I’m Kind of a Big Deal (in Germany)

So the German edition of the book came out just a couple of weeks ago.

(As always – guest starring my thumb)

The book has serious heft. Good paper. Good binding. It is, in a word, gorgeous.

Holding this book in my hand made me realize that over in Germany, they consider my story fairly high-class. It make me realize that over there, I might even be considered literature.

There have been hints of this all through the publishing process. First, the publisher itself is very prestigious. (So they tell me.) Klett-Cotta carries very few fantasy authors, including luminaries like Tolkien and Peter S. Beagle. Klett-Cotta also assigned a very skilled translator to the job, which is always a good sign that they’re taking things seriously.

But that’s not what convinced me I might be thought of as literary over there.

Another big indicator was when someone from Germany came out to interview me. My first thought was, “Who did this poor guy piss off at work? How low on the totem pole in do you have to be before they send you to interview some newbie fantasy author in Middle-of-Nowhere Wisconsin?”

But it turns out the interviewer was Denis Scheck. I didn’t know it while the interview was taking place, but he’s actually a celebrity over in Germany. You know how Siskel and Ebert were celebrities because they reviewed movies? Well over in Germany, apparently, they care about books. Because of this, they also care about the people who read books.

Yeah, I know. Weird.

Anyway, while I didn’t know this guy was a celebrity, I figured out pretty quickly that he wasn’t there because he was getting punished. He was there because he was really, really good at his job. I’ve done a lot of interviews over the last year, and I’ll admit that by the time he showed up, I’d gotten a little blase about it.

But when he started talking, I realized he was playing the game at a whole different level. He was really clever, talking about things no interviewer had ever brought up before, asking questions I’d never been asked. Asking questions that I’d never even *considered *before. I remember at least one occasion where my answer was: “Wow. That’s a great question…. I have absolutely no idea how to answer it.”

If you’re interested (and can read German) his review is up over here. Or if you’re monolingual like me, you can click on the link *below* the interview to see a video clip of Denis talking about the book on his television show. Personally, I thought it was pretty cool even though I only know enough German to catch about a third of what he’s saying.

But back to my previous point. Even after I found out who Denis Scheck was, I didn’t realize that over there my book might be considered literary.

The fact that they converted my author photo black-and-white was a good indicator….

(Click to embiggen)

Why? Because black-and-white is classy. It’s arty. It’s posh. Don’t get me wrong, I’m fond of my blue photo. But you have to admit that it makes me look like a Muppet, or a character out of a Harry Potter movie. But in B&W I look, if not distinguished, then withing spitting distance of respectable.

Or within spitting distance of being the sort of person who would never use the term, “within spitting distance.”

Still, none of these things are what convinced me. This is what did it:

That’s right. One of those built-in ribbon bookmarks. So genteel. So suave. Nothing screams sophistication like a ribbon bookmark. It’s the textual equivalent of wearing a silk smoking jacket and speaking with an Oxford accent. It is, in fact, dead sexy.

Today, my friends, I join the ranks of the literati.

Go me.

pat

This entry was posted in being awesome, cool things, foreign happeningsBy Pat66 Responses

65 Comments

  1. LibrarianChan
    Posted October 22, 2008 at 8:47 AM | Permalink

    I want my copy of Name of the Wind to have a built in ribbon!

  2. susan
    Posted October 22, 2008 at 8:56 AM | Permalink

    Wow, this is really a serious guy. Did you see the little movie. He’s sitting near a huge waterfall and compares your book with the same quality as lord of the rings and music from Bob Dylan. That’s serious! I think it is time for you to come to Europe to makes us fans really happy. If you go to Germany Holland is just nearby. This means that a lot of fans would be so exited if you would come to Holland, including me!!

  3. marky
    Posted October 22, 2008 at 9:00 AM | Permalink

    Go you indeed. Congratulations Pat. You’ll always be a big deal to your fans on this site. Hopefully you’ll be such a big deal in Germany that you get called over for an appearance. It’s much easier for me to get to Germany, than it would be to get to America. Thus improving my odds to listen to one of your enigmatic chats.

