Books v Tv show dilemma

_Bella_

So at the moment I am experiencing a dilemma. I watched the first two seasons and recently finished the first two books. My problem now is whether I should read the third book or just wait for the tv series and read the book after.

The original plan had been to watch the tv series first. This was so I could enjoy the shock moments without knowing what was coming. I also have read books before movies and have found a lot of the time I am comparing it to how it was on the book, commenting on who did it better.

On the other hand I am dying to find out what happens to all the characters and finding out how the story will progress. There are also a lot of spoilers around and even if you try to avoid them it os very hard to do so completely. If I read the book then I would obviously avoid having something spoiled.

So what do you guys think I should do? Has anyone tried both ways and found one better than the other?

Anyone

I was in the same postion as you, but I got the books after watching series 1+2. Read those books, and couldnt resist reading the rest. I'm about 3/4 of the way through book 4 now and finding it impossible to put down. The books are awesome, simple as.

Oh and knowing what I know from reading book 3, have to say I cant wait to see what they do with it

hootietootie

I got books after watching seasons 1+2 as well. I am now almost finished part 1 of book 5, also can't wait to see what happens. I have slowed down in the reading a bit, flew through the first 2 cause I had seen the series, but I've spent a lot longer on the rest. I'd say get the rest and read, I don't think the series will disappoint even if you do know what's happening

Mickeroo

Yeah I had a similar dilemma but ended up reading all the books. I think you should go ahead and do it, I think it will enhance the show more than anything.

Icarus Wings

Agree that you should go ahead and read the books - I didn't have the patience to wait around for the TV series! Always interesting to see how the TV series adapts certain sections of the books and I think it adds to the whole experience when you have that extra bit of prior knowledge.

_Bella_

Thanks for the advice. I went out and bought the two parts of third book yesterday and i cannot put it down!

I am currently reeling from the shock that Tyrion and Sansa are married!

intellectual dosser

I, like many it seems, was in this situation but I was never in any doubt as to whether I would read on in the books. I think the sole reason I started reading the books was so that I could find out what happens without having to wait until March '13.

There is also the usual perception that the books are better than the screen adaptation. It took me a loooong time to read books 1 & 2 knowing what happens, but am starting to fly through it now.

I say READ ON!

whitewave

I started reading the 1st book when the series was out but I hadn't watched it, but I found that once I watched the series it helped in putting faces to names, if that makes sense? I just finished the 4th book (so slow in comparison to the previous ones!) and there are so many characters with long-winded names that I was getting confused - the series helped big time with that, as I could remember what they looked like and who they were. Maybe I'm just a bit slow though

Same as a lot of people here, seen the first two series then have read the books since. Will enhance the experience in my opinion.

Ruski

I wish I had read the books before seeing the series. Everything makes so much more sense with everything explained in the books.

Dewey collins

got the books during season 1 and just kept on reading them, best books i ever read loved them and can't wait for the next book even though its going to be a few years

TheIrishGrover

I read the books a few years ago. Had just finished book 4 when TV series was announced. I would read the books if I were you. Now that the series has been such a monster hit it's going to be harder and harder to hide spoilers from those just watching the series

Nothing to see here

and there are a few absolute stunners coming up over the next two or three seasons

oh, if you must look: a certain coloured ceremony springs to mind

Now, come on books 6 and 7 Martin. I can't wait another 5 years for the next one

Dewey collins

its going be at least 2-3 years for the next book and they probably another 2-3 for the 7th, why does he have to be so so so slow at writing

Witcher

He estimated a 3 year wait back in 2011, I'd rather he took the time he needs to finish it. It's not worth rushing the end of the series, read the Dunk and Egg novellas in the meantime:p

Icarus Wings

Blay wrote: »

He estimated a 3 year wait back in 2011, I'd rather he took the time he needs to finish it. It's not worth rushing the end of the series, read the Dunk and Egg novellas in the meantime:p

Completely agree! I don't mind the wait if he use the time effectively to create the best concluding chapters possible to the series. Better off waiting than receiving a cheap and rushed "It was all a dream!"-style ending right now!

Reekwind

Dewey collins wrote: »

its going be at least 2-3 years for the next book and they probably another 2-3 for the 7th, why does he have to be so so so slow at writing

It takes time painstakingly detailing the contents of every meal and the history of every inn

Seriously though, one thing that did surprise me when I read on is just how much I preferred the TV series. The latter hints at events while the books feel the need to spell them out in real detail... and in an increasinly bloated way. I'm currently two thirds of the way through A Feast for Crows and would be hard pressed to tell you how exactly the plot has moved forwards thus far in the book. I'm not at the Robert Jordan stage yet but I am looking forward to seeing the TV series pare back the content for a more streamlined experience

ibarelycare

I had the same dilemma as the first few posters here. Only watched the TV show around last September/October and started reading book 1 while watching. I found the show so much easier to follow once I started reading the book. I think I needed them both in fact, I would have found the book difficult without the show!

_Bella_ wrote: »

Thanks for the advice. I went out and bought the two parts of third book yesterday and i cannot put it down!

I am currently reeling from the shock that Tyrion and Sansa are married!

You've probably gone further by now, but the second half of ASOS is action-packed, one jaw-dropping event after another!

whitewave wrote: »

I started reading the 1st book when the series was out but I hadn't watched it, but I found that once I watched the series it helped in putting faces to names, if that makes sense? I just finished the 4th book (so slow in comparison to the previous ones!) and there are so many characters with long-winded names that I was getting confused - the series helped big time with that, as I could remember what they looked like and who they were. Maybe I'm just a bit slow though

I'm 1/4 way through book 4 at the moment and I still have to sometimes google the name of a character to refresh my memory of who they are!

