Are they looking for Kvothe?

20. Which readers are most likely to enjoy this book, and why.
If you like Fantasy this is one to try. Different from many of the others that I have read. Just be prepared it is another trilogy.