Retro Kvothe?

So my UK publisher, Gollancz, is having its 50th anniversary.

In celebration, they’re holding a poll/contest… thinger.

Let me explain more clearly than that.

They’ve picked 50 of their top novels from the last 50 years. 25 in fantasy and 25 in science fiction. Flatteringly enough, The Name of the Wind made that list.

They’re asking people to vote on their favorites, and the top five novels in each category are going to be published in special retro-style collector’s editions.

Normally when there’s some sort of online poll like this, I try to resist the urge to point y’all at it, howling, “Fly my pretties, Fly! Vote for me!”

I did that sort of thing fairly often back when The Name of the Wind first came out, because…. well… because I was pretty excited about my book. And it’s nice to win things, even if it’s just an online poll in someone’s blog.

These days, I try to restrain those impulses. Mostly because my inner Midwesterner isn’t entirely cool with that sort of self-aggrandizing behavior. I always felt kind weird afterwards.

That said, I have to admit I’m curious what a retro edition of The Name of the Wind would look like. I think that would be pretty cool.

Here’s a link to the Gollancz poll, just in case you want to, y’know, go over there and, like, look at it. Or whatever.

pat

This entry was posted in contests, foreign happeningsBy Pat103 Responses

103 Comments

  1. Yezabel
    Posted May 2, 2011 at 5:25 AM | Permalink

    Just voted, I’d love to have a retro edition of The Name of the wind, it’d be legen… wait for it…. dary.

    • Bhawaiian
      Posted May 3, 2011 at 6:01 AM | Permalink

      My army of Hawaiians just voted along with a hand full of Belgiums and Nederlanders! The Name of the wind is blowing up an army here in Europe! ;0)

  2. Amanda
    Posted May 2, 2011 at 5:31 AM | Permalink

    Done :) id like to see a retro version as well.

  3. Captain Joe
    Posted May 2, 2011 at 5:37 AM | Permalink

    Understood, Pat.

    Fear not. I, your most loyal minion, cast a vote for Abercrombie and Lynch. That’s what you were getting at, wasn’t it?

    • Posted May 2, 2011 at 5:58 AM | Permalink

      Heh. I’d love to see a retro version of Lynch. That boggles the mind a bit. You’d have to euphamize every third word in the book….

      • Captain Joe
        Posted May 2, 2011 at 6:12 AM | Permalink

        Or, aim to offend with every second word.

        In for a penny in for a pound, or some such tosh.

      • fordified
        Posted May 2, 2011 at 7:11 AM | Permalink

        I tried reading Lies of Locke Lamora. I got about 100 pages in and it just hasn’t grabbed me yet. It feels like he’s trying to hard to be similar to you. I know the writing style is different but still. Does it get better after the first 100 pages or should I just continue to read this Water for Elephants thing (hasn’t grabbed me either).

        Personal record, I’m not a fast reader but I read the Wise Man’s Fear faster than I’ve read any other book of that length. Good work Pat :)

        • Posted May 2, 2011 at 9:49 AM | Permalink

          Heh. Lies was published at least a year before my book ever came out, so I doubt very much he was trying to imitate me….

        • tscott.iv
          Posted May 2, 2011 at 10:24 AM | Permalink

          Lies is decent. Its worth getting the to twisted stuff at the end. Also, bonus, the second book is out, with the third shortly on the way.

          • Themistocles
            Posted May 2, 2011 at 11:58 AM | Permalink

            I really enjoyed LoLL. Funnily enough, I came across it after I described NoTW to the bookstore owner and she recommended me LoLL.

            I don’t know why that’s funny but … hey ho

        • mcarrejola
          Posted May 2, 2011 at 5:26 PM | Permalink

          Locke Lamora was a great book. A little rougher/darker than NoTW, but still a very good book.

          Voted for NoTW however, higher up on my list of favorties. Good work Pat. Big Fan.

  4. Katori29
    Posted May 2, 2011 at 5:39 AM | Permalink

    Minions unite! Done and done. I can’t wait to see a retro version, too cool.

  5. Oatmeal
    Posted May 2, 2011 at 5:40 AM | Permalink

    Voted. And then voted again for my hubby. And then voted again for the people who live in my head and happen to have e-mail addresses. ;o)

  6. burdkilla
    Posted May 2, 2011 at 5:40 AM | Permalink

    i’m just glad they gave separate choice for S.F. and Fantasy. Lots of good titles on the S.F. side.

