Apparently he gave the showrunners his outline for the rest of the series, just in case they (a) beat him to Season 6, or (b) he dies before finishing the series. A little less describing the armor and flags and a little more moving the plot forward would have solved this problem before it became a problem.
Haha! No doubt. Martin doesn't lack for detail, does he? When even the secondary and tertiary characters are described in detail, it does get to be a bit much. If I have to read one more time about Daario Naharis' purple hair and purple beard ... actually for 5 books now Martin spends more time describing in detail every aspect, color, and mood of Dany's life, it makes me wonder if he is actually in love with a character that he made up for a book. It's 20 pages of fluff, and then a plot advance in the last little paragraph, if you're lucky.
The way I read the books involves a lot of flipping to the index pages. It's satisfying to re-read the books and have characters make early appearances who become more important later (or who turn out to be relatives of characters that emerge later). The richness of the world and the way that GRRM populates it with so many characters that seem "equal" in so many respects (it's unlikely that a POV character is going to die, but it can happen!) makes it much more enjoyable for me. Stephen Erickson's Malazan series (10 books! Thousands of characters!) is more dense and even more character death-neutral, but it's a bit less well-told than GRRM's series. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malazan_Book_of_the_Fallen At least it's complete, I suppose Ed O.
Just finished Feast for Crows last week. That one was pretty tedious. But otherwise I'm happy. I'm downloading them on Audible.com. I was listening to them while grouse hunting last fall, duck hunting last winter and fly fishing now. The voice actor is pretty damned amazing. That guy has probably 40 different voices he pulls out (although it's not enough). I've gotten lost at times, but to tell the truth I just go with the flow and I seem to pick it up again. I probably ought to re-listen to the whole damned thing again in a year just to put it all together. Btw, is it just me or does this guy really, really, REALLY like to describe his meals? He looks like the kind of guy who can put away a rasher of bacon.
Yeah, I think having the index would be helpful at first to keep everyone straight. It helps that I watched the first season of the show. So I know the flow of the story. Does he keep adding a bunch of characters in later books? I too like that everyone is expendable. Makes for a more unpredictable read.
I understand why they did it, but the guys they got to play Robb and Jon are way too old for those characters. They're supposed to be 14-15 and the actors are clearly in their 20s. Also, GRRM makes a point of saying later in AGAT of that Robb was growing out a beard to try to look older, yet here he is at the beginning of the series with quite a bit of facial hair... I think they went with older guys to avoid a Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe feel, but I think it takes away from quite a bit of the story when you use actors so much older than the characters they are playing. Here is a kid who is 14 years old, yet he's leading an Army off to war. How can a guy who looks at least six or seven years older than the part calls for, accurately portray that story?
I think his writing reflects the fact that in medieval times people really did age faster. I remember reading that at some points over half the population of Europe was under 20. So his medieval fantasy world works well in print with lots of young teenagers rising above their years. The problem is reality. To the modern eye it just looks kind of silly to see a real 14 year old kid leading grown men in battle. Can you imagine a 14 year old sergeant being obeyed by American Marines on Omaha beach or by Army Rangers in Afghanistan? It just doesn't work. And how old is Daenerys when she marries Drogo? Like 13 or something? Even HBO doesn't want to show a 13 year old raped by a 28-ish half-caveman. It's one thing to write about it. It's another to show it.
Martin has said that one of his regrets with the series is that he made those characters too young. Plus, Martin is on-board with HBO making the characters older, and HBO has even introduced some characters, such as Roz, who was the hooker that Theon Greyjoy fancied. Speaking of Theon, is anybody hoping that we get to see the version of Theon that Ramsey Snow creates at Winterfell? I also noticed in the trailer for Season Two that Cersei is being led from the Sept of Baelor in custody. Doesn't the put us well in to Book 3, or even Book 4? Season One was basically Book 1, with a few additions, but it appears they will be jumping ahead quite a bit in Season Two.
So..... the first season of GoT has Renly and The Knight of Flowers as gay lovers.... did I miss something in the first book? Also, I might have to go back and look, but I thought Renly was part of the Kings Guard...
lol this was my reaction when I watched the show. I assumed HBO had just thrown in a gay angle but upon Wiki'ing it apparently there are suggestions to this in the first book...becomes somewhat more obvious in the second but if I didn't see the show I still may have glossed over it.
so I'm staying away from the books until the series is done since I started the show first. But the Mrs and I finished the first season last night. All I can say is HOLY F!!!! I havent been this emotionally drained since the first few seasons of 24. Brilliantly done (And I'm sure the books are great too lol) I just wanted to finally click on this thread since I couldnt before
The books are obviously better... and I think my biggest disappointment is how much they downplay the dire wolves in the show. The wolves play a MUCH bigger role in the book. I think they chose not to do a CGI wolf and it would be too difficult to do some of the things on screen that the wolves do in the books.
good to know. Cause the Wolves are badass. I was also emotionally distraught at Ned having to kill one. I sometimes judge a show's writing based on any emotional reaction it can draw for me. And Jesus this show does. Hatred when I hear the Lannisters speak, Sadness for the Stark household, even joy and compassion with Jon Snow's story. Seriously though... Frak the Lannisters (except Tyrion so far) (but if something changes please dont spoil it for me lol)
You're going to end up liking Tyrion a lot more as the seasons progress, and looking at the trailer, I think some of Tyrion's better work is going to be included in Season 2. That's not really a spoiler...
yeah even though I'm clueless on the story I can kind of pick up on that he isnt like the rest of his family. Cant wait for the season to start!
These next two seasons will be insane if they follow the books, Wheels! Can't say the fourth one will be, and haven't read the newest book yet. Hopefully that doesn't spoil anything.
