My reading was abated considerably after the university workload. The completion of which convinced me to get back on to it. Still owning a device which allowed to read ebooks would help speed up the process, I thought. It did, but not that much. You still need inspiration, kind of a muse to get you going, and that's what actually accelerated the process.
When I first started on the tv show, I had no idea of the books. I was always a fan of the fantasy novel, and the whole genre, so naturally it was appealing to me. That's an understatement actually. I began to love the show. All those show offs, who claimed that they've read the books have said that the book is better. I mean, who will admit otherwise right? But the red wedding was really a great surprise. That actually made me consider reading the books. Knowing how the story unfolds definitely throws down the excitement and thrill of reading it afresh. But the characters can be imagined on their countenance.
I'm glad to rediscover the story how it first came in to being. The different elements are always more emphasized.The desperation of the Starks is all so made astoundingly cruel and so evident The hope they have of the future is described beautifully, so a fresh reader will fill their hearts with hope too. But since I've seen the show and know the fate of Starks, it seems so damn cruel to me. But the beauty of it is, all of these seems to be thought out from the beginning.That's vile! How Eddard thinks that the daughters are safely on their way Winterfell, and when Cat decides to go with the frontlines of the army instead of going to see Bran, knowing that they will never ever meet again, just breaks my heart.
It's strange how George R.R. Martin thinks differently than the other authors that I have encountered. Men of honor will be rewarded somehow. That will be the bottomline of any other works of fiction. But truly, that there is a fairy tale in itself. Honor rarely gets you anywhere, power and wealth is what's really turns the tables. But the sad reality if it all. In fiction we seek justice, at least honor being rewarded in some form of imagination, which in turn gives hope in some degree. We like to escape that cold harsh truth, and seek a compensation in these works of fiction. Portraying the reality of it all kind of defeats the purpose doesn't it. Even after all that's happened everyone just blatantly assumes that Joffrey will die a horrible death. Because otherwise they see no point. Always assuming that good guys win in fiction. But really it's the power of the author to do as he pleases. To build hope and slit its throat just when we least expect it. G.R. R. Martin seems to be experimenting on how far can he push that false hope. Still I think all the readers are thinking of a good ending. Because thats how we are led ourselves to believe through all other works of fiction.
The most noteworthy happenstances of the book is of course the death of Ned Stark and the Birth of the dragons.Throughout reading the book the death of Ned Stark is what you look forward to and dread at the same time. One speciality is that it happens in an Arya episode. One let down it that because Arya is made to look away, the actual moment is not described in the book. This it it self seems like, the author wants to convince the reader, that this occurance is insignificant, Ned stark is not a key figure and That we should just let him go. Still the effects of it are so powerful, that I almost forgot that I know whats gonna happen. Fresh white hot hatred towards Joffrey is what resulted at the end.
The other very important occarance, and what I believe is what the tv show watchers will miss the most, is the beatiful intricate details of the birth of the dragons with Daenerys. The slow stride of Daenerys towards the flames of Khal Drogo and Mirra Maz Dur, how the flames engulf her bodice, while the Eggs crack open. And finally, the thing which is so beautiful and majestic the 3 dragons nurturing off their mother, which brought everyone down their knees, and the detail of which brought me close to tears. I wish I had amnesia which made me forget what really is gonna happen. I would've been like blown out of my mind in wonder. I have new found respect for Daenerys now. And she will be the mother of dragons and ruler of the world. But who knows what will happen, It's Song of Ice and Fire, where no one's life is certain.
When even watching the tv show, I get the feeling that one character that everyone naturally starts to hate is Sansa. Not for me though. Even when watching the show I sort of liked her. I knew that she is suffering a lot and she tries to cope with all that, by keeping a straight face and being corteous as needed. And also biding her time. And reading the about her in the book proved that to me even more. How she doesn't take impulsive harsh decisions, how she keeps a brave face and acts to contradict everyones opinion of her, is really impressive. I think she will be a big surprise.
Will move on to the next books, although they say its a drag. Will have to see for my self.
