Point of View

The Name of the Wind is told from three distinct narrative viewpoints. A somber and reflective narrator tells the Prologue and Epilogue. This sets a dark tone for the novel, demonstrating the seriousness of events to come. A simple and concise narrator tells the events of chapters occurring in the present day. This is merely transitional to move readers toward Kvothe’s story.

Kvothe himself narrates the bulk of the novel, as the bulk of the novel is his recalling his past adventures and exploits for the benefit of Chronicler. Kvothe’s language assumes a very reflective tone, with Kvothe often making asides or forewarning readers about events to come. Kvothe is very personal and intimate in his telling of the story, as would only be natural because he is personally and intimately addressing Chronicler in his telling of his story. Chronicler has gone looking...