It’s a quiet, innocent day at an inn. The usual customers arrive, drinking their usual drinks, and telling their usual stories. However, the night takes a turn when a commoner stumbles in bleeding after being attacked by a demon. Patrick Rothfuss illustrates a hero’s story of struggles and triumphs through his novel The Name of the Wind. Kvothe, hoping to escape his past, tries his luck as an innkeeper. After the demon encounter, Kvothe felt obligated to protect the townspeople. In his attempts to hunt the demons, he meets the Chronicler, who discovers his true identity. After much convincing, the Chronicler gets Kvothe to recount his mysterious past.
Kvothe was born into a famous performing family, spending his childhood learning the trades of entertainment. When he meets an arcanist by the name of Abenthy, he discovers a whole new world of “magic” that captivates his curiosity. However, as tragedy hits, Kvothe is forced to forget his dreams of becoming an arcanist in order to survive. After years of living in poverty, Kvothe finally finds the means to attend University. However, University does not turn out to be what he expected. The Name of the Wind is full of unexpected plot changes and vivid details, along with intriguing stories about otherworldly creatures. Rothfuss’s choice of words cleverly bends the reader’s emotions to match Kvothe’s feelings. Kvothe’s intellect is enticing, but almost too unrealistic. His ability to master subjects within an unbelievably short amount of time makes the novel lose relatability.
Rothfuss’s ability to convey emotions through words creates an exciting emotional roller coaster but lacks some relatability. Although I’ve only read half of the novel, I would recommend The Name of the Wind for any fantasy lovers looking for a more challenging read.
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