Thursday, April 16, 2015

N: The Name of the Wind

My theme for the A to Z Blogging Challenge this year is a mishmash of books, movies, writers and TV shows that have in one way or another taught me something about writing and helped me be a better writer. Some inspired my own stories and a few taught me what not to do. Each post is a one minute lesson on writing. And the IWSG blog is participating in the challenge. Check it out.

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss is a book that could be very confusing if you're trying to figure out a timeline for what's going on. The book starts in the present but it takes only a few pages for the reader knows there's something very mysterious and special about the innkeeper. And something sinister is happening across the lands. But then his simple innkeeper, Kvothe, starts telling his story to a biographer. His tale begins when he was a happy child traveling with his family's company of entertainers. The novel goes back and forth from the far past to the ominous present. Superior writing really makes Kvothe's back story intriguing and at the same time hungering to know what is happening in the present. And how did Kvothe grow from that young, eager student to the
grim, secretive man he is now. And the miserly clues draw you deeper into the mystery. And the second book, The Wise Man's Fear deepens the mystery with sparse glimpses into the present while continuing to delve into the past. In case you couldn't tell, I love this series. Patrick doesn't write as slowly as George  RR Martin, but he's not speedy either.

Lesson: If you do it right, starting a book in the middle (or is it the end?) can really intrigue and capture readers. Bouncing back and forth from past to present can also work, especially if tiny threads connect the events in present and past. Rothfuss has a few secondary characters who are so different and interesting, the reader really wants to know more about them. And he's an expert at feeding the reader tidbits. Painfully slow but worth it. This is something I try to work on in every book. As a reader I love a surprise at the end where I realize all the clues were there and I missed them.

“The day we fret about the future is the day we leave our childhood behind.” Kvothe in The Name of the Wind

“You are not wise enough to fear me as I should be feared.” Bast, one of the mysterious characters in The Name of the Wind

Do you enjoy books that are written in chronological order or ones that go back and forth from present to past? Are you good at doling out the secrets and clues a bit at a time? Have you read Patrick Rothfuss?

28 comments:

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Susan - I haven't heard of Patrick Rothfuss .. but can see his style could be intriguing - and obviously is to you .. certainly an author to remember, and to learn from .. cheers Hilary

i b arora said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
i b arora said...

first quotation is interesting, i like the way you review a book

Elise Fallson said...

Bouncing back and forwth in the timeline can be difficult to pull off without making it confusing for the readers. Sounds like Rothfuss has done a good job with this story and it certainly sound intriguing.

Tasha Duncan-Drake said...

I think you've hit the nail on the head when you say 'If you do it right...' and a balancing act like that with present and past is a skill :) It can be hideously annoying when done badly.
Tasha
Tasha's Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)

Maria Zannini said...

It takes a very skilled writer to bounce you around a timeline. I'm such a straight line reader that I would probably grumble anyway. LOL.

Cherdo said...

I've never read this book, but it sounds like something I'd love!

Thanks for all the hard work and excellent posts that keep the A-to-Z going!

Cherdo
www.cherdoontheflipside.com

Pat Hatt said...

Bouncing around sure can take some time, but it can be worth it. I always enjoy when I get fooled at the end or a surprise is there.

Chrys Fey said...

Starting a book in the middle can be very hard and bouncing back and forth tricky. It's so important to get it right otherwise you have a mess. Patrick Rothfuss sounds like a talented writer.

Robin said...

A person has to be a really excellent writer to pull this off without completely confusing the reader. Sounds like this guy is...:)

David P. King said...

I keep hearing good things about this book. :)

cleemckenzie said...

I was just thinking about the point you made in your question. I believe a book that jumps around in time requires more skill than one that's chronological. If the time jumps are handled well, the reading can be so rich, allowing the reading to piece together the bits the author's doling out. If it's not handled well, it often become confusing. Long answer, but I'm thinking about it so you got my thoughts. :-)

Tyrean Martinson said...

That's interesting. I think every good story has some elements of mystery in it, but I don't know that I've mastered or even minored in that ability yet.
I think my favorite book that I've read in the last few years that had two different timelines that worked their way into one timeline was The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet - which is contemporary literature (not my usual cup of tea).
I'm going to have to find those books - because they sound fascinating to me.
You got my thoughts, too. :)

Matthew MacNish said...

I have this book but haven't read it yet. My daughter really loves Rothfuss.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Listen to your daughter, Matthew.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

If it goes back and forth, it has to be really well done.

Timothy S. Brannan said...

I have heard of this series and heard praise, but never knew anything about it.

--
Tim Brannan, The Other Side Blog
2015 A to Z of Vampires
http://theotherside.timsbrannan.com/

Stephen Tremp said...

It’s officially the second half of A to Z. Time to catch that second wind, rest up on Sunday, then it’s that mad dash toward the finish line!

Stephen Tremp
A to Z Cohost
N is for Numerology

J E Oneil said...

That book sounds like a lot of fun! The more confusing, the better :)

AJ Lauer said...

Sounds like a fun book :) I don't mind some skipping around in timeline. It's fun to see the cause and effect at the same time.

Ann Bennett said...

Now I want to read this book. Have you seen my stack, bookcase of books to read? Of course, you have one too. I'll have to check the book out. I am currently reading Meridians by Alice Walker.

betty said...

I don't mind books that go back and forth as long as it is written in such a way that I realize it sooner than later in the plot :)

betty

Nick Wilford said...

Writing scenes in the past to juxtapose with the present sounds better than just putting in a big infodump.

Elizabeth Mueller said...

I haven't read Patrick's books. I haven't read books that timeline jump but have seen movies that do and those absolutely drives me bonkers. I doubt I would appreciate this kind of style, though. I am not the target audience!

Elizabeth Mueller
AtoZ 2015
My Little Pony

Tammy Theriault said...

Starting a book in the middle... Hmmm... That's pretty cool!

Melissa Sugar said...

I haven't read this book, but it sounds intriguing. I don't mind back and forth or other time hops as long as I know it will occur and the author can do it without too much confusion.

Shanaya Tales said...

I like books that go back and forth in time. Especially the ones where a secret is revealed at the end, but there are clues all along- pretty obvious ones that I might have missed. I love re-reading those.
*Shantala @ ShanayaTales*

Michelle Wallace said...

My first time hearing about Patrick Rothfuss.

Just popping in to share my N-thoughts...
This is a noteworthy newsflash to nip and neutralize the negativity of the narrow-minded, non-supportive, nasty naysayers… who had the nerve to say: never, no ways, it will come to naught and you are all nuts, numbskulls and nincompoops and not likely to nail the challenge.
The notorious A to Z nomads are still navigating new territories and discovering new neighbours!
A belated Happy N-day!
(I'm running behind schedule but will probably catch up by tomorrow...)