    • Oatmeal
      Posted May 2, 2011 at 5:43 AM | Permalink

      I’ve never read any of those. I just picked the one (Fairyland) that I thought I would be most interested in reading based on the titles. If it comes out in Retro style I probably will read it. Heck, I’ll probably read it anyway. Anything called Fairyland is ok by me. :o)

      • Posted May 2, 2011 at 11:10 AM | Permalink

        You’re missing something…

        The Forever War is one of the best books I’ve ever read :
        http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312536631/

        Starship Troopers is also wonderfully good. Four movies based on that book were made. The 1st was okay, but the other 3 sucked :
        http://www.amazon.com/dp/0441783589/

        I usually don’t like Science Fiction books too much, but those are the exception.
        You should at least try to read the excerpt of these books on the Amazon website, and see for yourself if you like it.

        Good reading !
        al360ex

        • Posted May 3, 2011 at 12:45 AM | Permalink

          Also, Dune and “do androids dream of electric sheep” are on that list…
          I love reading Starship troopers, but for me none of the movies ever came close…

  7. Kellendil
    Posted May 2, 2011 at 5:42 AM | Permalink

    Went over there and voted. I was very tempted to vote for Terry Pratchet’s “Eric” but it’s not my favourite TP book, so I decided to go for yours :)

    That being said, I could never buy this one, unless the rest of the series came in the same binding… My OCD would stop me :p

  8. ObeliaCaioDaria
    Posted May 2, 2011 at 5:47 AM | Permalink

    Voted.
    I’d buy it.

  9. datalaughing
    Posted May 2, 2011 at 5:47 AM | Permalink

    I voted, but I must say I’m not completely comfortable with the fact that the fine print says, “Yes, we will actually be giving out your email address to other companies that we know.” Oh well, who’s going to notice a couple more spam emails a day.

    • Oatmeal
      Posted May 2, 2011 at 5:54 AM | Permalink

      Well at least they warned you, and they were honest about it LOL. It’s better than getting random spam e-mail from the UK and not knowing why.

      • Posted May 2, 2011 at 5:59 AM | Permalink

        Huh. I didn’t notice that….

        • Oatmeal
          Posted May 2, 2011 at 6:03 AM | Permalink

          Looking closer, all I see is this:

          12. Your email address may be shared with companies within the Hachette group of companies but will not be shared with other companies outside the group.
          13. The Orion Publishing Group Limited will only use your email address, and the winners’ postal addresses, in compliance with the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998 and in accordance with our privacy policy. The emails from the entrants, and from the winners with their postal addresses (including any other record of the address), will be deleted respectively after the end on the competition and after the prizes have been posted.

          So, there probably won’t be spam. Just sounds like typical information sharing with sister companies to me.

          • Posted May 2, 2011 at 6:06 AM | Permalink

            Ah. That’s reassuring. I didn’t think my publisher would go in for something like that…

    • Mickey
      Posted May 2, 2011 at 7:31 AM | Permalink

      Spam filter, anyone ? Just one click.

  10. Warhound Ulrik Ezickial
    Posted May 2, 2011 at 6:16 AM | Permalink

    I went to the site with full intentions of voting for my new favorite author, then saw he was going up against Michael Moorcock and I had to vote for him, Count Brass, Dorian Hawkmoon and Elric were part of many a lazy afternoon, slipping out for a bit of pure imagination. As much as I’m Rothfussanised I find the classics have as much power for me as they ever did. The Name of The Wind was the only other book I would have voted for…Can I vote twice?

    • Oatmeal
      Posted May 2, 2011 at 6:18 AM | Permalink

      I know that if you put in a different e-mail address you can. Don’t know if you can with the same e-mail address…

      • Warhound Ulrik Ezickial
        Posted May 2, 2011 at 6:19 AM | Permalink

        Nice

  11. Widow Of Sirius
    Posted May 2, 2011 at 6:32 AM | Permalink

    Done and done. Now to wait patiently for the badassery to commence in the form of a retro Name of the Wind.

  12. right_geek
    Posted May 2, 2011 at 6:34 AM | Permalink

    Pat,

    Just out of curiosity, what would be your 5 of choice?

