I first read The Name of the Wind a few years after it had come out, and I inhaled it. Afterward, it stayed inside my heart, lighting me from within like a candle flame. It was intricate and beautiful and complex, a tale of two different times, and two very different men: the hero of our story, young and full of confidence, and the person he became in the wake of tragedy. Then, I reread it, recognizing and reliving everything again—and yet, I saw more. I saw that the tales told are the same tale, spun out over and over again in different ways. And it blew me away, this recognition of the way stories shift and change and warp over time. And then I read it a third time, and I saw the details of histories underlying the bones of the modern tale, and the rhymes in the words, and the hints of realities hovering beneath this one.
Every time I read The Name of the Wind, I seem to discover more and more. Patrick Rothfuss has made a story that is rich, complex, and stands the test of time. The Name of the Wind is a 21st century fantasy classic for this reason, but there are so many other reasons to revisit this world again and again. Here are just a few:
1: Kvothe/Kote
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One of the main draws to this novel, and the series as a whole, is that Kvothe is the key that holds the story together. Brilliant but proud, spirited but sometimes obnoxious, heroic but lacking in wisdom, Kvothe in his time as a young man represents the hero’s journey, from ignorance and safety to knowledge, danger, and courage. He may strike some as a “perfect” character who can do no wrong, but don’t be mistaken. He has his flaws, but they stem largely from his arrogance, inexperience, and youth, and we see that no better than in the figure of Kote in his inn, hiding from the world in the sections of the story that frame the narratives of his younger days. All that youthful hubris and quick-tempered rage have been swept away to reveal a quiet, deeply damaged individual, waiting to die. How we get there, and how the youth became this broken man, is one of the series’ most intriguing mysteries, drawing readers ever deeper into Kote’s story.
2: The Setting
Rothfuss knows what he is doing when it comes to worldbuilding, and Temerant reads in many ways like a rediscovered world of old. It feels real, and lived in, with intricate systems of currency, government, language, magic, nobility, myth, and more. While we only see glimpse the small corners that Rothfuss introduces us to through Kvothe, the sheer amount of history, the sense of scope, and hints strewn like breadcrumbs throughout the narrative ensure that readers are constantly learning about and thinking about the various nations, cultures, and histories interwoven in this world—and keeps us on the alert for new facts and clues.
3: The Frame Story
One of the most compelling parts of The Name of the Wind is coming to know Kvothe through his time as the quiet innkeeper Kote…and then being transported by the narrative back to his youth and seeing who this withdrawn, bittersweet, broken man used to be. Rothfuss doesn’t introduce us to the legend until page sixty or so, and by pivoting so quickly, he throws the reader off guard, and introduces us to the central mystery of this whole series: Who is Kvothe? And what happened to make him the way he is now? These mysteries are the driving heart of the novel, and the slow unfurling of their truths have tantalized readers every step of the way. We know that something terrible has happened; we just don’t know what it is…at least, not yet. Rothfuss’ clever shifts between the narratives cleverly contrast the brilliant young man our protagonist used to be with the broken man he’s become, with each side of the story lending depth and mystery to the other. Not only that, but the frame story introduces us to the curious Chronicler, who first draws out Kvothe’s story, as well as the Fae prince, Bast—Kote’s student and friend (and a more powerful, sly, and trickier figure than one might expect). We gradually come to notice the strings Bast is pulling through the frame, as well as Chronicler’s response, both of which continue to inform Kvothe’s own story.
4: The Magic
According to Rothfuss, there are eight individual magic systems in the world of Temerant (though we’ve actually only seen six so far), and like his history, religion, lore, and more, Rothfuss imbues each of them with specific, lovely details. He has his cake, and he gets to eat it, too, as Temerant is filled with modern, specific, science-based magics, such as sympathy, sygaldry, alchemy, etc., while also a world still very much in touch with its deeper, more mystical powers: Naming, Glammourie, and Grammarie. While we’ve only seen the Fae wield the latter, humans can also utilize Naming, should they have the knack, talent, or luck to stumble into it.