  4. Anonymous
    Posted October 22, 2008 at 9:18 AM | Permalink

    Yeah, it does quite well over here. Especially if you consider that is one of the very, very few fantasy novels in hardcover and costs €24,9 which is about 32,2 US Dollars.I’m glad that I can read in English!Monika

  5. pangalactic
    Posted October 22, 2008 at 9:22 AM | Permalink

    That version of the book looks gorgeous. I’m tempted to buy it even though my German is limited to ordering beer.

  6. Captain Joe
    Posted October 22, 2008 at 9:39 AM | Permalink

    Pat, you were always black and white to us. But you’re right, fancy ribbon does make the difference.I ran the interview through some nifty translation software, and yes, you are compared to Tolkien – as the author of the most convincing fantasy novel since Lord of the Rings. Totally accurate assessment. If I’m right, it also says you’re a cross between Bob Dylan and Jack Vance. High praise indeed.Ribbon = sexy. I’ll remember that.Also, everyone know of Joe Abercrombie, mentioned a few posts ago here, well turns out he’s actually a superhero. Seriously, check out what he’s been up to:< HREF="http://www.joeabercrombie.com/news.htm" REL="nofollow">Abercrombie’s blog<>Pat, if Joe grows a beard then you may actually have some competition in the Coolest Author Ever Award.

  7. Arevanye
    Posted October 22, 2008 at 10:19 AM | Permalink

    Hate to break it to you Pat, but they put ribbon bookmarks into < HREF="http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/10310000/10311248.jpg" REL="nofollow">Junie B. Jones<> books too. However, I’m sure many first graders will tell you that Junie B. is comparable to Tolkien.But seriously, that edition looks very handsome. Like pangalactic said, it’s tempting to buy even if you don’t understand German! Congratulations!

  8. Henry in Bermuda
    Posted October 22, 2008 at 10:27 AM | Permalink

    I see the posters now:“One day only at HugendubelHasselhoffand RothfussEinfach Unglaublich!”

  9. Ryan K.
    Posted October 22, 2008 at 12:56 PM | Permalink

    You need to get yourself a T-shirt that reads, “Patrick Rothfuss–Lord of the Fatherland!” Then you can sell them through Amazon along with your books and make even more cash with which to buy Mountain Dew, Fritos and Fruity Pebbles. I’m sure your legions of loyal German fans (and fans in general, I suppose) would snatch them up.-The Marketing Dept.

  10. Fae
    Posted October 22, 2008 at 1:45 PM | Permalink

    It is true of the Junie B. Books. But I’m also fairly certain this is done for the soul purpose of marketing the book to small girls who love things like that. (A few of them also came with a free necklace for a while.) And in the US marketing plays more of a role in your being given, or not being given, a ribbon of your very own. Unfortunately it has nothing to do with literary value. Yet never fear! We always knew your literary value. I’ve been comparing you to Tolkien to the books store customers since your book came out…well since I read it anyway. So congrats on your official induction into the literary ranks of Germany!

  11. Anonymous
    Posted October 22, 2008 at 2:07 PM | Permalink

    Hey Pat, congrats on becoming the David Hasselhoff of literature ;-)Seriously though it is a big accolade, especially when you consider that Germany is the home of the fantasy novel – all those eerie tales from the Black Forest.Take it easy and all the best,Mike

  12. ripshin
    Posted October 22, 2008 at 2:17 PM | Permalink

    Pat,Yeah, I kinda picked up on the whole “I’ve-done-this-interview-thing-before mentality” when I watched the video you posted a while back. That’s ok…I can imagine how dull it must be to answer the same questions repeatedly.Regarding the ribbon, I’ve decided to start wearing one myself…never hurts, right?Oh yeah, is the literati anything like Kramer’s gliterati? I’ve always wondered.rip

  13. Jer_
    Posted October 22, 2008 at 2:58 PM | Permalink

    Ha, you and Hasselhoff can go on tour!In all seriousness, congratulations, that is fantastic news, and the German treatment of the book looks gorgeous.

