tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411517893000706576.post5273240369524670200..comments2023-07-08T08:33:50.710+01:00Comments on Speculative Horizons: Book review: The Name of the WindJameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07763695390241432518noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411517893000706576.post-52577852055606417842009-12-22T05:15:17.841+00:002009-12-22T05:15:17.841+00:00I loved this book. Just got through writing my rev...I loved this book. Just got through writing my review. And I have had a hard time finding fantasy that I like.Kristopher A. Denbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01334903630007014823noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411517893000706576.post-84630782847342277132009-10-13T04:45:01.004+01:002009-10-13T04:45:01.004+01:00I actually thought the point of the blurb was to d...I actually thought the point of the blurb was to demonstrate the difference between the actual events of his life and the legends that are eventually told about him. So you have the (potentially menacing) statement about him burning down Trebon, when in actuality it was a bit more complicated than that.<br /><br />I agree that the world comes off as a bit bland, and I also agree that it is most likely due to the fact that we're limited to the perspective of a single person who has yet to really explore the land. <br /><br />I agree with you the most about Ambrose. He definitely came across as a stereotypical spoiled noble's son with a sadistic streak, and that's hardly original by any stretch of the imagination. <br /><br />On the other hand, though, it occurs to me that it's not as if Kvothe is a reliable narrator. When you're viewing events like that years later it's easy to turn people into caricatures in your recollection. Especially given some of the things that occurred between them.<br /><br />But then again, I'm fairly fond of this book, so my musings may be fairly rose-tinted. <br /><br />Still, it's nice to see a review that actually seeks out the weak points of the novel instead of just blindly denouncing it because it's too popular.<br /><br />Carry on,<br /><br />~DerekAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411517893000706576.post-8755120684796275992009-10-12T22:11:15.485+01:002009-10-12T22:11:15.485+01:00James,
You are quite right about the GRRM comment...James,<br /><br />You are quite right about the GRRM comment -- he is so much more than a careful world builder. I should have added that his characters are pretty damn special!!<br /><br />Shame on me! :)Iainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02071546979497176969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411517893000706576.post-61321588052642733862009-10-12T21:39:55.964+01:002009-10-12T21:39:55.964+01:00EdiFanoB: I'm glad I managed to get my points ...EdiFanoB: I'm glad I managed to get my points across clearly, because there's nothing I hate more than people saying "I hated this" without explaining why (the opposite is true as well). And yes, I am also looking forward to the next book as I'm interested to see how Kvothe's story unfolds. <br /><br />Iain: That's a very good point you make about the worldbuilding - hopefully as the story progresses, and Kvothe travels around a bit more, we'll see more of the world (and hopefully it'll be more interesting that it first appears). <br /><br />I'm not sure I agree that GRRM is writing a series where the 'world is everything' - I think ASOIAF is also very character-driven, but with an intriguing world as well. Erikson perhaps demonstrates your point better. <br /><br />I'm not sure I'd go as far as saying that The Name of the Wind is the kind of novel aspiring writers would hope to write, but I've certainly read much, much worse debuts! I'd certainly not be complaining if I wrote a book that achieved the success Rothfuss has enjoyed!Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07763695390241432518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411517893000706576.post-83457371365728408682009-10-12T20:59:08.890+01:002009-10-12T20:59:08.890+01:00James,
A very well written, considered review.
I...James,<br /><br />A very well written, considered review.<br /><br />I approached NOTW around the same time as The Lies of Locke Lamora. These two books got me back into fantasy in a big way and for that reason I am very fond of them.<br /><br />If I was to read anything into the worldbuilding it may be that this is more of a character driven novel say than the mighty epics of GRRM and Steven Erikson where the world they are set in is everything. NOTW is much more intimate in scale, focussing on Kvothe's first steps in a wider world. Perhaps we don't know too much of that wider world because Kvothe is a kid for most of the novel and spends large parts of it as an urchin scratching a living off the street. I was particularly fond of the old holy man/monk who cared for the various urchins during this section. However, I did find some of his escapes from dire situations in the University just a little too cute for my like. <br /><br />But when you look at it Pat Rothfuss's first novel is the kind of debut all aspiring novellists can only dream off.<br /><br />My hope for the second and third novel is that we see more of the wider world Kvothe has such a huge impact on and how he gets involved with Bast and the Fey folk.<br /><br />As you say this is the joy of blogging on SF/Fantasy -- all opinions (as long as they aren't bitching about missed Amazon release dates) are welcome and can add to the experience of reading these novels.Iainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02071546979497176969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411517893000706576.post-29731355063803842942009-10-12T19:26:38.950+01:002009-10-12T19:26:38.950+01:00I read your review with interest because I expecte...I read your review with interest because I expected a review which will differ from all the praises. <br />I must admit this one of my favorite books too.<br />But why should I hound you? You explained in detail what you liked/disliked. Reviews like yours give me the opportunity to have a different approach to a book. <br />Anyway I completely agree that Kvothe is th driving force of the novel.<br />I look forward to read the second book.ediFanoBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11129248787624088717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411517893000706576.post-32489709634549537282009-10-12T17:13:09.169+01:002009-10-12T17:13:09.169+01:00Only just saw your post Logan, you must have poste...Only just saw your post Logan, you must have posted it seconds before I did mine! <br /><br />Well, different strokes for different blokes I guess. That's the great thing about the online genre community - the fact we disagree! If everyone agreed all the time there would be little to discuss. <br /><br />And I know what it's like when you read a negative(ish) review of one of your favourite books, it's very easily to take it personally. But of course, this review just expresses my own opinion, which is valid as anyone else's (but no more important).Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07763695390241432518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411517893000706576.post-41213366857428673182009-10-12T17:08:10.511+01:002009-10-12T17:08:10.511+01:00Hmm...yeah perhaps. I mean, the blurb says "I...Hmm...yeah perhaps. I mean, the blurb says "I (Kvothe) burned down the Town of Trebon" but in the book he doesn't technically do it himself, does he? Plus you can hardly say the whole town burned down, because it didn't. I guess this led me to think that the blurb was alluding to a future incident, though I could well be wrong there. :)Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07763695390241432518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411517893000706576.post-32209370969462319512009-10-12T17:06:43.564+01:002009-10-12T17:06:43.564+01:00Hmmm. I suppose the hype could definitely be detr...Hmmm. I suppose the hype could definitely be detrimental to a reviewer, but thankfully I read this book long before the fanfare started and I loved it.<br /><br />I completely agree that Kvothe is the driving force of the novel, and his tale leaves me wanting to know more about his life. For me, I found the occasional song/verse juxtaposed nicely with the prose, and it didn't bother me (unlike some of Tolkien's). <br /><br />It's hard to read a critical review of one of my favorite books, but you defend your reasoning soundly. The medieval-esque world was indeed slightly bland, but to me the lack of description allowed me to infer culture and society.<br /><br />All in all, a great review. I'd be prepared for Pat's Legion of Followers to hound you, though, but I won't be on that train.logankstewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12269634215857320344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411517893000706576.post-1943420094807058232009-10-12T15:14:21.394+01:002009-10-12T15:14:21.394+01:00The burning of Trebon does happen in this novel.The burning of Trebon does happen in this novel.Brettnoreply@blogger.com