The Name of the Wind
Patrick Rothfuss
30 people recommended it in 19 threads, 2011–2025.
4 commenters pushed back on it — worth reading the threads.
What people on Hacker News said
Its not just the characters, its Rothfuss' use of language. I've never kept track of so many quotable phrases in a book.
I know of other books that are so rich that you can appreciate new details on multiple readings, but none that re-contextualise the whole story with revelations hidden in plain sight.
Wonderful fantasy that treats the reader as an adult and doesn't over explain. It has perfected world building, doing so organically rather than through exposition as is common in the genre.
I am not a fantasy fan in general, but this is my favorite story of all time. The story within a story within a story, characters, world just about perfect.
A great fantasy story. It's a big book, there is a lot of details, but very well written.
The name of the wind, Small Gods, Ender's Game, Foundation trilogy, Flowers for Algernon are others that I remember now to have read at least twice, probably more.
Where it comes up
- Ask HN: What are your favorite books of all time, and why? 2017 · 5 recommendations
- YC's Winter Reading List 2016 · 3 recommendations
- Ask HN: What's the "best" book you've ever read? 2024 · 2 recommendations
- Ask HN: What is your favorite fiction book? 2022 · 2 recommendations
- Ask HN: What's the best book you read in 2021? 2021 · 2 recommendations
- Ask HN: What was the best book you read in 2016? 2017 · 2 recommendations
- What are your favorite sci-fi and fantasy books? 2015 · 2 recommendations
- Show HN: See what readers who loved your favorite book/author also loved to read 2025 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Any interesting books you have read lately? 2023 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What book have you re-read 3x or more? 2022 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Favorite audio book for long drives? 2022 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What is the best book you read in 2020? 2020 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Which books have you read more than once? 2020 · 1 recommendation
- Hard comp-fi reading list 2019 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Best books you read in 2017? 2017 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What books are you currently reading? 2017 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Which book have you re-read recently? 2017 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Books you read in 2015? 2015 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Best book you read in 2011 2011 · 1 recommendation