5: The Intersection of Fantasy and Reality
Rothfuss went through painstaking work to make his world feel familiar, using language and detail to create the sense of real places populated by relatable, vividly rendered people. From the deep roots of the Atur Empire to the rising prominence of Caeldish moneylenders, from the sword-bright histories of the Adem and their Lethani, to the intricacies of Vintas and the courts within, Temerant is a world that spills off the page like vibrant ink, and while Rothfuss spins his tale of Kvothe, could easily bleed onto other pages and swirl into life of its own. He combines the lived-in sweat, blood, and anxieties of real-life experience and grafts it seamlessly onto a world of magic, dragons, faeries, and intrigue.
6: The Mysteries
Where do we even begin here? While some of these are borne from The Wise Man’s Fear, The Name of the Wind sports enough of its own mysteries to last several graduate level studies. What really happened to Kvothe, and what did he do to end up where he is? Did he really kill a king? Did he really kill an angel? What is the truth behind the Chandrian, and what is the importance of Arliden’s song? Who are the Sithe? What’s behind the door in the library? Who is Mr. Ash? What is Denna’s deal? What exactly was the Creation War? Just… yeah. Lot of questions. But! We’ll learn the answers, someday.
7: The Language
If you’re looking for simple, elegant, beautiful language, go no further than The Name of the Wind. Every time I read it, a new line sticks out to me. But you can tell Rothfuss has a background in poetry, because the way he utilizes language throughout the novel is expert level, the kind of strong, poetic writing that you don’t even notice for how it slides across the page. Reading this language is a pleasure akin to savoring a mug of hot tea, or soaking in a bath, or smelling spring rain as it hits the grass.
8: The Cast of Characters
The Name of the Wind works because Kvothe is such an interesting narrator, and Rothfuss constantly keeps you off guard as to his truths and intent. But this world wouldn’t be as fascinating if it was just him soaking up the spotlight. Aside from Kvothe, we meet the lovely and incomprehensible Denna, who steals his heart, and possibly much more. We have Bast, Prince of the Fae, willing to bend and break those in his way, to do whatever he has to to bring his teacher back from the brink of despair. We have Kilvin and Wil and Simmon and Auri and Stanchion and Deoch and Fela and Mola and Elodin and Devi, and yes, even Ambrose, characters who truly bring the University to life. And then there are Haliax and Selitos and Cinder and Lanre and Lyra and Tehlu and Encanis and all the other figures of myth and legend. The Name of the Wind may be Kvothe’s tale, but the stories of many others are caught up in the wheel of his, and as that wheel turns, so do these many intertwined lives and fates.
9: The Power and Importance of Stories
There is a story of a city in The Name of the Wind, a city that rises and falls through time. It is one story, with one truth at its heart. But Rothfuss tells that story in four or five different ways throughout the novel, and it always impresses me, this detail. That stories change in times and places, and among different peoples. The novel is full of little details like this, and Rothfuss doesn’t shy from this. Stories enrich us, fulfill us, teach us, or warn us. They are a lighthouse at sea, drawing us to safety. They are a candle in the night, gifting us hope, a soft warding from the beings who can stalk the night. Stories are threaded through the entirety of The Name of the Wind, and while their purpose can be myriad, their power is never scoffed at or dismissed. Stories, like names, have power. We can never forget that.
10: Patrick Rothfuss
I think another reason The Name of the Wind resonates is because of the author himself. Rothfuss is a genial, good-natured individual who has done his damnedest to be there for his fans, to talk with them and tell them stories, and share his life and stories of his life, when he wants to. He runs one of the most successful genre-friendly charities that I can think of, and helps get people involved in helping the world. He lifts people up when given the chance. He is a fan who is trying to do good in the world through his writing, and I’m not sure what more can be asked for.
The Name of the Wind is ten years old, but I have no doubt it will continue to age well. The things we love about it are even richer ten years on, with The Wise Man’s Fear and more providing some answers, some clues, to whet out appetite. It is an epic fantasy that delightfully trucks with the tropes of its own genre, only to turn them on their head, re-examine them, figure out why they work, or why they don’t, and play them to a new music entirely.
