Fantasy Buddy Reads discussion

This is a Buddy Read for The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss starting on February 18, 2025.


Happy Reading!

Just because--I'll join if I can squeeze it.

1. The Name of the Wind (Jan 18)
2. The Wise Man’s Fear (Apr 21) [link]
2.5 The Slow Regard of Silent Things
0. The Narrow Road Between Desires

Thanks, Yanique!

I've had this book for ages, but never read it. I'll be joining, even though the series will probably never be finished ...

Glad you can join us Angela! It's def worth the read even though the series isn't finished.

I read 50 pages so far. We just met the Chronicler. I'm not that into the story yet, but I'm hoping it will get better soon.

Just finished chapter 23

The story is holding my attention now and I'm eager to learn more.

(view spoiler)[I'm wondering how much of Kvothe's life the book will cover. He is 25 in the present, so there aren't that many years to spread between all three books.
Will we find out who it was that killed his entire troupe and will he get revenge eventually? I will continue reading more today, it's not that late yet :) (hide spoiler)]

Hopefully, I'll be joining you tomorrow Angela, will just be a couple of days late..

Up to chapter 36

(view spoiler)[Kvothe's interview for the University was impressive, even though - as he said - he cheated by listening in on the interviews before him. He still knows a great deal, thanks to Abenthy, which is even more impressive, if you consider his young age.

I'm glad he's finally out of Tarbean, that was depressing to read about. I hope his time at the University will be more happy and intellectually stimulating for him.

I'm wondering if he will ever see Abenthy again. That would be a nice reunion. Maybe Abenthy will hear about him, now he is starting at the University. With Kvothe's talent, he is sure to cause some talk, which might reach beyond the University. I'm not sure what your prospects would be after finishing University. Kvothe said he wants to be an arcanist, but is that the only thing you can learn there? Guess we'll find out soon (hide spoiler)]

Beena wrote: "Hopefully, I'll be joining you tomorrow Angela, will just be a couple of days late.."

No worries, take your time :)

Re chapter 36:
I'm enjoying the story quite a lot, but it is moving veeeery slowly, which is not my favourite.

Chapter 40
(view spoiler)[Master Hemme seems horrible. Why would he react that way to Kvothe telling him he already knew the subject, when he could have just had a normal conversation with him about it? I hate teachers who think they are better than their students, bully their students and abuse their power. Reminds me of Snape, who I absolutely hate. Nothing excuses bullying innocent people who you have power over.
It would help no one, neither Kvothe, nor the University, if Kvothe had to sit through a whole course about something he already knew. It would be a waste of resources.

I understand why the masters decided to still punish him for how he went about it, even though I don't agree with physical punishment of course. Chores or whatever would have sufficed, I think. Anyway, they couldn't just reward him by letting him start at the Arcanum and give no punishment.

I'm really curious to see what classes are being taught at the Arcanum and how much further Kvothe can develop his sympathy skills. (hide spoiler)]

I've started. :) Just getting into it tho, nothing to say yet but I'm happy to report that I don't remember much, so looking forward to getting stuck into this story again!

I haven't been reading the last few days due to life stuff, but I got a few chapters in today.


Chapter 47
(view spoiler)[Oh my god, he seriously jumped off the roof 🤣🤣🤣
I hope we get to see more of the Naming soon and learn how it works. It seemed like Elodin listened to the stone and found its name out that way. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 73

(view spoiler)[The bone-tar incident was a bit weird - was it really just an accident or did someone sabotage the container?

I don't know why Kvothe and Ambrose are so obsessed with making each others' lives miserable. Just letting it go would make it a lot easier on both of them. But they are teenagers after all, I guess lol.

I haven't really been enjoying Denna as a character so far, but the last few chapters have warmed me up to her a bit. Her unexpected appearance in this small town was rather convenient lol. I'm really curious what they're going to find in the mountains.

Since Kvothe took all his stuff, I'm wondering if he will return to the University after this adventure is over. And if he does, what will the consequences be for his long and unexcused absence? Even if he told the masters the truth about what he was doing, I don't think they would look kindly on this behaviour. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 83

(view spoiler)[I like how easily Kvothe uses Sympathy and Sygaldry. It feels like second nature, even when he does the most difficult things. When he used the roof shingle to calm the fires it was, like he said, "the quickest, most slapdash heat-eater ever created", but it worked just fine anyway.

