Dear reader, I have just spent an unforgivable amount of time finishing The Wise Mans Fear by Patrick Rothfuss. I had been eagerly anticipating the release of this title for a long time now, religiously following Pats blog for updates on its arrival. I was not let down. My fear was that this title wouldn't live up to his debut novel The name of the Wind, which blew me and a lot of other people away. His first novel was a coming of age story that followed the hero Kvothe on his journey through the younger years of his life. No only was this book set in an autobiographical way but also in a compelling, new and fresh type of story telling.
Ok. Maybe thats exaggerating slightly as this has been done countless times before, but never in this setting and with the level of world building that Rothfuss is so good at. It's hard to explain how easily these books captured me, normally I would only start rating an author when they had had a few titles under their belt. Not so with Pat, he gripped me from the first and I hate to admit it I fell in love with the story and author from the off.
Now normally I have a few problems with coming of age stories, especially ones that are as generic as - young person - parents die - all alone - conquers and overcomes adversity - get's help - makes friends - trials etc, etc. But something was extremely refreshing about Pats take on this. Less was this about the action and adventure even if this did play a heavy part, but more on the dialogue. The use of language and extremely original and thought provoking ideas he plants are the pinnacle of the universe he creates.
I could ramble on and on about Rothfuss and how he creates a beautifully realized and enchanting world for his story, but I just don't have time. I urge anyone to read his blog, he updates frequently and is not only an extremely funny blogger but has some real and interesting views that he has no fear of expressing.
The Wise Mans Fear quickly takes a leap straight back into Kvothes life at the university where he studies and readily pulls the reader back into the hectic and unexpected life of our young hero/antihero - depending on stance. The story has no need of much back story or catch up as it is a direct sequel to the first and so we waste no time in following the intense and somewhat cruel lifestyle of Kovthe.
The story never strays from the lead as he is convinced to leave the university and find a patronage in another city. As expected in any coming of age novel he overcomes adversity in the form of adverse poverty, violence and different cultures who treat him as a pariah.
Anyone who hasn't heard of Rothfuss and is a fan of any fantasy whether it be from Rowling or Tolkien to R.R.Martin or Richard Morgan - do not hesitate if you see this book somewhere and dont turn your nose up at the idea of a Potter-esq / Twilight cover/title. Its undeniably one of the best pieces of writing in an absolute age.
