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A review by hmsraindogs
The Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss
5.0
I had almost given up on the novel as anything other than a passing form of entertainment to which I'd need to make very litte commitment of time (sometimes languishing on a book for many many months). My experiences with short stories and nonfiction had usurped the role prior held by novels in having an impact on me or driving me towards seeking out further reading.
That being said.
The prose of Patrick Rothfuss has been like a cup of coffee in the morning for me in a lot of ways. Allow me to explain: I'm not a morning person, not really, so I'm usually pretty groggy when I wake up. Usually, I tend to find some degree of ability to function, but it varies. On mornings when I find time to enjoy a cup of coffee or two (or seven or eight or twelve), I find myself much more invigorated than I really thought I could be. I can survive without coffee, but I'm much better off with it most mornings.
So, how are The Name of the Wind and The Wise Man's Fear like coffee? Well, much of my reading as of late has been less than fulfilling. It's been serviceable, and I've enjoyed many of the books I've read. But I was just going through the motions plugging away at a number of series. There was no real spark to my reading.
And then I discovered Patrick Rothfuss, and I was, like after drinking a cup of coffee in the morning, reinvigorated. His prose is a breeze packed with just the right amount of detail. His pacing jumps nimbly from the extremes of being breathtakingly brisk to almost agonizingly suspenseful to the point of bringing things to a near stand still as some grand plot element is revealed.
As a result, I was excited to read again.
For the first time in many years, I planned the rest of my day around making sure I had time to read. For the first time in many years, I found myself thinking about the story even when the book was at home, and I was out being "social." For many years, my reading had been predominantly of an academic nature (the curse of pursuing higher education) until I discovered Patrick Rothfuss.
His books have instilled in me again the wonder which accompanies reading. I want to banish my imagination to distant imaginary lands and let it roam like I haven't done since I first discovered The Chronicles of Narnia in elementary school.
For me, the real strength of these books is Rothfuss's ability to build this grand, convincing fantasy world which still seems grounded within its own rules and laws. He creates this giant world on a beautifully realized tapestry with enough details on which to weave his story, but he hints at an even bigger world. And this is where Rothfuss excels, he gives us a story and the tools and encourages to let our imagination play in his sandbox.
I'm not one for spoilers, so I won't go into that here. And I will admit that, for some readers, this book won't be perfect. But for me, this book and its predecessor were exactly what I needed to rekindle my love for reading and to rekindle my love for fantasy.
If the first two books are any indication, then I have no doubt the third one will also be a masterwork.
As far as I'm concerned, Mr. Rothfuss should take all the time he needs to write the book he wants. And I, as the reader, will be happy he did. I know it will be well worth the wait.
Thank you, Patrick Rothfuss, for making me the little kid first discovering the world of Narnia. You've shown me the way back there and the way to so many more worlds.
That being said.
The prose of Patrick Rothfuss has been like a cup of coffee in the morning for me in a lot of ways. Allow me to explain: I'm not a morning person, not really, so I'm usually pretty groggy when I wake up. Usually, I tend to find some degree of ability to function, but it varies. On mornings when I find time to enjoy a cup of coffee or two (or seven or eight or twelve), I find myself much more invigorated than I really thought I could be. I can survive without coffee, but I'm much better off with it most mornings.
So, how are The Name of the Wind and The Wise Man's Fear like coffee? Well, much of my reading as of late has been less than fulfilling. It's been serviceable, and I've enjoyed many of the books I've read. But I was just going through the motions plugging away at a number of series. There was no real spark to my reading.
And then I discovered Patrick Rothfuss, and I was, like after drinking a cup of coffee in the morning, reinvigorated. His prose is a breeze packed with just the right amount of detail. His pacing jumps nimbly from the extremes of being breathtakingly brisk to almost agonizingly suspenseful to the point of bringing things to a near stand still as some grand plot element is revealed.
As a result, I was excited to read again.
For the first time in many years, I planned the rest of my day around making sure I had time to read. For the first time in many years, I found myself thinking about the story even when the book was at home, and I was out being "social." For many years, my reading had been predominantly of an academic nature (the curse of pursuing higher education) until I discovered Patrick Rothfuss.
His books have instilled in me again the wonder which accompanies reading. I want to banish my imagination to distant imaginary lands and let it roam like I haven't done since I first discovered The Chronicles of Narnia in elementary school.
For me, the real strength of these books is Rothfuss's ability to build this grand, convincing fantasy world which still seems grounded within its own rules and laws. He creates this giant world on a beautifully realized tapestry with enough details on which to weave his story, but he hints at an even bigger world. And this is where Rothfuss excels, he gives us a story and the tools and encourages to let our imagination play in his sandbox.
I'm not one for spoilers, so I won't go into that here. And I will admit that, for some readers, this book won't be perfect. But for me, this book and its predecessor were exactly what I needed to rekindle my love for reading and to rekindle my love for fantasy.
If the first two books are any indication, then I have no doubt the third one will also be a masterwork.
As far as I'm concerned, Mr. Rothfuss should take all the time he needs to write the book he wants. And I, as the reader, will be happy he did. I know it will be well worth the wait.
Thank you, Patrick Rothfuss, for making me the little kid first discovering the world of Narnia. You've shown me the way back there and the way to so many more worlds.