So I know that you absolutely adore “The Name Of The Wind” but as someone who finds it difficult to read things from male authors in general (especially in the fantasy genre) how much stereotypical male fantasy nonsense goes on. (Ex. How many chapters till you reach the first named female character, how many ppl in the main party and of them how many are well written female characters, if there is a female protagonist is she relegated to healer or archer) (1 of 2)
This isn’t a judgement on anyone who does or doesn’t enjoy it we all have different preferences and one isn’t better than the other. I’ve just been reading in the fantasy genre for so long and I have a very long list a recommendations to get through in this lifetime that I don’t have the time to middle through books I know that I’m going to nit pick the entire way. But your enthusiasm for the series also makes me really wanna try it because I trust your taste. (2 of 2)
So I’ve been thinking about this topic a lot actually because it’s something that has been brought up a lot (esp recently) and it weighs on my mind a lot and makes me doubt myself. (also, I appreciate the no judgement comment, I feel very judged sometimes for liking this book and being a feminist) So I’ve decided I’m going to tell you facts and my opinion and then you can use that information to make an informed decision, okay?
First, to answer your questions, it takes about 268 pages for the first major female character to appear (Denna!!!). In the frame story, there are no major women, although it is majorly Kote, Bast, and Chronicler, it still frustrates me. And most of those 200 and some odd pages focuses solely on Kvothe, so there are maybe two prominent male characters introduced who have yet to come back into the story (unlike Denna), and one male villain who has briefly returned. And only one of those three was really fleshed out, so it’s more forgivable in my eyes than most fantasy novels written by men.
There really isn’t a main party of protagonists, it is Kvothe who sometimes includes his friends on his shenanigans. Denna is a major player in many of them. Fela, Devi, and and Mola also all play key roles throughout the story, although they have much smaller roles, much more comparable to Simmon and Wilem than Denna, in my humble opinion. Even without considering their small roles in the text they are very well written (and the people that say all the women in this book are in love with Kvothe clearly forget Devi and Mola as well that he is hella unreliable). Auri also has a more major role than most characters and is honestly phenomenally written by anyone’s standards and is the only character with her own spin off novella (The Slow Regard of Silent Things). (Mola is a med student tbh but none of them are archers) (Devi is considered one of the most powerful characters of the series) (and I still think Fela is a badass, anyone can fight me on that)
Also DENNA, we need to talk about Denna. My girl has the second largest part in the series, second only to Kvothe, with significantly more “screen” time than any other character and she is constantly written off. Kvothe views her as his Manic Pixie Dream Girl and then she goes and DEFIES that trope every other page, it’s magical, I love her. I can’t really tell you her job as it’s major spoilers, but she serves as a mirror character to Kvothe. They lead very similar lives, and their gender separates them the most, showing how harmful and destructive sexism is, not only in Temerant, but in real life as well. Considering so many of fantasy readers are men who feel very entitled and are used to reading about sexism without consequences, I find this a nice subversion. And considering fans of all genders hate her, I think she just proves what a wonderful character she is and how sexism effects people on fandom level as well.
Another notable aspect of the novel is that Patrick Rothfuss actively makes his books more feminist. The Wise Man’s Fear has significantly more female characters than the first and Slow Regard is a masterpiece in every sense of the word. (from what I can tell) Instead of ignoring cirques of sexism, he addressed them and made changes, by including more prominent female characters. It’s also worth mentioning that books (well, any media really) can have both sexist and feminist aspects to them and I think it’s important to acknowledge both.
Another unrelated note, uh, there currently is no conclusion to the series. Pat says it’s coming. I believe him but it could be a while longer (we’re coming up on 8 years in March since book 2), so it might be worth holding out until you read the books. But on a happier note, Lin Manuel Miranda and John Rogers of Leverage are working on a TV series relating to the series, so you know that will be fan freaking tastic when we get that piece of media!!!
Anyways, let me know if this helped, if you have any more questions, and what you ultimately decide. I’m delighted to hear you trust me and came to me for this, makes me feel great tbh.
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