George R R Martin: A Game of Thrones (Book Club)

[Brian G Turner]

I'm about a hundred pages in now - it's certainly an interesting read. Martin has a good way with his words - he's very clever at using dramatic adjectives - but sometimes perhaps too clever.

Despite some clever use of language and almost certain research into mediaeval Europe, there is still the sense of his using words badly here and there.

I'm not keen on his use of "real names" either, and "Ser" seems a rather pointless linguistic corruption. However, they are small complaints in what is otherwise a fairly well-written narrative so far,

I'm getting a little disorientated with the use of Point of View, though. So far it's a different character per chapter, which means that as a reader I'm aware of a real distance from the characters.

The moving of some to the southern lands immediately makes myself think on the beginning of Dune, though - the uprooting of a family from it's hereditary lands, and into what is almost certainly a political trap.

The direwolves are an interesting plot device - I haven't figured those out yet, so it's going to be interesting to see them played out.

Certain characters seem obviously marked out for destiny - but a couple of comments I never understood at the time, make me wonder if that's merely a charade. Jon Snow is obviously going to be pivotal to the growing plot.

Anyway, I'm not going to speculate or discuss specific events as yet, because I don't want to spoil it for anyone else - and I don't want anyone else to spoil it for me!!

 

[Frost]

Re: George R R Martin: A Game of Thrones

Another good thing I have found with using 1 character for each chapter is that it makes you read more - you want to know what happens to a certain character so you keep reading until you come to his/her chapter.

 

[rune]

Re: George R R Martin: A Game of Thrones

The first book I read by this author was Faever's Dream and I loved it.

So I thought I would try this book and was very disappointed. I couldnt complain about the writing style, i actually found the plot easy to follow even though he does jump around from different POV's alot.

However, I found the heavy focus of court intrique just bored me to death. Very little magic in the book, more family fueds Not my kind of fantasy book at all.

 

[erickad71]

Re: George R R Martin: A Game of Thrones

However, I found the heavy focus of court intrique just bored me to death. Very little magic in the book, more family fueds

That's one of the reasons I like it so much. There isn't much heavy-handed use of magic.

GRRM is very much into the details, so pay attention. I'm about half-way through at this piont.

 

[Rane Longfox]

I have literally started reading this today, so hopefully I'll be able to comment soon

 

[tonic]

I read this about a year ago and it still hits me as one of the best series I've read, I have a few lol probably something like five. Even though there seems to be a distance between the characters, this will change extremely fast, you'll become so attached to the characters it's amazing. Anyway I'll wait another week until more have read the book then I'll discuss it

 

[Brian G Turner]

I've noticed the use of character Point of View finally cycling round - meeting familiar characters again - which is quite a relief. I thought for a moment Martin had written something more post-modernist.

Just got up to Catelyn deciding to ride south. But...wait - you've no proof!!

I really like Tyrion Lannister - I imagine the guy who played Willow in the role. A sympathetic image, perhaps.

 

[Jayaprakash Satyamurthy]

Mixed views, so far. Well, I'm impressed by the tapestry-like weave of PoVs and plot elements. Very intricate stuff. I'm less thrilled by the sheer dominance of foreground and players. You simply have to engage with these people - lots of them at that - and their concerns. There's no real sense of exploring a fantastic setting. It's just possible that the court intrigues will put me off too, but on the other hand, there is a lot human interest building up. I particularly enjoy the bits about Tyrion Lannister and Danaerys. Jon Snow seems like a very stock fantasy character to me, but the writing is good enough that it doesn't gall.

 

[Rane Longfox]

Read several chapters now, and I'm starting to rememeber my bugs about Martin
I hate medieval fantasy with a passion, always have, probably alwasy will. Martin carries me along with the strength of his writing, but underneath my enjoyment there it lurks The same for political intrigue, really...


However, I believe this just serves to highlight the excellence of Martin's writing, that I can still find myself enjoying the book, espite these reservations. The storyline is reasonably storng and fast paced, and having already read the series, I'm noticing new things, and getting a better feel for the characters Who said re-reads were pointless?
Noticing things like the fact that the deserter that Ned executed at the beginning of the books proper was the man from the prologue. Oh the things he could have told them given a little tolerance and understanding... This is another good think about Martin, his characters are very definately human, they make human mistakes, bundle into things they shouldn't, and trust the wrong people occasionally. Its refreshing

 

[Jayaprakash Satyamurthy]

Looks like your views on the book are very close to mine, Brood. So far, anyway...

 

[Blue Mythril]

I'm getting a little disorientated with the use of Point of View, though. So far it's a different character per chapter, which means that as a reader I'm aware of a real distance from the characters.

I think the point of view is one of the main attractions for me. I love being able to immerse myself completely in one character, though I often get antsy waiting for them to come around again...
Must say, I love Arya though. There's several other favs up there, Daenarys especially, Tyrion, even Jaime (though admittedly I shouldn't be discussing him as a fav here, seeing as I don't like him til much later).
But Arya, the wild child who just wants to learn the sword is a character I really identiry with, can't for the life of me work out why...
The Direwolves remain my favourite element I think... Though they also lead into some of the more heart-wrenching aspects of GRRM's style... only prob with getting too close to the characters...
Anyone up to the journey to King's Landing?

