The Name of the Wind, Part 3 – Thoughts on Ch. 51-71


Thoughts on Ch. 1-24
Thoughts on Ch. 25-50

So I’ve been listening to this excellent novel (an audiobook, yes). Maybe you’ve heard of it and/or are sick and tired of seeing me blog about it. But it’s one of the things I’d like to blog more about – not necessarily this book, but books in general. For someone who loves books as much as I do, I don’t read/listen to them often enough. For someone who isn’t as avid of a follower of proper literature as I may trick myself into believing I am, I can’t remember the last really good book l’ve experienced. That being said, although I don’t find myself with a new book in my lap every week, this book really is a gamechanger in style and pace – and I don’t think that’s due to any particularly lacking cultural palette on my end. I truly think this book changes the game in respects fantasy literature.

I feel that with his debut novel, The Name of the Wind, Patrick Rothfuss has set himself up to join the greats, provided his stream of literature continues to uphold this novel’s standard. In my thoughts on the first 24 chapters I found a lot of negative comments I could bring out, and with the next 26 chapters I found most of the issues I had with the first quarter of the book allayed. I am now firmly in the camp of “fan” (not to be confused with “fanboy”).

That being spake, the third quarter really didn’t keep me as interested as I felt the second quarter did. Whereas the second quarter was forward moving, this one seemed to stagnate once he reached his stride in the arcanum. Not that this wasn’t all very interesting, it just became quite slow, with the occasional edge of your seat moment. And then, at a point where I began to despair that the story would remain stagnant, it picked up very quickly (news of the Chandrian, finding Denna, etc.).

Writing this, I have to admit – I’m well past the chapter 72 mark. I was listening on the road, and had to continue past part 3 and into 4, so my perception of the quarter did become a bit skewed. Where I’m at in the story now is in true fantasy fashion, and I’m loving it. Will continue with part 4 once I complete the book.

There is a quote in chapter 61 I may have over-dissected a bit too thoroughly:

Lorren nodded and came to his feet. Tall, clean-shaven, and wearing his dark master’s robes, he reminded me of the enigmatic Silent Doctor character present in many Modegan plays. I fought off a shiver, trying not to dwell on the fact that the appearance of the Doctor always signaled catastrophe in the next act.

Had Patrick Rothfuss meant this seemingly simple throwaway line as an homage to Doctor Who? It’s no secret that wherever the Doctor shows up catastrophe surely follows. Soon after this fact, I did some research and found nothing on that quote in particular but I did find out that Rothfuss is a fan of the series. In jest to the fact that some individuals had reviewed his unreleased forthcoming book The Doors of Stone and rated it 5 stars, he mentioned that he was flattered that time travelers take the time to read his books. The doctor gets a mention:

Secondly, I’d like to say if you’re The Doctor, and you’re reading this, I would make an excellent traveling companion. I know you normally tend to hang out with pretty young women and robot dogs. And honestly? I respect that.

Still, I bring certain things to the table. Humor, witty banter, and a beard that will allow me to blend in seamlessly with any pre-industrial Germanic culture. I’m also an excellent kisser and play a mean game of Settlers of Catan.

Just throwing it out there.

2 thoughts on “The Name of the Wind, Part 3 – Thoughts on Ch. 51-71

  1. Wow, I read The Name of the Wind and loved it, but I haven’t notice this refference to Doctor Who. Maybe it’s ’cause I’m brazilian and read the book in portuguese. And now I’m more enchanted with Patrick Rothfuss than ever, hahaha

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  2. Happy to find your blog! While my own writing focus is largely on food, I’ve started offering fiction and nonfiction book giveaways. In crafting reviews, I am happy to learn from folks who have been at this longer than I! 🙂

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