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.
Her name is Auri, and she is full of mysteries.
The Slow Regard of Silent Things is a novella set within the world of Patrick Rothfuss’ The Kingkiller Chronicles trilogy. Two novels in this trilogy, The Name of the Wind and A Wise Man’s Fear, have been released and The Slow Regard of Silent Things allows readers an opportunity to spend time with one of the more beloved characters while awaiting the final volume.
And beloved she is…and quirky, and enigmatic as all get out.
The Slow Regard of Silent Things reminds us of the importance of small things, and seemingly small people. It is a story that is not traditionally story-shaped that will frustrate some–Patrick Rothfuss seems to understand this based on his Author’s Forward and Endnote–and will mesmerize others.
I found The Slow Regard of Silent Things to be almost Gaiman-esque in its lyricism and I was transfixed by the rhythm of Auri’s daily customs. Reading The Slow Regard of Silent Things is like gazing at a fine jewel…the slightest movement, the most minute adjustment, reveals a different facet.
Auri is a young woman who lives alone, save the presence of a small light that she calls Foxen. The place in which she lives, the Underthing, is the long-abandoned area under the University.
The University, a prominent location in The Kingkiller Chronicles, is a fascinating place, and though the novels give us some insight into the depths of its forgotten places, the whole of Auri’s world is opened up for the reader in this novella.
If you are a person who is drawn to old ruins, or long-abandoned spaces, or secret places, the set piece for Auri’s tale is reason enough alone to read The Slow Regard of Silent Things. I found my imagination kicked into overdrive from start to finish as Auri interacted with her environment and the inanimate objects therein.
Auri does not get a lot of page time in The Kingkiller Chronicles, but her interactions with the trilogy’s protagonist, Kvothe, not only humanize him but play a pivotal part in his story. Auri is an adult, she is not a child–a mistake that would be easy to make as her waif-like appearance and eccentricities may appear very child-like. As The Slow Regard of Silent Things opens Auri senses that seven days hence “he” will be coming for a visit, the “he” understood to be Kvothe. Preparations must be made, and Auri arouses Foxen and sets off to do just that. Her not-so-story-shaped story exists as week long vignette of what it means to be Auri, with the weight of a very particular world depending upon her to set things right.
Auri could be described as eccentric, whimsical, odd…and there is most decidedly a presence of what would today be diagnosed as obsessive-compulsive traits that inform her actions. It is this attention to detail and routine that provides some of the structural rhythm that works so well in the story. It has been nearly four years since I first read The Name of the Wind and I don’t recall the presence of this lyrical style. I am not sure how well it would work in books approaching the thousand page mark. It works here, drawing the reader in with subtle, seductive brilliance.
I do not believe it would be a major risk to state that, for every reader who finds themselves enchanted by The Slow Regard of Silent Things, that experience will be informed in a highly personal manner. Auri’s relationship with the inanimate objects that populate her world reminded me of the child I once was, and how that child’s imagination and inner dialogue informed, and continues to inform, the adult I am today.
The Slow Regard of Silent Things is a tale that should be experienced without much more light being shed by this review. As Auri interacts with the darkened rooms that comprise her world, the light of her companion pushes back that darkness to reveal wonders and treasures that may not appear as such to one without Auri’s wisdom and insight. Spending time with Auri reminds us that there are special things all around us, if only we would take the time to look.
There were so many passages that I mentally underlined as I read, and one of many which stood out and references what I wrote above is:
“So yes, in some ways, these would be enough…But how awful would that be? How terrible to live surrounded by the stark, sharp, hollowness of things that simply were enough?
I would venture to say that you do not have to read the previous two novels to enjoy this novella. I have only read the first myself. However, some familiarity with Kvothe, and his first experiences with Auri, lends more depth to a story in which Patrick Rothfuss is careful not to spend time recapping prior events. While The Slow Regard of Silent Things reveals something about Auri that may have only been suspected previously, it also does nothing to spoil the experience of the first novel, and I suspect the second, if you would happen to begin here.
This is a lovely story. Patrick Rothfuss shares how close it became to being a hidden, forgotten treasure itself. I am so grateful that those with influence in his life convinced him to bring it out into the light.
My Rating: 9/10 stars. This one has a high re-read potential.
In addition to being a book filled with wonderful prose, The Slow Regard of Silent Things is also filled with wonderful black and white illustrations from artist Nate Taylor.
Nate Taylor has previously illustrated Patrick Rothfuss’ not-for-children picture books showcasing the adventures of The Princess and Mr. Whiffle.
The juxtaposition of light and darkness in these illustrations enhances the story, and each illustration is stunning in its rendering.
The inclusion of the illustrations make this small, hardcover print volume a treasure worth owning. And for those of us afflicted with “I like to smell books”-itis, the ink and paper in The Slow Regard of Silent Things is intoxicating.
My sister Abby and her husband Mike, along with my darling niece Madelyn and their two small hairy canine children, moved to Minnesota this past Autumn. While we miss them tremendously, it was that much more special to spend the Christmas holidays with them.
Also, it will be great to go visit them, because two legendary genre book meccas–DreamHaven Books and Uncle Hugo’s–are close by where they reside.
My brother-in-law Mike, with advice from my friend Jeff, visited both of these locations and brought me autographed Christmas gifts, one being the very volume of The Slow Regard of Silent Things that I just finished reading.
I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Rothfuss at ConQuesT a few years ago and got my copy of A Wise Man’s Fear signed. The Slow Regard of Silent Things will now have a place of honor next to it on my bookshelves.