If you’ve not read it yet, I’d encourage you to do so. The Name of the Wind will be around for some time, and I gladly feel like it won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.
Martin Cahill is a contributor to Tor.com, as well as Book Riot and Strange Horizons. He has fiction forthcoming at Beneath Ceaseless Skies and Fireside Fiction. You can follow his musings on Twitter @McflyCahill90.
I am not one to get mad at authors who take forever to write. Instead I just won’t buy their books until they finish. When book three comes out (also if it is confirmed that it is indeed the ending of the trilogy) I will purchase and read it immediately. Then will never purchase another book by him until he shows he can write, and put out books at a pace that meets my needs as a reader.
@1 I tend to avoid any series that is unfinished no matter who the author is. When I get into a good story I don’t like breaking it up with other stories or having to wait any period of time for the ‘next part.’
Excellent article. Makes me want to read all of it again. His work is so beautifully written. I enjoy the art of it. Writers are people and books like these are not churned out like pulp fiction. I want the writers to make the art they want to make, not be on a factory production line cranking out something unfinished and not what they want it to be. If Rothfuss never has another word in print, I will be glad that I was enriched by what I have had the chance to read of his work.
The reread posts here on Tor have really helped open my eyes to a lot of the depth I missed first time around. While the story is a pretty standard one (on its surface) what really drew me into his books was the way he crafts prose. Each word seems so specifically and carefully chosen for optimum beauty and meaning, and sometimes even single word choices seem to carry foreshadowing. There are some authors I enjoy better in terms of pacing, plotting, etc but I think he may be among one of my very favorites when it comes to the prose itself (maybe up there with Ray Bradbury).
And much as I want to agree with 1 and 2 I can’t. Yes the frustration is real and waiting for the final books is anything but a pleasure.
However, I could not imagine not having read these books. I would still advise them to everyone even though the story is not finished. Not reading them is denying yourself some of the most excellent fantasy ever written.
I was going to respond to @1 and 2, but @5 beat me to it :)
My dad is the same as those above: refuses to read a series unless it is finished. In some ways, I understand that. However, as much as it really sucks not knowing the end, and maybe never knowing, I can’t imagine not having read NotW, or A Song of Ice and Fire, or Stormlight Archive (which will most likely be finished, but it still counts as “currently being written”).
NotW especially is worth reading even if Rothfuss never finishes (but I really really really hope he does). It is a work of art, and I wouldn’t say that about too many novels or series. The Slow Regard of Silent Things is just wonderful as well.
I was super lucky to see Rothfuss at NerdCon:Stories 2016 which coincidentally was also on my birthday. He was so nice, and despite the signing-attendees telling me he would not sign custom messages, he did write me a happy birthday note, and also gifted me a necklace. I was really sad to hear the con wasn’t continued this year =(
I loved the “Name of the Wind” more than I have ever loved a book and I am a voracious reader. I used to regularly reread it every year or two. I used to defend Patrick Rothfuss and the unending delays, I used to keep up with his blog, appearances etc. He is a pretty cool dude. I no longer do any of those things any more because at some point I could no longer enjoy those things – like food turned to ash in the mouth. I go out of my way *not* to recommend this book to anyone anymore. I am convinced the third book will never be released – at this point I think Pat will die with the book unfinished. The lack of conclusion to this once-beloved story is a gaping void in my literary life that nothing else can fill and I wouldn’t wish that upon any one. Please stop publishing things that encourage people to read Name of the Wind, it is simply cruel.
Add me to the list of people really not happy to be waiting this long for the story to continue, but I feel confident it’ll be a worthy successor when he’s done. As much as I don’t like waiting, a rushed novel would be worse.
Number 6: Mysteries is the reason book three needs to come out. Also, I think that the doors of stone from the title is the 4-plate door.
I can’t disagree with a single thing written here. Well, ok, maybe it being only 10 years old, let me know when it resonates 100 years from publication.
I cannot, in good conscience, recommend this book to anyone. It’s a story that will only ever be half-told. Rothfuss will never release the conclusion, whether it be from perfectionism or simply fear. I’ve moved on and so should anyone else unfortunate enough to have read the first 2 books.
