The Name of the Wind

I read this 660 page fantasy novel for a book club. It was a stretch for me, sine I really don't consider myself a fan of fantasy. It took longer to read because life is so busy, but I finished the last 200 pages just about 10 minutes before book club tonight at 7. After discussing the book with the other girls, I decided I kind of actually liked it, just because it was different.

The story is actually two (or more) stories in one, where we learn about Kvothe, the main character. It begins with him hiding out from some unknown something. He is an innkeeper. Chronicler, the record keeper, travels to the inn where Kvothe works and asks him to tell his story "from the beginning," thus starting the second story where the point of view shifts from a narrator to Kvothe telling the story.

He leads a very interesting life beginning with meeting Abenthy, an arcantist (a sort of magician) and the murder of his family and 'troupe' that he travels with. He is the only survivor and becomes a wanderer going from place to place just trying to survive. He continues to practice some of the magic that he learned and eventually gets himself into the University to study. He goes through all sorts of adventures, including a fun relationship with a girl named Denna. The story ends with Chronicler getting in a bit of a confrontation with one of Kvothe's friends, which interrupts Kvothe's story telling.

We decided the book definitely needs a sequel because Rothfuss left way too much open at the end. As I am one who really likes all of the loose ends to be tied up, I suppose I'll have to read the sequal when it comes out just find out how it all ends.

Definitely not my most favorite book ever, but it was something way different for me. If you like fantasy, give this one a try. If you don't, try it anyway. It's entertaining and gives an experience of a new world in a creative way.