Name of the Wind 37-39

Chapter 37

Kote asks Master Lorren if he can buy back Abenthy's book when he has the money and Lorren agrees. Kote meets some classmates, including Simmon, a young student like him, Willem, the clerk from the archives earlier, and Manet, and older man who has apparently been a student for decades. He then meets Sovoy, a noble who, because of the sliding scale tuition, has been spending every last dime on tuition. Later Kote returns to the library and has a run in with a new antagonist, Ambrose, who embarrasses him and denies him entry since he is not "in the book" yet.

Phew - a relief to know Kote will be getting his precious book back. We meet a new cast of characters, Willem being the most interesting one as he is a foreigner. Sovoy plays the haughty noble role, but just when you think he's going to be the snotty prep villain from a John Hughes movie, he turns out to be pretty sympathetic. Alas, Ambrose shows up to take that role.

Chapter 38

Kote goes to his first sympathy class and finds he is far ahead of the other students. Also, the professor is a jerk. We find out that there are women at the university, but only about one for every ten men. Later Kote goes to the archives a researches the Chandrian, but finds nothing useful. Lorren notices him and warns him not to appear looking foolish by continuing to research something that everyone else believes to be fairy tales.

Master Hemme's class probably conjures bad memories for some. It was frustrating to find the archives had no info on the Chandrian and the Amyr.  That's really the most interesting element in Kote's story for me, and I'd like to uncover more of that mystery.  I'd expect Kote would run into some sort of mentor who could help him with the research, but Lorren doesn't seem sympathetic to it.

Chapter 39

Mater Hemme, intent on humiliating Kote, asks him to teach the class that day. Kote jumps at the chance and goes on to prove he has a very good command of the principles, rubbing it in Hemme's face. 

We already dislike Hemme for being a jerk and sexist, so it's satisfying to have Kote show him up. You get the feeling he has made a lifelong enemy now, though. Have to wonder if it was worth it.