I still have hope that Book 3 will someday appear, but I do wish I’d waited to read the series until whenever it does. Even though I would probably rush through and miss many, many allusions throughout, I would be able to join the discussions and participate as a first-time reader.
I have to (somewhat) agree with @7 that NotW and WMF have become ash in my mouth. I wish Rothfuss had never told us that the complete trilogy had been written before he ever sold the books to a publisher. I wish we’d never been given a projected date for the release of B3…twice! I would perhaps feel less annoyed about waiting.
That said, I will nevertheless be devouring Doors of Stone on my deathbed, if I have to wait that long.
I just finished my 6th re-read of NotW when I picked up my 10th anniversary copy, my 2nd re-read of 2017. I tell anyone and everyone that will listen to read this book. I don’t care if the third book is never released because NotW and WMF are that good. I’m continually discussing and dissecting different theories and passages from the books with my friends. Also my friends and I have taken to playing Tak on a weekly basis at our local drinking establishment. If you haven’t tried Tak, go check it out.
NotW was one of my main inspirations in deciding to write my own novel. Which I’m currently in my 6th year of working on (more revision huzzah!). I hope that someday people read my work and like it enough to refuse to recommend it to their friends or even speak of it because I’m not writing fast enough for their liking.
12, That said, I will nevertheless be devouring Doors of Stone on my deathbed, if I have to wait that long.
Am I a terrible person for imagining that being said in Tyrion Lannister’s voice?
At the age of 80…
Thank you for this article! It speaks so much truth in its distilled analysis of what makes this story so grand. My sympathies to all who have not read the art of these novels. The best art takes on a life of its own and spreads and embeds itself into those who are moved to emotional reflection. This reflection is best when shared and spread again as each person’s experiences are their own. This sharing has created a large community of people who have discovered more and more in each reading and each discussion. It is sad that many consume art such as this akin to gluttons who consistently are seeking more to fulfill an appetite never satiated. These stories have a life of their own and no work at this level should be consumed or rushed with an expectation that it end appropriately in an acceptable time frame. I first read the Name of the Wind in the year it was published and I have been spreading the word of its art since that day and will continue to do so until my life ends. I patiently await the next part in this story but have been very pleased to reread the words that Rothfuss has written as each reveals new aspects to me due to the increasing age of both myself and the story. A couple of friends and I had the great honor to spend an evening with Mr. Rothfuss many years ago. This is one of the great experiences of my life. Patrick Rothfuss is a great man who lives to learn and has so much to share. His life has experienced many ups and downs but he continues on with a storyteller’s heart and with the pure intention of pleasing others. My life is better for having read these works and they bring joy in every thought of the experience. If my life or the life of this story is cut prematurely it will still resonate and be considered one of the most literary works of fantasy to ever be written. Its story will continue through the inspiration it provides other authors and many generations will continue to benefit as the genre grows and improves with age. That in its essence is my prediction for the legacy of The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss.
The problem with waiting until a series is done to start reading it is that it may never get finished if people don’t buy it. If the first 2 books have poor sales, the publisher may not renew for the rest of the series, which means we all lose out in the end.
That may not happen for the Kingkiller books since they have been selling very well, but it is something to be aware of when taking a stand like this.
“If you’ve not read it yet, I’d encourage you to do so.” Honestly? No. Unless you enjoy unresolved, unfinished stories I’d avoid this series. Much like GRRM, the author is creatively bankrupt and content to coast on his previous successes.
At this point, the best hope for a resolution would be if it got made into a TV series and the TV writers finished it (much like GOT).
If/when they ever actually finish (ha!), I’ll read the books – but I’m not paying a cent to do so. They lost my loyalty as a customer, and frankly I’m not optimistic about the quality of any output at this point after the diminishing quality of their work as the respective series progressed.
What more can be asked…I mean to finish the series of books??? He is reaching GRRM levels of not finishing books now and not caring. Doesn’t bother me as much as others (R. Scott Baker how I wish you would write faster)- as I wasn’t as enthralled with these books as some other people were, but still somewhat annoying. Largly works were an interesting experiment in having a somewhat obvious unrealistic narrator that I am not sure if will end up being successful or not once the whole story is told.
