The Wise Man's Fear

The Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss is the second novel in The Kingkiller Chronicle. Written stylistically as The Kingkiller Chronicle: Day Two, it continues to tell the story of Kvothe, an expert lutist and arcanist who is searching for the legendary beings who killed his family. The Wise Man’s Fear is a heroic fantasy novel, which means it prominently features magic while modern technology is absent. Published originally in March of 2011, it was a New York Times bestseller and won the David Gemmell Legend Award for Best Fantasy Novel of 2011. Rothfuss studied English at the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, then completed his master’s degree in arts and English at Washington State University.

This guide uses the First Mass Market Printing 2019 edition for all page numbers.

Content Warning: Please be advised that The Wise Man’s Fear contains violence, nonviolent efforts to do harm such as nonconsensual drugging, references to sexual assault, classism, racism, and sexism. Kvothe is Edema Ruh, a nomadic culture well-known for their theatrical and musical performances. While this race is fictious, it is a strong parallel to ethnic groups such as the Romani.

Plot Summary

At the Waystone Inn, Kvothe continues to tell his life story to his student/apprentice

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