Book Log 16/2012 - George RR Martin: Game of Thrones

I can barely believe how long it's taken me to read this book. I started it on 24th March and eventually finished it on 10th May. I do have one excuse - I always read much more slowly (or not at all) when I'm heavily into writing, but mainly it took me so long because it's not only huge, but it's rich and layered and complex.

By huge I mean – approx – 320k words at least, but the wordcount is not as big as the concept. A medievalish second world fantasy of blood and politics told from multiple viewpoints in encapsulated chapters, this is the story of Westeros, the people who rule it; the people who fight for it and the people who fight over it. And the people who die for it.

The story doesn't belong to any one individual though the Starks and their mortal enemies the Lannisters feature prominently. Ned Stark and his family get the biggest bite of the viewpoint chapters, but we occasionally cut away to Daenerys, exiled heir of the Targaryens, deposed sixteen years ago after a rebellion by Ned and his friend (and now king) Robert Baratheon.

We also get the viewpoint of Tyrion Lannister, known as the Imp, a dwarf born into the most powerful (and beautiful) family in the land. In some ways Tyrion reminds me of Miles Vorkosigan. Physically weak and undersized in a culture that rewards strength and the ability to wield edged weapons, Tyrion (and Miles) have to use brainpower to achieve their ends.

I am in awe of GRRM's writing chops. I think it shows that he's spent part of his career writing scripts for TV. His dialogue is effective and each sliver moves the story on. Even though this book is huge, he never wastes words.

While reading this I watched the HBO TV series through twice. The dialogue from the book translated direct to the screen and the series pretty well followed the format of the book, scene for scene, featuring each viewpoint character in turn. Though this is a review of the book I have to say: much kudos to Sean Bean as Ned Stark and to Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister. And I loved the Yorkshire accents of the characters from Winterfell in the far north. Sean Bean, of course, has a natural Sheffield accent. I was amused by the fact that Lena Headey, who plays the Queen, Cersei Lannister, in an even-toned British RP accent, is probably the only other native Yorkshire speaker in the cast, having been brought up in Yorkshire. (She attended the same school as my daughter, just three miles from here,)

Highly recommended – both the book and the TV series,

Book Log 16/2012 - George RR Martin: Game of Thrones

I can barely believe how long it's taken me to read this book. I started it on 24th March and eventually finished it on 10th May. I do have one excuse - I always read much more slowly (or not at all) when I'm heavily into writing, but mainly it took me so long because it's not only huge, but it's rich and layered and complex.

By huge I mean – approx – 320k words at least, but the wordcount is not as big as the concept. A medievalish second world fantasy of blood and politics told from multiple viewpoints in encapsulated chapters, this is the story of Westeros, the people who rule it; the people who fight for it and the people who fight over it. And the people who die for it.

The story doesn't belong to any one individual though the Starks and their mortal enemies the Lannisters feature prominently. Ned Stark and his family get the biggest bite of the viewpoint chapters, but we occasionally cut away to Daenerys, exiled heir of the Targaryens, deposed sixteen years ago after a rebellion by Ned and his friend (and now king) Robert Baratheon.

We also get the viewpoint of Tyrion Lannister, known as the Imp, a dwarf born into the most powerful (and beautiful) family in the land. In some ways Tyrion reminds me of Miles Vorkosigan. Physically weak and undersized in a culture that rewards strength and the ability to wield edged weapons, Tyrion (and Miles) have to use brainpower to achieve their ends.

I am in awe of GRRM's writing chops. I think it shows that he's spent part of his career writing scripts for TV. His dialogue is effective and each sliver moves the story on. Even though this book is huge, he never wastes words.

While reading this I watched the HBO TV series through twice. The dialogue from the book translated direct to the screen and the series pretty well followed the format of the book, scene for scene, featuring each viewpoint character in turn. Though this is a review of the book I have to say: much kudos to Sean Bean as Ned Stark and to Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister. And I loved the Yorkshire accents of the characters from Winterfell in the far north. Sean Bean, of course, has a natural Sheffield accent. I was amused by the fact that Lena Headey, who plays the Queen, Cersei Lannister, in an even-toned British RP accent, is probably the only other native Yorkshire speaker in the cast, having been brought up in Yorkshire. (She attended the same school as my daughter, just three miles from here,)

Highly recommended – both the book and the TV series,