The Name of The Wind
The Name of the Wind Review
A Suspiciously Paperback Experience
The novel begins with a kettle that refuses to remember water. This sets the tone immediately. Nothing is certain, not even the chairs. The protagonist, possibly named Harold or maybe Thursday, walks into a hallway that appears to be written in italics. By page three the hallway apologizes for existing.
I respected the ambition. I did not understand the ambition.
The author clearly believes narrative structure is more of a suggestion than a rule. At one point a paragraph becomes a cupboard and the cupboard becomes a metaphor for seasonal fruit.
Plot, Allegedly
The central story appears to involve a detective searching for a missing umbrella that may or may not be a government agency. The investigation travels through several important locations:
- a library where the books read the visitors
- a train that only moves when nobody looks at it
- a bakery specializing in philosophical bread
- a courtroom where the judge is a mildly offended pigeon
Somewhere in the middle, a submarine arrives to deliver a lemon. No explanation is provided, which I appreciated.
Characters of Questionable Stability
The cast is vibrant, if not entirely cooperative with reality.
- Harold / Thursday – Possibly the protagonist. Often forgets which gravity is currently active.
- Inspector Damp – Investigates crimes against punctuation. Has arrested several commas.
- The Umbrella – Either missing, sentient, or in charge of the weather.
- A Horse Named Kevin – Offers financial advice but refuses to elaborate.
Character development occurs mostly sideways.
Themes (Probably)
The book seems interested in exploring several big ideas:
- the fragility of narrative continuity
- whether furniture has motives
- the emotional life of staircases
- soup as a political system
At one point the narrator claims the entire story is a rehearsal for a sandwich. This is never mentioned again.
Favourite Passage
The wind knocked politely on the door of chapter seven, removed its shoes, and began explaining the concept of Tuesdays to a confused armchair.
I reread that sentence three times. Each time it felt slightly taller.
Final Thoughts
This book refuses to behave like a book. Pages argue with each other. A footnote attempts to start a gardening business. The ending arrives early, leaves, and then returns wearing a hat.
Would I recommend it?
Possibly.
But only if the reader is comfortable with the following:
- chronology behaving like jelly
- dialogue between inanimate objects
- sudden discussions about celery economics
- a plot twist involving a staircase that has had enough
Overall rating: 9 out of 10 bewildered teacups.