Title: The Wise Man’s Fear
Author: Patrick Rothfuss
First published March 1, 2011
994 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780756404734 (ISBN10: 0756404738)
Rating: 4.55
Overview
“There are three things all wise men fear: the sea in storm, a night with no moon, and the anger of a gentle man.” My name is Kvothe, and I am no ordinary hero. I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kings, burned down entire towns, and faced the darkest of creatures.
I am a legend in my own time, and my story is one that has yet to be matched.
In the second installment of my tale, I find myself entangled in the politics of courtly society in the city of Vintas. Penniless and alone, I must navigate the treacherous waters of the nobility, and find my place among them.
But when I uncover an assassination attempt and become embroiled in a conflict with a rival arcanist, I realize that my troubles have only just begun.
Determined to seek the truth about the mysterious Amyr, the Chandrian, and the death of my parents, I am forced to travel into the Fae realm. There, I meet Felurian, the faerie woman no man can resist, and who no man has ever survived…
until me. But my journey doesn’t end there.
I am put on trial by the legendary Adem mercenaries, must reclaim the honor of the Edema Ruh, and lead a group of mercenaries into the wild to solve the mystery of who (or what) is waylaying travelers on the King’s Road.
In The Wise Man’s Fear, I take my first steps on the path of the hero and discover just how difficult life can be when you become a legend. So come along on this epic adventure with me, and witness a story that will leave you breathless.
About the Author
Pat Rothfuss had a supportive upbringing with encouraging parents who motivated him to do his best. He was a bit of a class clown in high school, but loved reading and giving his friends relationship advice despite having never been in a relationship himself.
He was also very interested in role-playing and writing stories about elves, making him a bit of a geek.
Most of Pat’s adult life was spent at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. He started college in 1991 with the intention of studying chemical engineering, but later switched to clinical psychology.
However, in 1993 he realized he didn’t know what he wanted to do with his life and changed his major to “undecided,” studying whatever he found interesting. While at university, he studied a variety of subjects, including anthropology, philosophy, eastern religions, history, alchemy, parapsychology, literature, and writing.
He also practiced six different martial arts, improv comedy, lock-picking, and improving his skills with women. He wrote a satirical advice column called “The College Survival Guide” which he still writes today, and worked on his novel throughout this time.
In 2000, Pat started grad school for English literature, but didn’t enjoy it. Despite this, he discovered that he loved teaching.
He left grad school in 2002 with a masters degree and decided to never return. During this time, his novel was rejected by many agents.
Pat now works part-time as an assistant-sub-lecturer at his old school, where he advises the college feminists, the fencing club, and a sorority. He still occasionally role-plays, but in a more sophisticated manner.
Through some fortunate events, he secured an excellent agent and editor, and his first book, “The Name of the Wind,” was published in April 2007. It has already been sold in 26 foreign countries and has won several awards.
Pat has been described as “a rough, earthy iconoclast with a pipeline to the divine in everyone’s subconscious,” but this description was likely given by someone who was drunk at the time.
Editoral Review
The Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss is a masterpiece of epic fantasy literature that will leave you spellbound from start to finish. This book follows the success of Rothfuss’s previous book, The Name of the Wind, which was published in 2007.
The Wise Man’s Fear continues the story of its protagonist, Kvothe, as he embarks on a journey of self-discovery, magic, and adventure in a world where anything is possible. Rothfuss is a talented storyteller who has been hailed as one of the best fantasy writers of our time.
His writing is beautifully crafted, with an attention to detail that draws the reader into the world he has created. The genre of fantasy is very well suited to Rothfuss’s style, as he has an incredible ability to create complex worlds with intricate magic systems and unique characters.
The Wise Man’s Fear takes place in the same world as The Name of the Wind, in a land known as the Four Corners of Civilization. The story follows Kvothe, a former legendary hero and musician turned innkeeper, as he recounts his past adventures to Chronicler, a scribe who is interested in writing a true account of Kvothe’s life.
Kvothe’s adventures take him to the University, where he studies magic, to the Fae realm, where he meets a mysterious creature known as Felurian, and to the court of the Maer Alveron, where he must navigate a dangerous political landscape. The characters in The Wise Man’s Fear are incredibly well developed, and each has their own unique personality and backstory.
Kvothe is a complex character who is both incredibly talented and flawed, and his relationships with other characters are nuanced and believable. The setting of the novel is also incredibly detailed, with each location having its own unique culture and history.
One of the strengths of The Wise Man’s Fear is its thematic depth. The novel explores a wide range of themes, including the nature of power and ambition, the importance of learning and education, and the dangers of love and desire.
These themes are woven seamlessly into the plot, and readers will find themselves reflecting on them long after they have finished the book. While The Wise Man’s Fear is a fantastic book, it does have some flaws.
The pacing of the novel can be slow at times, particularly in the middle section of the book. Additionally, some readers may find the novel’s length to be daunting, as it is over 1,000 pages long.
Overall, The Wise Man’s Fear is an incredible book that is sure to delight fans of epic fantasy literature. Rothfuss’s writing is masterful, and his characters and world-building are second to none.
While it is not without its flaws, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise outstanding novel. Readers who enjoy immersive fantasy stories with richly drawn characters and captivating plotlines will not be disappointed.
Rating: 8/10.