    Mine:
    The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss (yeah, that’s what I voted for ;-))
    The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch
    Book of the New Sun (Vol 1&2) (Vol 3&4) by Gene Wolfe
    The Runes of the Earth by Stephen Donaldson
    Conan Volume One by Robert E. Howard

    With science fiction, it was difficult (I wanted to vote for 3, I chose Dick):

    Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick
    Dune by Frank Herbert
    Ringworld by Larry Niven
    Revelation Space by Alastair Reynolds
    Altered Carbon by Richard Morgan

  13. Geekgirl
    Posted May 2, 2011 at 6:34 AM | Permalink

    My fingers twitched at The Lies of Locke Lamora – but Kvothe won out.

    Good luck to you Pat.
    Good luck to me too.
    10 retro printed books? Yes please!

    Out of curiosity what Sci-Fi books did everyone vote on? I did the Time Machine as it’s been a favorite of mine since I was about 10 or so. And another voter which may or may not have been my superhero secret identity’s email voted for Ringworld.

    • Dianadomino
      Posted May 2, 2011 at 11:00 AM | Permalink

      I voted for More than Human, as that was the first Sci-Fi book I ever read and has fond memories and associations with my great-grandmother, who gave it to me. There are some awesome books on that list, though, which made it difficult to choose.

      Of course, The Name of the Wind won out for fantasy.

      Remember people, vote early and often!

    • nightshade
      Posted May 4, 2011 at 3:14 AM | Permalink

      As someone else mentioned, my finger twitched on Eric by Pratchett, but other than the *wossname* parrot, not as good as the rest of his work.

      I picked Dune by Herbert. The Dune series has kept me from no-new-book- boredom more times than I’d like to admit. :)

  14. Warhound Ulrik Ezickial
    Posted May 2, 2011 at 6:36 AM | Permalink

    I voted for The Time Machine as well, classic tale of Sci-fi madness. I read a lot of Sherlock Holmes by A.C.D. and like his turn of the century style of writing and the type of language used, I find it gives a different atmosphere to the book, sort of like watching an old western instead of C.S.I.

  15. Posted May 2, 2011 at 6:38 AM | Permalink

    Voted.

    Name of the Wind… If it doesn’t win there will be a reckoning! :P

    • PaperbackWriter
      Posted May 2, 2011 at 9:17 AM | Permalink

      I glanced twice at this post and died laughing when the name finally struck me. :D

  16. Marcus Cox
    Posted May 2, 2011 at 6:40 AM | Permalink

    I forget what author pointed this poll out on their blog but I went with intention of voting for their book. Then I saw yours and said “Oh yeah!” and voted. This was at least a week ago. Good luck on this one.

  17. Knightrous
    Posted May 2, 2011 at 6:50 AM | Permalink

    Voted way back on 19th of April, when they first announced the voting on Facebook; did think about dropping you a line, Patrick, but assumed you would have been informed before it had even begun. My votes:

    Richard Morgan’s Altered Carbon

    Patrick Rothfuss’ The Name of the Wind

    Have to admit, there was a good chunk of the fantasy section I hadn’t read, so my voting choice was pretty limited; even so, you got my vote for standing out for being different. That’s why I voted for Richard Morgan, too, despite being a lot more well versed with the voting choices in the sci-fi list (the big surprise was seeing that it looks like he’s ventured into fantasy, judging by some of the books listed in the confirmation e-mail).

  18. Mickey
    Posted May 2, 2011 at 7:27 AM | Permalink

    Votes in, but a tough choice between Haldeman and Herbert for the Sci-fi section. Herbert won out though in the end, couldn’t deny the pure awesome of Muad’Dib.

    Am I wrong in wanting the retro version to huge and red leather bound ? I know it’s been done by the High Lord himself but who can deny the sheer geek brilliance of all your favourite authors’ works in huge, red, leather-bound tomes sitting there on your book shelf ? Oh well, a boy can dream…..

  19. Razoreddie
    Posted May 2, 2011 at 7:49 AM | Permalink

    So, I just voted almost around 25 times. With other peoples e-mail on my msn list. :D
    Thankfully every vote counts.

    • Razoreddie
      Posted May 2, 2011 at 7:59 AM | Permalink

      Make that 50. :D

      • Posted May 2, 2011 at 9:50 AM | Permalink

        Ballot-box stuffing isn’t really laudable behavior, y’know…

        • tetlowgm
          Posted May 2, 2011 at 11:01 AM | Permalink

          Maybe he’s from Chicago? Old habits die hard.

