Should i read the books?

How Soon Is Now

Basically id love to get deeper into the stories of the books but im not the biggest book reader personally. Ive read them in the past its just not usually my go to form of entertainment. My gf loves them i think she actually has the first book somewhere in the house.



Would anyone who has read them think it would be a good choice for me to take them on?

Mickeroo

You could always get the audio books if you aren't that into reading.

They're definitely worth reading anyway.

How Soon Is Now

Mickeroo wrote: »

You could always get the audio books if you aren't that into reading.

They're definitely worth reading anyway.

Never actually taught of that! Does it take away from the experience in anyway though?

pinkypinky

With a good narrator, an audio can be better.

These books are very long though and there's a lot of unnecessary stuff in the later ones, and the quality really drops off.

Why not try the first one and see how you feel?

Kilboor

I actually thought the books are on par with the show. Both really enjoyable

Roger Hassenforder

I asked the same question 2 years ago

https://touch.boards.ie/thread/2057702129/1


Im not sure how i feel, whether i'm glad i did, knowing now how much is left "unfinished" in them. I blow hot and cold on it.
I suppose im glad i did now ive them read.
They do give a lot of background stuff, and theres a lot more going om in them, but some of it a dose to get through.
Theyre fairly different from the tv series

If you've plenty of time, go for it.
If not, i dont think you'll have missed too much.

How Soon Is Now

I've taught about reading them before but because there so big and I don't read a lot I reckon I'd get draw out of the whole thing.

I guess the audio books could be a good solution around this then?

Got Audible downloading the first book now!

Rothko

I really enjoyed the books so I'd recommend them.

They can be long but you could just take your time with them. It's gonna be a while before the next one comes out anyway.

Definitely not. 100% no. Don't.

Your time could be better spend on other books that are either concluded, or will be barring a freak event. The ASOIAF books start great and then meander into nonsense, and he isn't even going to finish them.

Do you want to be sitting here a year from now pissed off that GRRM won't write? Or do you want to read great literature?

Subcomandante Marcos

I found the books painfully dull the longer they went on.

Sonics2k

I loved A Game of Thrones when I first read it, however I started to really really struggle with the following books.

I recently started listening to the audio-books during work and the drive home, sometimes even before I go to bed and it's far better to listen to than to read.

PhuckHugh

Kilboor wrote: »

I actually thought the books are on par with the show. Both really enjoyable

The books were on par with the a show? should that not be the other way around?

salmocab

You should read the books but maybe leave it a while if you’ve seen the first couple of series at all recently, they are very similar early on I found.

Kilboor

PhuckHugh wrote: »

The books were on par with the a show? should that not be the other way around?

That's true, my point I guess was I watched the show first and enjoyed the books as much

Dial Hard

As I said to the last person who asked this question here, I honestly couldn't recommend starting the books to anyone at this stage, quite simply because I don't think the series will ever be finished. Why would you do that to yourself?

*glances mournfully at bookshelf which has been unaugmented since 2011*

Wailin

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Definitely not. 100% no. Don't.

Your time could be better spend on other books that are either concluded, or will be barring a freak event. The ASOIAF books start great and then meander into nonsense, and he isn't even going to finish them.

Do you want to be sitting here a year from now pissed off that GRRM won't write? Or do you want to read great literature?

What an utter rubbish response. What's great literature to you is probably complete nonsense to the op. Get over yourself ffs.

Wailin

Double post

How Soon Is Now

Lol dunno what to do now!

Wailin

Read the 1st book. If you enjoy that continue with the rest. They are very good in my opinion. Yes, the later books do drag on a bit but they have their moments.

awec

The books start out excellent, but the quality does go downhill as you progress. They do become quite tedious to get through. Overall they're not boring, but they do contain some very boring parts that will take a lot of effort to get through and you'll be sad every time you get to a chapter involving that character or characters.

If you're not a big book reader I think you'd struggle to get through them. They are definitely not light reading, they are more sit down and read for a few hours with your brain fully engaged material.

I'd second whoever suggested the Audiobook version.

Also the first book is pretty much an exact match to the first series of the show, so if you've watched the first season recently the book will have no real surprises.