IK09

My friend watches the series, but doesn't read the books. If something GOT comes up in conversation, we don't listen to him, because he doesn't know what hes talking about.

There's just too much history and back story to get, that the tv series cant possibly convey. Even the books themselves cant fit everything in, hence Dunk and Egg

I also dont watch the series with him, because anytime a new character comes into it. Hes non stop saying, "who's that? do i need to pay attention to what hes saying? is he important?"

Read the book homie, peace out....word

Sleepy

I downloaded this: https://itunes.apple.com/app/game-of-thrones-companion/id400598887?mt=8

Very handy for checking minor characters and you can set it to whatever book you're on so it doesn't spoiler things.

Reekwind

IK09 wrote: »

There's just too much history and back story to get, that the tv series cant possibly convey

It's probably each to his/her own but I feel that this is a good thing. Does the story really benefit from characters expounding at length on the history of a particular house, river, inn, etc? That the TV series doesn't do this produces, IMO, a leaner experience with greater emphasis on the story and characters

IK09

Each to their own i suppose, but i feel that if i hadn't read the books, in all honesty, i wouldnt have a clue what was going on in the TV series.

I probably like the history part of it far too much. I love all the references to Rhaegar and Lyanna, and all the stories about Aerys the Mad King.

I remember hearing about a focus group of people who had read the books and had watched the first few episodes. One of the questions was something about romance or some ****, but GRRM said he was shocked when it was found that the most romantic thing people saw from the books was Rhaegar and Lyannas story, two characters that are years dead in the books.

Also I remember my friend going on about maester Aemeonn and when he explained who he was, and how his vowes were tested. My friends opinion on what is a cool piece of insight into not only Aemeonn himself, but the nights watch and the Targeryeans was

"sure wtf did that rant have to do with anything"

ibarelycare

IK09 wrote: »

Each to their own i suppose, but i feel that if i hadn't read the books, in all honesty, i wouldnt have a clue what was going on in the TV series.

I probably like the history part of it far too much. I love all the references to Rhaegar and Lyanna, and all the stories about Aerys the Mad King.

I remember hearing about a focus group of people who had read the books and had watched the first few episodes. One of the questions was something about romance or some ****, but GRRM said he was shocked when it was found that the most romantic thing people saw from the books was Rhaegar and Lyannas story, two characters that are years dead in the books.

Also I remember my friend going on about maester Aemeonn and when he explained who he was, and how his vowes were tested. My friends opinion on what is a cool piece of insight into not only Aemeonn himself, but the nights watch and the Targeryeans was

"sure wtf did that rant have to do with anything"

Ha. When I read that bit in the book I said to my boyfriend "No way, Maester Aemonn is a Targeryean, they didn't show that in the show!" He told me that they had I seriously suck at watching TV shows and movies! That's why i need the books as well

The books are so vast and have so much detail that I find them much better. I absolutely love the show but the books are incredible with how detailed each character and their history is. I also love the history of the Targaryens & the upsurper rebellion, brings a new dimension to it.

Season 3 is going to be interesting if they follow suit and add parts that weren't in the books I'd like to see how it falls into place as this is probably going to be the best season of the whole lot with regards to how much happens. I couldn't put both books down, every segment made you want to keep reading!

Reekwind

IK09 wrote: »

Also I remember my friend going on about maester Aemeonn and when he explained who he was, and how his vowes were tested. My friends opinion on what is a cool piece of insight into not only Aemeonn himself, but the nights watch and the Targeryeans was

"sure wtf did that rant have to do with anything"

You see I think that's a good example. The show handles that quite well in revealing Aemon's background (which serves the same purpose as in the book - driving home the sacrifice inherent in taking the black) but it does so without the equivalent of a three page history lesson on Targaryen lineage and how Aemon may once have been king

I can certainly see how some people might like that history lesson, and accompanying world-building, but to my mind it just drops a massive block in the narrative flow. Sometimes to ridiculous degrees (the history of the aforementioned inn being a particularly irritating example). From a story perspective I feel that the show's method of sketching or hinting at the history through the odd throwaway comment is more effective than having a character soliloquise at great length, and in great detail, about it

Each to their own i suppose, but i feel that if i hadn't read the books, in all honesty, i wouldnt have a clue what was going on in the TV series

Interestingly, I know fans of the series who have struggled with the books because of the vastly greater cast of minor characters

Graham_B18C

I'm also with the gang that started reading after watching series 2, just started the fourth book the other day. Absolutely loved the second half of book three which I don't think is going to be part of this series?

The main advantage I found with reading the likes of Maester Aemon's story was far better than seeing it in the show was that it meant so much more to me when I read it. The Targaryen family is explained so much more, the same as everything else so I connected with it much more.

There's a few fairly major shockers in the second half of book three, I'm really happy I read em first rather than seeing em on the show.

Icarus Wings

Graham_B18C wrote: »

The main advantage I found with reading the likes of Maester Aemon's story was far better than seeing it in the show was that it meant so much more to me when I read it. The Targaryen family is explained so much more, the same as everything else so I connected with it much more.

Agreed! I find that encountering major plot twists through reading the books allows you the appropriate time to fully absorb their significance. Nothing nicer than to finish up reading a chapter with a pivotal moment, mull over over how deep it's impact will carry throughout the whole plot and then delve into the next chapter some time later, in my opinion!

Graham_B18C

That's exactly it, a big moment in the book could take a half hour to read, the show does 5% of the book in that time!!

Pumpkinseeds

I wasn't sure whether to read the books or watch the series, having read all of the books now I'd recommend reading the books first. There is so much more detail in the books than in the television version. As well as the extra detail when you read the books your mind can conjure up your own personal interpretations of things being described. I know I'm never going to get some of the torture stuff out of my head.