        • Dianadomino
          Posted May 2, 2011 at 11:02 AM | Permalink

          Yeah, not laudable. (Why didn’t I think of that?!?!)

        • brrbear
          Posted May 2, 2011 at 7:26 PM | Permalink

          what happened to “vote eearly, vote often”?

  20. nimorphi
    Posted May 2, 2011 at 7:51 AM | Permalink

    I went there with all intention to vote for NOTW, but then I saw The Book of the New Sun and had to change it.

  21. Solarhands
    Posted May 2, 2011 at 7:58 AM | Permalink

    Does anyone else feel like me and not like to vote for these things? I love some of these books, but so many more I have not read, and it doesn’t seem fair for me to call them worse by voting for the ones I like. I really have not read barely any of the fantasy.

    Of the sci-fi ones I have read, these are great:
    Dune, The Forever War, Flowers for Algernon, Hyperion
    These are good:
    Do Androids Dream…, Gateway, The Time Machine
    And Ringworld was just okay.
    It should also be noted that of those which start series, Gateway is the best series, followed by Hyperion, and Dune sucks.

  22. Mossy Toes
    Posted May 2, 2011 at 8:25 AM | Permalink

    Ooh, Something Wicked This Way Comes or The Name of the Wind?

    The Name of the Wind it is.

    (along with Dune, for old times’ sake)

  23. Matt
    Posted May 2, 2011 at 8:49 AM | Permalink

    Name of the Wind, and Ringworld for me.

  24. PaperbackWriter
    Posted May 2, 2011 at 9:16 AM | Permalink

    -She opens up her small, unimpressive wings as the music from the Wizard of Oz plays a sharp crescendo behind her. Her long monkey limb getting in the way as she flies circles lazily.-

    The Master has called for my bidding!

    -Goes to vote.-

  25. Ellie
    Posted May 2, 2011 at 9:45 AM | Permalink

    Just voted! Retro Kvothe I definitely want to see that. But sorry Pat I also voted for “Best served cold”, sorry but Monza Murcatta und Shivers I just couldn’t resist. Thank God you vote twice^^

  26. divinedemon
    Posted May 2, 2011 at 9:48 AM | Permalink

    From one Midwesterner to another… I was tempted to go for the other Midwesterner, Lynch, but I went with you.

    Oddly enough, a friend of mine lent me both books at the same time and told me to read them. I <3 his personal library. I want to plunder it!

  27. Jonathan Entwisle
    Posted May 2, 2011 at 9:53 AM | Permalink

    You’ve got some pretty impressive competition, even a pratchett book. Should I go with national loyalty or authorial (if that’s a word) loyalty. Authorial loyalty, i think, fear not Mr Rothfuss you’ve got my vote.

  28. Constance
    Posted May 2, 2011 at 10:15 AM | Permalink

    They have you up against some of my other favorites. Bradbury? Hill? Dayam. No matter who wins, we all win, I think.

  29. sortova
    Posted May 2, 2011 at 10:21 AM | Permalink

    Oh, man, they have “Mythago Wood” by Robert Holdstock. Never have I felt such longing and loss after reading a story (more of a novella, actually).

  30. priscellie
    Posted May 2, 2011 at 10:41 AM | Permalink

    Had a tough time deciding between NOTW, Mistborn, and Locke Lamora, though I ended up going with NOTW. But as for Sci-Fi, all the books I’ve read from the list already have retro covers, because they were written that long ago. XD

  31. xjm
    Posted May 2, 2011 at 10:44 AM | Permalink

    It’s a good thing Sci Fi was separated from fantasy… on the fantasy list NOTW is my clear favorite, but I could not have in good conscience voted for NOTW over Dune. :) I mean, it’s Dune!

    Also, I’m sad that they picked The Dispossessed for Ursula Le Guin (my favorite author of all time), because I think some of her other stuff is better–on the other hand, if they’d picked one of her other novels, then I’d have to choose between that and Dune.

    • Mickey
      Posted May 3, 2011 at 1:26 PM | Permalink

      Perhaps they only published that book for her ? I don’t know if a publisher inherits an authors back catalogue…little help here Pat ??

