Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Baraka's FFJ: A Game of Thrones, George R. R. Martin (SPOILERS)

Martian · 06-29-2010, 01:17 AM

I'm going to add my thoughts to this thread. However, I just started the fourth book, and the first one has been back at the library for weeks. Apologies if I muddle up plot points between the first and second novel -- I'm working off the Wikipedia summary in order to keep track of which plot events fell where.

How did you experience the book? Beyond whether you simply liked it or not, what were your initial reactions to it?

I've been hearing about this series for a very long time now, so it was really inevitable that I would pick it up sooner or later. I think I grabbed it after a reading recommendation thread here goaded me into it, but I may be misremembering.

I enjoyed the first book of the series immensely. I was struck by Martin's writing style; he does an incredible job of giving the impression of a world that is truly alive and constantly moving. I also enjoyed the fact that he doesn't hit the reader over the head with fantasy or magical aspects of his world. Although the more fantastical elements do start to reappear in later books of the series, it's nice that he doesn't anchor the plot with some all-powerful magical mcguffin; even when these things show up, they're just a part of the world's fabric.

Are the characters convincing? Who are your favourites? Least favourites? What were your favourite actions? Motivations? Feats of valour? Turns of deceit?

Part of my issue in answering this is keeping my thoughts restricted to impressions gained during a game of thrones. Anyhoo.

I had a mildly positive reaction to the character of Eddard Stark, whom I'd assumed was going to be the protagonist of the series right up until he was executed. So there was that. I also very much liked Tyrion Lannister, and my fondness for him has only grown as the series has progressed. By far my favourite character in the series is Arya Stark, though I couldn't pin a reason why on it.

On the flip side, I seem to recall that in the first book the Lannisters do a good job as Designated Villains -- their characters do get fleshed out a bit as the series progresses, but in A Game of Throne they're pretty textbook. Joffrey Lannister in particular is rather loathesome to me. You say Viserys is dangerous because he's a coward and weak. Joffrey is Viserys given power.

I do have to give Martin credit, because there were several moments where he managed to surprise or even shock me. Littlefinger's betrayal of Eddard and Eddard's subsequent execution spring to mind.

What is the central conflict? What are the major themes running throughout?

Clearly the conflict of the series centers around the Iron Throne, and all the devious machinations that surround it. This provides us with the themes of honour, loyalty and right to rule. So, pretty much what that dude above me said.

What do you make of the plot? How do the events unfold and fit together? What drives the book?

The most striking element of the plot is it's intricacy. Dozens of characters all working towards their own ends, machinations and plots, pacts formed and broken. There's so much happening here, and it's all so finely crafted and fits together beautifully. I honestly don't know how Mr. Martin does it.

What do you make of Martin's world? What resemblances do you see?

The word that springs to mind when discussing Martin's world is Tolkeinesque. Not so much in the specific elements; there are no orcs or elves or hobbits here. The similarity is in the complexity. As alluded to above, the books do an excellent job of giving an impression of an entire world, with it's own history and mythology and traditions. I appreciate many of the finer details that really give the whole thing that spark and bring it to life.

Is the ending satisfying? Was it predictable? How well does it set up the rest of the series? Are you hooked?

This is where things are a bit muddy for me, because I'm not certain precisely which details belong to which book; for that reason I'm going to stay very general here.

The ending of the first book (and the first book on the whole) fulfills it's intended purpose remarkably well in that it sets the stage for the future and primary conflicts of the series. Seeing as I'm now chewing through the fourth book as quickly as I can, I think it's safe to say that I am indeed hooked.

06-29-2010, 01:17 AM	#3 (permalink)
Martian Young Crumudgeon Location: Canada	I'm going to add my thoughts to this thread. However, I just started the fourth book, and the first one has been back at the library for weeks. Apologies if I muddle up plot points between the first and second novel -- I'm working off the Wikipedia summary in order to keep track of which plot events fell where. *How did you experience the book? Beyond whether you simply liked it or not, what were your initial reactions to it?* I've been hearing about this series for a very long time now, so it was really inevitable that I would pick it up sooner or later. I think I grabbed it after a reading recommendation thread here goaded me into it, but I may be misremembering. I enjoyed the first book of the series immensely. I was struck by Martin's writing style; he does an incredible job of giving the impression of a world that is truly alive and constantly moving. I also enjoyed the fact that he doesn't hit the reader over the head with fantasy or magical aspects of his world. Although the more fantastical elements do start to reappear in later books of the series, it's nice that he doesn't anchor the plot with some all-powerful magical mcguffin; even when these things show up, they're just a part of the world's fabric. *Are the characters convincing? Who are your favourites? Least favourites? What were your favourite actions? Motivations? Feats of valour? Turns of deceit?* Part of my issue in answering this is keeping my thoughts restricted to impressions gained during a game of thrones. Anyhoo. I had a mildly positive reaction to the character of Eddard Stark, whom I'd assumed was going to be the protagonist of the series right up until he was executed. So there was that. I also very much liked Tyrion Lannister, and my fondness for him has only grown as the series has progressed. By far my favourite character in the series is Arya Stark, though I couldn't pin a reason why on it. On the flip side, I seem to recall that in the first book the Lannisters do a good job as Designated Villains -- their characters do get fleshed out a bit as the series progresses, but in A Game of Throne they're pretty textbook. Joffrey Lannister in particular is rather loathesome to me. You say Viserys is dangerous because he's a coward and weak. Joffrey is Viserys given power. I do have to give Martin credit, because there were several moments where he managed to surprise or even shock me. Littlefinger's betrayal of Eddard and Eddard's subsequent execution spring to mind. What is the central conflict? What are the major themes running throughout? Clearly the conflict of the series centers around the Iron Throne, and all the devious machinations that surround it. This provides us with the themes of honour, loyalty and right to rule. So, pretty much what that dude above me said. *What do you make of the plot? How do the events unfold and fit together? What drives the book?* The most striking element of the plot is it's intricacy. Dozens of characters all working towards their own ends, machinations and plots, pacts formed and broken. There's so much happening here, and it's all so finely crafted and fits together beautifully. I honestly don't know how Mr. Martin does it. *What do you make of Martin's world? What resemblances do you see?* The word that springs to mind when discussing Martin's world is Tolkeinesque. Not so much in the specific elements; there are no orcs or elves or hobbits here. The similarity is in the complexity. As alluded to above, the books do an excellent job of giving an impression of an entire world, with it's own history and mythology and traditions. I appreciate many of the finer details that really give the whole thing that spark and bring it to life. *Is the ending satisfying? Was it predictable? How well does it set up the rest of the series? Are you hooked?* This is where things are a bit muddy for me, because I'm not certain precisely which details belong to which book; for that reason I'm going to stay very general here. The ending of the first book (and the first book on the whole) fulfills it's intended purpose remarkably well in that it sets the stage for the future and primary conflicts of the series. Seeing as I'm now chewing through the fourth book as quickly as I can, I think it's safe to say that I am indeed hooked. __________________ I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said - Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame