Group Read: A Game of Thrones - First 1/3

Diskutera75 Books Challenge for 2011

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Group Read: A Game of Thrones - First 1/3

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1Aerrin99
feb 4, 2011, 3:37 pm

For discussion through the end of the 'Eddard' chapter which begins with the words "It's the Hand's tourney....".

In my paperback copy, that's page 272.

2benitastrnad
feb 5, 2011, 4:38 pm

Seems to me that I read somewhere that Game of Thrones is based on events during the War of the Roses. Does anybody know if that is true? I am about 100 pages in and the story is engrossing.

3jasmyn9
feb 5, 2011, 4:45 pm

"Although Martin has acknowledged his debt to the works of J.R.R. Tolkien,17 Jack Vance18 and Tad Williams,14 the series differs from these earlier works in its greater interest in and use of realistic elements. While Tolkien was inspired by mythology, A Song of Ice and Fire is more clearly influenced by medieval history, most notably the Wars of the Roses.19 Likewise, while Tolkien tended toward romantic relationships, Martin writes frankly of sex, including incest, adultery, prostitution, and rape. As a result, illegitimate children play prominent roles throughout the series. This has led to the series being cited as a forerunner of a 'gritty' new wave of epic fantasy authors that followed, including Scott Lynch,20 Joe Abercrombie,21 Steven Erikson and Scott Bakker. On his website, Martin has acknowledged historical fiction authors such as Bernard Cornwell and George MacDonald Fraser to be influences on the series. Martin has cited the cover blurb by Robert Jordan for the first book to have been influential in ensuring the series' early success with fantasy readers.22

Martin is an avid student of medieval Europe, and has said that the Wars of the Roses, along with many other events in Europe during that time, have influenced the series. However, he insists that "there's really no one-for-one character-for-character correspondence. I like to use history to flavor my fantasy, to add texture and verisimilitude, but simply rewriting history with the names changed has no appeal for me. I prefer to reimagine it all, and take it in new and unexpected directions."23"

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire - Concept and creation-Influences

It would appear that the War of the Roses was one of the many influences Martin drew on when creating his story. An interesting fact I never really thought about before!

4benitastrnad
feb 5, 2011, 5:43 pm

The War of the Roses as inspiration for a fantasy novel. Wow! Fantastic.

All of those interrelated families that ended up on one side or the other of a civil war. Is that what the reader of the Game of Thrones is about? It does seem to fit as Ned and Robert usurped the throne from a mad king. Parallel's with Henry IV taking the throne from Richard II. Leaves me to wonder if Ned becomes the Earl of Warwick, or the Duke of York.

5jasmyn9
feb 6, 2011, 8:44 am

Quick question.

After reading the first part of the book. Who is your favorite so far and why?

6Tanglewood
feb 6, 2011, 9:46 pm

I haven't started re-reading it yet, but if I remember correctly my favorites were Tyrion and Robb. I'll have to wait until I re-read it for more details.

7benitastrnad
feb 7, 2011, 12:16 pm

The most complex figure for me is Ned. What motivates him? Is it honor - his own and his family's? It clearly isn't love for Robert. The woman are very interesting as well. What motivates them? Catelyn clearly loves her husband, but it is not clear that he loves her. Robert loved a Ned's sister and clearly has placed her memory on a pedestal that nobody can reach and this has created resentment. So far the two most powerful men in the story seemed trapped by their memories and are emotionally unable to move past them, although Ned seems to have been somewhat more successful than Robert in this.

Tyrion also interests me. He has adapted more than the others to his disability and in order to stay alive is learning something all the time. Knowledge is power as they say.

I would like to know more about why there was a civil war and Robert and Ned thought it necessary to revolt against the king - mad as he was. Perhaps that is another book?

8jasmyn9
feb 7, 2011, 1:17 pm

I don't remember if they really give too many details as to why the war against the mad king was started.

I enjoy Arya and Robb so far. Arya because she is such a tom boy, speaks her mind, and kind of reminds me of myself as a little girl. More interesting in playing knights with the boys than learning how to dress correctly and sew. Robb seems to be one of the more realistic characters to me, and also one of the nicest so far. He treats Jon with respect, even though he is a bastard. He's fond of all his siblings and tries to fill his father's shoes when he is called on to do so. However, we do get to see him envious of the Prince, and overly proud of his skills.

Tyrion is a very interesting character and while I don't particularly like him, I do find myself looking forward to his parts in the story.

I'm also very interested in the dire wolves. There is so much foreshadowing that they will play a major part in the lives of the Stark children.

9Aerrin99
feb 7, 2011, 4:02 pm

I feel like I'm barely started (maybe 150 pages in), but so far I'm loving Arya and I like Dany quite well, actually. I think I just have a thing for spunky girls in impossible situations.

Like others, I'm intensely interested in Tyrion, but not sure yet if I like him. And Bran just about broke my heart!

10Cynara
feb 7, 2011, 4:21 pm

Almost, this thread tempts me to reread the series - something I swore I wouldn't do until the last book was in sight. Still, I admit I didn't have a very clear idea of Tyrion vs. Tywin and Ser whatsisface vs. Ser thing until book two. Draw pictures or something, folks.

