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A review by alanp
The Slow Regard of Silent Things by Patrick Rothfuss
1.0
I was very disappointed by this book. I was excited to dig into this story about Auri, a character whose appearances in the main Kingkiller Cronicle series I always enjoyed - and I loved the first two entries.
I was hoping I would learn more about Auri's story, and I knew that it would definitely be an odd tale, given some of the quirks of her and Kvothe's relationship (e.g. the gifts they bring each other and the way they describe them) ... but, unfortunately, for me it became unbearable. I found myself skim-reading for the final 1/3 or 1/4 of the book.
The author actually dedicates quite a few pages acknowledging that the book will not be for everyone and that it isn't like traditional story, and this ALMOST made me feel guilty for not appreciating this book for the beautiful glimpse into Auri's life that it is meant to be... it made me think that it was ME who was lacking for not enjoying the tale... I but I just couldn't. It bored me. Maybe I'm a Neanderthal. Maybe I'm just uncultured... BUT, maybe there is a reason great stories often share many common attributes and structures, and maybe it's not a coincidence that most great stories do not follow the structure of this book (and NO other stories I have read)
I love Auri. But I also love my mother, and I wouldn't fancy reading 150 pages describing her cleaning the house on magic mushrooms, which is what this story made me think of. (On second thought, maybe I would - especially if they had cool illustrations like this book - but the point remains, I didn't find this story engaging at all)
It started as one might expect, as bizarre and charming as Auri herself... but it just kept going like that, nothing happened - I kept waiting for it, until I was so bored that I didn't care what happened.
The probably harsh, intrusive thought "this is self-indulgent pretentious drivel from Rothfuss" came to mind a few times while reading. I read someone else's review (I had to see if I was alone in my strong dislike of the book) and saw one reviewer say:
"you see, it all comes down what drove the need for this story: If Rothfuss built this story from the ground up on the basis of wanting to confirm to everyone that he has an amazing skill with words, then it’s pretentious, and I feel robbed; If, however, Rothfuss found himself needing to write a story about Auri, and this is what came of it, then I simply want more."
But I think this is bullshit - the story should speak for itself, stand on its own two feet and be judged on its own merit - the motivation from the author doesn't make a story OBJECTIVELY better or worse... does it?
Another reviewer said that it was a really wasted opportunity to provide more info about Auri and her background and what caused her to become... the way she is... and I completely agree. Disappointed/10.
I was hoping I would learn more about Auri's story, and I knew that it would definitely be an odd tale, given some of the quirks of her and Kvothe's relationship (e.g. the gifts they bring each other and the way they describe them) ... but, unfortunately, for me it became unbearable. I found myself skim-reading for the final 1/3 or 1/4 of the book.
The author actually dedicates quite a few pages acknowledging that the book will not be for everyone and that it isn't like traditional story, and this ALMOST made me feel guilty for not appreciating this book for the beautiful glimpse into Auri's life that it is meant to be... it made me think that it was ME who was lacking for not enjoying the tale... I but I just couldn't. It bored me. Maybe I'm a Neanderthal. Maybe I'm just uncultured... BUT, maybe there is a reason great stories often share many common attributes and structures, and maybe it's not a coincidence that most great stories do not follow the structure of this book (and NO other stories I have read)
I love Auri. But I also love my mother, and I wouldn't fancy reading 150 pages describing her cleaning the house on magic mushrooms, which is what this story made me think of. (On second thought, maybe I would - especially if they had cool illustrations like this book - but the point remains, I didn't find this story engaging at all)
It started as one might expect, as bizarre and charming as Auri herself... but it just kept going like that, nothing happened - I kept waiting for it, until I was so bored that I didn't care what happened.
The probably harsh, intrusive thought "this is self-indulgent pretentious drivel from Rothfuss" came to mind a few times while reading. I read someone else's review (I had to see if I was alone in my strong dislike of the book) and saw one reviewer say:
"you see, it all comes down what drove the need for this story: If Rothfuss built this story from the ground up on the basis of wanting to confirm to everyone that he has an amazing skill with words, then it’s pretentious, and I feel robbed; If, however, Rothfuss found himself needing to write a story about Auri, and this is what came of it, then I simply want more."
But I think this is bullshit - the story should speak for itself, stand on its own two feet and be judged on its own merit - the motivation from the author doesn't make a story OBJECTIVELY better or worse... does it?
Another reviewer said that it was a really wasted opportunity to provide more info about Auri and her background and what caused her to become... the way she is... and I completely agree. Disappointed/10.