The Name of the Wind

My 17 highlights

• Teccam claims that out of all the spirits, only wine is suited to reminiscence. He said a good wine allows clarity and focus, while still allowing a bit of comforting coloration of the memory.”

• Old Cob tucked away his bowl of stew with the predatory efficiency of a lifetime bachelor.

• Reputation is like a sort of armor, or a weapon you can brandish if need be.

• “Oi taut Oi heard sommat daen tae water aways,” he said, his accent so thick and oily you could almost taste it.

• PERHAPS THE GREATEST FACULTY our minds possess is the ability to cope with pain.

• Music is a proud, temperamental mistress. Give her the time and attention she deserves, and she is yours. Slight her and there will come a day when you call and she will not answer.

• They sat at a huge, crescent-shaped table. It was raised, so even seated they were looking down on me. They were serious-looking men, ranging in age from mature to ancient.

• When he spoke his native language, he sounded like an angry rockslide.

• He then proceeded to shout at Alpha and Beta, a sign that he was in a genuine good mood. They took it as calmly as ever, in spite of the fact that he accused them of things I’m sure no donkey has ever willingly done, especially not Beta, who possessed impeccable moral character.

• We all become what we pretend to be.”

• Then, because I had nothing to do before my whipping at noon, I strolled the University aimlessly.

• She had the distinctly uncomfortable look of a woman who knows the futility of a polite refusal.

• A clever, thoughtless person is one of the most terrifying things there is.

• It gets tiresome being spoken to as if you are a child, even if you happen to be one.

• Owls are wise. They are careful and patient. Wisdom precludes boldness.” She sipped from her cup, holding the handle daintily between her thumb and forefinger. “That is why owls make poor heroes.”

• The roads were always bad, of course, in the same way that winter was always cold. You complained, took sensible precautions, and got on with the business of living your life.

• But just because he didn’t like the thought of his blood on the outside didn’t mean he was really afraid of those things. He just didn’t want them to happen. To really fear something you have to dwell on it.