Little, and broken, but still good. |
Patrick Rothfuss was
extremely worried that fans and readers wouldn’t like “The Slow Regard of
Silent Things”, a novella about Auri, previously a minor character in The
Kingkiller Chronicle. He was so
concerned about this, he provided a warning in the beginning of the book, and
then goes into some detail about the writing of the story at the end. He need not have fretted. As Auri would have noted (after washing her
face, hands and feet) everything is in its right place and it is a perfect
thing.
Even readers unfamiliar with
Rothfuss and Auri can come into Rothfuss’ world through this novella which
spans seven days mostly spent in “the Underthing”—a collection of ill-used and
mostly forgotten tunnels and access ways that Auri has made her home. Auri is a former student of the University,
whose mind was somehow broken during her studies, and now lives out of sight
and out of mind, except as seen in the books by Kvothe as he goes about his
adventures. It should be noted that
Kvothe, and really no one else, makes an appearance at all within “The Slow
Regard of Silent Things”, but that’s hardly a detriment to story. Rothfuss paints with such precision and such
beautiful strokes that getting caught up and lost within his world is a
wonderful experience.
“The Slow Regard of Silent
Things” is as much another glimpse into The Kingkiller Chronicle, as it is a
vast exploration of a beautiful, if broken, character. Auri goes about her day-to-day business
following rules only she knows, but that make complete sense when the story
rounds out. This may not seem like a
fast-paced adventure, but rest assured that Rothfuss knows how to maintain
pacing and interest, and this novella is an excellent and worthwhile addition.
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