The Name of the Wind
by Patrick Rothfuss
Rating: 4.0 / 5 · Read · Finished 2014-05-10
I read this at the same time as re-reading Ender’s game, so I was in the mood for a child prodigy story, which is what this is. It’s fun to root for the main character because he always finds a way, no matter how terribly things go for him. And his many skills appeal to my generalist nature. I wish I could identify plants and their uses, play lute beautifully and speak several languages. Prodigy novels let you do that.
It started out as a generic fantasy story, complete with lots of exotic names and references to places and people you’ve never heard of. Simplicity is not the story’s strength. Rather, it is its complexity. Rothfus introduces a character who is impossibly worldly, talented and famous, and it feels hollow and immature. But he quickly sets things up for a very long and satisfying tale which backs him up. Adventure after tragedy after mystery. The events of the novel take a long and winding path that utterly convince you that this man deserves a reputation.
I like the attention to realism. Magic exists but respects the conservation of energy. And magic isn’t always the solution to problems, yielding to knowledge of chemistry, biology or forestry. The novel appeals to intellectuals, especially since a large conflict for the main character is gaining access to a gigantic library.
The novel reaches an exciting climax and avoids a cliffhanger, but leaves plenty of room for more story with clear conflicts unresolved. I’m ready for the next one.