  14. gypsyharper
    Posted October 22, 2008 at 3:16 PM | Permalink

    The book is beautiful, Pat. Congratulations on being literary! We all thought you were anyway. :)

  15. Vae
    Posted October 22, 2008 at 3:36 PM | Permalink

    Congratulations Pat! You deserve all the high praise. At least now with the fancy ribbon, (no sarcasm – the ribbon really is totally awesome), the rest of the literary world can finally see you in the same light that we do. Keep it up Pat. Oh please, keep it up.

  16. Anonymous
    Posted October 22, 2008 at 3:54 PM | Permalink

    Use this website to help translate the article. http://babelfish.yahoo.com/translate_txt

  17. Steven Weyerts
    Posted October 22, 2008 at 4:13 PM | Permalink

    I’m so wishing I was German right now. That’s a beautiful book. I mean, a ribbon? A freaking ribbon?This is like “The Holy Fantasy.”Impressive.

  18. Anonymous
    Posted October 22, 2008 at 4:28 PM | Permalink

    What truly makes it so impressive is that its a “fantasy” book with a ribbon. The cashier might not even look at me funny if I bought that.

  19. Jenny
    Posted October 22, 2008 at 4:43 PM | Permalink

    Short story, I enlarged the picture of the German copy of NoTW when it was opened to the flap of your picture and started to nonchalantly read the side. About halfway through, I realized it was in German, and then I couldn’t read it anymore. It was VERY weird, because even though this whole blog post of yours is about your book being in German, I completely forgot. I think I was only able to read it because I remembered the english version of the same words, though.Anyways, congrats on your continuing fame! When I first read your book, I knew you’d be big eventually. I always discover the real gems before everyone else. That ribbon really IS pretty spiffy.

  20. Fe2O3
    Posted October 22, 2008 at 4:43 PM | Permalink

    Serious coolness, Pat.Go you, indeed!

  21. Duna
    Posted October 22, 2008 at 4:57 PM | Permalink

    I’m German and I actually bought your book a couple of days ago because of Denis Scheck’s recomendation. And it’s true – he knows what he’s doing. I love it. Can’t wait to watch the interview. I bought the book in English though – ribbons are nice and all, but it also means having to put up with a translation, which is always a loss no matter how skilled the translator might be, especially with a book like this. I’m actually reading it very slowly contrary to my usual habits when reading fantasy because I’m enjoying the language so much.

  22. Anonymous
    Posted October 22, 2008 at 5:58 PM | Permalink

    Pat, I bought the german version a couple of days ago.The book IS gorgeous, but what’s even better than the look of it is the text inside! ;)I’m reading it slowly to really enjoy the story and your writing, but Denis Scheck is right: This book is brilliant!Sidenote – Here’s a high-res scan of the cover:http://www.klett-cotta.de/uploads/tx_shopextension/Rothfuss_NameWind.jpgPlease keep the awesome work up!Greetings from germany,Teich

  23. Anonymous
    Posted October 22, 2008 at 7:06 PM | Permalink

    When I attempted to read the interview and learned quite quickly that I can not read german I then attempted the net best thing, put it into google translator and then read it in english. Of course the translation wasnt perfect but I was able to get the gist of what was said except for one paragraph. “There are not a few people who can be certain types of literature not stand. They may simply not fantasy or not science fiction, as perhaps no mussels may or may not broccoli” Other than the fact that the double negatives are clearly used differently in German, but I’m still having a bit of trouble understanding where the mussels and broccoli came into your interview.

  24. Christine
    Posted October 22, 2008 at 7:58 PM | Permalink

    Oh my gods. The ribbon. That is the indicator of true literature. I only own one book with a ribbon in it and that’s Tolstoy. You’re one of the big boys now.

