Book of the Month- January 2018

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Book of the Month

January 2018


Despite the frustrating end to this book, I have to say it was the most entertaining book I read in January. It was very refreshing to be so engaged with a book after quite a few I struggled to enjoy. So here are a few of my favourite parts of it! Watch out for spoilers in this post.

Favourite character: Devi. After the ruthlessness and violence of the moneylender was so skillfully built up, I was fully expecting it to be a man- that seemed to suit the tone of the city. So Kvothe's discovery of Devi was a very welcome surprise. I loved the scenes where she and Kvothe bargain, and her character was the most intriguing in the whole story.

Best quote: Chronicler: "It's not really my place to comment on the story. If you say you saw a dragon..." 
After a lot of dramatic storytelling on Kvothe's part, he tells the scribe to deny that the creature he has just described is a dragon. The scribe refuses, and Kvothe has to go on to admit that the creature is not a dragon but a native creature. I really admired Chronicler's refusal to stoke Kvothe's ego.

Most intriguing moment: To be honest, there is a lot about this book that's intriguing. A lot of plot threads are set up which I assume form parts of the next books. However, the character I want to know more about is Bast, especially after he fights Chronicler and his (I think) Faery heritage is revealed. I really want to see him play a bigger part in future books and know how he came to be working for Kvothe.

Favourite scene: When Kvothe earns his pipes by playing in the Eolian. My heart was in my mouth for the entirety of the scene, but I also managed to admire the description of being so absolutely lost in the music. I'm sure it's something any musician can recognise, and it was also a nice payoff the earlier plot thread where Kvothe learns to play a lute with fewer strings than normal. I loved the attention to detail.

Most memorable scene: After Kvothe's parents and friends are all killed, Kvothe plays his lute until his hands bleed. Until that moment, I had forgotten that Kvothe is still very young at that point, and his inability to express his pain in any other way was a jarring but necessary reminder. It set up the vulnerable state he spends the next years in well, and it was heartbreaking to see him so devastated. 

Most satisfying moment: This was very nearly the moment when Kvothe and Denna discover the stash of denner resin, and Kvothe thinks he can solve his financial troubles, but in the end I chose the moment Kvothe sets off for the university. Seeing him thank the people who had looked out for him was moving, and it was the first big step towards him becoming the hero telling the story. It also signaled the start of him moving on, which was a huge relief.

Let me know what you thought of The Name of the Wind!

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