Started George R.R. Martin's saga "A Song of Ice and Fire"

[bobstod]

This is a three-book world-building series (I understand there are more to come in the series) set in an imaginary island kingdom similar in many respects to England. The period is medieval, and the principal warring factions are analagous to those in England's War of the Roses. Instead of York and Lancaster, the houses are Stark and Lannister.

The reviews are extremely good: "It is perhaps the best of the epic fantasies" Marion Zimmer Bradley. "The major fantasy of the decade. Compulsory reading." The Denver Post.

I recommend you go to Amazon.com (just click on the logo at the top left of the Bookends Board Homepage) and read the synopsis and the reviews yourself. Brett, it might be a good idea to include these three books on the drop-down list.

I have only gotten 44 pages into the first book, but I can say without qualification that the writing and the depth of the world Martin has created are impressive. As we are introduced to the characters, it becomes quite apparent that there is a long history behind each of them, and that history is drawing them into conflict.

In a manner strikingly evocative of LOTR, a direwolf has been found in the kingdom: the first in more than two hundred years. Evil is stirring in the North, beyond the wall; and a deposed heir to the seven kingdoms is plotting a return.

There are long books! Book one, A Game of Thrones, is over 800 pages in paperback. A Clash of Kings, book two, is 969. Both have appendixes and maps at the end. A Storm of Swords, book three, is 924 pages in hardback.

If that is daunting to you, I'm sorry. To me, it is like a giant promise! Just think of the joy if you could begin LOTR, knowing that it would be three times as long!!!

Being an optimist, and having the benefit of already having tried (and fallen in love with) two of BamaCLM's earlier recommendations (The Deed of Paksinarrion and the Jaran novels), I went out and bought all three books. If you are less bold (or rash), you can pick up book one for less than five bucks used, and about seven for a brand new copy.

Would you care to join us? Carolyn and I will be discussing these books for the next few weeks, at least. Maybe for the next few years...



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ALABAMA : Tradition ; Class ; A name to respect in College Football

 

[BamaCLM]

Almost missed this post, Bob! glad to know your books arrived and you have started. I too will start to read "A Game of Thrones"; the story is so intricate that there is no way I could discuss it intelligently relying only on my memory (read it about 2 years ago, maybe more)

Let the reading begin!! I am now working out of my home, so I can do like the football board guys do and sort of work around my other interests!!

 

[bobstod]

Wonderful, Carolyn! I will enjoy the books much more if I can bounce my thoughts off you (and others, I hope) as I go along.

I have gotten three hundred pages into Book One, and I can make a number of observations and comments.

You were right, the cast of characters is vast. I am finding the appendix, which lists each of the principal families along with their retainers, history, colors, and allied lesser houses, to be invaluable. I consult it often, to keep people straight in my mind.

I have also started a list, with certain principal players arranged under GOOD, BAD,and STRADDLE. This helped me to think about how each was introduced. I must say, though, that Martin, after drawing his characterizations in stark colors at first, tends to go back later and shake up our original prejudices!

There are many examples, but the first one that comes to mind is The Imp, Tyrion Lannister. We automatically assume that he is going to be a Baddy, (he is a Lannister, after all), and his grotesqueness seems to solidify our impression. Yet he is shown to have depth, heart, and compassion (although liberally salted with cynicism) when he travels north to the Wall and befriends Jon Snow (who is SOLIDLY in the corner of the GoodGuys from the start).

Another character that takes a wide swing in our estimation is Dany Targaryen, brutalized by her ambitious and shallow brother (who sees himself as Lord of the Seven Kingdoms), but who emerges (so far) as a courageous and admirable young woman and wife. I fully expect her (and the Dothraki hordes she may possibly lead one day) to play a major role later, when "Winter Comes".

Without giving away too much to those who may join us in our reading, I'll just say that what happens to Bran is quite a shock. He quickly becomes one of our favorites, and his introduction is so full of promise that it is hard to believe that promise will go unfulfilled. I'm still hopeful that it will not...

Another early favorite is Bran's sister Arya. Isn't it always a clear signal, when a person of high blood takes a sincere interest in common people? Nobody can resist that combination: not in literature or in real life. (does Princess Diana spring to mind?)

Martin (so far) does not restrict himself to resurrecting the bad guys (although he has just shown us some humanity in one of the worst of the lot, Sandor Clegane, 'The Hound'). We are shown the painful cruelty of one of our heroines, Catelyn (Tully) Stark, in her rejection of Eddard's bastard son Jon Snow. Notice Jon's report of their parting to his half-brother and close friend Robb(p.96). When that happens, we know that Jon is going to be high on our Good Guys list!

So far, a rich, engaging, and compulsive tale with characters we care about and a story that promises to be long, complicated, and utterly fascinating. Not a bad start, I would say!!!



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ALABAMA : Tradition ; Class ; A name to respect in College Football

 

[BamaCLM]

I have to say my 2 most favorite characters are Dany and Tyrion. I can't help rooting for Tyrion. He is honest with himself, and I love his sardonic, if not cynical, outlook on life. This time reading, I am on the lookout for foreshadowing, and I think I found an example in the last sentence on page 50. "When he opened the door, the light from within threw his shadow clear across the yard, and for just a moment Tyrion Lannister stood tall as a king." Now, don't get me wrong, by the end of the 3rd book he isn't king, but he does have some important moments, and who knows what will happen by the end of the 6th book. He is the only one who cares about the Wall.

As for Dany, I can't help rooting for her. I don't know what impact she will have on the 7 kingdoms, whether good or bad, but you will see how her character develops throughout these 3 books, until by the end of the third book, she is a person worthy of power, a person who cares for others. Contrast her with Cersei ....well there is no comparison. Cersei is a b***h. As for her brother Jamie, he is perhaps the most complicated character in the books. You will see what I mean. Thinks nothing of murder and yet in his own way is honest with himself.

You are in for some shocks; there is no one hero in these books. Martin can be quite ruthless with his characters. don't get too complacent!!

Carolyn