Rarely does a book move me to the point that I truly don’t want it to end,
but this one touched me deeply.
This is a book that has divided its audience – much like Marmite – you will either love it or hate it, and it appears there is no middle ground. Patrick Rothfuss is a highly regarded fantasy author and his Kingkiller Chronicles ‘The Name of the Wind’ and ‘The Wise Man’s Fear’ are much loved, and his third book hugely anticipated. In between, he’s written ‘The Slow Regard of Silent Things’ and he was very nervous to release it.
If you want a book with a story, with a beginning, middle and end – this is not the book for you. If you want to learn Auri’s back story, or any story, this is not where you’ll find it. But if you want a book that will make you feel, that will entrance you, that will make your emotions tingle with love, sadness, fear, anger, delight, beauty and so much more – this is your book.
This is a snippet of Auri’s life, just a few days, and you won’t learn where she comes from, or why, or how, or anything, except you’ll get a glimpse into the most evocative world, a world that doesn’t make sense, but makes all the sense in the world.
The book’s back blurb reads: ‘Deep below the University, there is a dark place. Few people know of it: a broken web of ancient passageways and abandoned rooms. A young woman lives there, tucked among the sprawling tunnels of the Underthing, snug in the heart of this forgotten place.’
This story covers only a few days and leads you, twisting and turning, through Auri’s world. It is not a story, like I said, there really is no beginning or end, it just is.
Rothfuss warns readers right at the start not to read the book without reading ‘In The Name of The Wind’ and ‘The Wise Man’s Fear’, and explains that it’s unlike other books, so reader’s already know they are about to dip into something strange and surreal. Contrary to the author’s request, I have not yet read his prior books, but I will, because his writing has bewitched and enthralled me, and I want more.
Rothfuss writes both a foreward and an endnote to be sure that readers are aware of what this book contains – maybe some people need to understand that books are not always written for the mass market. Read what you love, this book is not trying to fool you under any guise. It is a thing of beauty, but that thing might not be your thing…though, it is mine!
I have seen this book slammed to pieces online, and quite simply if it’s not your thing that’s cool, but then as Rothfuss rightly points out in his endnote ‘This is a book for all the slightly broken people out there’ and if that’s not you, then move along – there are plenty of books written for you. This book was written for people like me. I have heard Auri described as whimsical and that her quirks are detrimental to mental health issues, believe me her pain is very present in this book and does not dull whatever she’s been through to find herself within the underthing.
To love this book, like I did, you need empathy and you have to understand what it means to be full of ‘broken glass and burrs’… You have to know that an everyday item just might be ‘full of love and answers, so full she felt them spilling out at just the briefest touch.’ and you have to believe in wonder and moonlight. This is me, if it’s not you, try another book and let me relish mine.
I felt my way through this book, and my emotions travelled Auri’s path with her. I recognised myself and related to her tendencies and to her joy and her pain.
My own shelves are homage to my treasures, from scattered acorn cups to lost crystals, and missing buttons to ancient bottles of scent that can’t yet be parted with. So like Auri…
I feel the world about me, when it’s off kilter, so am I.
This vignette – Rothfuss’ words – is to me a moment, a delving into my own mind, a tale that encapsulates my own psyche and something that tells me that I’m not alone. It’s a testament to the beauty that lives within my soul and rises above the mundane.
This book put butterflies in my stomach, waves of anger in my head, falling tears on my cheek, and enveloped me in a blanket joy that hugged my heart.
#Reading ‘The Slow Regard of Silent Things’ and @PatrickRothfuss can reduce me to a flurry of tears with just two words. Auri wept.
— Lisa Shambrook (@LisaShambrook) March 23, 2016
This pretty much sums up this tale for me…sheer beauty for those who love the unusual and surreal.
Copper Bookmark from Earth Balance Craft on Etsy
I have lost myself and found myself within Auri’s tale.
If you’ve read it, I’d love to know your opinion?
You can find my review here…but it’s pretty much a smaller version of this post!
Do you love quirky, original stories, or ones with beginnings, middles and ends?
What do you think of books that polarise their readers?
Have you read another love or hate book, which one and what did you think?
The Last Krystallos 