It is also notable for its "story in a story" format. The open scenes take place in a classic fantasy tavern. The innkeeper Kote is actually Kvothe, a famous adventurer and magician, of whom many tales are told and embellished across the continent of Temerant. There is, naturally, a growing darkness on the continent and roads are dangerous to travel. Rumours of monsters and attacks on villagers lead to Kote travelling out one night and rescuing someone. This person turns out to be Chronicler a travelling scribe who is on a mission to find Kvothe so that he can document his adventures from his own account.
This leads to the main story as Kvothe recounts his life story, from his time as a child with a travelling circus, his encounter with an arcanist who teaches him the rudiments of magic and his eventual entry into Temerant's university of magic.
Stories within stories give the reader a lot of background, and set up plot points for later novels (and I presume its sequels). Kvothe's time at university is dominated by his superhuman (and somewhat unbelievable) natural abilities to learn and develop his magical skills and his rivalry with a wealthy student Ambrose who he develops a book long hatred of. Rothfuss makes a big thing of the disparities in wealth of Kvothe and most of his peers. Kvothe's lack of cash is made up for by enormous luck and his super ability to learn skills including making music, which allows him to continue his adventures.
What makes The Name of the Wind a decent read is the depth of the world-building and the stories within stories. The tropes of magical schools, student rivalries and magic are handled relatively well and don't distract too much. It's a fun adventure that will distract readers appropriately though I am not sure it will linger much in the memory.
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