The Slow Regard of Silent Things

It was quite a few years ago when I read this. (updating my book list) My recollection was I liked this quite a bit. But since it's a small bit in between the main series it might not be for you.

Below is a bit from the author on this book:

AUTHOR’S FOREWORD

You might not want to buy this book.

I know, that’s not the sort of thing an author is supposed to say. The marketing people aren’t going to like this. My editor is going to have a fit. But I’d rather be honest with you right out of the gate.

First, if you haven’t read my other books, you don’t want to start here.

My first two books are The Name of the Wind and The Wise Man’s Fear. If you’re curious to try my writing, start there. They’re the best introduction to my world. This book deals with Auri, one of the characters from that series. Without the context of those books, you’re probably going to feel pretty lost.

Second, even if you have read my other books, I think it’s only fair to warn you that this is a bit of a strange story. I don’t go in for spoilers, but suffice to say that this one is ... different. It doesn’t do a lot of the things a classic story is supposed to do. And if you’re looking for a continuation of Kvothe’s storyline, you’re not going to find it here.

On the other hand, if you’d like to learn more about Auri, this story has a lot to offer. If you love words and mysteries and secrets. If you’re curious about the Underthing and alchemy. If you want to know more about the hidden turnings of my world...

Well, then this book might be for you.

I read this about a month ago, but it is sticking with me.

Patrick Rothfuss has spun a tale that, at first glance, feels like cotton candy. It is light, sweet and beautiful. As time goes on, it feels so much more real, with true depth. Auri feels like a fully fleshed person, not someone in the pages of a book. It's the best character study I have ever read.

I identified with Auri more and more throughout the story. I don't see myself as broken but simply as seeing the world in a unique way. It feels wonderful to be able to connect with a character in this way and to feel a sort of kinship with them. Even a month later, I find myself thinking or saying things and then laughing, because it was something Auri would understand.

As said in the book, everyone seems to have the opinion that while they loved it, they aren't sure someone else would. I found myself saying the same exact thing. I thought it was excellent.

Example: I had boiled potatoes and them left them in their hot water as I was busy with the rest of dinner. I commented that potatoes were friendly, easy going things that were happy to be left to their own devices. They tasted fine.

I enjoyed this book. As Patrick states in the forward, and in the afterward, and several places on the internet, this book might not be for everyone. However, I think this book is for more people than he realizes.

I had trouble seeing the shape of the story as I was being lead through it. However, the journey was delightful. The path was just clear enough to keep me on it in the moment, but obscure enough that I really couldn't see the path ahead of me, nor the path behind. I think this was both a bug and a feature of this story. It will requires multiple passes to understand the full shape of the story.

I listened to the audio book for this. I am a fan of books read by the author - with my favorite example being the Chronicles of Amber read by Roger Zelazny. The Slow Regard of Silent Things is an excellent example of what the author can do to a story by providing the pace, cadence, and inflection as he intended.