The Name of the Wind

A few months back, NPR had their list of top 100 science fiction and fantasy books as voted on by the public. The top 20 was riddled with the usual suspects.  I had read most of the books and at the very least seen the movies to the rest.  Well, except for one;  The Name of the Wind.  I had never heard of the author or the book.  I mean, I go to a book club once a month for science fiction and fantasy and no one there had ever heard of this book.  How the heck did it get on the list.  The only conclusion that I could come to was that everyone that had read the book had voted for it.

This is a recent book and the first in the series.  I believe the series itself is what was nominated.  This adds to the intrigue as the third book has not even been released.  The second book was only recently released.  So I tracked down a copy of the book and gave it a read.

Plot-  It doesn't look like it is a "boy who would become king" story.  In fact, if the series name is an indicator, it is a "boy that would kill the king story."  It follows the story of Kvothe as he is telling it to the chronicler, so the truth behind the stories can be revealed.  There are many fantasy tropes here and they are handled well for the most part.  The story meanders a bit in places and poor Kvothe just can't catch a break.

Characters-There are only two characters that matter in this story; Kvothe and the girl.  The girl is an Enigma and although you get several names for her, the reader is never even given her real name.  Kvothe is almost too perfect though.  He is extremely smart, talented, and witty.  Girls want him and guys want to be him.  If it weren't for bad luck, the character would have no depth at all.  Despite is extreme intelligence, he seems to lack any sense at all.

Overall, it isn't a bad story.  I was upset to find out that the second book just came out and the third (final?) book isn't out.  It only took 4 years between books, so, I am not sure if it is worth reading the first two and having to wait a few years for the final installment.  If it even is the final installment.  While good, I am not sure it warrants a place on the top 20, or at least not on the merits of the first book alone.  If you like fantasy, you should enjoy this book quite a bit.  If you don't like fantasy due to repeating tropes, this has some, but not as many as others.  Safe for everyone.  My 10 year old is reading it.  

NPR's top 100 Science Fiction and Fantasy Books

NPR has published their list of the top 100 scifi and fantasy books.  I have read or attempted the top 10.  Actually out of the top 30, I had read or attempted 27.  I finished with a total of 52 complete.  I disagreed with some (Neverwhere was good, but how is it there and not Good Omens and why is Gaiman on here four times).  I think Hitchhiker is top ten book but I don’t think it is A. #2 on the list, nor B. the best science fiction entry.  I had at least heard of most of the science fiction entries, but can’t say the same for the fantasy entries especially #18 The Kingslayer Chronicles.  I mean on a list where I have read 27 of the top 30 and have seen movie versions of two more, I have never even heard of #18. 

I think a lot of authors got a bump due to being very hot right now.  Brandon Sanderson, for instance, had three things on here and I just don’t think he is going to be that relevant in 20-30 years.  It is worth noting that this list isn’t really a best of list, but more of a popularity contest.  A lot of people have commented on the fact that the list should have been split or that an author should only be allowed on the list once.  These are great ideas. 

Pleasant surprise-  Mary Stewart’s The Crystal Cave

Glaring omission-  John Steakley’s Armor.

  

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