Review: A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin
Original review posted to Goodreads on August 6, 2016
More of a discussion of my time with the series than a proper review.
The Original Review:
What can I say about Game of Thrones that hasn't
been said a million times? Instead, I'll recap my own journey with
Martin's epic saga.
I began with the TV show. My feelings were
mixed - I hated most of it, but there were a few people I cared about
and enjoyed watching - Dany, Sansa. I made it through season 1 still
uncertain, but I eventually landed on the side of "dislike" and as a
defence mechanism against the constant barrage of peer pressure, I
turned my dislike into hatred. Ask anyone and I was the most adamant
anti-GoT person around. The problem was it was EVERYWHERE. I could not
escape it.
And well... you can't say no to peer pressure, right? Come on, you know you can't. Just give in. All the cool kids are doing it.
So
I gave in. I started up with season 2 and marathoned it until I was up
to date. Again, I found the same mix of loathing and caring. I could get
invested in Sansa and then fast forward through Theon Stupid Greyjoy
(seriously, he's the WORST). I could get excited for Dany and her
dragons, but then wince at the issues the show seems to have with women.
I appreciated Dinklage's talent but man I DO NOT CARE about Jon Snow
and his wildling woman.
Then I was up to date and figured it was
time to read the book. I grabbed the first one and started it in secret.
I didn't confess that I was reading it to anyone until I was at least
halfway through and certain I would finish the thing. And that I
wouldn't hate it. The sheer force of everyone's expectations weighed on
me throughout and I honestly can't even fathom what I would have thought
of it had I gone in blind. I don't know if I would have loved it or
been bored out of my mind.
As for a rating, I settled on a
neutral three stars. Half of the people in the world were telling me
that Martin was a sexist hack, while the rest were crowing about how
these were the best books ever written. I can only speak to book 1, but
it was neither as sexist, nor as amazing as I was promised. The book
drags in a lot of parts and then when the ice zombies come, it really
takes off. It also gets a lot better once Ned bites the bullet - er axe.
Truth be told, the book was kind of a let down. I was ready to either
be completely wrong and fall in love with the series or be fully
enraged. Instead I felt that it was just a perfectly decent book.
Will
I read the rest? I don't know. I think I'm good with the tv show for
now. Can I recommend it? Sure, I guess, but I think everyone already
knows if they're going to read it or not.
Some side notes:
- I
was told Martin's women are obsessed with their boobs and other than
Catelyn commenting that her sister used to be "high breasted" I didn't
see any evidence of this.
- If you want it to be pronounced Kat-Lin then it shouldn't be spelled Kayt-Lin.
- Ned Stark is the stupidest man to ever exist. The first person he tells is Cersei? He trusts Littlefinger?
- I know I'm supposed to love Arya, but she's such a stereotype.
-
Not totally buying the Dany-Drogo love progression. Very abrupt and
underdeveloped. Also way too much detail on that wedding night.
- I like the idea of seasons that last for years. Nice bit of world building.
- Is it wrong to cheer for the ice zombies?
- I don't think that Jon Snow is Dany's brother. I just don't.
- I am the only person in the world that was sad to see Joffrey die. What a brilliant little actor. Such a delight to hate.
- And seriously, Theon Greyjoy is THE WORST WASTE OF MY TIME EVER.
Thanks for reading! Want to keep in touch?
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