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Powell's Staff: New Literature in Translation: December 2022 and January 2023 (0 comment)
It may be a new year, this may be a list of new books, but our love for literature in translation hasn’t changed at all, and we are so pleased to be enthusiastically recommending these recent releases. On this list, you’ll find a Spanish novel where controversy swirls around a Coca-Cola billboard...
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  • Kelsey Ford: From the Stacks: J. M. Ledgard's Submergence (0 comment)
  • Kelsey Ford: Five Book Friday: Year of the Rabbit (1 comment)

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The Name of the Wind

by Patrick Rothfuss
The Name of the Wind

  • Comment on this title
  • Synopses & Reviews
  • Read Guests

ISBN13: 9780756404741
ISBN10: 0756404746



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Staff Pick

This is the book that hooked me into the fantasy genre. This is the book that transformed me into an avid reader. This is fantasy in its most beautifully meticulous, subtle form. The world-building is dense, but not so dense that you become overwhelmed by exposition or your own retention. The characters become real products of this world, and they act so genuinely human that it sometimes hurts. The prose is poetic and rarely matched by other authors in the genre. Patrick Rothfuss takes epic fantasy and shrinks it down as small as possible, telling the narrow story of an individual. Is it still even epic fantasy then? It sure feels like it is. If you're new to fantasy, it makes for an incredible first step into the genre. If you're a fantasy veteran, you'll love the poetic direction it takes the genre in. Recommended By Jun L., Powells.com

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments

Patrick Rothfuss's New York Times-bestselling debut novel is the riveting first-person narrative of a young man who grows to be the most notorious magician his world has ever seen.

From his childhood in a troupe of traveling players, to years spent as a near-feral orphan in a crime-ridden city, to his daringly brazen yet successful bid to enter a legendary school of magic, The Name of the Wind is a masterpiece that transports readers into the body and mind of a wizard. It is a high-action novel written with a poet's hand, a powerful coming-of-age story of a magically gifted young man, told through his eyes: to read this book is to be the hero.

Review

“It is a rare and great pleasure to find a fantasist writing...with true music in the words.” Ursula K. LeGuin, award-winning author of Earthsea

Review

“The characters are real and the magic is true." Robin Hobb, New York Times-bestselling author of Assassin's Apprentice

Review

"Reminiscent in scope of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series...this masterpiece of storytelling will appeal to lovers of fantasy on a grand scale." Library Journal (Starred Review)

Review

"Refreshingly nimble and off-beat...a finely-tuned coming-of-age story, full of humor, action and the occasional dose of magic." The San Francisco Chronicle

Review

"An extremely immersive story set in a flawlessly constructed world and told extremely well." Jo Walton, award-winning author of Among Others

Review

"The debut of a writer we would all do well to watch. Patrick Rothfuss has real talent, and his tale of Kvothe is deep and intricate and wondrous." Terry Brooks

Synopsis

Discover #1 New York Times-bestselling Patrick Rothfuss' epic fantasy series, The Kingkiller Chronicle.

"I just love the world of Patrick Rothfuss." --Lin-Manuel Miranda

OVER 1 MILLION COPIES SOLD

DAY ONE: THE NAME OF THE WIND

My name is Kvothe.

I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kings. I burned down the town of Trebon. I have spent the night with Felurian and left with both my sanity and my life. I was expelled from the University at a younger age than most people are allowed in. I tread paths by moonlight that others fear to speak of during day. I have talked to Gods, loved women, and written songs that make the minstrels weep.

You may have heard of me.

So begins a tale unequaled in fantasy literature--the story of a hero told in his own voice. It is a tale of sorrow, a tale of survival, a tale of one man's search for meaning in his universe, and how that search, and the indomitable will that drove it, gave birth to a legend.


About the Author

Patrick Rothfuss currently lives in central Wisconsin where he teaches at the local university. In his free time Patrick writes a satirical humor column, practices civil disobedience, and dabbles in alchemy. He loves words, laughs often, and refuses to dance. The Name of the Wind is his first novel. There will be more.

5 28

What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating 5 (28 comments)

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Anne-Marie , February 20, 2015 (view all comments by Anne-Marie)
The beginnings of a fantastic epic tale, the likes of which I haven't found in a while. Characters that you fall in love with, cheer for, ache for, others you despise and want to see fail. A world that you can see and smell, the descriptions are that good. If you like a good story, that will captivate you, this is it. It will keep you up late reading.....

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neocheddar , October 29, 2014
You need this book in your life. Really. Even if you don't read fantasy, this is a book that will change your mind. It's adventure, humor, music, love, friendship. And even though its a humongous book, it's actually written with economy. It's good. Really good. Buy it used if you don't want to take that much of a plunge. And get sucked in.

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yarnarchy , October 22, 2014
I am slightly embarrassed to admit how much I love this series. When choosing a book in the Fantasy genre, one often comes across two types of books. Some are humorous and move along at a decent pace but are often so....dorky...that I spend more time wincing than absorbing; and if one finds something with a bit more substance, there is usually the burden of memorizing several pages of genealogy and a couple of maps, to say nothing of the Wagnerian quality. This series is just the right combination of cleverness and humor, of intrigue and coming of age, both accessible and epic.

