It is hard to comment on specifics - I read these 4 books a long time ago (and am also hanging out for book 5).
What I loved about these books when reading them is that no-one is safe from being bumped off. There is no all powerful hero type and it is not clear who the baddies are.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Baraka_Guru
This comes up a lot. Everyone likes Tyrion. I'll argue that one reason for this is that Martin gives him what are by far the best lines in the book, and I'm guessing it will remain the case in proceeding books. But what else is it about him? What is compelling? On the surface, he's ugly, and in outward actions, he's unsavoury. But why do we like him? How does Martin create this character of questionable values into someone with whom we sympathize if not root for? (This question is for everyone, really....)
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I think people love Tyrion as he represents what most people see themselves as (no, not stunted dwarves). He is the epitome of underdog, in that everyone underestimates him. He is cleverly able to use both his family position and obtain the favour of the lower class because of his deformity/approachability.
He survives mostly on his wits, as he obviously doesn't have the brawn.
I see parallels with the LoTR, but moreso the movie versions, where the heroes were a bit more real life with all their warts than what is portrayed in the book/s.
With regard to the setting, the black company on the wall has a real hint of Hadrian's wall about it. Someone with a better idea of history could probably give us a time frame for that.
I'm seriously tempted to move these books to my 'read again' shelf now (except that it is pretty much full). I will do a re-read when book 5 arrives though.