The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss: A Masterful Fantasy Epic – Kingkiller Chronicle Book 1 Review
Patrick Rothfuss’s fantasy novel The Name of the Wind is the first book in The Kingkiller Chronicle trilogy. Published in 2007, the book quickly garnered a massive fan base. Rothfuss not only tells a captivating story but also employs a unique narrative style that keeps readers hooked. The use of multiple narrators and interwoven tales adds depth and richness to the story, making it a standout in the fantasy genre.
The Name of the Wind: Plot Overview
The story begins at the Waystone Inn, a quiet and rarely visited tavern. However, something unusual happens on this particular day. A traveler arrives, claiming to have been attacked by a giant spider, which killed his horse. He managed to save himself and even brought the spider’s corpse to the inn as proof. The locals, convinced it’s a demonic creature, decide to burn it using specific methods.
But there’s more to this event than meets the eye. These aren’t just ordinary giant spiders. Kote, the innkeeper, takes action after the incident and ventures into the forest to eliminate a group of these spiders. During this event, a chronicler named Devan Lochees happens to pass by. Kote rescues the injured chronicler (who also works as a scribe) and brings him back to the inn to tend to his wounds.
It becomes clear that the chronicler recognizes Kote. He knows him as Kvothe, a once-famous figure who was involved in a significant event but has since gone into hiding, presumed dead. Now living under the alias Kote, Kvothe runs the inn in a remote location, accompanied by his apprentice, Bast.
But why was Kvothe famous? What did he do? The first book only offers hints about the pivotal events of his past. The title The Kingkiller Chronicle gives readers a clue about the magnitude of his actions.
Devan Lochees, who has written biographies of many famous individuals, offers to document Kvothe’s life. Kvothe agrees but insists that it will take three days to tell his story properly, as he wants to start from the beginning and set the record straight. After all, there are many rumors and falsehoods about him—some of which he himself spread. And so, he begins recounting his life story.
Kvothe’s Life Story: The Edema Ruh
The subtitles of Patrick Rothfuss’s The Kingkiller Chronicle books are Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3, reflecting the three days Kvothe takes to tell his story.
He starts with his childhood. Kvothe reveals that he is an Edema Ruh, a member of a traveling troupe of performers. His parents lead the group, traveling the country in caravans and putting on shows that include music, dance, theater, and more. Kvothe is born and raised in this environment, but his life takes a dramatic turn when he meets a man named Abenthy.
Abenthy is a former student of the University, where he studied subjects like sympathy (the book’s term for magic), alchemy, and the arcane arts. He also knows the name of the wind, a powerful ability that allows those who know an object’s true name to control it.
Kvothe’s idyllic childhood comes to a tragic end when his family and troupe are killed. He becomes an orphan and learns from stories that the culprits are a group known as the Chandrian. Determined to uncover the truth about them, Kvothe decides to attend the University, which boasts a vast library with thousands of books. There, he begins to study sympathy, alchemy, and other arcane arts.
Despite his academic pursuits, Kvothe continues to play the lute, an instrument he learned from his father. He is highly intelligent and a quick learner, but his ultimate goal is to learn the name of the wind.
“Kvothe shook his head. “No. It began at the University. I went to learn magic of the sort they talk about in stories. Magic like Taborlin the Great. I wanted to learn the name of the wind. I wanted fire and lightning. I wanted answers to ten thousand questions and access to their archives. But what I found at the University was much different than a story, and I was much dismayed.”
I’ve previously compiled a list of engaging and fast-paced novels, and The Name of the Wind certainly deserves a spot on that list. Despite its length, it’s a truly gripping read.
See also: 30 best fantasy books, novels, and book series of all time
Patrick Rothfuss’s Narrative Style and Multiple Storytellers
In this novel, Rothfuss tells multiple stories simultaneously. It feels as though the author, the narrator, and the characters are co-writing the story. Rothfuss has created a richly detailed world with a grand overarching narrative. Kvothe’s story is just one part of this larger tale, with side stories like those of Lanre, the gods, and the demons adding depth to the world-building.