  25. bizzH
    Posted October 22, 2008 at 8:02 PM | Permalink

    Are you telling me that your average NOTW reader can’t remember what page of heaven they left off with?!! Preposterous!!By the way, when is the audio version coming out? It’s very hard to re-read the book in So. California traffic.

  26. Nils
    Posted October 22, 2008 at 8:07 PM | Permalink

    Just to fix that translation: “They simply don’t like Fantasy or Science Fiction, just as one doesn’t like mussels or broccoli.”And by they way: If eventful is telling you for about a year that there is one person demanding you in Bochum that should be me ;-). As I’m an impatient reader I bought the English book and now don’t want to spend money on the German version (sorry). But I can tell you that it looks very nice in the book shops over here!Nils

  27. Anonymous
    Posted October 22, 2008 at 8:12 PM | Permalink

    Double negatives?I think the automatic translation wasn’t really working. But I am not a translator….What Denis wrote was the following:“There are more than a few people who can’t stand a certain type of literature. They just don’t like science fiction or fantasy, as other people don’t like mussels (sp?) or broccoli”Anyway…When Denis Scheck called this an “exceptional intelligent fantasy-book” Pat received gold standard.I think the only other fantasy books Denis Scheck ever recommende was Susannah Clarke ( Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell) and (indirectly) Tolkien (LotR) and Vance… :D

  28. duna
    Posted October 22, 2008 at 8:26 PM | Permalink

    Just wondering: What’s with all the Hasselhoff comments?

  29. logankstewart
    Posted October 22, 2008 at 9:26 PM | Permalink

    Oh Pat, you’re kind of a big deal in my house, too. I just started reading the book to my wife last night. I plan to read the whole thing to her. I know she’s gonna love it.Man, not only is the German cover art awesome, it comes with that super-sweet ribbon, too.

  30. Brandy
    Posted October 22, 2008 at 10:30 PM | Permalink

    Your book, in a smoking jacket, with a pipe, a smoking jacket, and a built-in ribbon PLUS German accent.Completely literati, posh and high-class.Congrats on joining the ranks you so rickly deserve to join.

  31. Anonymous
    Posted October 22, 2008 at 11:41 PM | Permalink

    Hey Patrick, I discovered Name of the Wind over about the course of two weeks in a chilly winter in Phoenix at a wine bar. It has to be one of the best fantasy books I’ve ever read, and I’ve read alot of them. I put it up there with Wheel of Time. I cannot wait for book 2.I also just discovered your blog, and I like reading it almost as much as the book.Thank you much for your novel. I plan on reading it again this winter at the same wine bar!-Arvind

  32. Angela
    Posted October 23, 2008 at 2:35 AM | Permalink

    Along with winning over Germany, impressive, I wanted to let you know you’re also slowly but surely winning over the small town of Blairsville, Georgia, admittedly slightly less impressive.Still, you should know I am helping you to take over the world. To prove it, here is a copy of the email I just received from the librarian at my high school. (I volunteered there all through high school).“Angela, I hear you are an AP Scholar! Hooray for you. Also, I got a call from ____ at the Book Nook, and he told me about a new fantasy (The Name of the Wind) that was highly recommended by such people as Ursula Leguin, Terry Brooks, and Angela Harkins. I rushed right down and bought a copy and plan to read it over the break. Hope you and Stephanie are doing great at YHC (my college).”…I could have edited out the part about me being an AP scholar. But hey! I’m an AP scholar, and the only perk I get is being able to say that.So, I shall shout it to the world as we conquer them!!!!!!!! muahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha(awkward pause)Well, alright then. Bye!

  33. Anonymous
    Posted October 23, 2008 at 4:00 AM | Permalink

    Alright, so how on earth do I get a copy of this German version while at UWSP?? Had I known this was out I would have picked up a copy when I was over in Germany just a short while ago!

