The Name of the Wind
by Patrick Rothfuss, Marc Simonetti · first published 2007
61% recommend28% neutral11% critical
Why HN recommends it
Epic fantasy with beautiful storytelling and rich detail that rewards rereading. It suits fantasy fans and readers who usually avoid the genre. It is often compared to Harry Potter and Martin's work.
Common criticism: Some find the prose overwritten, and the trilogy is still unfinished
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
The Name of the Wind, also called The Kingkiller Chronicle: Day One, is a heroic fantasy novel written by American author Patrick Rothfuss. It is the first book in the ongoing fantasy trilogy The Kingkiller Chronicle. It was published on March 27, 2007, by DAW Books, the novel has been hailed as a masterpiece of high fantasy. The story begins the tale of Kvothe (pronounced "quothe"), a young man who becomes the most notorious magician his world has ever known. Kvothe narrates his own journey, from his childhood in a troupe of traveling players to his years as a near-feral
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…and put toward your next start-up project. That doesn't mean Fantasy books are a waste of time though if they're engrossing and entertaining. That's why I read them. Some fantasy recommendations: The Name of the Wind, by Patrick Rothfuss The Lies of Locke Lamora, by Scott Lynch The First Law series, by Joe Abercrombie (especially the standalone books #4, #5 and #6) The Way of Kings, by Brandon Sanderson
on “YC's Winter Reading List” ↗…lists. Oh and a final, related tangent: if, like me, you really enjoy G.R.R. Martin but generally avoid straight-up fantasy [it seems to me the genre is awash in mediocre Tolkien rip-offs] please give The Name of the Wind (Rothfuss) [7] a chance. You'll be glad you did. :) [1] http://smile.amazon.com/Gone-Away-World-Nick-Harkaway-ebook/... [2] http://smile.amazon.com/Ready-Player-One-Ernest-Cline-ebook/... [3] http://smile.amazon.com/Martian-Novel-Andy-Weir-ebook/dp/B00...…
on “Sci-Fi Novels You Should Read” ↗Name of the Wind - Patrick Rothfuss I am not a fantasy fan in general, but this is my favorite story of all time. The story within a story within a story, characters, world just about perfect. Daemon - Daniel Suarez…
on “Ask HN: What are your favorite books of all time, and why?” ↗…his 'Complications' and of course 'The Checklist Manifesto') * 'A Short History of Nearly Everything' by Bill Bryson. Fiction: * 'Fragile Things: Short Fictions and Wonders' by Neil Gaiman * 'The Name of the Wind' by Patrick Rothfuss Graphic novels ("comics"): * 'Watchmen' by Alan Moore * 'Promethea' by Alan Moore (actually I'm halfway through this, and loving every bit of it) Special mentions: * 'How to…
on “Ask HN: What are the best books you've read in the past year?” ↗"The Name of the Wind" by Pat Rothfuss. (I'm a fantasy fiction writer)
on “Ask HN: Which book can attract anyone towards your field of study?” ↗Speaking of Patrick Rothfuss: he's an new author and his book Name of the Wind is amazing. If you enjoy fantasy and can get past the (overwrought and somewhat preening "Hah hah I am a Real Writer Now") first chapter, I highly, highly recommend it. It is my favorite book I've bought…
on “Advice for new writers: Live somewhere cheap” ↗…characters seemed so similar that i could never remember who did what) But the characters are believable and the archae/anthrop - ology expertise of Erikson is very evident. Patrick Rothfuss' first book, The Name of the wind, was a great start to a new series. These two (modern fantasy) authors are the only ones i trust currently to give me a good read - in comparison to sci fi, fantasy seems (again IMO) to be in a bit of…
on “Ask YC: Favorite fantasy novel(s)?” ↗…remind myself exactly which ones fell into 2011 and not prior years... but offhand, I'd mention: Fiction: Mona Lisa Overdrive - William Gibson Zero History - William Gibson 11/22/63 - Stephen King The Name of the Wind - Patrick Rothfuss The Wise Man's Fear - Patrick Rothfuss Non-fiction: Ghost in the Wires - Kevin Mitnick The Elegant Universe - Brian Greene The Trouble With Physics - Lee Smolin Not Even Wrong…
on “Ask HN: Best book you read in 2011” ↗Discworld: Going Postal, Making Money, and Raising Steam (3 books total) The Lies of Locke Lamora (and sequels, 3 books total so far) The Name of the Wind (and sequels, 3 books total so far) Ancillary Justice (and sequel, 2 books total so far) All of Iain M. Banks Culture series Old Man's War (and sequels)
on “What are your favorite sci-fi and fantasy books?” ↗…Translation) - 5/5 An absolute Must read. "1984" - Orwell - 5/5 French law on surveillance made me want to read it again "Fahrenheit 451" - Ray Bradbury - 4/5 "La zone du dehors" - Alain Damasio - 4/5 "The name of the wind" - Patrick Rothfuss - 4/5 A great fantasy story. It's a big book, there is a lot of details, but very well written. "Stranger in a Strange Land" - Robert A. Heinlein - 3/5 Awesome concept, but very slow…
on “Ask HN: Books you read in 2015?” ↗Name of the Wind is good. Almost too good. The downside of course is that some people fear Rothfuss will never finish the story...
on “YC's Winter Reading List” ↗The Name of the Wind (The Kingkiller Chronicle, #1) by Patrick Rothfuss. Wonderful fantasy that treats the reader as an adult and doesn't over explain. It has perfected world building, doing so organically rather than through…
on “Ask HN: What was the best book you read in 2016?” ↗The Name of the Wind, and The Wise Man's Fear -- great fantasy books by Patrick Rothfuss.
on “Ask HN: Which book have you re-read recently?” ↗…building a cathedral in medieval europe. Great characters, a villain you love to hate. If you haven't, you cannot claim to be a fan of science if you haven't listen to Foundation by Issac Asimov. The Name of the Wind - Patrick Rothfuss, read by Nick Podehl. It's Harry Potter but for grownups. Fantastic story. Edit - I'm adding this because I doubt anyone will mention it - there is an audio production company called…
on “Ask HN: What are the best audiobooks you have ever listened to?” ↗Non Fiction: The War on Normal People - Andrew Yang Fiction: Name of the wind - Patrick Rothfuss
on “Ask HN: What is the best book you read in 2020?” ↗