HBO's "Game of Thrones"

[Sue]

Maybe I will have to read these books.

[PlayaGroom]

Originally Posted by gingele

As an avid sci fi and fantasy reader, I'd agree - the series reads much more like historical fiction than your traditional fantasy. Martin's style is fantastic - it has to be, to keep you enthralled through how many THOUSANDS of pages? And you do have to follow closely as the plot lines and characters are so complex (thank goodness for appendices!). No unicorns, faeries or magic elves in Westeros. Think about it, Lysa Aryn is the closest thing there is to a damsel in a tower!

From that GRRM interview I posted a few days ago:

Q.
Is the fantasy component of “Game of Thrones” still a hurdle that it has to clear to reach a wider audience?
A.
I suppose you could call it a hurdle to some extent. But on the other hand, I’m 62 years old and in my lifetime I’ve seen an enormous change in this. When I was a kid, reading a lot of fantasy and science fiction, it was considered, like, total trash. Teachers would take away the books from me in school – this is Heinlein and Asimov they were taking away – and say, well, it’s good that you’re reading, but you should read a real book, not this [stuff]. Science fiction and fantasy have both gotten considerably more respectable and certainly the audience has gotten larger. In literary culture, you see writers using science-fiction and fantasy tropes. In many cases, they’ll say, “I’m not writing science fiction or fantasy – it may look similar, but it’s not.” There’s still that little thing: “I don’t want to be put in a cave with the geeks.”
Q.
But the more fanciful elements of “Game of Thrones” don’t come at you right away. Is that by design?
A.
To have an epic fantasy, you need some magic. But I believe in judicious use of magic. With each book that I write, the level of magic rises a little. It’s a gradual introduction. I suppose it’s like the crab in the pot. You put a crab in hot water, he’ll jump right out. But you put him in cold water and you gradually heat it up – the hot water is fantasy and magic, and the crab is the audience.

Originally Posted by Sue

Maybe I will have to read these books.

Do it!

There's talk of dragons...

[Sue]

Originally Posted by PlayaGroom

From that GRRM interview I posted a few days ago:






Do it!

There's talk of dragons...

Giggle.

[JameyBano]

I have never read fantasy books, but cannot put these books down! I am in Book #3!! The author is a master of characterization, so interesting to read the story move along from each character's POV.
My son watched episode 7 on HBOGo last night, told me it was a good one.... I watched it this morning....was horrified that my 16 year old had viewed a particular scene we have been watching the other episodes together on DVR, and I have FF through all the doggie style relations.

[gingele]

Originally Posted by JameyBano

I have never read fantasy books, but cannot put these books down! I am in Book #3!! The author is a master of characterization, so interesting to read the story move along from each character's POV.
My son watched episode 7 on HBOGo last night, told me it was a good one.... I watched it this morning....was horrified that my 16 year old had viewed a particular scene we have been watching the other episodes together on DVR, and I have FF through all the doggie style relations.

I know the scene you are talking about. It is one that isn't in the books. But I think it might be safe to say that to your 16 year old son, that scene was probably not so shocking. Reminds me of "skinemax" back in the early days of cable.

The books are awesome. More historical fiction than true "fantasy"

[PlayaGroom]

I've turned the corner and am heading down the back stretch of book #1.

I'm aiming to finish it this weekend.

I can't believe how mad I'm getting at Cersei...

[PlayaGroom]

I just learned that a coworker is working on her fourth reading of the books. She's currently halfway through the third book again and plans to finish the fourth before the next release. She said she might even take a day or two off when it comes out.

The nerds are coming out of the closet all around me!

[gingele]

Originally Posted by PlayaGroom

I just learned that a coworker is working on her fourth reading of the books. She's currently halfway through the third book again and plans to finish the fourth before the next release. She said she might even take a day or two off when it comes out.

The nerds are coming out of the closet all around me!

FOURTH reading? Dang, and here I was thinking my two readings were something special.

I did put a hold on the upcoming 5th book at my library - I'm the first in the queue.

[melliedee]

Just finished the first book and I'm SHOCKED by the ending. The wait was too long at the library for the second book, so I just bought it.

I'm glad they include a guide to the houses at the end because it is confusing keeping such a large cast of characters straight. But I'm loving the story!

I knew something was up with those dragon eggs.

[gingele]

Originally Posted by melliedee

Just finished the first book and I'm SHOCKED by the ending. The wait was too long at the library for the second book, so I just bought it.

I'm glad they include a guide to the houses at the end because it is confusing keeping such a large cast of characters straight. But I'm loving the story!

I knew something was up with those dragon eggs.

Good job on finishing the first book! Now you are able to enjoy the entire season on HBO without worrying about spoilers - although Episode 7 had a - erm - gratuitious scene that surprised even me If you've seen the episode, you'll know what I'm talking about. And if you haven't seen it yet, you'll know what I'm talking about as soon as you do see it.

Also, I posted this link back a few pages for Sue - I think this blog has some very good graphics/family trees for keeping track of the Houses and the characters in each (may contain spoilers, depending upon how far along in the story you are):

http://402productions.com/reviews/wp.../2010/12/4.jpg

[melliedee]

Originally Posted by gingele

Good job on finishing the first book! Now you are able to enjoy the entire season on HBO without worrying about spoilers - although Episode 7 had a - erm - gratuitious scene that surprised even me If you've seen the episode, you'll know what I'm talking about. And if you haven't seen it yet, you'll know what I'm talking about as soon as you do see it.

Also, I posted this link back a few pages for Sue - I think this blog has some very good graphics/family trees for keeping track of the Houses and the characters in each (may contain spoilers, depending upon how far along in the story you are):

http://402productions.com/reviews/wp.../2010/12/4.jpg

That link is a Playgirl pic of GERALDO! Lmao!

[gingele]

Originally Posted by melliedee

That link is a Playgirl pic of GERALDO! Lmao!

That is freaking HILARIOUS! (I had posted that pic earlier today in Davev's Fox News thread).

Geraldo is the new Rick Roll


Edited to add: correct link (but not nearly as funny).

[JameyBano]

Just finished Book 3 last night-- very exciting ending!

[PlayaGroom]

I'm so close to finishing the first! I just couldn't keep my eyes open any longer last night to finish it.

It's killing me to be sitting here at work and not being able to read.

[PlayaGroom]