Review: The Name of the Wind

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

With The Name of the Wind, I stepped into a world filled with magic, song, and the tantalizing certainty of adventure. Patrick Rothfuss invites his readers to a very charismatic world where the art of telling stories takes centre stage; unfortunately, despite all its undeniable charm, I could not help feeling that the book clung to inadequacies in more ways than one.

The plot revolves around Kvothe, a gifted young man with a tragic past who recounts his life to a chronicler. From his early days as a talented street performer to his time at the famous University, Kvothe's biography is interwoven with themes of loss, ambition, and unwavering quest of knowledge. Although I love a well-written coming-of-age story, there was something about Kvothe's near-perfectionism that bothered me at times. He appeared to be all talents put together: the best musician, the best dueller, the fastest learner, and a really brilliant storyteller-all qualities that sooner or later started to annoy me. I wanted some weakness or defects to appear so he could be more human. His perfect exemplary figure, though amazing, kept me distant from his character.

The world-building is certainly full-bodied and immersive. Rothfuss's attention to detail shines a light on the descriptions of the University and the magical elements that permeate the story. Yet, the pacing of the novel felt just a little uneven in places; whereas some sections were beautifully extended, others did seem to stay around for just that little bit too long. I wanted to hear a more even rhythm that carries the story forward.

Another aspect that left me yearning for more was the depiction of female characters. They seemed somewhat unremarkable and frequently occupied the position of damsels in distress, relying on Kvothe for their salvation.

I couldn't help but compare it to that and to the multidimensional characters in all those books that I have read and loved, like James Islington's series, where the women had agency and further dimensions in their characterization. That lack of depth in the few female characters was a disappointment.

Despite all the criticisms that came up, there were moments that touched a chord in me; the lyricism of the prose and the very nature of storytelling, especially. Rothfuss has a gift with language that turns even the mundane magical, and I revelled in those moments when Kvothe's love of music and learning lit up the story.

In conclusion, while The Name of the Wind had its enchanting moments and was a beautifully crafted world, it certainly left me conflicted. If you love complex world-building and flowery prose, this may still be a book worth devoting your time to. However, if you're looking for well-rounded characters who at least sometimes show some dimension and growth, this one might not be for you.

Content Warnings

Graphic - Death of parent, Death, Violence

Moderate - Bullying, Alcohol, Grief

Minor - Addiction, Drug use, Drug abuse

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