His accomplishments always seem to be equal parts skill, intuition and luck and I'm loving how quick-witted Kvothe is.

I wish we would get to learn more about Sygaldry, as we hardly know anything about it, other than that it requires runes and is complicated. (hide spoiler)]

Finished

(view spoiler)[ I'm so curious why Kvothe can't do Sympathy anymore. Is he ill or wounded,or is it psychological? And what does the last line of the book mean - a man waiting to die? (hide spoiler)]

Sorry Angela, I'm still here, just fell ill for the past week or so, so I've only just picked it up again.

I have the 10th anniversary copy, and picked it up last weekend, just to dip my toes in... decided to try the ol' eye read... I actually spent some of the weekend typing up the additional appendices for my ebook copy which lacked them... some really interesting stuff about the economics and monetary history in the world in particular, which I've been noticing while slowly going through the book.... The author also bares his soul in the afterword and author's note. Plus--the Anniversary edition has some awesome artwork by Dan Dos Santos--you can find it here:
https://www.dandossantos.com/the-name...
They're in order. Pictures are in or after Chapters 4, 9, 12, 16, 20, 22, 26, 33, 36, 42, 46, 54, 62, 66, 69, 72, 74, 80, 84, 87, Epilogue.

Nirkatze wrote: "I have the 10th anniversary copy, and picked it up last weekend, just to dip my toes in... decided to try the ol' eye read... I actually spent some of the weekend typing up the additional appendice..."

That is some cool artwork, thanks for sharing :)

My kindle version did not have any appendices or afterword. Do you mind sharing them too?

Beena wrote: "Sorry Angela, I'm still here, just fell ill for the past week or so, so I've only just picked it up again."


No worries, Beena, hope you feel better now!

I do, thank you!

Oooh Nirkatze, that artwork is amazing!!! Thanks for sharing! A bit criminal that the prints are in black and white tho! :O I love some good artwork.

I'm jealous you've got a special copy; Grim Oak did a special edition of it last year- is that the one you've got? I SOOO desperately wanted it, but it was only available for Americans! They said they wouldn't ship outside the US :( Gutted because this is one of my utter faves!

I didn't have much to comment in the set up of the story. However now it's into it, I'm happy to say that I'm loving it just as much as I did before and little pieces are coming back to me here and there... (and stuff that happened later)

Up to Chapter 42 (view spoiler)[ Ahhh, his parents being killed and trying to survive in Tarbean is still gutting to read even though I knew it was going to happen. Trapis looking after Kvothe and the rest of the kids really gets you in the feels.

You'd think after being given the blessing of being lent money to attend the University that Kvothe would be a bit wary about getting into trouble but nope, right in the shit on his second day! Hemme is an absolute bastard, he deserved what he got and Kvothe getting accepted into the Arcanum on top of it was genius! Haha!

And love the fact that he's managed to impress some of the other tutors in the course of getting into trouble.

Elodin is cracking me up already; absolute nutter lol. (hide spoiler)]

@ Angela Re Chapters 36-40 (view spoiler)[ Agreed, it would be a nice reunion between Kvothe and Abenthy, for the latter to see how far Kvothe's come, and for Kvothe to reunite with the man that not only challenged him intellectually but was also like family.

Do you know what, I don't particularly like slow plots either but with this, I was drawn in so much I never noticed it.

Re Hemme; yeah funnily enough, I thought of Snape as well. It was clear that Hemme took an intense dislike to him from the off for whatever reason. He's just a nasty piece of work. (hide spoiler)]

Beena wrote: "Oooh Nirkatze, that artwork is amazing!!! Thanks for sharing! A bit criminal that the prints are in black and white tho! :O I love some good artwork.

I'm jealous you've got a special copy; Grim Oa..."

I think mine is a generic 10th edition copy? Here's what it looks like:
https://www.google.com/books/edition/...

I'll see what I can find for the appendices...

I found some of the information in the appendices! The wiki has some of the pictures and the text on the monetary system:
https://kingkiller.fandom.com/wiki/Cu...

Cool, thanks Nirkatze :)

I'll see if I can find the rest later, was kinda wiped yesterday.