  32. Robertk
    Posted May 2, 2011 at 10:58 AM | Permalink

    One more vote for The Name of the Wind! Cheers Pat!

    Robertk

  33. Nixorbo
    Posted May 2, 2011 at 11:02 AM | Permalink

    You lucked out, sir. I saw Terry Pratchett and was totally going to vote for him, but then I saw that the book they had chosen was Eric, which is quite probably my least favorite Discworld book ever. Had it been Carpe Jugulum, we would be looking at a completely different result from me.

    • Posted May 3, 2011 at 1:18 AM | Permalink

      I agree 100%
      Night Watch would have changed my vote :-)

  34. bornyesterday
    Posted May 2, 2011 at 11:15 AM | Permalink

    too many awesome choices for science fiction.

    how are Book of the New Sun and Tales of the Dying Earth fantasy though?

  35. justajenjen
    Posted May 2, 2011 at 11:32 AM | Permalink

    Wait, you’re pitted against the gods there in the form of Moorcock, Bradbury and Howard, some really amazing contemporaries with Abercrombie and Sanderson. Man, this is hard. As much as I love you, Pat, and your works, it’s really hard to decide in this field. Science Fiction section was easy, Le Guin all the way. Ok, I might have a slight obsession, but still. My husband said, “Just pick from the ones you’ve read.” Oh, so, all of them. 15 years together and he still doesn’t know me. :)

  36. Raytheist
    Posted May 2, 2011 at 11:33 AM | Permalink

    This could prove to be a very cool contest. I’ll be watching to see who wins as I am dying to see what a retro edition looks like for any of these books. I wish you luck, good sir, as your body of work is by far my favorite.

  37. Posted May 2, 2011 at 12:02 PM | Permalink

    One vote per person per category doesn’t seem like a good way to poll for an edition that will contain five books.

    They should have had some sort of multi-vote poll. The simplest way would have been to just let everyone vote for N books for some N between 2 and 5, with all their votes being weighted equally; more complex ways would have been to ask to rank your top five picks in order, weighted according, or to give everyone N points, for some N between 5 and 15, to be distributed among 1 to 5 picks.

    A book that is, say, the 2nd or 3rd favorite of 80% of the readership but the top favorite of only 5% is more deserving of being included in the retro-edition set than one that is the favorite book of 21% of the readership but doesn’t even appear on the top-5 list for the other 79% of those polled.

    I realize in the real world such extreme polarization of opinion is unlikely, but the example was chosen to illustrate a point. What is realistic is that there are a great many people who feel Name of the Wind without a doubt deserves to be in the top five in the Fantasy category, without necessarily feeling that it deserves absolute top place over classics like Wolfe’s Book of the New Sun. And the Science Fiction category is even harder to pick just one.

  38. Themistocles
    Posted May 2, 2011 at 12:03 PM | Permalink

    I thought Sanderson’s ‘Way of Kings’ was better than his ‘Final Empire’. I wonder why that wasn’t listed …

    • Posted May 2, 2011 at 4:07 PM | Permalink

      Most of his books are published by Tor.

      • Cloudgazer
        Posted May 9, 2011 at 4:27 PM | Permalink

        They’re Tor in the US but they’re Gollancz in the UK, and Way of Kings is indeed Gollancz. They probably just went with his biggest selling book though, and Way of Kings hasn’t been out all that long.

  39. TowelSmileGirl
    Posted May 2, 2011 at 12:25 PM | Permalink

    Okay, I had to vote, but even if you didn’t win, I’m sure there are plenty of people who would love to make a retro cover for you for free!!

  40. Sokol
    Posted May 2, 2011 at 2:49 PM | Permalink

    I put in my two cents for Name of the Wind. Though I’m not sure what taping two pennies to my monitor will really do, and now that I can’t see part of the screen, it seems a little odd.

    But anything to help.

  41. Celtland
    Posted May 2, 2011 at 3:03 PM | Permalink

    This is one of those days I’m thankful for all of my email addresses… And my wife’s email addresses. We live in a community property state! Seriously though – I only voted 5 times. You must win!!!

    I recently won a Scalzi book giveaway over the Tor forums – my fingers are crossed that I may win this one, too. You must understand I am the dude who never wins any contest that involves a drawing. My dad attributes that to generations of luckless ancestors. My progeny are doomed…

    • Robertk
      Posted May 4, 2011 at 8:53 PM | Permalink

      Are you by chance a relative of Stanley Yelnats?

