New GRRM Update on ADWD

[Clansman]

Welcome, Mesanna! Yes, some of the faithful of this bunch, including me, have been reading this series since it hit the shelves. There was a long wait for AFFC, and now a longer one for ADWD.

Listen to the Bear, as he is almost always right. He's kind of annoying that way.

And Imp, I am sorry. I was joking around, but with this bunch, it was insensitive (I too, would have been thrown off by the big red letters). The joke was in poor taste.

 

[Boaz]

Welcome, Mesanna! I'd love to hear your reaction to the various "theories" (crackpot or not) regarding the characters and plots. We always love fresh ideas.

Not knowing anything about ASOIAF, I picked up AGOT about a month before ASOS was published... so I only waited three weeks for ASOS. Since then, I've learned to be a patient man.... these forums help alot.

 

[Ursa major]

...these forums help alot.

And while some of them are not about ASoIaF, there are about 788 threads in the GRRM sub-forum.



Some of the posts in some of them even make sense, apparently.

 

[Culhwch]

And while some of them are not about ASoIaF, there are about 788 threads in the GRRM sub-forum.

At a guess I'd say at least 780 of those are about aSoIaF though...

 

[The Imp]

And Imp, I am sorry. I was joking around, but with this bunch, it was insensitive (I too, would have been thrown off by the big red letters). The joke was in poor taste.

No worries I was just having a lousy day because of the Lebron james circus. Part of me wanted The Knicks to sign him, and another part dreaded the idea of it. I'm really quite a prankster in real life. I once forged IRS stationary so I could scare the crap out of a co-worker that thought he had gotten the best of me with a practical joke . He got a phone call from our main receptionist saying that he had just gotten a letter from the IRS. He never noticed there was no stamp cancellation. My little birds told me his reaction when he opened it was priceless.

Anyway, no hard feelings. Your "problem" was unwitting bad timing, not maliciousness.

 

[Mesanna]

Hi folks, belated thanks for all the welcomes

I have no theories, crackpot or otherwise, at the moment. I mean, when I read the books, I completely missed the Jon Snow parentage issue! I think I'm going to be re-reading again soon, though. All the different characters and names are a little overwhelming at first. (I never did quite get all the Freys sorted out in my mind, apart from the old man of course.)

I think ASoIaF is most definitely a series that you'll get more out of on the second or third read. I had already half decided that I would read it again in September - back when I believed the next book would be released at the end of that month (fool that I am!) - so I think I need to bring that forward. This is why I love internet forums like this one. They really help to expand your understanding and enjoyment of the series (plus I secretly adore whacko theories!) And super-friendliness is a huge bonus too! So thanks everyone, I'm really glad to be here

 

[Ursa major]

I never did quite get all the Freys sorted out in my mind, apart from the old man of course.

What we all need is a Westeros Freys book.

 

[Lofwyr]

What we all need is a Westeros Freys book.

ADWD should release with a downloadable .pdf on GRRM's site that just lists all the characters and their relations. That way we can print it and just have it near us when we're reading...so we don't lose our place flipping to the back!

&welcome Mesanna.

 

[No One]

Mesanna - you're not the only one who would've never figured out Jon's parentage. That was a pleasant shock to me when I first started reading these threads (I thought the Hound was dead too, until convinced otherwise by other peoples insights. Not Syrio though. Never Syrio )

And surely no one here could name all the Freys and their position. Well, when I say no one...

And hi Mesanna

 

[Ursa major]

I did work out the Jon equation (although I realise that it may not be "true") and felt quite pleased with myself for doing so.


Now I'd avoided reading all these threads until I'd read to the end of AFFC. So you can imagine my disappointment when I found that nearly everyone else had also worked the equation out.

 

[Mesanna]

I did work out the Jon equation (although I realise that it may not be "true") and felt quite pleased with myself for doing so.

