The Best Book Ever Written (almost)

TychoCelchuuu

You should all read <a href="http://www.patrickrothfuss.com/blog/2007/11/various-and-sundry-items.html" target="_blank">the author's newest blog post</a> since it has a few funny pictures, but if you don't want to, here are some relevant quotes:

<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Name of the Wind just made <a href="http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6496987.html?desc=topstory" target="_blank">Publisher's Weekly's list of the top 150 books of the year.</a> There were only seven books in the Sci-fi/Fantasy category, so I'm pretty flattered by that.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Name of the Wind was also named <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=amb_link_5832602_29/104-8890147-1673549?ie=UTF8&docId=1000158751&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=left-1&pf_rd_r=1G2BM1SBFD0KF4JM4QDB&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=324156301&pf_rd_i=383166011" target="_blank">one of the top ten Fantasy/Sci-fi books of the year</a> by Amazon.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Name of the Wind is the only fantasy novel to make it onto both of those lists.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I believe if any more praise is given to this book, it will all collapse and form a superdense black whole of awesome.

Tyrain

There is NO reason not to read this book. I want to read it again, now, but I've given it away for people to read. I feel so dumb right now. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":(" border="0" alt="sad-fix.gif" />

Seriously, if you like fun and enjoy enjoyment you should get to a bookstore NOW and get this one. I'm serously serious.

<!--quoteo(post=1659949:date=Nov 9 2007, 12:18 AM:name=TychoCelchuuu)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TychoCelchuuu @ Nov 9 2007, 12:18 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1659949"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I believe if any more praise is given to this book, it will all collapse and form a superdense black whole of awesome.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

An Awshole?

Sorry, couldn't resist.

TychoCelchuuu

The Name of the Wind is now <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Name-Wind-Kingkiller-Chronicle-Day/dp/075640407X/" target="_blank">under $15 on Amazon</a>, and you get free shipping too if you spend over $25. You save 40%! That's almost 45%!

Crono5

I just got this book today, and it is following Stranger in a Strange Land. If this book is not better by a factor of at least twelve, I will kill you.

It seems good so far (although I'm only on page 40 or so).

Epidemic

It's alot cheaper <a href="http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=The+Name+of+the+Wind&category0=" target="_blank">here</a>, if you dont mind the semen stains.

Thansal

I will probably buy this tomorrow (along with xmass gifts) once I start getting 1% cash back from ing.

Rover

I picked up the pdf-I mean... book last week, will start reading it next week. This'd better be awesome, the only books I ever read, besides like ~10, were ALL for school. ~~~~

TychoCelchuuu

<!--quoteo(post=1660594:date=Nov 14 2007, 06:29 PM:name=Rover)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rover @ Nov 14 2007, 06:29 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1660594"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I picked up the pdf-I mean... book last week, will start reading it next week. This'd better be awesome, the only books I ever read, besides like ~10, were ALL for school. ~~~~<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

The author sometimes has trouble making his rent, and writes an absolutely amazing book, and for his trouble gets nothing from you? Cute. At least check it out of the library.

Protist

<!--quoteo(post=1660601:date=Nov 15 2007, 01:46 AM:name=TychoCelchuuu)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TychoCelchuuu @ Nov 15 2007, 01:46 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1660601"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->The author sometimes has trouble making his rent, and writes an absolutely amazing book, and for his trouble gets nothing from you? Cute. At least check it out of the library.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

After the success of this book, I'm pretty sure he doesn't have trouble making his rent anymore.

TychoCelchuuu

<!--quoteo(post=1660605:date=Nov 14 2007, 08:21 PM:name=Protist)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Protist @ Nov 14 2007, 08:21 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1660605"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->After the success of this book, I'm pretty sure he doesn't have trouble making his rent anymore.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I think you're confusing critical acclaim with huge sails. Planescape: Torment, Pyschonauts, Beyond Good and Evil, etc are all examples of critically acclaimed stuff that has sold fewer copies than Barbie's Magical Horse Adventure through Magicland.

Protist

<!--quoteo(post=1660607:date=Nov 15 2007, 02:54 AM:name=TychoCelchuuu)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TychoCelchuuu @ Nov 15 2007, 02:54 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1660607"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I think you're confusing critical acclaim with huge sails. Planescape: Torment, Pyschonauts, Beyond Good and Evil, etc are all examples of critically acclaimed stuff that has sold fewer copies than Barbie's Magical Horse Adventure through Magicland.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

While sails may be hard to get, the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Name-Wind-Kingkiller-Chronicle-Day/dp/075640407X" target="_blank">Amazon score </a>for the book is actually pretty good:

<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Amazon.com Sales Rank: #231 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Popular in these categories: (What's this?)
#3 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy > Epic
#45 in Books > Literature & Fiction > General > Contemporary<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Considering that Amazon is only a reflection of the sales from one (albeit popular) outlet for his book, I say he's not doing too badly.