The first book is the easiest one to read.

ogsjw

Yes, because while I feel the series is more enjoyable than the books, the ending is almost guaranteed to be better written in the books.

By whoever writes it :pac:

nix

If you have re-watched GoT from season 1 recently, id hold off reading them for a year or two. Reason being, i havent actually read the books myself, back when i first watched the show, i binged like the first two seasons, and then slowly watched season 3 when it was released weekly. As you can imagine, when season 3 ended it was at its best and i was loving the story and i wanted more but didnt want to wait another year for an episode a week.

So i got a lend of the first book off a mate and from the get go, the book is so similar to the show, its like you're reading the script. So i kind of lost interest, and stopped. But if you can get passed the first book or two (not actually sure when the show diverts a lot from what story the show is telling) I'm sure it will be a great read.

I wanted to skip some books but my mate said you kinda need to read it from the start as while the story is similar in the early books, it does describe the look of characters differently and introduces more characters also..

I'm also not gonna bother with them until GRR finishes them as how annoying would it be to read a load of the books and it becomes a case that he never finishes them

valor rorghulis

A lot of you may find it dull because you sped through it to find out what’s happening. Also they’re build up books compared to storm which ended with a bunch of action

On second read Feast was great. One POV in particular is hilariously nuts

Admit the concern further books not happening is real

OneOfThem Stumbled

nix wrote: »

So i got a lend of the first book off a mate and from the get go, the book is so similar to the show, its like you're reading the script. So i kind of lost interest, and stopped. But if you can get passed the first book or two (not actually sure when the show diverts a lot from what story the show is telling) I'm sure it will be a great read.

I tried reading the first book and I don't know why, but I couldn't get into it. The second book was very good though and both storm of swords I found gripping from start to finish.

I couldn't bring myself to read Feast for Crows as it looked like a chore so I skipped right to Dance of Dragons (and I'm gonna admit it - just read the chapters of the characters I was interested in).

I've also found Stannis' single chapter from Winds of Winter to be excellent.

RDM_83 again

Why not read the couple of short stories he wrote set in the same world first.
As others have said the books probably won't finish.

I read them and found them very tough to read as the series progressed.

Can anybody recommend any other fantasy series that would appeal to GoT fans?

How Soon Is Now

I have the first book physically and on audio here so when I get a chance I'll check both out and see!

Thanks for all the replys!

ogsjw

The first book is great, Ned is great.

Liam O

Books are great. I think the complaints about the quality dropping is that after the 3rd and all the action it slows down a bit. This took me out of it too and I needed to take a little break. On 2nd read Feast may be my favourite. Great world building. So much he doesn't know where to go with it now

Pentecost

I’ve been lurking on this forum lately but felt compelled to reply to this to give my own view, or experience I suppose. I started the books having seen episode 1 of season 1. Well I ripped through each and every one that had been published by then. I loved the characters, I almost cried (did cry) at..you know.. that ceremony. Nothing will best reading those plots and side plots for the first time. I really liked every single book. The TV series, whilst I have watched every episode, has not replicated that feeling for me after season 1.

All of the above said, like others have called out, all of that investment is feeling like it’s probably in vain because the author can’t or won’t progress the books.

RDM_83 again

downtheroad wrote: »

I read them and found them very tough to read as the series progressed.

Can anybody recommend any other fantasy series that would appeal to GoT fans?

You should check out the "what are you reading" list here

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=93

My 2 cents

In terms of the huge cast of characters and the politics I am not sure whats a good recommendation- Malazen book of the fallen is often mentioned but I have struggled with it myself.
Keep in mind though before you judge other authors for not generally attempting the GoT, RR Martin appears to have given up/having major trouble tying it all together so its not fair to say he's written an epic when other authors at least attempt to finish their series.

In terms of a different take/subverting the genre and you like dragon-****. I would say Lucius Sheppard
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1830230.The_Scalehunter_s_Beautiful_Daughter

And Michael Swanwick are both much more skilled writers than Martin
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25781.The_Iron_Dragon_s_Daughter?ac=1&from_search=true

In terms of a bit Grim-dark stuff.
Black Company
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/140671.The_Black_Company?ac=1&from_search=true

Princes of Thorns
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9579634-prince-of-thorns?ac=1&from_search=true

IMO are both well worth a look.