Now I'd avoided reading all these threads until I'd read to the end of AFFC. So you can imagine my disappointment when I found that nearly everyone else had also worked the equation out.

LOL, yes you feel super smart when you work something out yourself - only to be somewhat deflated when you realise everyone and their granny figured it out eons ago! But well done anyway for puzzling it out. I like to think that after about, oh, 10 re-reads, I'd have gotten there too

 

[No One]

Well I DID see the Red Wedding coming. No. That's not true. I'm lying.

 

[Mesanna]

Well I DID see the Red Wedding coming. No. That's not true. I'm lying.

I just got a really, really bad feeling. Me and Grey Wind both.

Seriously, that was a most awesome chapter! I was stunned when I read it. Even with all the foreboding, it still managed to shock me into almost disbelief at what I was reading, though I mean that in a good way. I was somewhat dumbstruck when I read about Bran's header out the tower, but that was nothing compared to this. I think it's GRRM's sheer audacity at killing and maiming characters that blows me away. I love it! (Does that make me sound rather sick and twisted lol?)

I was glad I read that scene whilst in my bed, rather than in a public place, as eyes popping/mouth hanging open is really not a good look for me.

 

[No One]

Mesanna - same sentiments here. Lots of foreboding, but I just kept telling myself nothing was really going to happen. And when it did my head spun so fast I had to re-read the page in disbelief, while murmuring, "What? No. Can't be. I'm reading it wrong." Followed by despair. I'm particularly proud to be able to say I read that part on my birthday. Worst. Present. Ever.

And I don't think you're twisted (well, maybe a little, but aren't we all?). I'm sure we'd all agree that the maiming and killing of characters certainly lends a very real tension to even the most benign scenarios.

 

[The Imp]

I just got a really, really bad feeling. Me and Grey Wind both.

Seriously, that was a most awesome chapter! I was stunned when I read it. Even with all the foreboding, it still managed to shock me into almost disbelief at what I was reading, though I mean that in a good way. I was somewhat dumbstruck when I read about Bran's header out the tower, but that was nothing compared to this. I think it's GRRM's sheer audacity at killing and maiming characters that blows me away. I love it! (Does that make me sound rather sick and twisted lol?)

I was glad I read that scene whilst in my bed, rather than in a public place, as eyes popping/mouth hanging open is really not a good look for me.

When the "Red Wedding" was published GRRM became the "Kaiser Soze" of writers. Those who have seen the movie "The Usual Suspects" will know what I mean. those who haven't- see it today, it's a great movie

 

[Clansman]

When the "Red Wedding" was published GRRM became the "Kaiser Soze" of writers. Those who have seen the movie "The Usual Suspects" will know what I mean. those who haven't- see it today, it's a great movie

Best movie of the 1990's. Period. I loved that film, but it is one that is different to watch the second time, kind of like The Sting, because of that incredible twist at the end. Totally different feeling seeing it the second or third time.

Every actor in that film was dead brilliant.

 

[The Imp]

Best movie of the 1990's. Period. I loved that film, but it is one that is different to watch the second time, kind of like The Sting, because of that incredible twist at the end. Totally different feeling seeing it the second or third time.

Every actor in that film was dead brilliant.

I agree, although I'd have to give it a little thought as to where I'd place it among all time great films, or bests of the 80's

I really need to own that film. I'm going to rder that along with The Sopranos box set.

 

[No One]

Agreed on Usual Suspects being brilliant (and on my shelf ) but hey, Clansman, let's not just forget about Starship Troopers! Where else will we find lines like, "You're some kind of big, fat smart bug."

 

[Culhwch]

On topic, guys. Film talk belongs here: General Film Discussion.

 

[Werthead]

Excellent. Voyager - the books' UK publisher - have said (in response to my query) that they will push for a 2010 release if GRRM hands in the book in the near future. However, they have been saying 2011 as a 'safe date' to give them some breathing room rather than raising expectations for 2010.