 

[dwndrgn]

Who said re-reads were pointless?

Not I! Many times rereading a book is just an exercise in reminiscing, enjoying it over again. While many other times, rereading is a way to see things that might have been missed the first time. This is especially so with long and complex novels where you can get caught up in the story and there are so many characters to keep track of. The second time around you may find that the character you disliked, you now like because you misunderstood some nuance in chapter 6...if you get my drift. I'm a big fan of rereading. After all, we listen to songs over and over, don't we? Why shouldn't we enjoy novels as often?

 

[erickad71]

This is another good think about Martin, his characters are very definately human, they make human mistakes, bundle into things they shouldn't, and trust the wrong people occasionally. Its refreshing

That is one of the reasons I love this series so much, these aren't stock fantasy characters. I think that is what makes this book so interesting.

Must say, I love Arya though. There's several other favs up there, Daenarys especially, Tyrion, even Jaime (though admittedly I shouldn't be discussing him as a fav here, seeing as I don't like him til much later).
Anyone up to the journey to King's Landing?

Those are my favorite characters also, along with Jon. I'm actually further than that...but I won't tell where since I believe I'm ahead of everyone else.

Who said re-reads were pointless?

This is the third time I have read this particular book...I have enjoyed reading it each time.

 

[Brian G Turner]

The Dire wolves are definitely my own favourite element, too. It's different. Martin is otherwise using a lot of fairly typical and predictable looking plot devices, but the Direwolves aspect is very different - I like that.

I've read up just past the incident with Arya and Joffrey, and the resolution of that. The book has really picked up pace because of it. The way that Martin ises children and animals to stir the reader is a little unpleasant, but effective.

I find it hard to justify Arya acting in the manner she did - surely she's had more court disipline than that? Even stillm engaging reading.

I do like some of the dialogie, though - the conversations between Robert and Eddard (Ned) are very natural, but packed with minor details and period vocabulary.

 

[erickad71]

I find it hard to justify Arya acting in the manner she did - surely she's had more court disipline than that?

How exactly do you mean? Before or after the "incident"? I think she has always been a little more wild than her siblings, if that is what you mean.

 

[Blue Mythril]

yes, I do believe that is one of the points. She's had the education, she hates the education, she hates the system. She's basically giving court ettiquette the bird in her own unique way.
Go you fiesty she-wolf

 

[Jayaprakash Satyamurthy]

Well, I've reached the second day of the tourney held in Eddard's honour. Sansa is turning out to be a seriously annoying person, Eddard's investigations into Arryn's death are turning up intriguing clues, the king has determined to take part in the day's jousts even though he is seriously out of shape...the pot is generally bubbling. It's entertainment. The Bold and the Beautiful with swords and chargers. It's well written enough to keep me going, but I'm having a sinking feeling that this really isn't my cup of tea.

 

[Silk]

Well I have read upto the point when Ned finds out what Arryn was looking into and acts upon it.

I can't tell you how excited i am about this book I litterally haven't put it down for over a week!

I really like the changes in the point of view it lets you feel so much closer to all the characters which at first made me love absolutly evertyone. But now that i'm much further through the story I'm getting over that fact for example i now seriously dislike Sansa for being so pathetic and blind and I'm starting to become a lot more wary of Daenarys; she is a very strong female charater especially considering her current situation and she has the potential to become very dangerous much more so than her brother.

 

[Brian G Turner]

I personally really like the intrigue, though in parts it skirts close to detective novel cliche. But it's the intricacy of the developments that I'm enjoying - the fact that Martin's actually using a full cast of characters, and pushing them with it.

I like the way the fantasy elements are very "background" and simmering. "The Others" and the "dragon eggs" as plot devices you can see developing, but it's not in your face or over-the-top. The direwolves continue to be interesting.

At the moment I'm trying to see where the whole series is going - I'm half expecting that Jon Snow is actually a blood-kin of Daenyris, and that they learn to come together, despite familial animosities, to force back an otherwise overwhelming assualt by The Others. I shouldn't try and act too clever with the predictions yet, though - there are still a number of wildcards to play, and Martin is proving very good at unveiling them.

Strengths so far - his characters and dialogue are pretty strong - I used to think I was good at naturalistic dialogue, but Martin writes it in a period-manner and that's much harder - very clever. Sometimes bad use of vocabulary/terminology though, and a little over-eager on the "splatter factor". Not big criticisms, though.

The novel is also building up pace, and it's getting harder to put down.

Just getting up to the tourney, where no doubt the Lannister/Stark friction will be whipped up more.

 

[Frost]

I really like Tyrion Lannister - I imagine the guy who played Willow in the role. A sympathetic image, perhaps.

That's exactly what I always thought Tyrion looked like as well.