[Rob B]

Kvothe is a remarkably realized character, and despite his stature as an upstart in some scenes and a living legend in others - I feel he comes across genuinely. You believe him, or at least you WANT to believe him. Is he cocky, absolutely. But in an endearing fashion, not unlike a certain Thorn of Camorr.

Yes, the comparision to Lynch is fair, much more fair than the book of footnotes from a couple of years ago.

[kcf]

I agree, the comparison with TLOLL is very fair...

They take two different approaches to epic fantasy, but the level of plotting is comprable (maybe a bit overdone in TLOLL), the characterization in The Name of the Wind is better as is the level of writing, and the worldbuilding is better in TLOLL.

I'd say they stack up well against each other - for me, The Name of the Wind comes out slightly ahead.

[KatG]

I am falling on the floor laughing here. What happened to the ravening mob that demanded no more orphans ever? Oh wait, that's right, it's okay because you like this one. Welcome to the fan world, Mr. Rotfhuss. It's nice that we're having such hoopla about all these authors.

[Eventine]

Maybe the marketing slogan could be:
The Name of the Wind: Taking the tired out of tired cliche
???

[Mithfânion]

I am falling on the floor laughing here. What happened to the ravening mob that demanded no more orphans ever? Oh wait, that's right, it's okay because you like this one.

Similar thoughts crossed my mind as well. But perhaps the people praising it here were not the people complaing about Fantasy tropes?

[MaCinJay]

I grew bored with fantasy stereotypes some years ago. Fortunately I discovered George RR Martin's work a while back. Although he does retain certain traditional fantasy elements (it wouldn't be fantasy if he didn't after all), in other ways he turns the whole genre on its head.

I read Rob's review for The Name of the Wind and, frankly, there appears to be too many old fantasy chestnuts in the story. And not just the more obvious ones: Silverberg's eponymous hero from Lord Valentine's Castle joins up with a troupe of entertainers during his adventures too.

[pat5150]

See the UK cover art here (http://fantasyhotlist.blogspot.com/2007/03/name-of-wind-uk-cover-art.html).

Patrick

[JohnH]

I am falling on the floor laughing here. What happened to the ravening mob that demanded no more orphans ever?

Probably still getting moist over having discovered all those authors who are doing the "new" fantasy. Patting themselves on the back for being edgy, mature , gritty dark and oh so very, very real.

Bring on the princess to be resuced I say.

Yes, the comparision to Lynch is fair, much more fair than the book of footnotes from a couple of years ago.

I actually got that Eventine was going for hype. Among my points? First, that it is silly to use hype as a starting point. Not in the way that Eventine did but in the way that no doubt the masses will flock to whatever book it seems it is okay to like. It is okay to gush over and feel proud of what you have just read. It is unavoidable but even lemmings can fall over the right cliff. It still makes it a mass Jonestown approach to reading that helps affirm the notion that there is "right" and "wrong" to reading. Second, that the three books are incredibly different style wise and part of my sarcasm was aimed at the notion that the three actually compare in any way. Subjectively that is. Again, not in the way that Eventine suggests with his post but in the continual effort by some many to refuse to accept that readers can enjoy three very different approachs to the storytelling arena. And that some will be incredibly indignant at the idea that a book with its tropes out on the table be compared to a work that tries slight of hand with its tropes and one that takes one trope and beats it death. That some will take umbrage that a book that is blatantly typical fantasy in theme and yet rather well-written and told in a way that makes it one of the better books in any field be mentioned in the same breath as the trendy and incredibly over-accessible (but still quite good) The Lies of Locke Lamora, let alone the boutique high end critical darling of the blog and review set Clarke.

I read Rob's review for The Name of the Wind and, frankly, there appears to be too many old fantasy chestnuts in the story.

Funny, I find that in every single review of any book. Let alone the squirrel's hoard found in every single book. It might be a religion of the mases, but I still look at the belief that there are authors doing completely new "this contains no chestnuts or very, very few" as two guys in white shirts at my door with their bikes at the front gate, trying to sell me on the afterlife.

[GreyMantle]

Hal Duncan just wrote a fascinating essay on the subject of conservatism in fantasy. It's still the first post at halduncan.com, I believe.

[U-Borat]

Thanks pat.

Once again, UK covers triumphs over the US ones.