A month or so I read the first two books in The Name of the Wind series by Patrick Rothfuss (hurry up and write book 3!!!) and I'd add Kvothe to your list of Gen-like characters. However, he doesn't have all the characteristics you list. No privileged background--in fact, he hides from his friends just how poor he is, so they won't feel sorry for him. His people skills aren't always that great--he often has a hard time figuring out the motivations of others and doesn't "get" how others feel about him. That sort of fits with Gen, too, with the heart-on-a-toothpick stuff.
What may be more important with the similarities is the cleverness, thinking ahead, bravery, and personal code of honor. Kvothe has all that in spades. He's a great actor and is very strategic (like Gen) in cultivating what others believe about him, even to the point of starting rumors about himself and how awesome he is.
I really loved the two books, but I'll warn everyone that they are too long and the action slows to a crawl in places. But is Kvothe is such a great, flawed character that I grew to love him in spite of all his mistakes and imperfections.
Ooooh! Maybe that's another characteristic to add to your list, Rosie! All the best Gen-like characters have some major flaws and are, at times, their own worst enemies. That's part of why we love them so much, right? Our hearts ache for their troubles, even when it's their own fault that they are in trouble. And, the trouble is also usually liked to their stubbornness in sticking to their own personal sense of honor, even when it's a stupid plan.
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Date: 12/20/14 04:58 pm (UTC)What may be more important with the similarities is the cleverness, thinking ahead, bravery, and personal code of honor. Kvothe has all that in spades. He's a great actor and is very strategic (like Gen) in cultivating what others believe about him, even to the point of starting rumors about himself and how awesome he is.
I really loved the two books, but I'll warn everyone that they are too long and the action slows to a crawl in places. But is Kvothe is such a great, flawed character that I grew to love him in spite of all his mistakes and imperfections.
Ooooh! Maybe that's another characteristic to add to your list, Rosie! All the best Gen-like characters have some major flaws and are, at times, their own worst enemies. That's part of why we love them so much, right? Our hearts ache for their troubles, even when it's their own fault that they are in trouble. And, the trouble is also usually liked to their stubbornness in sticking to their own personal sense of honor, even when it's a stupid plan.
What a great conversation!