Deep below the University, there is a dark place. Few people know of it: a broken web of ancient passageways and abandoned rooms. A young woman lives there, tucked among the sprawling tunnels of the Underthing, snug in the heart of this forgotten place. Her name is Auri, and she is full of mysteries.
The Slow Regard of Silent Things is a brief, bittersweet glimpse of Auri’s life, a small adventure all her own. At once joyous and haunting, this story offers a chance to see the world through the eyes of one of The Kingkiller Chronicle’s most enigmatic characters. And it gives the reader a chance to learn things that only Auri knows…
by Mike
So this one might have a bitter sweet after-taste for Rothfuss fans, with the years of delay of Doors Of Stone. But as part of the 99% who truly waits with full faith that it will come, this one very much scratched the itch.
It takes place during the first book of the King Killer Chronicles and follows Auri, a young student of the dark-ish academy setting of The University, who lost her mind and moved into the sewers under the university town. There she hides from a world that makes no sense to her and is thoroughly overwhelming. By the time we meet her, she has many, many friendships with many, many kinds of objects. In this novella, she waits for the next visit of the main character of the main trilogy, and tries to prepare accordingly. We follow her fractured train of thought through a maze of tunnels, bassins and other sewer-y spaces as she tries to collect and/or recruit new friends to show to her visitor.
This one really feels like the author took a (much deserved) break from his main story to just write more freely, which is probably why this book exudes such a sense of fresh, small-time joy. Auri’s musings on the personalities and moods she ascribes to objects, spaces, and even occurrences like a draft or sound are endearing and give a very satisfying structure to her delusions. Which, as a true fan might pick up on in this one, might not be entirely unfounded, or without spiritual meaning or repercussions. Magic in this setting is very scientific and vague at the same time; one can manipulate the laws of physics using magic, but the art of naming is the most powerful and obscure. To perfectly name something by its characteristics might mean discovering the unknown true word to describe and therefore control said thing. Which Auri happens to be an unknowing master in.
I loved the ride-along in the mind of this little mad queen-regent of the sewers, which became even cozy and moving at times.