Finally if you enjoyed the more heroic stuff and action definitely look at David Gemmel's Legend

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/618177.Legend?ac=1&from_search=true

PhuckHugh

Read the books and dont bother with the tv show.

awec

nix wrote: »

If you have re-watched GoT from season 1 recently, id hold off reading them for a year or two. Reason being, i havent actually read the books myself, back when i first watched the show, i binged like the first two seasons, and then slowly watched season 3 when it was released weekly. As you can imagine, when season 3 ended it was at its best and i was loving the story and i wanted more but didnt want to wait another year for an episode a week.

So i got a lend of the first book off a mate and from the get go, the book is so similar to the show, its like you're reading the script. So i kind of lost interest, and stopped. But if you can get passed the first book or two (not actually sure when the show diverts a lot from what story the show is telling) I'm sure it will be a great read.

I wanted to skip some books but my mate said you kinda need to read it from the start as while the story is similar in the early books, it does describe the look of characters differently and introduces more characters also..

I'm also not gonna bother with them until GRR finishes them as how annoying would it be to read a load of the books and it becomes a case that he never finishes them

Book 1 is pretty much an exact match to season 1. Book 2 is close.

From book 3 onwards the TV show diverges. They basically cut some characters, merge some characters, give some characters storylines to other characters instead etc.

I don't think the books themselves, especially the later ones, would transfer well to TV, unless they planned on having about 15 seasons.

Liam O wrote: »

Books are great. I think the complaints about the quality dropping is that after the 3rd and all the action it slows down a bit. This took me out of it too and I needed to take a little break. On 2nd read Feast may be my favourite. Great world building. So much he doesn't know where to go with it now

I think it's more the poor editing, overly elaborate story arcs and introduction of new characters that make the later books so difficult to get through. It just all points to GRRM getting bored of writing about the same characters, so he just introduces some new ones instead.

The last few books really should have been decimated by a decent editor, with half the stuff left out.

Every time I turned the page and saw it was an Iron Islands chapter I had to force myself to read on. They were complete garbage.

With the state of everything in the books right now it is hard to see how he writes his way to an ending in the 2 books that he has "planned". I think this is part of the problem, he has written himself into a corner and doesn't know how to get out of it. Too much detail, too many characters, very hard to bring it together into some sort of sane ending.

Paddy Cow

If you're not a big reader I wouldn't bother with the books. The first one is exactly like the first season of the tv show. The second one is similar and the third is where they start to diverge. The last two looks are terrible. Long, drawn out waffle that goes nowhere. There is no way he'll be finishing the series so it's pointless investing in the books at this stage.

pinkypinky

awec wrote: »

I think it's more the poor editing, overly elaborate story arcs and introduction of new characters that make the later books so difficult to get through. It just all points to GRRM getting bored of writing about the same characters, so he just introduces some new ones instead.

The last few books really should have been decimated by a decent editor, with half the stuff left out.

Every time I turned the page and saw it was an Iron Islands chapter I had to force myself to read on. They were complete garbage.

100% agree with this. It's like the publisher is afraid to edit him.
Every time I've considered a re-read (many), I've baulked at having to read the Iron Isles stuff again and Dorne - I'm just not interested. Dorne comes in too late for me to care.

I did see somewhere on the main wiki about how to read the books in a different way chapter by chapter more chronologically. Would take a lot of effort though.

TheIrishGrover

awec wrote: »

Book 1 is pretty much an exact match to season 1. Book 2 is close.

From book 3 onwards the TV show diverges. They basically cut some characters, merge some characters, give some characters storylines to other characters instead etc.

I don't think the books themselves, especially the later ones, would transfer well to TV, unless they planned on having about 15 seasons.



I think it's more the poor editing, overly elaborate story arcs and introduction of new characters that make the later books so difficult to get through. It just all points to GRRM getting bored of writing about the same characters, so he just introduces some new ones instead.

The last few books really should have been decimated by a decent editor, with half the stuff left out.

Every time I turned the page and saw it was an Iron Islands chapter I had to force myself to read on. They were complete garbage....

