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A review by elderlyemo
A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
How does one go about critiquing this book, I wonder?
Listen - it's a good book, we know it is. You know what else it is? 800+ pages of dialogue.
I love these characters and I love this story, but the way it is written is such a slog sometimes that I found myself walking away from this book numerous times throughout a period of MONTHS just because I couldn't bring myself to sit down with the characters that weren't my favourite. I am a massive fan of the TV show (aren't we all) and I really enjoyed how similar the first season of the show is to this book, but that's where the problem was.
I didn't like Cat in the series. I didn't like her in the book. I didn't really enjoy Brans story line in the show, so guess what? You got it. I think it's different when you're watching a TV show and you don't have to put in as much time or effort to clear the parts of the plot that don't really interest you, but when you have to read so much dialogue from so many characters you don't care for, it makes for a very unpleasant experience.
I will say, I also didn't like Daenerys in the TV show but I LOVED her chapters in the book. Hopefully with the next book sitting high atop my TBR *gulp* I will continue to be surprised. Fantastic story, incredible characters - just not my favourite writing style.
Listen - it's a good book, we know it is. You know what else it is? 800+ pages of dialogue.
I love these characters and I love this story, but the way it is written is such a slog sometimes that I found myself walking away from this book numerous times throughout a period of MONTHS just because I couldn't bring myself to sit down with the characters that weren't my favourite. I am a massive fan of the TV show (aren't we all) and I really enjoyed how similar the first season of the show is to this book, but that's where the problem was.
I didn't like Cat in the series. I didn't like her in the book. I didn't really enjoy Brans story line in the show, so guess what? You got it. I think it's different when you're watching a TV show and you don't have to put in as much time or effort to clear the parts of the plot that don't really interest you, but when you have to read so much dialogue from so many characters you don't care for, it makes for a very unpleasant experience.
I will say, I also didn't like Daenerys in the TV show but I LOVED her chapters in the book. Hopefully with the next book sitting high atop my TBR *gulp* I will continue to be surprised. Fantastic story, incredible characters - just not my favourite writing style.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Rape, Suicide, Murder, and War