Edit: I just noticed he even mentions his Amazon rank in his blog. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />

Rover

<!--quoteo(post=1660601:date=Nov 15 2007, 02:46 AM:name=TychoCelchuuu)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TychoCelchuuu @ Nov 15 2007, 02:46 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1660601"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->The author sometimes has trouble making his rent, and writes an absolutely amazing book, and for his trouble gets nothing from you? Cute. At least check it out of the library.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Read my location. I'm 99% positive I can't get it at the local library, and the city library is like an hour for a trip there and back. Even then, I doubt they'd have it there.

edit: and I'd need a new library card (which is like 5$), which goes to the city

TychoCelchuuu

<!--quoteo(post=1660610:date=Nov 14 2007, 09:07 PM:name=Rover)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rover @ Nov 14 2007, 09:07 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1660610"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Read my location. I'm 99% positive I can't get it at the local library, and the city library is like an hour for a trip there and back. Even then, I doubt they'd have it there.

edit: and I'd need a new library card (which is like 5$), which goes to the city<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

$5 for all the books you can read? Sounds like a pretty good deal. They won't have this book, though, you're right about that. You know who does have it? Amazon! And it's on sale.

Rover

<!--quoteo(post=1660614:date=Nov 15 2007, 04:27 AM:name=TychoCelchuuu)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TychoCelchuuu @ Nov 15 2007, 04:27 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1660614"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->$5 for all the books you can read? Sounds like a pretty good deal. They won't have this book, though, you're right about that. You know who does have it? Amazon! And it's on sale.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
5$ for 1 book in my case, as I haven't read any in 3 years. Anyway, they probably don't have it anyway. As for ordering from amazon: why would I bother? One sale isn't going to make a difference and I lose more cash than he gains anyway (probably a crapload to shipping as well, although ordering it from the uk would make shipping a decent price)

Crono5

A bit O/T, but you mentioned that this was the best book you've read since you "realized there are more authors than Robert Heinlein." Can I assume, then, that you would recommend Heinlein? Is Starship Troopers a good book?

TychoCelchuuu

Heinlein, Asimov, and Clarke are the 3 fathers of science fiction, basically. Starship Troopers is indeed good. Beats the movie, at least.

lolfighter

Look, huge sails:

<img src="http://tallships.files.wordpress.com/2006/10/under-sail-with-stunsls-on-the-way-to-bali-101.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

ANeM

<!--quoteo(post=1660607:date=Nov 14 2007, 06:54 PM:name=TychoCelchuuu)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TychoCelchuuu @ Nov 14 2007, 06:54 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1660607"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I think you're confusing critical acclaim with huge sails. Planescape: Torment, Pyschonauts, Beyond Good and Evil, etc are all examples of critically acclaimed stuff that has sold fewer copies than Barbie's Magical Horse Adventure through Magicland.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Which of course only sold well because it was sequel to the bestselling title Barbie's Magical Horse Adventure

Scythe

Damn you lolfighter. I was half a second from making that joke.

I'm reading the last book in the Sunwell trilogy by Richard Knaak. They're set in the Warcraft universe and paint a nice backdrop of the ancient history of the world and the first great war. The series is worth a read if you've even only a passing interest in warcraft lore.

--Scythe--

puzl

<!--quoteo(post=1660624:date=Nov 15 2007, 05:36 AM:name=TychoCelchuuu)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TychoCelchuuu @ Nov 15 2007, 05:36 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1660624"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Heinlein, Asimov, and Clarke are the 3 fathers of science fiction, basically.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I would think Jules Verne and HG Wells are generally credited as the 'Fathers' of modern science fiction.

You can go further back to the 16th century to Moore and Bacon if you want.
Even Mark Twain wrote Sci-fi - an American Yankee in King Aurthur's Court.

The three you mention are generally credited as the main authors during the 'Golden Age' of science fiction.

Starship Troopers is a good book, but Stranger in a Strange Land is his masterpiece, IMO.

Thansal

Stranger is indeed one of his best books, however, I admit to being a geek and enjoy just about all of his work, even his early stuff, which is completely different then his latter stuff.