Been really enjoying my reread. Lots of thoughts, though I haven't typed up any yet. Through Chapter 23 now. (view spoiler)[The opening chapters, before Kvothe starts his recall--part of it feels like a contest in Egos between Kvothe and Chronicler. Underlined by the exchange between Bast and Chronicler, and Kvothe's outburst about not being able to stand foolhardiness due to overblown egos, or something like that.... Ironic, because of how obvious his own ego is, but also so telling--because it is much diminished of what it once was.

It also makes me think of one of the pieces of information in the foreword--written by his editor/publisher. When Rothfuss was shopping the book out to a publisher, he told her that he did not take criticism well and had a wide contrary streak, and should only lightly outline problems instead of suggest solutions. It is both a very self-aware thing to say (I have a similar contrary I have to wrestle with), but also kind of reminds me of Kvothe's character's main flaw as well. So--author's ego is also a factor in the story as well.

I love the mystery of the Chandrian. We know so little at this point--and I don't think that changes much through the two books. Just that there are seven, and there are signs of their nearness, and some connection to Lanre--which is a place, or a prince, or something. Kvothe's father says he knows the why but was searching for the how--but WE don't get to hear that why from him. Then in this most recent chapter, there's the story of Tehlu and the Demons--and the Demons were also seven. So even as far back as the origins of the local organized religion have the connections to the Chandrian.

When we actually meet them, we get two names--Cinder, and the Lord Haliax. Haliax controls them--maybe Lanre himself? And there is a mix of men and women. Flames burn blue, the wagon wheel rusts, and they kill the troupe because they were "singing the wrong songs." But they don't kill Kvothe, even though he was among them. How did they know he didn't know too? Or did it even matter? Was it enough that they were just spreading the message--don't go digging in to the Chandrian. And if they didn't leave someone alive to spread the tale, how would the fear spread?

Even though they're painful, I love the scenes of Kvothe wandering through the forest, playing the song of Sunlight Through Dry Leaves on a five-stringed lute. And the next few chapters make me think of another quote about the book--of how raw and accurate a description of pure poverty Rothfuss paints... (hide spoiler)]

Angela Jr. wrote: "Just finished chapter 23

The story is holding my attention now and I'm eager to learn more...."

I was doing some of the same math in my head. (view spoiler)[And he wasn't quite turned 12 when his family is killed. He says he spends three years in Tarbean. Up to 15. He was "expelled from the Academy at an earlier age than most are accepted" and Abenthy says you have to be 17 or 18 to get into the Academy.

Chronicler things he can't be older than 25 but we don't have his hard age yet. And Chronicler also says it's been 2 years since he disappeared. So the story of his life goes to early twenties at most... (hide spoiler)]

@Nirkatze: Agreed, I've also had the same thoughts about Kvothe's ego getting in the way too- it's mostly what gets him into trouble tbh. (Interesting that Rothfuss has imbued him with his own flaw).

I love all the little stories told throughout; I super-enjoyed them too.

Been slowly reading and taking notes this week, have a lot of thoughts.

Chapter 28 (view spoiler)[Scarpi's story of Selitos suggests that the Chandrian aren't the only immortals wandering around--the Amre might be as well. Scarpi's reaction to the church enforcers makes me wonder if he might not be one of them... (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 30--(view spoiler)[I love the name of the shop Kvothe pawns his book at--the "Broken Binding"--also the name of a publishing company that does very nice sprayed-edge signed editions... it's a common enough idea for a name, but I have to wonder if the creators were inspired by the book... (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 32 (view spoiler)[Trapis and the people with no one else to care for them... Tarbean really showed both the best and worst of what humans are capable of. (hide spoiler)]

Through Chapter 42 (view spoiler)[Kvothe at the University making a splash, origin of the "Bloodless" title... The introduction says that the title of the book was originally "Kvothe the Bloodless"--but "Name of the Wind" is so much better! I wonder if all of the mentions to wind, and symbolism, were added after that decision, or led to it? Chicken or egg? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 43 (view spoiler)[The scene where Kvothe "teaches" Hemmet's class is pretty awesome--but also continuing the theme of hubris... Kvothe notes he "traded safety for notoriety" or something like that.