Oh the f*cking Iron Islands.... I've said it before: HOW do you make a viking race boring?

By giving them an unrealistic religion.
Make every single one of your new characters unlikeable or forgettable.
Have a character who's plan is so telegraphed as going to fail that you immediately lose interest

Euron's plan to go to Dany, kidnap/kill her and take her dragons. Yeah, OK.

Have your stupidly bloodthirsty vikings/berserkers ...... have an election. Yep


Between Dorne and The Iron Islands I don't know which is worse.

The problem is also that the series has passed the books. Storylines that seemed to be total gamechangers - I mean that would have MASSIVE impact on the last books are simply ignored in the series. I'm not talking about minor characters being merged/dropped. I'm talking about potentially changing who was eventually going to sit on the throne.

John Connington/whatshisname

.

Now you know they are not going to have a big impact because it would be too much to cut. Unlike, say,

Lady Stoneheart

I enjoyed the books initially. They are not the best written, are seriously bloated but at least there was a lot of pages But yeah, as others have said, there are better series out there either completed, almost completed or being written by more reliable authors. If you haven't started, don't.

Duckworth_Luas

TheIrishGrover wrote: »

But yeah, as others have said, there are better series out there either completed, almost completed or being written by more reliable authors. If you haven't started, don't.

To be fair to Martin he did apologise to fans after missing, an already extended deadline, for finishing Winds of Winter.

That extended deadline was December 2015.

TheIrishGrover

ogsjw wrote: »

The first book is great, Ned is great.

s7ryf3925pivug

I listened to a couple of them as audiobooks while walking in hills and forests, which I think added to the immersion.

Twenty Grand

Kylee Limited Tent wrote: »

I listened to a couple of them as audiobooks while walking in hills and forests, which I think added to the immersion.

I much preferred the audiobooks.

I find you can get weighed down when reading, some conversations can get confusing and especially at the start it's difficult to keep track of all the characters (Little finger, Lord Baelish, Peter being all the same character for instance. Eddard, Ned, Lord Stark)

The audiobooks have some great narrators. Plus you can mix Feast and Dragons the way it should be read too.
http://afeastwithdragons.com/

whatawaster

Started reading the books about 10 years ago -

Loved Game of Thrones, Clash of Kings and Storm of Swords. Honestly, think they the best fantasy books i've read.

Twice, started Feast for Crows and just could get into it - the introduction of the Iron Islands and Dorne plots were too much for me.

I finally got around to finishing Feast For Crows and A Dance with Dragons this year, and I now think they are right up there. Slower in pace, but still hugely rewarding.

Theon's chapters, in particular, are extraordinary.

yourdeadwright

I don't want put time and effort into reading them if there not finished,
So I will hold off until they are if they ever are ,

TheIrishGrover

Annnnnnnd I'm out:

IGN article on a 60 mins interview

......... The show will be very close, though, thanks to “several days of story conferences” that took place at Martin’s house in Santa Fe, New Mexico. “I don't think Dan and Dave's ending is gonna be that different from my ending because of the conversations we did have,” he said.

“But they may be on certain secondary characters, there may be big differences,” he explained, saying that “there's no way to get in all the detail, all the minor characters, all the secondary characters."........

Paddy Cow

TheIrishGrover wrote: »

Annnnnnnd I'm out:

IGN article on a 60 mins interview

I'm pretty sure GRRM said from the beginning that he gave the ending to the show runners and how it ended in the show is how it's supposed to end in the books. The only difference was in how they got there. Given the early success of the show, I don't think GRRM could've predicted how much of a sh!t show it would turn into and I guess he's sorry for being involved in this mess.

Well too bad. A lot of this is his fault. If he thinks he can do better, he has two books to make it right. I don't think we'll ever see those books because while the show runners had to come up with something, GRRM has had nearly ten years and produced jack sh!t. If he wanted to save his story he could've released a book. But he hasn't. Until he does he is in no position to criticise.

ancapailldorcha

Honestly, the books are a complete waste of time. There's no chance of Martin ever finishing them. Besides, nobody should ever have to read A Feast For Crows.

The Malazan series to name just one is much better. And finished as well.