In fact, if you haven't read Rocket Ship Galileo I really suggest it simply for an idea of SciFi at that time. He wrote it shortly after WWII, but before Sputnik. Kinda interesting to look at it all in context <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" />

puzl

I'm actually on the look out for a great new sci-fi book to read, so I think I'll take your recommendation there Thansal.

Thansal

<!--quoteo(post=1660649:date=Nov 15 2007, 09:23 AM:name=puzl)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(puzl @ Nov 15 2007, 09:23 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1660649"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I'm actually on the look out for a great new sci-fi book to read, so I think I'll take your recommendation there Thansal.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
woot!

A quick note. They are written along the lines of the old serials (Things with titles like "Adventures for Boys"). I just read:
Rocket Ship Galileo, Space Cadet, Red Planet, Farmer in the Sky bound in one book with the name of Four Frontiers (moon, Venus, Mars, Ganymede)
as well as:
Between Planets, The Rolling Stones, Starman Jones, and The Star Beast in the book To the Stars.
both of these were rather fun to read along with checking relative dates of publication vs what was going on in the world. Heinlein ALWAYS commented on public events in his works, and generally rather boldly, examples include:
Most times a human references 'god' he substitutes Allah. In a number of his books the main character is assumed to be of African decent. Often times he will flat out argue about racism by hiding it under xenophobia.
Though a good amount of this seems kinda pedantic and silly now it should be remembered that he was writting for teenagers/young adults when race equality was a big deal in the states.

Both are relatively recently published (200X) and should not be that hard to find (I got em each for like $7 used <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />).

I would also suggest:
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Past_Through_Tomorrow" target="_blank">The Past Through Tomorrow</a> if you can get your hands on it. It is a collection of a number of his short stories that all tie together.


umm, yah.

I am a geek <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />

(I will also of course say that reading his latter works including Friday, Job, The cat Who Walks Through Walls, etc etc is very worth your time)

locallyunscene

<!--quoteo(post=1660620:date=Nov 14 2007, 10:58 PM:name=Crono5)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Crono5 @ Nov 14 2007, 10:58 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1660620"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->A bit O/T, but you mentioned that this was the best book you've read since you "realized there are more authors than Robert Heinlein." Can I assume, then, that you would recommend Heinlein? Is Starship Troopers a good book?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yes. A friend of mine was reading that book on a plane and I borrowed it from him and read it all in one sitting. It has aged very well.
<!--quoteo(post=1660626:date=Nov 15 2007, 01:04 AM:name=lolfighter)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lolfighter @ Nov 15 2007, 01:04 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1660626"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Look, huge sails:

win picture<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I had assumed 'sails' was some intertube meme I was unfamiliar with.

lolfighter

That IS a great picture though, isn't it? Better yet, I just realised it's in 4:3 ratio!

TychoCelchuuu

Could've sworn I wrote sales. Whatever.

For sci-fi I'd recommend picking up some Jack McDevitt, like <i>Seeker</i>. It's good stuff. And yeah, when I said fathers of science fiction, I didn't mean they started the thing.

<a href="http://www.sfsite.com/fsf/2007/msw0712.htm" target="_blank">Here is an awesome review of <i>The Name of the Wind</i></a>, and incidentally a review of what seems to be a pretty good sci-fi book too.

DrSuredeath

About two months ago, I finally finished Starship Troopers... I didn't like it. It's like a very boring, poorly edited, autobiography documentary you see as a rerun on Discovery Channel.

I'm guessing it got all the acclaims for originality (suits, intergalactic wars, etc...). The book didn't work for me.

Thansal

The military stuff is fun and all (note, I love it), but most of the interesting stuff in Starship Troopers is in his social commentary and discussion of human nature.

Once I finish up "Time Enough For Love" (The Universe According to Lazarus Long), yet another Heinlein book, I will be reading Name as I jsut got it off of amazon (along with presents for my bother and his wife)

Thansal

Well, I started reading Monday.

I finished about 1/2 of the book in one reading yesterday night (wee for insomnia).

and it really is fun.

It is well written, and interesting narrative, a very well crafted world, and other such things.

All in all a good buy and I am gona be impatient for the next book <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />

however I don't think you actually mentioned that it was DAMN FRIKEN HUGE.

I am going to pull my spine all outta whack carrying this around in my bag! (and the rear cover already parted from the binding, and I am careful with my books ;( )

TychoCelchuuu

Yeah, it's a nice hefty book. It will definitely block a bullet much better than most other choices.