  34. Anonymous
    Posted October 23, 2008 at 6:24 AM | Permalink

    Wow, that’s a wonderful edition!!Not like the italian, damn… p.s. Pat, your writes ARE literature ;)

  35. Princess LoL
    Posted October 23, 2008 at 7:58 AM | Permalink

    Fantasy is a huge deal in Germany! They not only have sections but whole commercial bookshops dedicated to the genre. I was there for about a month earlier this year but alas, your german translators were being typically German (read: thorough) and this beautiful edition wasn’t out then… and I was looking! Congrats Pat!

  36. ben
    Posted October 23, 2008 at 8:28 AM | Permalink

    Hey man…It’s ben, hailing from down under aka Australia..You know, I really hate it when people use the description ‘Down under’ to describe Australia. Perhaps because it reminds me of my ass…=PI have no idea why I’m telling you this, seemed like a good idea the time… Which was three seconds ago. Okay, maybe more.Anyway it probably dosen’t make sense that I’m complaining about an expression I just used…Oh well.Anyway- What I was gonna say…I LOVE ‘THE NAME OF THE WIND’!!I seriously can’t put it down…and I find it so clever how you tell the story ‘through’ a story itself..Anyway (I seem to be saying that alot today) keep up the good work and please, please, please release the second book soon! Though April is good ’cause it’s my birthday around then and I haven’t a job and spend all my $$$ so hopefully my parents can buy it for me..=]Cya!I better finish of my homework… Ugh.oh and sorry for the bad grammar!

  37. J-Man
    Posted October 23, 2008 at 12:20 PM | Permalink

    While I would never consider reading an English book in German, I’m quite happy that my lazy family & friends can finally get around to your pearl of a story, Pat.Btw, how did Mr. Schwarzer end up translating the ‘Fishery’?PS: “his german is so adorable”, says my sister who also happens to be a reader of your blog and has been infatuated with you ever since reading that blog entry you’ve been showing off in with your german skills.

  38. Mieke
    Posted October 23, 2008 at 1:00 PM | Permalink

    I was planning on commenting this post yesterday …but turned out it is today due to my reread of Tad’s Memory, sorrow and thorn series (Heugenis, smart en het sterrenzwaard)Wow this is a nice post.It reminds me of the dutch version of your book. I still remember it as it was yesterday. I was in the library on my search for new undiscovered fantasy when I found your book. It was a very new book (I think I might have been the first person in the library to borrow it) and I loved it at first sight. Purple cover with a profile of a tree, a person (Kvothe I assume ) and beautiful typography (I really appreciate good typography).Thanks for having it translated into dutch :) I really enjoyed it, it’s one of my favorite fantasy so far.Btw, I’m very tempted to order the original version (english) on amazon, but the cover aspect was holding me back a bit … I prefer the dutch (and now german) version over the english one …I agree with susan, you should come to europe and visit Belgium or Holland (actually it’s The Netherlands, Holland is only a part of The Netherlands). Maybe you can visit The Fantasy Fair in Haarzuilens? It’s a very big Fantasy festival which takes place every year in april. I (and I assume a lot of other fans) would be really deligted to meet you there :)

  39. Jennifer
    Posted October 23, 2008 at 4:18 PM | Permalink

    It is a beautiful edition, and yes, the ribbon makes the difference. The only books I own with ribbons in them are these giant leather bound ones my uncle once bought me at an antique bookstore and include Mark Twain, Lewis Carrol, and Tolstoy. This is very serious. You’re a superstar! But please, for the love of all that is holy, don’t start introducing yourself as “The Roth.” Even though we all know that you are way cooler than Hasselhoff any day, doing this might cause him to like explode or something. Why risk it? :)Now we just need a French edition. I really really want my husband to read this book, but he’s not allowed to have my awesome autographed copy. Oh, and there’s the whole thing with it taking forever for him to read in English.

