A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
If you take one lesson from George R. R. Martin’s A Game of Thrones,
it’s this: Show, Don’t Tell.
Martin masterfully cultivates a complex and compelling story without clubbing you over the head with exposition. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
His ten page prologue prepares you for what’s to come: he is a master storyteller capable of parlaying character and plot intricacies with a quick twist of the pen. Or keystroke, as it were.
“The trees press close here,” Will warned. “That sword will tangle you up, m’lord. Better a knife.”
“If I need instruction, I will ask for it,” the young lord said. “Gared, stay here. Guard the horses.”
Gared dismounted. “We need a fire. I’ll see to it.”
“How big a fool are you, old man? If there are enemies in this wood, a fire is the last thing we want.”
“There’s some enemies a fire will keep away,” Gared said. “Bears and direwolves and…and other things…”
Ser Waymar’s mouth became a hard line. “No fire.”
So, what do we read from this quote? Gared is experienced, cautious; Ser Waymar is arrogant and suffers from the sin of hubris. Mr. Martin, you had me at hello.
Starting this 800-page book was a daunting prospect. What if, after 400 pages, I hated this book? What if all the hype was just, well, hype? What if I invested hours of reading, only to get halfway through to realize that it just wasn’t worth it? I have been burned before. However, once I had read the first five pages, I knew that I would not be disappointed.
A lot has been written about this book and its series, so I won’t belabor my review.
You will love this book if you also love:
• fantasy
• a complex and well thought out world
• a good mystery
• intriguing characters
• an epic saga
• kids doing brave and interesting things (yes, kids)
• cool dwarves
I would like to make one comment about one character that merits a spoiler alert. Oh my god, what was Eddard Stark thinking? He was so obsessed—yes, obsessed—with honor that he shot himself in the foot. He foolishly trusted everyone, including people who outright told him they can’t be trusted (Littlefinger). He let the sword fall based on his rigid code of honor. He is no better than the merciless Lannisters. After all, how can you trust a leader who is rigidly bound by some code and will not make distinctions of gray? Eddard Stark suffered the same fate as King Arthur, who set up his own standards only to have his hand severed when he must enforce his law against his best friend and his queen. Frankly, I was relieved when he lost his head.
A final note. I am going to add Tyrion Lannister as one of my favorite literary characters of all time. Yeah, I wouldn't mind having a beer with him, Sherlock, and Atticus. Thanks, Mr. Martin!
Martin masterfully cultivates a complex and compelling story without clubbing you over the head with exposition. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
His ten page prologue prepares you for what’s to come: he is a master storyteller capable of parlaying character and plot intricacies with a quick twist of the pen. Or keystroke, as it were.
“The trees press close here,” Will warned. “That sword will tangle you up, m’lord. Better a knife.”
“If I need instruction, I will ask for it,” the young lord said. “Gared, stay here. Guard the horses.”
Gared dismounted. “We need a fire. I’ll see to it.”
“How big a fool are you, old man? If there are enemies in this wood, a fire is the last thing we want.”
“There’s some enemies a fire will keep away,” Gared said. “Bears and direwolves and…and other things…”
Ser Waymar’s mouth became a hard line. “No fire.”
So, what do we read from this quote? Gared is experienced, cautious; Ser Waymar is arrogant and suffers from the sin of hubris. Mr. Martin, you had me at hello.
Starting this 800-page book was a daunting prospect. What if, after 400 pages, I hated this book? What if all the hype was just, well, hype? What if I invested hours of reading, only to get halfway through to realize that it just wasn’t worth it? I have been burned before. However, once I had read the first five pages, I knew that I would not be disappointed.
A lot has been written about this book and its series, so I won’t belabor my review.
You will love this book if you also love:
• fantasy
• a complex and well thought out world
• a good mystery
• intriguing characters
• an epic saga
• kids doing brave and interesting things (yes, kids)
• cool dwarves
I would like to make one comment about one character that merits a spoiler alert. Oh my god, what was Eddard Stark thinking? He was so obsessed—yes, obsessed—with honor that he shot himself in the foot. He foolishly trusted everyone, including people who outright told him they can’t be trusted (Littlefinger). He let the sword fall based on his rigid code of honor. He is no better than the merciless Lannisters. After all, how can you trust a leader who is rigidly bound by some code and will not make distinctions of gray? Eddard Stark suffered the same fate as King Arthur, who set up his own standards only to have his hand severed when he must enforce his law against his best friend and his queen. Frankly, I was relieved when he lost his head.
A final note. I am going to add Tyrion Lannister as one of my favorite literary characters of all time. Yeah, I wouldn't mind having a beer with him, Sherlock, and Atticus. Thanks, Mr. Martin!
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