Kvothe’s own story is divided into segments. In the first book, we see his childhood, his time with the troupe, his years as an orphan in a city, and the early part of his University life.
What’s fascinating is how Rothfuss involves the reader in the storytelling process. Kvothe doesn’t just recount his life; he also reflects on what makes a good story and how it should be told. This meta-narrative approach is woven into the book, offering insights into the art of storytelling itself.
“More or less. You have to be a bit of a liar to tell a story the right way. Too much truth confuses the facts. Too much honesty makes you sound insincere.”
“ Kvothe had a bite or two before he spoke. “Onward then. Music and magic. Triumph and folly. Think now. What does our story need? What vital element is it lacking?”
“Women, Reshi,” Bast said immediately. “There’s a real paucity of women.”
Kvothe smiled. “Not women, Bast. A woman. The woman.” Kvothe looked at Chronicler. “You have heard bits and pieces...”
The novel also employs a layered narrative structure. Kvothe tells his life story in the first person, while the events at the inn are narrated in the third person. This creates a story within a story, a complex and masterfully crafted narrative that keeps readers engaged.
In some ways, the book reminds me of Cervantes’s Don Quixote, which also blends the main narrative with side stories.
To summarize the narrative structure:
- The narrator recounts the events at the inn.
- Kvothe tells his life story.
- Other characters share tales that are part of the world’s lore and connected to the main plot. For example, Kvothe learns about the Chandrian through these fragmented stories.
"The Chandrian had enemies. If I could find them, they would help me. I had no idea who the singers or the Sithe were, but everyone knew that the Amyr were church knights, the strong right hand of the Aturan Empire. Unfortunately, everyone also knew that there had been no Amyr in three hundred years. They had been disbanded when the Aturan Empire collapsed."
- The story told at the inn—At the beginning of the novel, one of the patrons at the inn tells a story about a hero named Taborlin the Great. This name recurs throughout the book in various contexts.
- Kvothe’s alternate life story—While Kvothe narrates his life to the chronicler, the patrons at the inn share their own versions of his exploits. These accounts often differ from Kvothe’s own telling, having been distorted through retellings.
In short, Rothfuss has created a multifaceted novel with multiple narrators and interwoven stories.
Characters in The Kingkiller Chronicle
Let’s take a closer look at some of the key characters in the book:
- The Chronicler (Devan Lochees): Described as a prominent member of the Arcanum, likely at the rank of Re’lar, and one of the few people in the world who knows the name of iron.
- Kote (Kvothe): The protagonist, also known as Reshi by his apprentice, Bast. He has many aliases and a mysterious past.
- Bast: The son of Remmen, Prince of Twilight and the Telwyth Mael, and a member of the Fae. He is a faerie, adding an element of the supernatural to the story.
- The Chandrian: A mysterious group responsible for numerous killings. Their motives remain unclear.
- Denna (or Dianne): A girl Kvothe meets on his way to the University. Despite his feelings for her, he struggles to express them.
Two Memorable Quotes from The Name of the Wind
Here are two quotes from the book that stood out to me:
“Power is okay, and stupidity is usually harmless. Power and stupidity together are dangerous.”
“...we are all creatures of habit. It is far too easy to stay in the familiar ruts we dig for ourselves.”
A Critique of the Author and the Series
Finally, let’s address the elephant in the room. After the immense success of The Name of the Wind, readers eagerly awaited the next installments. Initially, Rothfuss promised to release one book per year, aiming to complete the trilogy by 2009. However, that didn’t happen. The second book, The Wise Man’s Fear, was published in 2011.
As for the third and final book, The Doors of Stone, its release date remains uncertain. Despite announcements, including one in August 2020, the book has yet to materialize. Fans continue to wait, hoping for closure to Kvothe’s epic tale.
About the Book:
Title: The Name of the Wind
Author: Patrick Rothfuss
First Published: 2007
Publisher: DAW Books
Number of Pages: 662
This blog post is a detailed review of The Name of the Wind, capturing its intricate narrative, rich world-building, and compelling characters. Whether you’re a fantasy enthusiast or a casual reader, this book is a must-read—just be prepared for the long wait for the series’ conclusion!
