So I started reading A Game of Thrones the other day.
I am impressed! I love genre fiction, but I’m always nervous that good storytelling will be obscured by derpy prose. (I’m at the point where I enjoy the Harry Potter movies better than the books, because I don’t have to read J.K Rowling’s repetitive alliteration and SRS BSNS ALL CAPS.) Martin’s prose doesn’t knock my socks off or anything, but it’s enjoyably simple and clean. His dialogue, however, is excellent. At first I was surprised to find how much dialogue from the HBO show was lifted directly from the books, but it quickly became clear why that worked so well. Martin’s characters talk like living people as opposed to fantasy tropes.
One of the reasons I loved the HBO series was because it was so minimalist about exposition, but it’s nice to get more cultural backstory and character development. Sandor “The Hound” Clegane was an intriguing character on screen, but in the book there’s more space for minor characters to speak and develop. I hope to see more of him as I work my way through the books.
I’m trying to decide whether to read ahead of the HBO series after I finish the first book. I generally like to read the books before I watch the film version of anything, but watching the first season of A Game of Thrones knowing nothing about Westeros was actually really fascinating. I liked the suspense of not knowing who was going to live or die, or what was going to happen next. The series follows the books so closely that reading the books essentially spoils me for the show. I can quickly read through familiar plot points in the books if I’ve already seen them occur on screen, but the reverse doesn’t work quite so well.
Any helpful opinions, internet?
The only photo I saw from the Game of Thrones show was Peter Dinklage, and no matter what, he was the only one I could think of whenever Tyrion popped up in the book. I’ve always found the visual dominate whenever I run into the book/film adaptation conundrum. But that’s probably because I tend to go more towards the visual side? I’d look back at other similar instances of yours, and go from there. The show will still be interesting whether or not you’ve read the book. But you might skim through the book if you feel like you already know the story. Maybe?
I can’t wait to see the show!! Justin and I are reading the books now (I’m on the second one.) I’d mention more about the books, but I know Justin reads my tumblr, and since he’s only half way through the first (get reading!) I don’t want to give anything away.
