- This topic has 6 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated December 24, 2012 at 6:26 pm by
.
-
Posts
-
For some reason I have avoided reading the entire Song of Fire and Ice series, despite knowing how popular it has been. Then, my father had surgery over the summer and I needed a book to read while I waited for him to get out of recovery, so I picked up a copy of Game of Thrones.
Yeah, I’m hooked.
I’m just about finished with the second volume and, despite being annoyed with how many people George RR Martin for all the horrible things he keeps doing to my favorite characters, I will no doubt pick up the next book, too. But, I have yet to see any of the HBO series since we don’t get television where I live. we do have Netflix, however, but I’m a little hesitant to order the series for fear of being dissapointed.
How many of you have read the novels and watched the series? How do they compare?
Justin
Holly “required” us to read Game of Thrones for one of her classes. After much gnashing of teeth, I read it. And loved it. I’m reading the whole series now. I have not watched the TV series, but I have heard writers and non-writers praise it equally. From that, I surmise it’s likely to be worthwhile. That said, I’m certain we have plenty of people on the site who have actually seen it and can provide better advice.
I’m a previously huge but now mostly jaded fan of the book series. The five year wait for half a book* and then another 6 years for the rest, which ended up being less than satisfying, has put me off from recommending the books to people anymore.
I started reading the books around 1997 or so and I’ve been a part of the westeros.org forums for nearly ten years now. GoT was the book I’d shove into anyone’s hands if they showed an interest in fantasy novels (used to anyway).
That said, HBO has done a fine job adapting the books. The quality of production and casting has exceeded all expectations. Yes, things have been cut for time (flashbacks) and other things added, but over all it’s pretty good. I bought the season one box set for $30 last year and watched it again before season 2 began.
Be warned, though, there is a lot of nudity. A new term has been coined thanks to the show: sexposition. Don’t want to lose viewers during a monologue about the history of this house or that kingdom? Show some skin. It doesn’t put me off, but I know some people who don’t watch the show for that reason.
So, if you’re a fan and don’t mind more adult viewing fare, check it out. Season 1 covers book one. Season 2 (not available on dvd yet) covers book 2 and even stretches into book 3. From all indications, book 3 will be split across seasons 3 and 4.
So, enjoy and let me know what you think.
*Martin originally wanted a 5 year gap in the story between books 3 and 4 to age the kids, but ened up scrapping the idea after 2 years of working. By 2005, he still only had it half done, but decided to split the book along POV characters (Kings Landing, Dorne, etc) and intended to publish the other half (the North and Dany) a year later. It took him 6 years to get book 5 out the door.
I’ve only seen clips of the show because I don’t have HBO and not a huge fan of the nudity. So can’t really comment on that part.
I also used to be a huge fan of the book series. Until A Feast For Crows. So I’d recommend the first three (well the first two, three wasn’t my favorite) but yeah that one just killed it for me I haven’t even bothered to read the one after that.
Just finished book 5 and it’s not done yet. There needs to be a 6th or even 7th book to bring the whole thing to a conclusion. I hope I don’t have to wait 6 years for it. :dry:
I agree with the general trend here – the first books were fantastic, but book 4 was disappointing and I haven’t read book 5 yet because of that. The craftsmanship is still there in all the books. As for the series, I enjoyed them both. I did read the books first, so I didn’t get lost by all the characters, and I think the visual aspect is worth it. – to see the Wall, etc was great.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.