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Samuel Chase , October 22, 2014
This book is a must read for any one who appreciates or would like to explore Fantasy/Adventure books. It is an enjoyable well written piece of art.

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too little space , October 21, 2014 (view all comments by too little space)
What a great story. Even though this is only the "first third" of the tale, and one that is already a large tome all on its own, it reads like a thriller and you just keep turning the pages to find out what happens next. This is a "story within a story" and written as if you actually have knowledge of all the laws of physics for a nonexistant land...that is familiar but different and more ancient than our own. I can only hope the next book(s) live up to the first.

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Heidi , April 08, 2014 (view all comments by Heidi)
I can't say enough about how amazing this book is; epic fiction at its finest. If you're done with Game of Thrones and looking for something to fill the void, this will become your new obsession.

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Amanda L Klehr , March 27, 2014 (view all comments by Amanda L Klehr)
It has been a long time since I have found a fantasy book I so thoroughly enjoyed that I found myself feeling the same emotions as the characters. Rothfuss' story-telling is compelling and exciting. The development of Kvothe's character is at times sad, deep and joyous. The structure of stories-within-stories of the novel is never dull or confusing. Rothfuss paints a world of dangers and wonders that is definitely worth the read. I look forward to picking up the second and third of this series!

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SAH , February 03, 2014 (view all comments by SAH)
I have three regrets with this book: 1. I didn't find it earlier. 2. I couldn't put it down and flew through the pages and 3. Ive already read it so I cant read it for the first time again. With the Tolkien books made into movies and the popularity of The Game of Thrones there seems to be a abundance of new fantasy titles out there. Despite the volume, few possess the richness of content or caliber of writing needed to really create an alternate world that isn't a rehashing of one that has come before, nor create characters with enough complexity to be plausible - this book does. Patrick Rothfuss introduces us to a world rich with its own folklore and traditions as seen through the eyes and actions of a character, who( albeit can be a bit too good at everything sometimes lol) possesses enough humanity to be believable. The second book in the series, the Wise Man's Fear, was a touch long but so good I am awaiting the third in this series rather impatiently. If you like the genre yet haven't time but to read a few books, I suggest you make time for these.

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Rosalind Reading , June 10, 2013 (view all comments by Rosalind Reading)
Epic fantasy at its finest: hundreds of pages, and each one feels more exciting than the last. This is the story of Kvothe, killer of kings- but not yet. First he must struggle through childhood, the streets, and the Arcanum: the mysterious academy where magicians are trained. The characters are vitally real, the prose rich, and the plot action-packed.

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Gailleann , January 02, 2013
The Name of the Wind is a phenomenal book full of depth and character. Rothfuss weaves a captivating story about how heroism can go wrong which makes this book hard to put down.

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skarrin , August 04, 2012
I read a lot. A *lot* - I have owned thousands of books in my life, mostly science fiction/fantasy. Tolkien is my guiding light. With that said: Patrick Rothfuss is an astounding talent, and this book is one of the finest fantasy novels I've ever had the delight to read. The world he has created is *alive* - full of the little details and casual observances that you'd expect in a factual biography of a real person. I highly, HIGHLY recommend this to everyone who reads fiction.

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downtheline9 , January 21, 2012
Fabulous fantasy novel. Refreshingly original and interesting. Highly recommended.

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BusterSam , January 19, 2012
So engrossing I played hooky from work to finish it. Characters, backstory, story line, landscape, supernatural aspects all blended perfectly. And protagonist is very likable.

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Lisa Combs , June 12, 2011 (view all comments by Lisa Combs)
Patrick Rothfuss submerges the reader in a time of mystery and magic. His characters are so three dimensional you almost hear them breathe and smell their presence. This is the tale of a journey of a boy with much to learn and discover of his world. His world and people are so well crafted in precise imagery the reader all but has a part in the story. Now with the next part out, this is a must read as you won't have to wait for what comes next. Buy them both and turn off the phone, stock up on snacks for a great undisturbed read.

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Jennifer Knighton , February 06, 2011 (view all comments by Jennifer Knighton)
To my understanding, this is Patrick Rothfuss's first novel. It took him several years to complete and it was worth the wait. What many authors today seem to forget when writing their novels is that writing is a craft, not only of story-telling, but of making the words suit their purpose. Rothfuss manages to weave his tale with the skill of a master wordsmith and the heart of a storyteller. Yes, it is a genre fiction piece. It is probably more accepted as fantasy literature than main stream, but the quality of the writing makes it accessible and entrancing to even the most main stream of readers.

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nicolepescitelli , January 02, 2011
Awesome! Way better than George RR Martin

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dlw , August 17, 2010 (view all comments by dlw)
i thought i had read enough wizarding books but this one proved me wrong. The story is well written and will leave you anxious for the next book to be released. My only disappointment is that i have to wait until March of 2011 to read it!

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jthurman3 , January 06, 2010
This is the most well-written story I've had the pleasure of reading in quite some time. This book was recommended to me by a staff member and I was delighted to become captivated by the hypnotic tale. I am very much looking forward to reading the rest of the trilogy! I highly recommend this novel - you will love it, even if you are not a regular reader of fantasy fiction. The Name of the Wind is a story you won't want to put down, yet won't want to end.

