A (Roth)fuss About Nothing?
It took a little longer than planned, but I’ve now read The Wise Man’s Fear, Patrick Rothfuss’ follow up to The Name of the Wind. From my previous blog entry you’ll know that I thought very highly of the first book, for a little while I worried that this book might turn out to be a disappointing sequel. The first half labours through some themes familiar from the first instalment, namely fiscal insecurity, self-inflicted missteps, and moping around looking for Denna. This becomes repetitive, then tedious and finally a bit of a slog, at least for a while. There is also a smaller, but still substantial, section involving a member of the Fae which seems unnecessarily lengthy and perhaps a little indulgent. Once the story moves, particularly towards the end of the book, the pace picks up and the narrative regains some vital impetus.
These minor grievances aside, The Wise Man’s Fear (and there is plenty of it) exhibits many of the same qualities which made its predecessor such an enjoyable read. The Foreshadowing elements of the book work especially well, now that we know a great deal more of Kvothe and his back story. What we still don’t know though is how he ends up working in a small village inn, and the aspect of secrets still to be spilled keeps the readers interest, who knows it may well transpire that the elements of the book which feel tedious now will prove to be essential cogs in the workings of the whole story. I’ll allow the author the benefit of the doubt until the next and possibly final volume of this story appears. When that will be is anyone’s guess.