  42. Retse
    Posted May 2, 2011 at 3:42 PM | Permalink

    I voted, with all my different e-mail addresses.

  43. Posted May 2, 2011 at 4:04 PM | Permalink

    I voted for NOTW! I’m kind of bummed Stranger in a Strange Land wasn’t one of the Sci Fi choices. Seems odd to me!

    • Posted May 2, 2011 at 4:06 PM | Permalink

      Oh, right. It’s a Gollancz poll. Reading comprehension FAIL.

  44. NAMDORG
    Posted May 2, 2011 at 4:14 PM | Permalink

    Can you get your hands on a few copies? You should offer those up as the prize for the picture contest. Signed!

  45. Luithien
    Posted May 2, 2011 at 4:23 PM | Permalink

    There were a lot of good ones on that list. NOTW absolutely stole the fantasy one though. :) Congratulations on being fantastic and recognized for it!!

  46. Posted May 2, 2011 at 5:54 PM | Permalink
  47. brrbear
    Posted May 2, 2011 at 7:21 PM | Permalink

    i can just picture it now-Kvothe attending the university wearing a polo shirt with the collar up, a skinny tie, tight jeans, white socks, and checkerboard vans. And please don’t forget the bandanas….or the wayfarers…

    damn, i’m old.

  48. Windolf
    Posted May 2, 2011 at 9:32 PM | Permalink

    WOW what a tough choice!

  49. QWOPtain Crunch
    Posted May 2, 2011 at 9:36 PM | Permalink

    I’m not sure there should be a contest. Dune and The Name of the Wind are the greatest things on those lists. The only novel that comes REMOTELY close to toppling The Name of the Wind is Best Served Cold. And that falls far short of the mark. Rothfuss, I want to see your smiling mug on the back of that new-retro edition when I buy it.

  50. christie
    Posted May 2, 2011 at 11:35 PM | Permalink

    Ok, I’m going to suggest that if you go to the site and then decide to vote for someone else, don’t post about it! I could hear tiny hearts shattering every time.

    That said, voting done. Hoping to see a retro version of NOTW and that there’s enough copies to get one in the US.

    Good luck Pat!

  51. Jenna Peterson
    Posted May 3, 2011 at 12:36 AM | Permalink

    Voted. Many, many times.
    The website I run has various email addresses to handle various sub-site emailing activities. They all participated.

    You and Le Guin are now shoe-ins for the win ;)

  52. Andrew Roberts
    Posted May 3, 2011 at 3:01 AM | Permalink

    My vote has been cast for you… My wife and son have also voted for you, they might still be asleep and not know it yet but they voted for you anyway.

    I’m intrigued to see what a retro version of NOTW would be like, best of luck!

  53. albertus
    Posted May 3, 2011 at 4:40 AM | Permalink

    Got my vote from Spain, Pat!!

    The Name of the Wind REALLY is one of the best fantasy books ever, so that was easy. I liked your subtle way of coercing us -your blog’s readers-, though ;)

  54. Posted May 3, 2011 at 9:06 AM | Permalink

    Absolutely looking forward to seeing the retro version of Kvothe! Voted for Kvothe (of course), and told all my geeky RPG lovin’ tweeps. :)

  55. angellephish
    Posted May 3, 2011 at 9:50 AM | Permalink

    voted! =) would love to see a retro version!!

    … and on a completely different subject, the news of yesterday and today has me thinking very much of Tempi and the Lethani, specifically the conversation at the end of chapter 109. I feel like Tempi would say that what has been done is of the Lethani, it was the right thing to do. But celebrating a death seems akin to taking pleasure in the fight itself.

    Anyway, just a thought, just wanted to share how your books have influenced a person.

  56. Safiah
    Posted May 3, 2011 at 10:49 AM | Permalink

    I’m dying to see potential covers. Please let there be a hippie Elodin with waist-long hair and tie dye robes.

  57. pdxtrent
    Posted May 3, 2011 at 11:34 AM | Permalink

    The only book on the list that would have overshadowed NotW is Lud-In-the-Mist. However, you got my vote cause Lud came out in the 1920’s and should not be included IMHO. Besides, at almost 100 years old, isn’t it already retro enough?