  40. Jinky Williams
    Posted October 23, 2008 at 5:59 PM | Permalink

    Holy crap, dude. You are going to the show. That’s unbelievably awesome.

  41. sparkly_jules
    Posted October 23, 2008 at 6:42 PM | Permalink

    I want a copy of this edition of NotW. And I don’t even speak German. It’s stunning.Hell yeah “GO YOU.”sparkly jules

  42. Jonathan
    Posted October 23, 2008 at 8:48 PM | Permalink

    I want to buy a copy and see if i can learn german through it, and if that doesn’t pan out, it would be an awesome addition to my book collection

  43. Valentina
    Posted October 23, 2008 at 10:31 PM | Permalink

    This last entry of yours gave me goose bumps! WOW.

  44. pdxtrent
    Posted October 24, 2008 at 2:28 AM | Permalink

    Can I tell my dad that fantasy IS literature now? He calls it escapist crap. My response isn’t printable.Word verification for the day is humpaleg. Really. This needs to clarification for my neighbors dog.

  45. Harold
    Posted October 24, 2008 at 6:44 AM | Permalink

    Pat, Very disappointing to hear that The Wise Man’s Fear has been delayed again to Fall 2009. I wish you would do more writing and less getting distratced by fanmail, conventions promotions of book one. Very disappointing.

  46. Memphis
    Posted October 24, 2008 at 7:26 AM | Permalink

    Oh Harold?you find it dissapointing that Mr Rothfuss does other things besides writing? What is he? a machine?(…that would be so awesome though…a bearded machine….)Mr Rothfuss is writing wise man’s fear in a pase that only he can deside. That’s his part because it is his story. He decides what happens with it, not you. Donkies go faster when you poke ’em with sticks, most people do notYour part, as a honest respecting reader, is to be patient. That’s the least you can do.besides, if you are worried about mr.Rothfuss’ time, quit hogging it by posting responds on this site, it’s more for him to read ;)Ooh and pdxtrent, totally agree. Every story is escapism…

  47. Markus
    Posted October 24, 2008 at 11:17 AM | Permalink

    Here is my tranlation of the review. (I am sorry for the grammar mistakes, but my schoolenglish is not the best)“Are you missing magic in your life? I am not talking about some variatystuff, like vanishing elephants ore witched away tigers a la David Copperfield or Siegfried and Roy. I am talking about real magic, magic, that readers of Tolkien, J.K. Rowling or Cornelia Funke knows.If you missing this kind of magic in your regular life right now, I have the right thing for you: “The Name Of The Wind”, an exceptional intelligent Fantasynovel from Patrick Rothfuss.There are not few people, that do not like special kinds of literature. They just do not like Fantasy or Science Fiction, like you would not like mussels or broccoli. I am far away from trying to missionare you – just mayby with the hint that our lifes und our literature is poor enough, without restricting the palette of possibilitys with purpose.Patrick Rothfuss’ epic Story is a modern myth about the origin of myths. “The Name Of The Wind” tells the life of a young musician and travelling actor, whose family including the whole company has been murdered one day out of the blue. Kvothe, that is how the musician and magician would named himself later, is the only survivor, and anything he nows about this bloodwork, seems to considering with an ancient myth, that hast been almost forgotten.Kvothe feels like, you would feel, if something terrible has happend to you in this world, and the only perpertrator profil you could give the police is The Big Bad Wolfe. Thats the starting point for a novel that weaves an stunning new ancient magic. For me, “The Name Of The Wind” is the most convincing Fanasy since Tolkiens “Lord Of The Rings”, novel of music and magic, that reads like a crossing of Bob Dylan and Jack Vance.Trust me, I know what i am doing and read Patrick Rothfuss’ “The Name Of The Wind”, translation by Jochen Schwarzer, published by Klett-Cotta.”Greetings from GermanyMarkus

