The Name of the Wind
Written by Patrick Rothfuss
Narrated by Nick Podehl
4.5/5
()
Friendship
Adventure
University Life
Survival
Music
Mentor Figure
Wise Mentor
Power of Music
Chosen One
Power of Friendship
Mysterious Past
Fish Out of Water
Reluctant Hero
Rags to Riches
Quest
Mystery
Self-Discovery
Storytelling
Travel
Memory
About this audiobook
Discover #1 New York Times-bestselling Patrick Rothfuss’ epic fantasy series, The Kingkiller Chronicle.
“I just love the world of Patrick Rothfuss.” —Lin-Manuel Miranda • “He’s bloody good, this Rothfuss guy.” —George R. R. Martin • “Rothfuss has real talent.” —Terry Brooks
OVER 1 MILLION COPIES SOLD!
DAY ONE: THE NAME OF THE WIND
My name is Kvothe.
I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kings. I burned down the town of Trebon. I have spent the night with 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 day. I have talked to Gods, loved women, and written songs that make the minstrels weep.
You may have heard of me.
So begins a tale unequaled in fantasy literature—the story of a hero told in his own voice. It is a tale of sorrow, a tale of survival, a tale of one man’s search for meaning in his universe, and how that search, and the indomitable will that drove it, gave birth to a legend.
Praise for The Kingkiller Chronicle:
“The best epic fantasy I read last year.... He’s bloody good, this Rothfuss guy.”
—George R. R. Martin, New York Times-bestselling author of A Song of Ice and Fire
“Rothfuss has real talent, and his tale of Kvothe is deep and intricate and wondrous.”
—Terry Brooks, New York Times-bestselling author of Shannara
"It is a rare and great pleasure to find a fantasist writing...with true music in the words."
—Ursula K. Le Guin, award-winning author of Earthsea
"The characters are real and the magic is true.”
—Robin Hobb, New York Times-bestselling author of Assassin’s Apprentice
"Masterful.... There is a beauty to Pat's writing that defies description."
—Brandon Sanderson, New York Times-bestselling author of Mistborn
Editor's Note
A silence in three parts…
Rothfuss’ masterpiece has taken the fantasy world by storm with its lyrical prose, the seeming boundlessness of the world, and the endearing faults and follies, compassion and cunning of the legendary Kvothe.
Patrick Rothfuss
Patrick Rothfuss was born in Wisconsin where long winters and lack of cable television brought about a love of reading and writing. His mother read to him as a child, and his father taught him to build things. If you are looking for the roots of his storytelling, look there. He still lives in central Wisconsin, still lacks cable television, teaches at the college he grew to love as a student and the long winters force him to stay inside and write.
Other titles in The Name of the Wind Series (2)
The Name of the Wind Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Wise Man's Fear Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
More audiobooks from Patrick Rothfuss
The Last Unicorn Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Narrow Road Between Desires Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Slow Regard of Silent Things Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Related to The Name of the Wind
Titles in the series (2)
The Name of the Wind Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Wise Man's Fear Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Related audiobooks
The Wise Man's Fear Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Farseer: Assassin's Apprentice Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Wizard's First Rule Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Legends & Lattes: A Novel of High Fantasy and Low Stakes Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Ninth House Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Wizard of Earthsea Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Ender's Game Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Half a King Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Grace of Kings Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mage's Blood Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Warbreaker Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Emperor's Blades Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Queen of the Tearling: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Red Country Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Elantris: Tenth Anniversary Author's Definitive Edition Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Graceling Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Three-Body Problem Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Shadowmarch: Shadowmarch: Volume I Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The City of Brass: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Half A War Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Black Sun Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Rithmatist Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Emperor's Soul Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Golem and the Jinni: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Prince of Thorns Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Tigana Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Blood & Bond Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5City of Stairs Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Alienist Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Fantasy For You
Onyx Storm Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Parable of the Sower Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Court of Thorns and Roses Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Fourth Wing Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Hobbit Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Iron Flame Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Court of Wings and Ruin Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Fairy Tale Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Norse Mythology Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Court of Mist and Fury Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Court of Frost and Starlight Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Song of Achilles: A Novel Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Court of Silver Flames Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Fellowship of the Ring Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Good Omens Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Spellshop Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5American Gods: The Tenth Anniversary Edition Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The House in the Cerulean Sea Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Good Omens: A Full Cast Production Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Dark Tower I: The Gunslinger Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Book of Doors: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5From Blood and Ash Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5When the Moon Hatched: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Return of the King Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of The Oxford Translators' Revolution Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Assistant to the Villain Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5American Gods [TV Tie-In]: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Night Circus: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Two Towers Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for The Name of the Wind
