But I was over two hours into it when I realized there was not a single named female character yet (the first female line of dialogue came at 3 hours 18 minutes, and was spoken by his mother). I’m not about to say that gender diversity defines a good story, but to me it doesn’t bode well when an author forgot to write about half of the entire human species. I’m really hoping that the role of females in the book will eventually extend beyond their reproductive capacities.

I really want it to be good, so I’m going to keep listening and hoping for a great payoff. I too see the powerful similarity to David Eddings and wouldn’t be surprised if it weren’t at least partly intentional, by which I mean, it seems like Rothfuss must have liked his work and accepted it as an influence. So far I haven’t pinned down why I like Pawn of Prophecy but find the first 4 hours of the Name of the Wind so boring. Certainly Rothfuss’ prose is more polished and thoughtful, and less riddled with accidental racism, so shouldn’t I like it better? Sadly, no, at least not yet.

I think a big part of it is Kvothe’s awesomeness. I’m already really sick of just being told that he’s awesome, I want to see him do something – something other than get straight A’s, that is. When I was his age, my teachers said the same sorts of things about me to my parents (she can do anything, she’ll be so successful, etc) and I can tell you in absolute terms that intelligence is NOT the advantage people think it is. Mostly, it gets in the way, to be honest. So, to me, hearing that he’s such a quick learner isn’t impressing me much because I know how little it really means if the passion to learn never develops into a passion to DO anything with the knowledge. If only, if only I could have SEEN him fight the monsters in the first act! Stupid Chronicler, why did you have to get knocked out instantly and ruin everything!

These are my issues with the book so far:

Lack of a compelling story although there is a possibility of a revenge plot along the way, this doesn’t seem to be materialising very fast. There’s little apparent desire for Kvothe to do much about it. He survives and wants to study magic.

When he was scraping a living as a beggar why didn’t he use some of the magic/sympathy he had learnt to help him – seems like a major plot flaw to me?

Stories told by characters are a blunt expository implement in my opinion – dull and ineffective way to communicate background – the ultimate tell not show.

My biggest concern though is that if this title is said to be one of the best of current fantasy, then what state is current fantasy in? There is little actual story-telling as far as I can tell, and the interest in Kvothe’s humdrum life start to pale rapidly. I am also reading Lev Grossman’s The Magician’s, and this is a much more interesting account of a young man/boy learning magic.

Apart from GRR Martin and Joe Abercrombie, current fantasy writing in a traditional fantasy setting (i.e. not urban) seems to be bereft of story-tellers.

@T.N. Tobias – Strange how everyone’s taste can be so substantially different, right? It’s all subjective. I’ll admit that the ending of the book certainly floundered a bit, but not enough for me to change my overall take.

@Dave – I know Rothfuss was trying to build up the relationship with what’s-her-name at the end of the book (Denna? He kept changing it), but I agree, it took up too much space.

I suppose it can be said that Kvothe is too good, but his world was so hard on him that he pretty much needed everything he had, and more, to just keep afloat.

Funny you sould mention that about your wife, I was thinking the same thing, though I have yet to fully convince her to try it out.

@Sensawunda & @Roddy Reta – It was great fun, loved the prose, can’t wait to get a chance to read the next one. Roddy, I was a fan of the Belgariad and Mallorean as a kid too, those were my first entries into fantasy. Doesn’t hold up as strong under my adult eyes, but still lots of fond memories.

@Paul – Good, it was a difficult review to sum up.

@Hearthesea – I’ll admit I had a similar complaint about relating to the other characters, but eventually I wrote it off as a problem with the first person narrative (at least for Rothfuss). The present story arc that is third-limited comes off better for each character, and I assume as the story catches up to the present that we will leave first person behind and go entirely to third-limited. So perhaps that will quell that minor complaint. For me I was thoroughly entranced by Kvothe’s struggle that it was ok, that he was the main—and often only—attraction.

Martin does do some incredible characters doesn’t he? I just started re-reading Game of Thrones and I am remembering all of its goodness all over again.

It’s certainly not a bad book — in fact it entertained me and kept me reading through to the end. The language is also lovely in places, particularly the beautifuly crafted first page or the tender description of Kvothe attempting to earn his pipes. It’s a good read, but it seems to pale in comparison to the massive hype surrounding it, and having a genius protagonist is a gamble that didn’t work for me. (In terms of highly gifted protagonists in the realm of fantasy/sci fi, I actually much prefer the depiction in ‘Ender’s Game’.)

Somehow the book is still enjoyable, though. Rothfuss is able to rise above the problems in the narrative through his elegant, warm writing style.

I recall our twitter and email comments while you were reading the book, so I was looking forward to your final thoughts with interest. You did not disappoint.

That said, I enjoyed every page of this book.  I couldn’t read it fast enough.  The author has a real gift for putting one word in front of the other, and it kept me interested regardless of these minor quibbles.  So I give the book a solid recommendation for anyone interested in the genre.

I also picked up almost immediately that my wife, who does not really enjoy this genre much, would like the book.  Don’t ask; I don’t know, but I was dead-on right.  I think she read it faster than I did and asked why we didn’t have book 2 yet.

Stupid homonyms.. 

On any account, good that you enjoyed it. The world needs more good, long books, whether their to my taste or not.