And we meet Ambrose--heir of a Duke? In line for the throne? I bet he's the "king" in the title "Kingkiller Chronicle." At least I hope he is. He's an asshole and I'd love to know that he's already dead. (hide spoiler)]

Through 61 (view spoiler)[Singing for his pipes! I love this scene. And meeting Denna again--showing that Kvothe isn't the most reliable narrator. When he offers her his pipes I swear I thought she was going to take it... I swear I remembered him losing his pipes right after getting them... But seriously, the whole book has such a sense of tenseness, like Kvothe is always walking the razor's edge, daring life to tip him over. Either the enemies he makes, or the lack of money, or something--we're always waiting for the other foot to drop... we know he gets expelled at some point. And even though we also know he survives to open an inn, it's a painful waiting...

And now the new "Jackass Jackass" song--right after Loren told him what he needed to get back into his good graces, he goes and does something like this!! He is so young! This, and the apology, won't only just inflame Ambrose, but are bound to make everything a much more uphill battle... Again, his pride is his biggest enemy. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 71--(view spoiler)[Even before Denna ended up right in the middle of Kvothe's first clue she was such a mystery. What is her connection? When Deoch said he'd known her for two years and she hadn't changed--I wonder if she might be immortal? It made me think about how there were both men and women in the ranks of the Chandrian. Could she be Lanre's attempt at raising his wife? Wandering because she can't reconcile what he's become, but drawn back to him?

Kvothe and Denna really feel like a set-up for a tragedy--well, we already know that he is betrayed by a woman... and I can't imagine who would fit that bill more than Denna. Or at least, he *thinks* he's been betrayed by her. But they already have had so many misunderstandings. They talk about everything, but also nothing. He's never been completely honest with her, and neither she with him. Much of that is pride, always pride. (hide spoiler)]

Got so caught up reading, I forgot to check y'all's spoiler tags... read and really enjoyed y'all's thoughts--am I the only rereader here? Will comment more in the morning, way past my bedtime now.

Nope, this is my second re-read Nirkatze, and I absolutely loved it the first time around.

Chapter 54 (view spoiler)[ Loved that exchange between Stanchion and Kvothe; very witty.

Trust Ambrose to show up with a bloody instrument as well! Asshole.

I honestly adore Kvothe's performance scene here- Rothfuss really did something special in his description of the music because that feeling it gave me when I first read this has stayed with me throughout the years. He makes you feel as if you were there yourself. I was anticipating this scene and it is just as beautiful. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 57 (view spoiler)[ Interesting that Bast picked up on the fact that all the women are beautiful in Kvothe's story cos I did too, and thought Rothfuss was doing it unintentionally. This really mixes it up tho, are you meant to question the reliability of Kvote's story from this one thing or is he just a sucker for women? (hide spoiler)]

I'll check your spoilers tomorrow Nirkatze, wanna get some reading in before I have to get to bed ;)

@Nirkatze, I reckon the title was changed after the whole story was done. It makes so much more sense and catches your attention more.

Re Ambrose (view spoiler)[ No way is he the king in kingkiller! He's just some petty noble ass (see what I did there lol) that Kvothe kept antagonising on his way to dealing with the real deal. (hide spoiler)]

Re Chapter 61 (view spoiler)[ I know! I couldn't believe he tried to give his pipes to her! So idiotic! I also love this music scene, it's incredible. (hide spoiler)]

re: Ambrose--(view spoiler)[He's like only fifth in line to be king!! And I think that shortens a lot in book 2... like 2nd? Or even heir? Who else is big enough to really mean something? (hide spoiler)]

re: Music scene--(view spoiler)[OMG so incredible!! You know those questions, like "where would you go if you had a time machine?" or "who would you invite to a dinner party?" etc? Add one for "what book scene would you like to see in real life?" and I'd like a table at the Eolian that night please. Partially because I really want to hear the full story of Aloine & Stavien.

Though I also want a seat at the table of Miles's dinner party in A Civil Campaign... (hide spoiler)]

Re Ambrose (view spoiler)[ I've always assumed that the king in Kingkiller Chronicles meant some epic business of killing kings (multiple) that govern vast empires. Not some entitled bratty heir that he's knocking heads with at the university! (Tho tbf, I didn't realise he was actually in line for it and that close.)