11,501 ratings708 reviews
What our readers think
Readers find this title to be a captivating and immersive fantasy with excellent world-building and characters. The storytelling style and detailed magic system are praised, along with the narrator's exceptional performance. Some reviewers mention a slow start and ethical concerns about the protagonist's actions, but overall, the book is highly recommended for fans of fantasy literature.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5
Jan 10, 2024
Felt Like a long drawn out start however I’m new to fantasy so to each is own. I don’t feel gripped like I have to read book two ASAP so ill trad something else and debate it.1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Oct 13, 2025
At first I had a hard time believing that this book had so many good reviews. The first hour or so was hard to listen to and a bit weird for me, but it quickly turned into one of the best books I've listened to. Definitely a great author and series to dig in to. Highly recommend. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Jun 25, 2025
I couldn't put the book down. Amazing storytelling. It got me into reading - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Apr 6, 2025
Muy bien libro!!! Así deberían de ser todos. Bien desarollo y crecimiento - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Aug 25, 2024
Exceptional listen! Can’t wait for the next adventure! ;0). :0> - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Jan 10, 2024
Good fantasy in the LOTR mold. Quirky and different. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Jan 10, 2024
Amazing book, can't wait to start on the next one - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Jan 10, 2024
Great book interesting story nicely written definitely want more , book 2 - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Jan 10, 2024
I love the way that Patric Rothfuss writes, I love every word on the page and how it sparks to life. I love every moment of his storys deep and rich and full. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Jan 10, 2024
Rothfus is a phenomenal story teller. The book literally has stories within stories within stories that all feel real and earned. Sympathy is also one of the most realistic "magic" systems I've ever read. Highly recommend - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Jan 10, 2024
The way the females’ voices are portrayed completely removes most of their personality. The book, however, is fantastic. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Jan 10, 2024
Fantastic story! And I loved the narrator! Must read - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Jan 10, 2024
Awesome book! One of my new favorites! The story is told so well! - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Jan 10, 2024
poetic and gripping story that begins with tragedy and contains a struggle. it ends only with hope. - Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5
Jan 10, 2024
The story just kind of meanders without direction through side streets that have no real bearing on the overall story. It's well written and very descriptive but full of fluff. It's still worth a listen or reading. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Jan 10, 2024
Wonderful rich world. Author takes his time to tell only the beginning of an epic story. - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Jan 10, 2024
Totally worth my time. Can't wait to listen the next one. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Jan 10, 2024
Wow! I can see why leading lights in the Fantasy community are in love with this book. It's a huge novel physically, though not as big, I suspect, as Brandon Sanderson's enormous The Way of Kings Book One. Rothfuss' talent is the really massive draw here. His use of language is beautiful and his sense of what makes an epic story is unerring. The characters have that spark of life that will keep you reaching for the book. I agree with one of the reviewers quoted on the jacket: you do worry about what's happening with the characters when you put it down. I also love the world he's created and how he worldbuilds--the world in interesting, and you only get to know a bit of it at a time. Give it a try. Bet you'll also join the legion of other readers waiting for the promised sequel! - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Jan 10, 2024
I love listening and re-listening to this story over and over! Twists and turns you don’t expect, and deep sorrow and unfathomable joy from a brilliant author. Will listen to again! - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Jan 10, 2024
Acomple story well written with touching interesting topics in a new manner. Wonderful! - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Jan 10, 2024
Just read it. You won’t regret it, best book I’ve read in a while - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Jan 10, 2024
This book is incredible. I loved it. The writing is breathtaking. - Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5
Jan 10, 2024
I enjoyed the story, I wouldn't say that I'm terribly invested. If I don't end up picking up book two I won't be bothered. The writing is very lyrical, and probably my favorite part. - Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5
Jan 10, 2024
I loved the story - and I especially loved the way the author approached the story. For me it was refreshing. However, I didn't realize the last third (more like half) doesn't exist! And from what I have now discovered, may never exist :(. This was very disappointing to learn. If I had known this, I probably would never have even started this. Sort of like Game of Thrones. When the author is unable to finish, it can turn a wonderful, beautiful story into something very unsatisfying, and even painful to behold (exhibit A: GoT last two seasons). - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Jan 10, 2024
Slow start but once he gets to the university I was hooked - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Jan 10, 2024
Excellent book, fantastic narration! I laughed and almost cried, the narration greatly improving upon a normal reading experience. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Jan 10, 2024
Well done! A book this goo is a rare treasure. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Jan 10, 2024
No words to fully describe how much thankful am I for finding this book. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Jan 10, 2024
It is a good story about magic and a very strong boy who figures out how to live against All odds while still maintaining his morality and his faith in humankind. However it is a bit slow. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Jan 10, 2024
one of the few series recently written,to attain the status of remarkable in my humble opinion.
