The Name of the Wind Book Club Questions
The Name of the Wind
Did you finish the book? Did you like it?
Category or genre of the book was epic fantasy. Can you think of other books that fit into this category? (Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling, The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin, Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis) Have you read this type of a book previously? What do you think of the genre? What did you like/dislike?
This genre requires quite a lot of world building before the story can begin, and as the story goes along. Did you think that Rothfuss’s world building was effective? Why/why not?
Did you find the plot predictable? Or did it keep you guessing about what would happen next? Why?
What is the point of the University? Similarities/differences to Hogwarts? Would you want to study there?
In this book, as well as at Hogwarts in the Harry Potter books, some of the characters fit into neat hero/villain/friend/love interest roles? Can you name some of them?
Who was your favorite character? Who was your least favorite character? Why?
Roles of women in the book and in the world–well written characters? Enough women characters?
Kvothe’s mother is a minor character, but central to his view of the world. What do you think of her? What do we know about her? Where does she come from?
What do you make of the very different ways that Tinkers and the Edema Ruh (both travelers) are viewed by the people?
Can you think of incidents in the book where Rothfuss writes about the wind? What is the significance of the wind in these scenes?
Can you think of incidents in the book where Rothfuss writes about naming? What is naming? What is the significance?
What do you think is wrong with Kote?
What is the connection between Bast and Kvothe? Who is Bast?
Who are the Chandrian? Why do you think it is that Kvothe hits roadblocks in trying to find out about them? Similar to things like Bigfoot in our world?
If you could talk to Patrick Rothfuss, what would you ask him? (Here and here are some questions that he’s already answered.)
Do you want to read the next book in the series (The Wise Man’s Fear)?