These couple of books always struck me as just the intro to Kvothe... with it being named chronicles I assumed there's much more that the story delves into, thus, a lot more books. But who knows cos the story is still locked away in Rothfuss' head. (hide spoiler)]

Re Music scene- Ha, that's such an awesome idea! Of all the scenes this one really stayed with me.

Sorry for disappearing, guys! I've been having a difficult 2025 so far unfortunately.

This was my first read of the series and I'm eager to get the second book started once we've all finished :)

I really liked the music scenes too - (view spoiler)[the one in the Eolian and also the part in the forest right after his troupe is killed. Playing the different sounds and sights of nature and trying again and again until he gets it just right. I would love to hear those in real life!

I'm curious to see if Ambrose keeps being involved in the story after Kvothe is expelled from the University. You raise an interesting point in him maybe being the king Kvothe kills eventually. Though I do think it must involve some accidentally heroic act, like when he killed the dragon lizard thing (forgot the name) and saved the village - after accidentally setting it on the village in the first place lol. I don't think he would kill for reasons of pride, only because he has to, at least at this point in his life. But who knows how he will change in the story that is yet to come. (hide spoiler)]

Sorry to hear that Angela, I hope it gets better for you.

I've finished!

(view spoiler)[ I am DYING to know why Kvothe is so world weary and as it said there at the end, "waiting to die." What could he have possibly done that could have made him feel like this?! And can no longer do sympathy or play music? It's all second nature to him. Argh, it's so frustrating that we're still not any closer to knowing!

Also, I couldn't help but roll my eyes a little at the Denna bit at the end; how she's with all these men but keeps a lookout for him and all these men hate him for it. I really find it so questionable, that Kvothe, who acts so boldly in everything else, will not work up the guts to tell Denna how he really feels, when clearly, they have a real connection. No, he's not tried to court her in the same manner as other men, so the part of his argument where he says if he did try to indicate his interest, she would run away, does not stand up, because he wouldn't go about it in the same way. Honestly, I feel like Rothfuss has friend-zoned him hard and it gets to a point where it stops being endearing and is a bit pathetic- supposedly he's all intelligent, witty, insightful, heroic, etc. but he can't figure a way to make some sort of move towards her?! (hide spoiler)]

@Beena
Thank you!

Re Denna: (view spoiler)[Doing heroic things and being bold and honest with your feelings are very different things, I think. Growing up in Tarbean, Kvothe never had family or a deep friendship again, he always had to be on his guard and couldn't trust anyone if he wanted to survive. He lost the only meaningful relationships he ever had when his troupe and family died and I can imagine he never wants to go through losing someone again. And declaring his feelings for Denna would be taking a big risk in that regard - she might outright reject him.
We don't know much about Denna's background, but she probably has a good reason to be guarded with her feelings too. (hide spoiler)]

re: Denna--Also keeping in mind that Kvothe is still--what? sixteen? (view spoiler)[working with sixteen-year-olds... yeah. I can see him being totally incompetent when it comes to interpersonal relations and being brilliant in other ways... He's got assumptions about what it takes to stay in Denna's circle... and he's probably completely wrong. Because he doesn't do the smart thing and actually communicate his feelings. Instead, he puts her up on this pedestal with his every word... I can just see her both wanting to be the person he things she is, and wanting to tear it down because it isn't correct, and why doesn't someone really see her?

And then I wonder if there might be deeper, darker reasons for her actions to be so sus.... (hide spoiler)]

re: Ambrose--(view spoiler)[I feel like he gains notoriety as well while Kvothe does... We already have seen some examples of his power and influence already... but yeah, he'll have to become a much bigger name to be part of Kvothe's story by giving him a name for killing him. (hide spoiler)]

So, what do y'all want to read next--and when? The Auri story, or book 2? I don't actually remember which came first.

I would prefer to read book 2 next and then the rest!

I can start in a week or so, then I should be done with my other buddy reads. But you can go ahead and start now and I'll catch up, if you want.

Hah, I am so not ready to start anytime soon. But don't mind me, I'll catch up.

Gimme a date that y'all agree on and I'll put in a request.

I have ongoing series buddy reads in the middle of the month, so it would be easiest to start at the beginning or end of March for me. But we can start any time really, since there's a three week window for buddy read points anyway :)

I guess it's up to Beena to decide!