Also – I still believe in separating the author from his works so what he is doing with the rest of his life – irrelevant and should be irrelevant to how good the books are and if they still resonate or not.
@15 – Now that is some quality sarcasm, my friend!
Wow, I’m honestly surprised at how many people came to comment their bitterness that the final book isn’t out yet. I mean, I know it kind of sucks, but it genuinely surprises me how people take it as some kind of personal affront.
What’s most ironic about it is you’re complaining that there’s no conclusion (ignoring the fact that the 2 existing books are wonderful reads on their own merits) when it’s a frame story – the conclusion is already in the books! So really, all you’re missing out on is a partial bit of reasoning of how he got there.
You also can’t be mad about wanting answers to mysteries — knowing Rothfuss, book 3 will leave many more questions than it answers.
@17 “I’ll read the books – but I’m not paying a cent to do so. They lost my loyalty as a customer” — that’s a horrible attitude. “I’ll consume your art, but damn if I’ll compensate you for it!” just, wow, the entitlement mentality. I mean, it’s fine if you’re not his “customer” anymore, but then how bout you actually boycott it and not pirate it, eh?
Anyways, I still recommend this series to friends, and I always will, even if he doesn’t finish (though I think he will, unlike GRRM). The books are wonderful in their own right, and even without a “conclusion” they are wonderful fun to explore and ruminate on. I’ve always been a believer in “journey before destination” and that’s what all books should be.
@20 Nope I do not take it personally. As I tried to say in my first post, it is the kind of reader I am that keeps me from starting a series until it is done. If the story is good, in fact the better the story the worse it is for me, I get into them so much that I put myself into the stories world, I ‘live’ in it. then the story kind of ends and I have to remove myself from that world and re-enter the real one or enter another world from a different story. It is very hard for me to place myself back in a much loved world after I have removed myself from it and the more time and stories in between only makes it harder.
Maybe its my loss but I like a story that has a beginning, a middle and an ending.
@@@@@15 I wanted to respond to this comment:
Well, I for one *do* read to satisfy an appetite for well-told stories. I do not read for the “poetry” of writing (although I may find the lilt and cadence increase my enjoyment) because I’ve never enjoyed poetry, per se. And I don’t feel that I will ever be able to “fulfill an appetite” but I enjoy the consuming of the story, without expecting that it will satiate to the point that I’ll never want another.
@@@@@ 17:
What! What diminishing quality? The latest example we have…Slow Regard of Silent Things…may not continue Kvothe’s story, and it may not be “your thing,” but many of us thought it is a lovely, delicate look at a beloved character.
Ambrose will becomes king. Marry or hurt Denna. Kvothe whilst battling Ambrose will acidently kill Auri (the angel) and be bound by his old teacher who will lock up part of his name in the chest.
Just some speculation
Hi everyone, looks like a popular post to comment on, logged in to make my first comment :)
I think the second book in this series is a great reason why editors are soooo important. I felt like a good half of that book could have been cut and would have been a whole lot better for it; it ended up with the feel of very (very) well written fan fic :(
So I am glad that the next book is taking a while to be written, I’m hopping it hints at a more thorough editing/refining process.
My fear is that he has written himself into a corner with all the hints at the dark events that led up to kvothe’s fall. I worry that he just won’t be able to deliver. I hope I’m proven wrong on this one :D
@24 you are so right.
I love TNotW, I really do, but WMF gives me a bad taste in my mouth. The most obvious part that screams for mockery is when Kvothe the Super Virgin astounds and amazes a Literal Sex Goddess his Very First Time, but pretty much the whole section from leaving the Maer to coming back to him is dumb and only exists to give him Plausible Fencing Powers.
Where the rest of us have to work to produce something good, geniuses can produce amazing work consistently and almost on demand. But every once in a while, someone who is “merely talented” can produce something that astounds even the geniuses in their field.
