Yay, I was so hopping you were still in the mood to talk about this book now that I was finally finished an in a position to do so informedly! :D
and, intuitively, that level of detail coupled with Rothfuss' writing style just really gets me
Me too! The fact that it's chemistry and engineering and, like, metaphysical thermodynamics is gravy, but I just like the overall geekiness permeating the whole thing. I ought to look up Rothfuss to see what his educational background is; I wonder is he studied science/engineering formally, or on his own, or has a really, really good science beta. I mean, nothing he talks about is above what you would learn in a uni physics/chem survey course (or, you know, made up), but the way his characters talk about things feels genuine to me, which a lot of characters-talking-about-science doesn't. Anyway, it's such a joy! I didn't care that the plot seemed to be standing still for huge chunks, because I was so happy to geek out.
It was weird, I was sure some backstory mystery conclusion was pushed at me, but I couldn't exactly pinpoint it for the longest time. I do think it's very probable.
I think it was being hinted at/set up as early as the first book, with that song Kvothe picks up from some kids, "In a box, no key or locks/Lockless keeps her husband's rocks" -- the one where his mother had the "that's not nice" talk with him?
Same on your speculations about Willem and Sim and the rest - I did not come to the same conclusions, but there's definitely a very interesting sort of steadfastness about Willem that caught my eye. I'll have to reread some parts :D
Oh, do let me know what conclusions you come to on rereading, if you do! I feel like there are enough bits there that, if they're not hinting at Wi--> Sim and Alveron/Stapes, I'm really not sure what they're doing. On the other hand, Kvothe notices Rand lighting up when Meluan comes in, after he returns from Ademre and stuff, so I'm not sure what to make of that. He's bi and really fell for her? Happy threesome? He's just that good an actor (good enough to fool Kvothe)? She's a happy beard and he really likes her as a person? I'm giving this entirely too much thought, I realize, but it just struck me as really odd, a loose end. And I do wonder if Wil --> Sim is all in my head or if we'll see more of it. Homosexuality certainly exists in the NotW world (there's even a name for it), and Wil is not off chasing girls or pining for them, unlike Sim and Kvothe, and he is so gentle with Simmon, while teasing Kvothe. So, yeah...
My brain explodes every time this is mentioned, tbh, but, perversely, I like it, too, as well as the notion that the subjunctive offends Kvothe :D
I find it sort of brain-breaking, too, and therefore hilarious. Like, to me, songs are just poetry set to music, and poetry-lite at that (I realize Kvothe would be deeply offended by this belief), so whenever he brings up his poetry grudge, I'm like, Kvothe, how does that make any sense?
Also, between Kvothe's poetry grudge and Vashet repeatedly mentioning her "poet king", I'm half convinced the titular kingkilling will be over an argument over the relative virtues of poetry and music... :P
and, intuitively, that level of detail coupled with Rothfuss' writing style just really gets me
Me too! The fact that it's chemistry and engineering and, like, metaphysical thermodynamics is gravy, but I just like the overall geekiness permeating the whole thing. I ought to look up Rothfuss to see what his educational background is; I wonder is he studied science/engineering formally, or on his own, or has a really, really good science beta. I mean, nothing he talks about is above what you would learn in a uni physics/chem survey course (or, you know, made up), but the way his characters talk about things feels genuine to me, which a lot of characters-talking-about-science doesn't. Anyway, it's such a joy! I didn't care that the plot seemed to be standing still for huge chunks, because I was so happy to geek out.
It was weird, I was sure some backstory mystery conclusion was pushed at me, but I couldn't exactly pinpoint it for the longest time. I do think it's very probable.
I think it was being hinted at/set up as early as the first book, with that song Kvothe picks up from some kids, "In a box, no key or locks/Lockless keeps her husband's rocks" -- the one where his mother had the "that's not nice" talk with him?
Same on your speculations about Willem and Sim and the rest - I did not come to the same conclusions, but there's definitely a very interesting sort of steadfastness about Willem that caught my eye. I'll have to reread some parts :D
Oh, do let me know what conclusions you come to on rereading, if you do! I feel like there are enough bits there that, if they're not hinting at Wi--> Sim and Alveron/Stapes, I'm really not sure what they're doing. On the other hand, Kvothe notices Rand lighting up when Meluan comes in, after he returns from Ademre and stuff, so I'm not sure what to make of that. He's bi and really fell for her? Happy threesome? He's just that good an actor (good enough to fool Kvothe)? She's a happy beard and he really likes her as a person? I'm giving this entirely too much thought, I realize, but it just struck me as really odd, a loose end. And I do wonder if Wil --> Sim is all in my head or if we'll see more of it. Homosexuality certainly exists in the NotW world (there's even a name for it), and Wil is not off chasing girls or pining for them, unlike Sim and Kvothe, and he is so gentle with Simmon, while teasing Kvothe. So, yeah...
My brain explodes every time this is mentioned, tbh, but, perversely, I like it, too, as well as the notion that the subjunctive offends Kvothe :D
I find it sort of brain-breaking, too, and therefore hilarious. Like, to me, songs are just poetry set to music, and poetry-lite at that (I realize Kvothe would be deeply offended by this belief), so whenever he brings up his poetry grudge, I'm like, Kvothe, how does that make any sense?
Also, between Kvothe's poetry grudge and Vashet repeatedly mentioning her "poet king", I'm half convinced the titular kingkilling will be over an argument over the relative virtues of poetry and music... :P
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