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Jena Klees , January 05, 2010
This is one of my favorite books ever; the world created by Mr. Rothfuss is rich and full of little details that make it a pleasure to read. While the names and places are interesting and fantastical it doesn't feel like a retread of Tolkien or as if the author decided to create all the names using scrabble tiles. The themes of music and magic as well as science and learning that are woven through the book made it something special and I can't wait until the next installment shows up!

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smeek1958 , January 04, 2010
I really enjoyed this book. It was full of memorable characters, had lots of depth and kept my interest from the first page to the last. I have been reading fantasy and sci-fi for over 40 years and I'd place this book in my top 10, ever! I can't wait for the next book!

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Jillian , January 02, 2010 (view all comments by Jillian)
Overwhelmingly the best fantasy book of the decade with striking moments of love and loss. Though beware it will leave you breathlessly waiting for the next book.

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lucybusey , January 01, 2010
One of the best books I have read in the past few years. The story is well constructed, and adds a new voice to Sci-Fi. This is great even if not a sci-fi reader.

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Clay Blankenship , January 01, 2010
This is the most compelling fantasy novel I have read in many years. Rothfuss is a great storyteller and he has created a fascinating character in Kvothe. I can't wait to find out what happens next.

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seadream , January 01, 2010
This is one of those books that keeps you up all night, and in the morning you only regret that you're finished reading it.

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Mark A. , January 01, 2010
I've heard this book called the best fantasy book of the decade. I think that's selling it short. It's the best book of the decade. Period.

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MindyBuchanan , January 09, 2009 (view all comments by MindyBuchanan)
Hmmm. Where should I begin? Reading Rothfuss' book is a bit like being very hungry while waiting for a slow, slow cooked meal or thick stew. It smells delicious and tempting while cooking . . . you really really want to take a bite. However, despite your rabid hunger, you wait. Patiently stewing. Oh sure there is some excitement thrown in, maybe a sauce boils up and you nearly burn yourself. But for the most part it is the making of the meal that is important - you can wait to eat. The reward of a well prepared meal will be worth it in the end. Or at least that is what I'm hoping. I feel like this book, while I truly enjoyed it, was a bit like preparing a meal. You get all the things you need and start painstakingly putting them together. This book is everything we need to enjoy the next one. You begin to understand the heart and soul of main characters, though very little has actually happened. It's a slow burning story that I absolutely sped through without as much as skipping an "and" or "the." I actually would have given it 4.75 stars if that was available. If only because of Rothfuss' constant reminders of the following: Kvothe is poor, Kvothe is a trouper, and Kvothe had spent a time in his life being hungry. These things within the context of the story are obvious to even the dullest reader. The other reason, and perhaps this accounts for the former, is Rathfuss teeters on over explaining the minutia of exactly how things are done. The magic stuff is explained with a kind of scientific or technical writing drone. However, I'd like to point out these little things were not enough to ruin the story for me. This book has been placed on the YA shelves of some book lists. Though the character (in most parts) is aged anywhere between a young boy and a teen of 15, I can't imagine very many tweens and teens would have the patience to read this one. However, if the reader is heavy into fantasy, I could definitely see them loving this above all other YA fantasy. It just seemed more of an adult read, not for content, just in pacing and style. I will be in line first thing to get the next installment. The ending was a bit abrupt. Despite being 720 pages in, I wanted more. As I said, it's like waiting for a slow cooked meal - I was ready to start eating. In fact I'm hungry for the beef of the meal (if I ate meat, of course). Or should I say the heavy vegetables? No, I think wanting the meat of the story is what I mean.

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Janet Smythe , August 08, 2008 (view all comments by Janet Smythe)
Entertaining and fast paced. The characters develop in understandable ways and so you begin to care about what happens to them next. I hate having to wait for the next book.

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d_mcelroy , August 07, 2008
Reader beware, The Name of the Wind will make you cry when you reach the end. Not for any reason I can point to within the story, but simply because we have to wait until next year to find out what happens next. This story is massive, but moves quickly and manages to bring a fresh perspective to the epic fantasy genre. An aspiring author myself, I am in awe of Patrick Rothfuss' art. This is definitely worth reading, but remember; you were warned. ;)

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Product Details

ISBN:
9780756404741
Binding:
Mass Market
Publication date:
04/01/2008
Publisher:
PENGUIN PUTNAM TRADE
Series info:
Kingkiller Chronicles
Pages:
736
Height:
1.59IN
Width:
4.16IN
Thickness:
1.50
Series:
Kingkiller 01
Series Number:
1
Age Range:
18 and up
Grade Range:
13 and up
Number of Units:
1
Illustration:
Yes
Copyright Year:
2008
Series Volume:
2
Author:
Patrick Rothfuss
Subject:
Magicians
Subject:
Fantasy fiction
Subject:
Science Fiction and Fantasy-Fantasy

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Add to Cart
$10.99
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20Local Warehouse

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  • Used, Trade Paperback, Starting from $10.95
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