NoTW is an amazing book. It is the work of true inspiration and perhaps once in a lifetime focus from someone who is a “merely talented” writer. WMF is a very good book. If the last book in the series is only as good as WMF, and I were Rothfuss, I would be devastated. With NoTW, he has produced something that I think we all understand is beyond his normal capability. That’s not a knock against him. WMF is better than what most successful genre authors put out there. If I were Rothfuss, I would be not be ok with that, and I would be looking for how to capture that lightning again. I would look at the distance in time between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings and I would tell my publisher to back off and stop asking for any more books.
I enjoyed NoTW and I would recommend it, it can probably be read as a stand alone book. I read half of WMF until I gave up, it’s more of the same, the story just progresses too slowly and all the adventures, although enjoyable, are rather low-key and you ask yourself how many thousands of pages you need to go through before you start getting all the grand deeds that are attributed to the hero (killing a king, etc).
@27
That’s a great summary. I had not thought of it in those terms before, and quite frankly it has softened my annoyance with Rothfuss to think that way. The man caught lightening in a bottle and can’t reproduce it. That has to be infuriating for him. I actually don’t mind the long wait between books. Stormlight 2-3 was a four year wait. But Sanderson respects his fans and keeps us updated. Something Rothfuss can’t be bothered with. It’s his complete disregard and honestly, disdain, for his fans that really bothers me.
@29 – Totally agreed, Dan. Rothfuss has no respect for his fans.
Rothfuss wrote a fanfic where one of his characters from Kingkiller Chronicle meets Tom Bombadil’s wife, who wants to sleep with her.
It was as embarrassing to read as his novels.
No one has mentioned the upcoming TV Show?
http://www.stevenspointjournal.com/story/entertainment/television/2017/11/09/showtime-kingkiller-chronicle-television-series-patrick-rothfuss-lin-manuel-miranda/830621001/
I’m afraid that will suck up his time and he will never get back to the books, a la GRRM.
On the other hand… Lin-Manuel Miranda is producing and writing music for the series. I’m conflicted.
I can’t think of another series where I have simultaneously loved the books so much and felt so incredibly frustrated by the author. When people used to complain about Rothfuss taking a long time to finish the series, I always thought it seemed unreasonable. But the more time that passes, the more I see their point. And for anyone surprised that people login to post a comment about feeling frustrated? Maybe the headline snapped into focus exactly how long it has been, which was definitely the case for me.
The article made me want to read this again…BUT…I broke my rule of never starting a series before it was finished and I’ve regretted it ever since this series. It’s like Fox TV, who has a track record of cancelling a fantastic TV show mid-season, which leaves fans feeling hopelessly abandoned and negates the investment of time in starting the series.
It’s like Witchblade Season 1 where the final episode reset everything, discounting everything that came before and making it a waste of time for viewers.
Say all you want about Rothfuss “being there for his fans”, but the real way an author supports the fans is giving them the rest of the story…especially after so many years have passed with nothing but a loosly tie in novella.
This article made me realize how frustrating I am a the Patrick “can’t deliver” Rothfuss. Especially when the first two books were fantastic, but years later I’m no longer a fan due to the hours wasted on false promises of delivery.
I read and enjoyed both books, and the name of the wind is special. Much better than the sequel in my opinion, and I would be surprised if book 3 ends in a satisfying way. Too much left hanging, and if it ends at the “present day” of the innkeeper, I would not consider it a complete story. That could easily take 3-4 more books.
So I have to agree with many of the other commenters here that I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone until the story is finished in a satisfying way. I told my wife she should try it while reading TNotW, but by the time I was in book two changed that to “maybe when he is done”. She hasn’t started it.
I think this is more GoT than AWoT, in terms of the author being the only one who can finish it. I can’t see Rothfuss leaving anyone to finish his world, so if he doesn’t do it no one will. I was relieved when GoT had a TV show; that guarantees at least an ending, even if it isn’t identical to the one in Martin’s head. Not sure a TV show can help this one much at all.
