Does anything good ever happen?

[Mermaid]

I just finished reading A Feast For Crows and trust me, I love the series....but does anything good ever happen? When I first started reading A Game of Thrones someone told me not to get too attached to characters because most of them get killed off.......as an advid reader this is a new approach in writing for me, I'm used to there being a defined hero and more good things then bad things happening....so my question to you guys is this;

What do you think are some good things that happened in the series?

 

[Wiggum]

The Freys all get smallpox from blankets?

But seriously, it'll be a combination how the story develops and who you "root" for.

One of the brilliant things about the story is that not everyone likes the same characters, and hence if something good happens to someone in my opinion, another reader may well look upon it as a bad thing.

 

[TK-421]

Agree with Wiggum, it's like Obi-Wan once said: it all depends on your point of view. (GO TYRION!!!!!!!!!)

So, I believe something good will happen in the end. The title for the last book is somewhat encouraging and optimistic: A Dream of Spring.

 

[Trey Greyjoy]

Yes, GRRM doesnt strike me as all doom & gloom, donned in black drinking whiskey alone....

Given the fact that he likes to proudly wear his Stark sigil/Winter is Coming t-shirt, and his overall demeanor in general, I have to believe that in the end, we shall be smiling.

 

[Werthead]

I'm not sure if it's a 'good thing', but the conclusion of the final Dorne chapter in AFFC did finally bring several major plot elements together with a great, "Yes!" moment.

Joffrey dying was a great moment. Something that happens at the end of AFFC also leaves the reader with a huge grin on their face as well.

Have you tried reading the prequel novellas? Both The Hedge Knight and The Sworn Sword have somewhat happier endings. People still die along the way, but there is a lighter feeling than the novels. It also helps that the two main characters are 'protected' (we're told how they die in the main novels, and it isn't until around 45 years after the events in the novellas).

 

[SkywardShadow]

I seem to remember The Hedge Knight having a rather grim ending as well. I think GRRM likes to keep it realistic, even when some things go right, there are always things in the world going very wrong.

 

[TK-421]

I seem to remember The Hedge Knight having a rather grim ending as well. I think GRRM likes to keep it realistic, even when some things go right, there are always things in the world going very wrong.

...like with poor, poor Brienne.

 

[red_temple]

I remember seeing somewhere (can't remember where, exactly) that GRRM stated the ending will not be a fairy-tale one. It will parallel with the current realistic theme of the story - there will be some good, some bad, and a lot of open ends. I think "bittersweet" is the term he used. He is leaving some open ends because that is what life is all about - not everything gets resolved all at one time. We will have closure to the major plotlines, though.

 

[Dreenan]

Does anyone read "The Dying of the Light"?
I think ASOIAF will end like that. A bittersweet open ending.

 

[the smiling weirwood]

Oh yes, that was so sad.

 

[AryaUnderfoot]

Good things that happened:

-Joffrey died in a very unmanly fashion.
-Ygritte perished and thus will not be able to tell Jon ever again that he knows nothing.
-Sansa learned a few things about the difference between real life and songs.
-Cersei was shown a thing or two.
-Tyrion broke away from his awful family and learned that once, someone actually did love him.
-Lysa Arryn flew.
-Jaime realized that his sister is disgusting and demented, not to mention stupid.
-Arya remains a Stark.
-Jon grew a pair.

Did I mention the part about Ygritte dying?

 

[Wiggum]

Looks like I'm going to have to become the founding member of Y.A.D.L.

Ygritte Anti-Defamation League.

Although it seems the membership maybe limited to myself, lol.

 

[Trey Greyjoy]

You know nothing Wiggum

 

[the smiling weirwood]

Just so. Can I subscribe to Aryaunderfoot's Sublime Summaries Monthly here, or must I do it by mail?

 

[Jinglehopper]

To continue the list:

-Sam Tarly got laid
-Theon didn't kill Bran and Rickon
-Sansa got her period (I think)
-Gregor Clegane is dead (kind of)
-Cersei had an orgasm with a woman
-The Wall was defended successfully
-Jaime is determined to be one of the good guys

 

[Lubbock]

Yup good things happen all the time, Summer caught many squirrels at Winterfell, thats like catnip for wolves

 

[Stark Winter]

More good/positive things:

-Cersei's karma caught up to her (for now)
-Doran wasn't really trying to rid himself of Arianne
-Tyrion was rescued by his big brother
-Jon became commander of Nights Watch
-Davos saves Edric from Stannis and Melisandre

Since each person can have different views of a "good" thing, they can have different views of a "good ending." What do you think would be a good or bad ending to the series?

 

[Slyde]

Looks like I'm going to have to become the founding member of Y.A.D.L.

Ygritte Anti-Defamation League.

Although it seems the membership maybe limited to myself, lol.

Well, I liked Ygritte too, so you're not alone Wiggum. (of course, I do have a 'thing' for redheads )

BTW, I just found this forum and this is my first post. I am currently halfway through AFFC, so I'm going to have to be careful about what I read so I don't spoil any surprises.

 

[TK-421]

Welcome Slyde. Hope you enjoy the chronicles. It's a friendly place. Enjoy AFFC. It has a few good twists.

However, Ygritte...you know nothing...

 

[No Inspiration]

Haven't posted in a while, but I remember going through this series -and don't get me wrong, I love the series- thinking, man, I'm never going to be able to re-read this. Never, ever, ever. Not enough high points to look forward to, too many deaths to avoid.
But now, of course, I have to re-read them because I troll around here reading threads about things I totallllllllllyyyyyyyyy missed whilst reading the books.
Ugh.
Lena.