The debate? which one? hahaaaha man, some of the readers really get out in the weeds " well, he hs blue eyes and smeone blew out a candle and then on page 356 GRRM wrote "as the wind blew the leaves across the Kingsroad, " so...with all that, it must be that X is going to end up being the King .. For the most part I have found some very well thought out posts on Westeros ASOIAF..They also provide access to several chapters that will be in the next book Yeah, I have to admit to being a bit of a book nerd..
There is a lot of speculation, but GRRM also through in some ridiculous foreshadowing. saying Cat's heart had turned to stone in book one. Describing the red wedding in book two while Dany was in the house of the undying. Referring to Aegon as the mummer's dragon in book 2(?)
I read books, but enjoy the surprises I get with visual versions of the same story. So I'll F*cking get around to the F*cking books when the show is done
Same here. Anyone who mocks the people who haven't read the books for being shocked is a self-righteous douche bag. Seriously.. I don't understand why that would even be a thing.
I actually wish I hadn't read the books, because it's spoiling the series for me. I recommend not reading the books until after each given season. This is book three...
Plus a show/movie is something you can share and experience with friends and loved ones. My wife and I will watch the show together and go through the twists and turns and have fun discussing it. I cant do that without sitting around together in a book club, or if we sit around reading it out loud together like frakking Kindergartners.
I can totally see that. As I sit there watching heart racing not knowing what happens next, I would feel robbed of that if I already knew. Kinda like watching a game on DVR for the first time, when I already read the score beforehand.
I was going to try and stop after book one until after HBO put book two on film, but Costco had the first four books in paperback for $20 in a pack or something ridiculous like that a few years ago, so I ended up going through those, and then buying A Dance with Dragons in hardcover all in the span of a few months.
I read the books first and still watch the show. IMO that's the way to go if you're going to end up doing both.
I disagree. I miss the element of surprise, considering how much money HBO has put into making the TV production a top-notch experience.
I like the idea of getting the entire story, every detail, the first time through. The books are plenty surprising. They're hard as hell to put down because you want to know what happens to each character next, I would imagine thats not the case if you already saw the show. At least not as much. And I still can't get over how people watching the TV show can even keep up with all of the characters and relationships between them. They omit a lot of characters and details in the show but its still incredibly intricate.
It's hard to put 700-1000+ pages of each book into 12 hours of television, though. In this case, I think I made a mistake by reading the books. I still appreciate the show, but as an example, I've been waiting all season to see the White Walker killed by Tarly's sharp piece of obsidian.
They've done a brilliant job with the shows, I just prefer the books and one of the reasons why is because its the whole story, every detail.
I feel that both sides have a valid arguement, to each his own. Your post that I have quoted is in part the reason I am glad to have read the books several times. I also enjoy knowing the back story that unfolds throughout the books. Like for example the full story of "The Raines of Castamier" as well as the inner thoughts of the POV people..how they inter relate with others...it makes this a richer story for me to watch
I plowed through all the books (that were available at the time) years ago, and still enjoy the hell out of the show when I can. Haven't seen the Red Wedding episode yet, though, and quite frankly I'm not sure I ever will. It was dark enough on the page -- I just don't think I want those particular visuals in my brain.
I picked up the same set of books PapaG did after the first season, and blazed through them that summer before college started up. I didn't want to wait for the next season, but now we're waiting for the next 2 books, so it's a wait either way. The show watchers will probably be caught up to the book people by the time the next book comes out, lol.
Yeah... the actual deed begins with a killing that's not in the book and was frankly a bit much even for me.
maybe the show has desensitized me over the seasons.. but I didnt find myself so shocked after Red Wedding. Before they went I was guessing it was a set up. I didnt think ____ would die (In case someone who isnt ready reads this lol) but I didnt find myself with my heart racing wondering if he would live or not. When Ned died though.. Holy F I was in utter shock.