Sanderson is the only author I am currently reading that I trust enough to start reading a series before he has finished it. Besides his consistent writing speed, he communicates his progress, and appears to have most of the story in his head in some detail already. Plus, almost every book has a satisfying ending on its own at some level. Other than his work, epic fantasy series have to be finished before I start reading. Too many bright starts that flame out or have endings that don’t live up to the beginning at all.
I’ve given up on waiting for the third book and pinned my hopes on the idea that in 15 years or so Brandon Sanderson will finish it.
This is on Goodreads and it’s too good not to share:
So, all you “I’ll never read an unfinished series” people, I assume you never watched Firefly then?
Demanding a finished story before reading it leaves so much enjoyment out of your life, I don’t understand it.
If Rothfuss was beamed up by aliens or taken into the Fae tomorrow, never to return, my life is better having read Name of the Wind.
Even if the Doors of Stone is a complete dud, I would still find my time spent reading and re-reading NotW and tWMF time well spent.
38, a lot of people DID react to Firefly being on Fox with disdain and even some bitterness because they doubted it’d last.
That’s aside from the other documented problems with it.
I too am frustrated waiting for the third book. However, Creativity can not be forced!!!! And for writing as rare & pleasurable as Rothfuss’s “Name of the Wind”, “A Wise Man’s Fears” & especially “The Slow Regard of Silent Things”, (especially that book!!!) are well worth waiting for. “Life gets in the way when you’re making plans…..”
Honestly. I want to go to a signing and give him his books back.
Im done with this guy.
I hesitate to post here because I don’t know if I really want to increase the bitterness quotient! But two points:
1) Name of the Wind is one of my all-time favourite books and I don’t at all regret reading it. I will treasure it as long as I live.
2) I had to “un-like” Rothfuss on facebook and stop reading his blog because I found my annoyance mounting by the month as I saw all that he was doing with the NotW universe…that did not at all relate to writing the book.
And at the end of the day, yes – I acknowledge Rothfuss is his own man and he owes me nothing. But for now, I refuse to follow him or keep up with what he’s doing. I’m going to just keep and enjoy the books he did write.
Please let’s keep criticisms from getting overly personal–it’s one thing to say, “I am frustrated by this situation” and another to call an author names or start criticizing their personality, which doesn’t add anything useful or constructive to the discussion. Thanks.
I’m frustrated with the wait as well, but WoT and ASOIAF have accustomed me to patience. Stormlight Archive is continuing that training. This leads in to my point that you just keep diverting your attention to the other good things in life, and then you can be pleasantly surprised when, oh hey, Oathbringer is practically here!
I’m frankly astounded at the level of bitterness and entitlement I’ve found in these comments. I almost checked the url to be sure I wasn’t on YouTube… Anyone willing to forego the pleasures of reading these books doesn’t deserve the pleasures of reading them.
That aside, this was a fantastic article with which I wholeheartedly agree with on every point.
I disagree with the comment that PR is not a genius. Genius is not consistency. Creativity and intelligence itself both fluctuate wildly from moment to moment. You can’t rush genius.
46, people who feel pain are inclined to speak about it, and sometimes even warn others MORE than those who have pleasure with something. You might want to try this article by Brent Weeks though.
Anyway, to quote from Lois McMaster Bujold, whose thought (if not said) on being told if she could write three novels a year for seven years, they could put her on the map, wondered if she could write one book a year for twenty-one instead:
“You think he’s a genius?” she said, raising her eyebrows. The high Vor twit?
“I don’t know him quite well enough, yet. But I suspect so, a part of the time.”
“Can you be a genius part of the time?”
“All the geniuses I ever met were so just part of the time. To qualify, you only have to be great once, you know. Once when it matters. Ah, dessert. My, this is splendid!” He applied himself happily to a large chocolate confection with whipped cream and more pecans.
The bitterness is, I feel, a measure of the excellence of TNOTW. I loved, and still love it; followed Jo’s articles on Tor and dived into analysis with her. WMF not so good, I treasure the memory of a (sadly deleted) review on Goodreads that dedicated a whole graph and subsection to “the Felurian Incident”, how I wish I’d saved that review.
I don’t reread now as I’m convinced Rothfuss will never finish book 3 but I hope I’m wrong.