  48. Jeff
    Posted October 24, 2008 at 7:30 PM | Permalink

    Pat, I just learned your book has been prosponed to late 2009. Although this saddens me, I understand. You want to deliver the pinnacle of your work to your readers, to not dissapoint them or yourself in any way. I’m just like that. I will wait and buy your second intallment, just like I bought NOTW 4 times. Yours,Jeff

  49. Anonymous
    Posted October 25, 2008 at 12:18 AM | Permalink

    The only thing I see wrong with having another delay is at this rate Pat will only end up with writing one more series after this. You have to remember that all three books have already been written and it took him a decade or so. Editing is going at about 2 1/2 years per book. So it will be after 2021 before we see a new series and after that he will be so famous of a writer he will slip into the retired writer category and have no deadlines. Slowly he will write the greatest Fantasy story of all time but in the end he will never get it finished.(thats almost as sad as “The lay of Sir Savien Traliard”)Umm..Congrats on the good review by the way

  50. Hans Gao
    Posted October 25, 2008 at 6:40 AM | Permalink

    While I am saddened by the news that your second book is delayed yet again, I do understand that life is tough. Keep on writing! Us readers will stay loyal.

  51. scottk
    Posted October 26, 2008 at 2:44 AM | Permalink

    I apologize in advance because this comment has nothing to do with this post. In short. I LOVED, The Name of the Wind , and was wondering when we might see book 2 in Paperback. First time to your blog as well!!

  52. krighton
    Posted October 27, 2008 at 11:47 AM | Permalink

    if he liked the book so much, why did the reviewer march off to throw himself off the waterfall.

  53. Anonymous
    Posted October 28, 2008 at 8:25 AM | Permalink

    Wow I have to say this book does look absolutely great! I am usually one for the cheap paperback versions of books (being a student and having not too much cash and so on…). I also like to read books in the language they were written in, but since I am german, I will really consider this…

  54. friedrichmauel
    Posted October 28, 2008 at 12:42 PM | Permalink

    Hi Pat, just having commented on the vot article there is a good coincidence here to explain the miseducation part on an actual example. Speaking of the so often mentioned H***el(l)hof seems to be the only thing most people know about german culture… sad world that we live in. Germany has a wide variety of fantasy writers and an even greater variety of books translated to german to satisfy the non english reader. We just love that stuff. I have read fantasy all my life starting at 9. I read TLotR first when I was 12 and have been visiting other worlds regularly since then. Many people I know have similar stories. So much to the german fantasy scene. However your book is finest literature. Working at a facility for disabled people near Brussels Belgium I have time for books at the Moment and thus some weeks back found myself in central Brussel in an international bookstore looking for a new adventure to disappear into. It took me about half an hour to screen the interesting titles when I discovered the one copy of your book standing like the ugly duck in an corner. It was like magic, althought I had already three books to decide from I couldn’t bear not to look at the book with the promissing title “the name of the wind” that had a faint taste of magic to me. Having no trust to most Jurnalists I don’t read recommendations and just trust my feelings when I am in a bookshop. I read the first page. after that I decided to by your book. This is meant as a compliment. Your book is from first to last page absolutely convincing and I can’t wait for your next one. (as every one else in this blog ^^). As for a visit abroad, you should come and have a look around, for we’d love to see you. Personaly the book tickles me some more to finaly write one of my Ideas myself but I just have the feeling that I need some more living on this planet to create anoter. Thanks a lot and keep up the good work. Longign for the next yourFriedrich

  55. britknee813
    Posted October 30, 2008 at 11:38 PM | Permalink

    You’re a big deal in English 144 at the University of NC too. Right now we’re reading/discussing your novel. :)

  56. Angela
    Posted October 30, 2008 at 11:44 PM | Permalink

    Wow, britknee813, I should definitely transfer…you guys really aren’t that far away… *shakes self* No, no. Must complete music degree no matter how awesome other English teachers are.It’s great for you, though!