Thank you, Mike! It is a great gift!
Wonderful review and gift!
I do fear the trilogy (or more?) will never get concluded. You say “allows readers an opportunity to spend time with one of the more beloved characters while awaiting the final volume.” but Rothfuss seems so focused on other things that I wonder how much writing he’s cranking out. Probably it’s just that I’ve been waiting to read the first book until the thing is finished. Possibly a mistake.
Thanks Richard. I read somewhere recently that the third book is actually finished and has been going through the editorial process for some time. He said long ago that this was going to be three books, and I would be surprised if he didn’t keep it to that, which additional short stories like this being added to the overall package.
I don’t necessarily see it as a mistake to wait until a trilogy is done before reading it. The waiting game is never a fun one. I’ve held off reading A Wise Man’s Fear because I wanted it to be closer to the time of book three before reading it.
I don’t plan to wait until all ten books of Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive to come out, however, to keep reading that series. I enjoyed the first one far too much to wait two decades or more to read them all.
With the Sanderson, I think you’re doing the right thing. I might have managed Jordan’s Wheel of Time if I’d read them as they came out, but by the time there were eight of them, with more coming, it was too big a task, or seemed so.
Yes, I don’t think I could go back at this point and read all the Jordan books, despite how much praise I’ve read for the way Sanderson used his notes and wrapped it all up.
I really must pick this one up. I’ve read the two Kvothe books and really enjoyed them, and I’ve read on Rothfuss’ blog that this is totally different and may not appeal to fans, but I’m still intrigued. And your review makes me want to pick it up even more.
I think he is being cautious and self-deprecating. It is very different from the novel, but not wildly different than certain kinds of fantasy. If you have read a variety of different fantasy stories, and are a fan of the Kingkiller books, you have a pretty good chance of liking this.
It’s definitely a book that has caused a split in opinion but I for one am glad I read it. It’s an unusual little snippet of Auri’s life and I found it quite illuminating. No, you’re not going to get any explanations and frankly I think I would have been a little disappointed if we had – I quite enjoy the mystery of this particular character. Plus I adore this little book with it’s gorgeous artwork and cover!
Lynn 😀
Some of the complaints no doubt have to do with being asked to pay a high cover price for a hardcover novella. I get that, but I don’t have a problem with paying for nicely illustrated, engaging stories like this. For me the value for dollar would be worth it, where some books that are highly discounted end up not being worth it at all. Value is in the eye of the beholder.
I agree with you, I would have been disappointed if there were a lot of answers. I’m glad this isn’t a “must-read” for the series, though for me it is. I would also have been disappointed if the story would have included anyone but Auri. I like that it starts out focused on her and her world and stays there.
That’s a great review, Carl. And I’m so envious of your autographed copy!
I’ve seen this at the bookstore and wondered if it was part of something bigger. I’m glad I waited and read your review because now I would like to read the whole series in order.
You are welcome, Delia. And thanks for letting me know about your comment getting eating by the spam program.
This is definitely a series you want to pick up, Patrick Rothfuss is a talented author and can spin a good yarn.
I bought this immediately when it came out… But I still haven’t read book 2 in the series, so, it will be a while! I just wanted it in hardcover so it would match…
I think that way too.
I like my books to match too, and have several series like this that I just keep buying as they come out and will one day get to them.
I haven’t read the second book either, Kelly. But there isn’t anything spoiler-ish that I can see in reading this one beforehand.
This sounds like my kind of book! I have those Patrick Rothfuss volumes in my Read Real Soon stack (which is taller than you and I put together!). Someday soon…
Funny how we either physically, mentally, or both have these stacks of books that we plan to get to sooner rather than later. Sounds like yours is nearly as impossible a “read real soon” pile as mine is. I need to figure out a way to take December and January off, that way I can spend every day reading and get caught up with books I want to finish before the year is out and books I get for Christmas presents.
Heck, I’m retired and DO read every day and I’m not getting caught up… My TBR now encompasses the entire house, and it’s overwhelming, so I just pick up whatever I feel like when I’m ready for something to read next.
I think it would require cutting oneself off from the internet entirely to start making any significant dent in the TBR pile. Even then a person would have to resist too many trips to the bookstore or library.
Good point Carl. I was doing so well… then read your review and am now reading this trilogy. Ha ha.
I don’t think any of us could do it though. We are book addicts. There are better problems to have, right?
Yes we are, and that is why I love your site.
Rushing though “The Name of the Wind” and loving his writing style.
I’m tempted by this one every time I go into my local bookshop, but have held off as I’ve not read the rest of the series (although I want to). Good to hear it is somewhat stand-alone and not too spoilery
It is such a lovely book, both in the story and presentation, that it is worth picking up.
It was so much fun going along with Mike and Madelyn to pick up the autographed copy for you. Looking forward to your visit! Love ya!
He did good, they are great gifts and I loved this one. We are looking forward to visiting too. We’ll figure out soon when we want to plan for it.
hmmm I read both the other books long ago and doubt I would read them again to “catch up” for whenever the 3rd book comes out. It’s a shame it has taken so long.
I generally don’t re-read books that way, even if it is a long time between releases, mostly because, while I like re-reading, I don’t really want to re-read enormous books. There is too much other reading I could be getting done with that time.
“Bingo!” lol… I have to be head over heals in love with a big book to reread it.. I did reread Drood! lol But two biggies in a row then the new one….nah. lol