Finishes three seasons on TV what book to read

ShoulderChip

Am I right in saying I should start with book three part two to continue the experience?

Thanks,

December2012

Personally I'd start at the beginning, there are loads of back stories in the books and things that get referenced later, such as Theon.

Mr.Prodston

Start at the start with A Game of Thrones. If you're actually interested in reading them then it's the only way to go even if it may seem like a pain at the start. You won't regret it, except when you're awake at 3 in the morning and telling yourself "just one more chapter" and hoping it's Sansa's so you can go to sleep :pac:

Skylinehead

ShoulderChip wrote: »

Am I right in saying I should start with book three part two to continue the experience?

Thanks,

Nope. Book 1. There's too many differences to start midway, you'll get lost with the extra characters.

ArmaniJeanss

ShoulderChip wrote: »

Am I right in saying I should start with book three part two to continue the experience?

Nope, you are wrong unfortunately. To be honest I think starting at a mid point of the books would be a disastrous move, they would actually be quite confusing. For example characters would be referenced in the books who have never been mentioned in the TV series. You'd be faced with characters called (minor spoilers, names only)

Strong Belwas, the Kettleback Brothers and Edric Storm

and you'd be like, WTF, who are these people.

Also its worth bearing in mind that HBO is not necessarily showing the story in the same sequence as the books - bits of Book 5 have been shown already whereas some of the most interesting and debated chapters of the earlier books (e.g, something called the Tower of Joy) have not been shown yet and may never be.

Go off and read the books from the start, then come back and thank us all in 3 months.

ShoulderChip

Ok cheers all for the advice, I will give this a go so

Liam O

I'm not sure you'd lose too much starting from Clash of Kings...

I think the start is your best bet, a lot of the history is mentioned in more detail in the first book. Which makes it a really good read even though you know most of the main outcomes. Some of the chapters are written so bloody well it's worth it!

Sleepy

You'll likely find you have more time for some of the characters in the books too... Jon is certainly less of a twerp in the books despite being 3/4 years younger.

stevenmu

I read the first book right after watching the first season. I expected it to be a bit of a slog because I already knew the main events, but it was actually a pleasure to read. It's different enough, and has enough extra detail to keep it interesting.

podgemonster

I am re-reading the first book at the moment and it is such a pleasure to read.

Plus you notice just how forward thinking Martin is. Little tid bits i scanned over previous before now jump from the page.

No point taking short cuts in this, the series was created because the books were so good and if you are a fan of the show then reading these book will be anything but a chore.

Turtyturd

podgemonster wrote: »

I am re-reading the first book at the moment and it is such a pleasure to read.

Plus you notice just how forward thinking Martin is. Little tid bits i scanned over previous before now jump from the page.

No point taking short cuts in this, the series was created because the books were so good and if you are a fan of the show then reading these book will be anything but a chore.

I am currently reading the books for the first time but am up to date in the tv show. I have just finished A clash of Kings and (end of season 3 spoiler)

the two nods to robs death in both Theon's, and Danearys' dreams

are great. It's those details and the background stories which set stories like this and LOTR above others.