11Aerrin99
feb 7, 2011, 9:44 pm

Since I just hit the last chapter in this 1/3, I went ahead and started the next thread for the second 1/3. I picked the Sansa chapter which begins "They came for Sansa" - in my book that's 453.

I have to admit that I was worried I wouldn't love these books simply because so many of my friends do and would be disappointed if I didn't. But so far, I'm quite enthralled!

12jasmyn9
feb 8, 2011, 10:05 am

Robert and Ned's relationship is very interesting and makes for some good drama. Robert seems to find himself with everything he wished for and severely unhappy because of it. His solution is to go get his friend, Ned, and make him come "fix" it by being his Hand. I see some discord in the friendship coming up, especially following the incident with the dire wolves and the butcher's son.

13Aerrin99
feb 8, 2011, 11:44 am

> 12 That incident, in addition to Bran, makes me so delightfully wary of Martin. This is an author who's not pulling his punches, huh?

14benitastrnad
feb 8, 2011, 5:52 pm

I am not at all sure about Cersei. There is something bad there. I think she hates her husband and the incident with the butcher's son and the direwolves proves it. She wanted to send a message to Ned and did so using his children. She is basically a BAD person and she has bullied, or more likely, made her husband feel guilty enough that he goes along with her. I also believe that Catelyn has figured out something without Bran's help. This is a smart woman and Ned has manged to make her feel that he values her even though he may not love her.

15Aerrin99
feb 11, 2011, 9:11 am

One thing I notice while reading this book is that I seem to read it more slowly than many other books. I don't notice it at the time - that is, I don't sit there going 'wow, this is taking me awhile'. But after a lunch break, I notice that I've only done 60 or 70 pages instead of 100 or 120.

I'm not sure if it's that Martin's writing is denser or richer, or if I'm just slowing down to enjoy it. Has anyone else found themselves reading more slowly? Or are you so engaged you're reading more quickly?

16VioletBramble
feb 11, 2011, 11:54 am

I've also noticed I'm reading more slowly, but that it doesn't feel like it while I'm reading. I'm shocked at how few pages I've managed in the three days I've been reading. Although my headache didn't help that at all. I managed to find out Brans fate before bed last night. Things are happening so quickly.

17jasmyn9
feb 11, 2011, 11:58 am

I tend to read slower if I know I may be discussing the book with people. I try to re-read through the parts I find particularly interesting so I can remember more of the details later if I need them.

I can't remember if I read them any slower than I read anything else the first time through or not.

18benitastrnad
feb 11, 2011, 1:52 pm

I am reading this book slowly due to the fact that I am having trouble fitting it into my schedule right now. I really like this book but I find that I turn each page with a combination of dread and anticipation. I am afraid of what is going to happen but I am also wanting to find out what happens. That is good writing and is what makes my truly thrilling books stand out.

I wonder if Martin hasn't used the relationship found between Henry V and Hotspur as inspiration for that of Robert and Ned? Not that I think this book is really historical fiction, but I see lots of links between those two men and dread the outcome. Hotspur was eventually executed.

I also find myself wanting to shake Ned and Arya. She has all the pieces to the puzzle if she could just have told him the story in a chronological way he would have figured it out what she meant by the bastard and the book. I wanted to reach into the pages and shake him.

I don't think that Tyrion is a plotter. I think all of his potting is selfish. He is doing it just to stay alive. Everyone wants the Imp dead for one reason or another. The use of that name in this book serves to remind me that Imp is not an endearing word, even if in modern usage it has morphed into one.

19jasmyn9
feb 11, 2011, 1:56 pm

My outdoor semi-adopted stray kitty was named Imp. It's short for Impostor since she looks almost exactly l like one of my other kitties that gets outside and runs around. When I first saw Imp, I thought mine had gotten out!

A bit off subject, sorry, I'm in a kitty-tales mood today.

20Tanglewood
feb 11, 2011, 1:58 pm

>19 jasmyn9: Cute name story!

21Aerrin99
feb 11, 2011, 2:55 pm

I also find myself wanting to shake Ned and Arya. She has all the pieces to the puzzle if she could just have told him the story in a chronological way he would have figured it out what she meant by the bastard and the book. I wanted to reach into the pages and shake him.

I kind of presumed that he /did/ figure it out and was playing dumb to put her off about its importance - since she's 9. Then again, I'm not so sure of that now as I was at the time...

22Cynara
apr 15, 2011, 9:47 am

Here's an interesting New Yorker article on Martin and his fans, not to mention the development of the next book:

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2011/04/11/110411fa_fact_miller

23snail9
Redigerat: feb 14, 2012, 7:18 pm

I am reading it now n reached 400 pages my favourites Ned and Robert n his bro I liked Arya while she insists to be far away from girls world .

24janerawoof
jul 4, 2014, 8:06 am

This series is NOT enthralling and I'm 500+ pages through Book I. IF and I'm not saying I WILL continue, I'll concentrate on the folks I like : John Snow, Dany, and Eddard until they get killed off or disappear from the series and skip the rest.