A Review: The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

I can barely put into words how much I loved The Name of the Wind. It was poetic, witty, and simply — and yet not so simply — brilliant. Rothfuss's writing is addictive and keeps you wanting more, even after the 661 pages you read. After flipping through so quickly, this is a book that is easy to grieve over, especially knowing that there's only one released book after The Name in the Wind in the planned trilogy series. It leaves me craving more, as though I am a sweet eater myself.

I adored Kvothe, and somehow forgot all about the regular innkeeper, Kote, as the story progressed. I fell in love with his character and the way he walked through life. I felt like I had lived through him somehow, as the descriptions were so raw and felt tangible. There was never a dull moment in the story, which stunned me to no end, since I am an easily distracted reader. I also have the terrible ability to critique any piece of writing and constantly raise the question, "Was that part necessary?" However, I was pleasantly surprised that a book so huge (which was so heavy my wrists often hurt) somehow never left me bored or with criticism. I didn't want to put it down, and even reading through the last pages nearly made me tear up and want to read it all over again.

I cannot wait to pick up The Wise Man's Fear, for I am impatient to hear another day of storytelling, like a child waiting to get their bedtime story, which they cannot go to sleep without.

I have one final thought on my mind: How can someone write so beautifully, so complexly, and yet so simply, all at the same time? I felt envious reading this book because of how the words of Rothfuss flowed so effortlessly together. I have always admired the rare writers who can capture any audience, even with ideas that seem so intricate. Those writers who are few and far between somehow manage to take these complicated stories and concepts and condense them into an understandable language for average readers to digest, while continuing to keep the same grandeur. Possessing this quality is a feat that is difficult to achieve, but Rothfuss has managed it and more.

I am more than happy to say that this is the best book I have ever read, and one I hope to return to when I want to relive a story of loss, triumph, and discovery.