  58. Tehlinoid
    Posted May 4, 2011 at 2:38 AM | Permalink

    Would they also make a “retro” version for my Nook? I hope so. Maybe some decals that I can put on it too, so that it looks like my very first hard cover, “Man Chest,” version of NOTW.

  59. g0nff
    Posted May 4, 2011 at 8:58 AM | Permalink

    Just voted! And also (regarding your recent Facebook post): don’t worry about the 1- and 2-star reviewers. When I first read The Name of the Wind, I loved it because it filled an empty space in Fantasy, a void I hadn’t recognized until something with which to fill it came into existence. Yes it was brilliant, yes it was powerful, yes it made me caper around the living room in my bathrobe singing “Jackass, Jackass” – but most of all, it was new. And it shone all the brighter for it.

    In my opinion, The Wise Man’s Fear is every bit as good as The Name of the Wind, but now we know it can be done. It’s just as brilliant, just as powerful, just as caper-inducing; but some people want to experience that first thrill all over again, and I just don’t know if that’s possible.

    So there’s my $0.02. Now stop reading Amazon reviews and give us Book 3! Grrrrr!

  60. kvothe
    Posted May 4, 2011 at 12:11 PM | Permalink

    My God, man! If you supply the uniform, I’ll be in your flying monkey horde!

  61. butanokaabii
    Posted May 4, 2011 at 12:21 PM | Permalink

    That was a damned difficult choice. The Name of the Wind (which I just finished reading barely an hour ago, on a very strong and well-deserved recommendation), Mistborn: The Final Empire, and The Lies of Locke Lamora in a single poll? I must admit, I took advantage of the fact that I have three email addresses for three honest votes. Now I’m wondering just where I’m going to find the money for something like this.

  62. angelajs85
    Posted May 4, 2011 at 1:57 PM | Permalink

    Done and done. No contest really, The name of the Wind WAS the best book on the list.

  63. BWileyTally
    Posted May 4, 2011 at 4:05 PM | Permalink

    Actually it was my favorite of the 3 on the list that I’ve read! So, it was an easy one for me.

  64. NorCalRushfan
    Posted May 4, 2011 at 9:24 PM | Permalink

    Sorry, I’ve loved Jack Vance’s Dying Earth for about 30 years longer than Name of the Wind. NOTW would make the top 5 though. And another vote for Dune.

  65. mcvinster
    Posted May 5, 2011 at 8:21 AM | Permalink

    I feel the need to apologise because I voted for Michael Moorcock.
    *puppy eyes for forgiveness* I love The Name of The Wind and Wise Man’s Fear, but Michael Moorcock is my all time fantabocheristic most-awesome-ness author ever across the entire Multiverse.

    Sowwy again.

  66. Posted May 5, 2011 at 10:05 AM | Permalink

    Nobody voted for Simmons’ Hyperion? :(

  67. servant
    Posted May 5, 2011 at 10:55 AM | Permalink

    Voted.

    although i do wonder what a retro version of H.G. Wells would look like…

  68. shezzle
    Posted May 9, 2011 at 7:28 PM | Permalink

    Hey Pat,
    Your loyal following of booksellers in Milton Keynes, UK all voted for NOTW the day that poll went out you will be pleased to know. It’s quite interesting actually Kvothe is gaining retroish status in our store already amongst the first wave of readers as we educate the next- I love the fact that for three years Kvothe has been the subject of many discussions in our staff room and still going strong. I have even managed to convert many of my ‘normal’ colleagues who generally didn’t venture in to scifi & fantasy or really talk to me for that matter-not that I’m not normal you understand obviously just a bit out there but aren’t we all hehehehe!

  69. faisal
    Posted May 25, 2011 at 12:01 AM | Permalink

    I have purchased several shirts from you and I am completely satisfied. I love the shirts and they are a big hit at work.

    As a big and tall customer with hard to fit sizes I am a huge fan and I will definitely purchase more shirts.

    You have made a custom shirt that is affordable for the common working person.”
    http://www.bestcustomshirt.com

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  70. Ariectus
    Posted July 28, 2011 at 1:46 PM | Permalink

    The winners were announced a few days ago, the covers are just boring yellow and purple text that anyone over the age of 5 could make in microsoft paint =[
    I’m a little bitter I’ve been excited for so long to see them and thats what they came up with, lol =\

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