Book Review: The Wise Man's Fear

It's been more than four years -- longer than I thought -- since I read and reviewed The Name of the Wind. By the time I picked up this immediate sequel, I'd forgotten many character names, but I re-connected most of them to familiar personalities soon enough. To my shame, I'd completely forgotten every female character who was still relevant at the end of the first book. My memory must be sexist.

Fortunately, Patrick Rothfuss doesn't expect his readers to remember. And unlike J.K. Rowling, he doesn't simply repeat details as if stating them for the first time, apart from the prologues and epilogues, which are designed for symmetry. His characters have non-contrived reasons for saying enough to fill us in. If you decide to jump in without ever reading volume 1, you won't feel lost for long.

( My reaction )

I am now very curious indeed what Rothfuss has in store for the finale. In all likelihood, I'll feel ready for more of the Kingkiller Chronicle Trilogy in less time than before.


Meanwhile, in honor of the late Oliver Sacks, I've borrowed Musicophilia. I liked The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat, so this should be good.