This is a different sort of story. So different, it's wonderful and truly artful. It is the story of girl, alone and broken, but also much more aware of the world than normal. There are so many dimensions to this story, it's mind boggling.

Though not intentional, this is a Buddhist story, of making the world right while discarding the desires of the self. She is an accidental Buddhist, since it is her circumstance, mental condition, and survival instinct that drives her to seek balance not want for herself.

The way she thinks and frets about her world... It leads me to think that this is what a obsessive compulsive disorder must be like. I would be interested to hear from those in the mental health field about Ari.

The other dimension of this story is the language. I kept thinking about A Clockwork Orange. You have to read (or listen in my case) thoughtfully. Every name, every description has a surface meaning. However, on closer inspection you can peel back the surface to find deeper meanings. Some of the these meaning requires a understanding of the larger world and story of the Kingkiller Chronicles. Others are pure poetry.

It's been a while since I have come across a book that felt like a classic. Something that challenges your philosophy and outlook on life in such a sweet and timid way.