  57. Thrace1974
    Posted November 1, 2008 at 1:06 PM | Permalink

    I read this book not long ago. I was very pleased with it. Alot of the authors I have been reading lately don’t have much “heft” to their stories, at least in my opinion. This book just plain sucked me in. I was making excuses to get off work so I could go home and finish reading it. I have not found it in hardcover in the bookstores yet. I may have to break down and order one.

  58. Robin
    Posted November 2, 2008 at 12:40 PM | Permalink

    I love the vover on the german version

  59. Georg
    Posted November 6, 2008 at 9:35 AM | Permalink

    Hi!I’m from Austria; so German is my mother language. But I read your book in English, before it was translated. I bought the german version, mainly to look up a few passages. But unfortunately I had to find out, that the German Version has lost the “music” of your words. I can’t find a better expression, because when I read it in English, I got lost in the way you write it; I even read a few passages a second time- slowly to get the whole “magic” of it. This never happened to me in the German book, eventhough it’s no bad translation. In fact, some of the songs have a great translation and I’m totaly aware of how hard it must be to translate a whole book. But I guess, there’ll always be a difference between the original and the translation :)

  60. Mimi
    Posted November 13, 2008 at 10:03 PM | Permalink

    Pat, I have no idea if you’re even reading your comments, but I’m enjoying writing one all the same…I stumbled upon your book yesterday in a Hugendubel (yes, Germany) – and while the German version looks gorgeous (if you see the pile of your books between the other fantasy-book-piles you can clearly see the difference… it is indeed regarded as literature – at least as far as fantasy is considered literature at all over here (I can tell because I just graduated – German literature :P ) – where was I? I think I lost a bracket – here you go: ). Ah, yes. While the German “Im Namen des Windes” looks gorgeous, for a petty ex-student like me it’s pretty much unaffordable. I was so happy to see that they also had the “original” version for about 1/3 of the price. Anyway, if I’ll come across any goldmine soon, I’ll get the German book as a Christmas gift for my sister. But maybe I should think twice – she’ll be as disappointed as me that it’ll take a long, long time waiting for the second tome. Especially since I’m rather convinced she’ll stay up all night reading as I did just yesterday… rather, today. Well, you know, until 7 am when I had to “get up”..

  61. Christoph Wagner
    Posted November 16, 2008 at 12:40 AM | Permalink

    Of course you are literature over here :)I mean come on, after around 3-7 pages of reading “The Name of the Wind” I was convinced that that would be my favorite book ever!That said, I’ll probably go out and buy the German version as well, just to see how they translated your incredible writing.

  62. Talismere
    Posted February 12, 2009 at 11:19 AM | Permalink

    Hello Patrick Rothfuss!I read “The Name of the Wind” in German and…Honestly, your book, this masterpiece, rocked my world!!!I devoured it, couldn’t stop reading, was crying and laughing while doing so. I do have a huge collection of Fantasy Books, and since a long time, no other book has touched me, and left such a big impact, such a big impression on me than yours! I can’t wait to read the second Volume. Keep on writing!

  63. Jay Jay- Magician in Australia
    Posted April 1, 2009 at 9:04 AM | Permalink

    That’s one book I may judge by the cover. Nice design.

  64. Christoph
    Posted July 30, 2009 at 2:50 PM | Permalink

    Congratulations! Also I am German, I still prefer to read your next book in English.

    Nonetheless, Klett-Cotta does a great job in publishing. Also they really, really messed up with the new translation of the Lord of the Rings.

  65. Soren
    Posted March 18, 2013 at 3:08 AM | Permalink

    Yeah, Pat is true. That red thing is in Le morte d Arthur, and is in The Lord Of The Rings. You have entered that gorgeous team.

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  • By Gone Away Linkdump | Cora Buhlert on October 17, 2012 at 5:31 PM

    […] back) and posted about it on his livejournal. Found via Charles Tan. For comparison, here’s Patrick Rothfuss on being interviewed by Dennis Scheck a while […]

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