new book #2

First, I absolutely loved The Name of the Wind, which was the Chocolate Mousse of Fantasies (and if you know what real chocolate mousse is with folded not whipped egg-whites and almond and lady fingers then you’ll understand what I mean). I can't imagine trying to write a story about a hero from first person pov. How not to come off as an arrogant bastard? And yet, Rothfuss managed exactly that with Kvothe, a man who says of himself:

“I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kings. I burned down the town of Trebon. I have spent the night with the Felurian and left with both my sanity and my life. I was expelled from the University at a younger age than most people are allowed in. I tread paths by moonlight that others fear to speak of during the day. I have talked to Gods, loved women, and written songs to make the minstrels weep.”

“You may have heard of me.”

ok, maybe a little bit arrogant, but still, how could you not want to know more?

But I also have to say that I was very annoyed with Mr. Rothfuss for making me wait so long for this next installment. I kept looking and looking and every time the date of publication was getting pushed back and back. Whose fault was this? Was the writer not writing? Had they all had a falling out? Was I ever going to be find out what happens next? I had valid cause for worry. Fifteen years ago I read the first two books in what was called the Exile series. But the third book never came out.  Robert Jordan died before finishing his series and only now is there a release date (hallelujah) for the next George R. R. Martin book (Dance with Dragons, July 11, 2011, 1008 pages, hardcover). You can see why I was concerned.

But apparently all for naught. I finally have the book in my hands and the very first thing Rothfuss says is this:

To my patient fans, for reading the blog and telling me what they really want is an excellent book, even if it takes a little longer.

And he's right. We would rather wait for an excellent book than get a hurried draft he wasn't happy with. Becuse if he isn't happy with it there's a pretty good chance we won't be impressed either. That's the only trouble with writing something so good first time out. You have to write something equally good or better the next. It's like raising the bar before you begin.