Welcome to Page 31 of I Read That Book! On each Page, I’ll tell you a little about a book I read, often in a fun and informal manner, with the hope that you also may become interested enough to read it – or perhaps read it again if you’ve already enjoyed it once. The books I’ll be featuring come from a variety of genres at differing stages of my life, so whether you prefer history, literature, science fiction, or horror, there’s a good chance you’ll get some interesting ideas for your personal “To Be Read” list. Thank you for joining me on this journey as we flip through the pages of some of my favorite books. But before you start reading below, I invite you to grab a cup of your favorite beverage (coffee for me!) and find a comfortable place to sit, then turn to Page 31.
A GAME OF THRONES by George R.R. Martin
Publication Date: August 1, 1996
Has it really been over 27 years since the publication of George R.R. Martin’s first book in his proposed trilogy, A Song of Ice and Fire? In the late Nineties, I read an interview with Martin in Locus magazine about this epic fantasy and couldn’t wait to explore his new world. I believe at that time the first two volumes had come out, and while I ordered them from The Science Fiction Book Club, I decided I wouldn’t start reading until I owned all three.
But the series kept growing. Martin realized he couldn’t tell the story in just three books, and I decided to start reading it anyway, hopeful that he’d finish it soon. The funny (or not so funny) thing is, if I’d kept to my original plan, I still wouldn’t have cracked open A GAME OF THRONES. I’m hopeful that it will one day be concluded, but whether or not that happens, each volume is worth reading (and everybody has their own opinion, but for me, the books are superior in every measurable way compared to the HBO series).
“We should start back,” Gared urged as the woods began to grow dark around them. “The wildlings are dead.”
“Do the dead frighten you?” Ser Waymar Royce asked with just the hint of a smile.
Gared did not rise to the bait. He was an old man, past fifty, and he had seen the lordlings come and go. “Dead is dead,” he said. “We have no business with the dead.”
Martin’s prologue pulls fantasy lovers in right away, giving us hints of dark deeds to come, and we breathlessly keep turning page after page, because the mystery builds, sending shivers—cold shivers—down our spines. And by the time it ends, and we turn the page and see not “Chapter One,” but instead “BRAN,” we have no choice but to read on, discovering Martin’s method of using the point of view character’s name for each section, helping us learn more about many of these unique individuals.
The world of A GAME OF THRONES is huge in scope. The continent of Westeros is ruled by a King (Robert Baratheon), yet geographic regions, each different, are governed in their own way. Don’t worry, a map is provided so that we can better understand where the action is taking place. But perhaps the most valuable part of the book is the Appendix, which shows us what House each character is associated with. For example, the character Bran, who I named above, belongs to House Stark. If you’ve watched the series, you’re already familiar with most of these Houses, but I still suggest making use of the Appendix while you’re reading. It really helps (whether or not you’re used to reading books with dozens of characters) and adds to the total experience.
If you pick up a copy of the book and feel a bit intimidated by it (it’s over 700 pages), you could watch the HBO series first. I’m sure it will help you with some of the characters, plot, and geography, but don’t forget to go back and read A GAME OF THRONES when you’re done, because the adaptation only tells you part of the story, and with plenty of differences. Also, be aware that the show is most certainly not for kids.
“I am surrounded by flatterers and fools. It can drive a man to madness, Ned. Half of them don’t dare tell me the truth, and the other half can’t find it. There are nights I wish we had lost at the Trident. Ah, no, not truly, but…”
“I understand,” Ned said softly.
Robert looked at him. “I think you do. If so, you are the only one, my old friend.” He smiled. “Lord Eddard Stark, I would name you the Hand of the King.”
And don’t forget to join us here again when I flip to the next Page!
Note: The first 32 pages of I Read This Book! originally appeared on Substack.
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