Game of Thrones (Song of Ice and Fire) The Fantasy Thread

verdi · 01-05-2013, 02:29 AM

Read 40 pages, got bored. I'm sure the books are great, though. I'm definitely going to read them at some point. I just get the feeling I would have to devote (perhaps?) a lot of time to the story - time that I don't possess now.

Unknown Soldier · 01-05-2013, 04:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by verdi

Read 40 pages, got bored. I'm sure the books are great, though. I'm definitely going to read them at some point. I just get the feeling I would have to devote (perhaps?) a lot of time to the story - time that I don't possess now.

Bored but 40 pages is nothing, my advice is to re-read and stick with it.

verdi · 01-05-2013, 04:17 AM

Thank you for the advice, Unknown. I'll definitely follow it!

Unknown Soldier · 01-05-2013, 04:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by verdi

Thank you for the advice, Unknown. I'll definitely follow it!

The first book can initially be a bit heavy for the reader to take in. I don't mean by the way it's written but by the constant mentioning of other characters and houses, along with some of the background history to the world. By book two though it all starts to fall into place.

To understand everything better from the beginning, try studying the Houses appendix at the back, it gives nothing away. Also look at the maps but there are better maps online and also an online history of what has gone on before is a great idea, BUT be careful you don't read any histories past the first book!

verdi · 01-05-2013, 04:29 AM

Haha, well, sometime ago I went ahead and watched the first season. That might have spoiled a few things, but people have told me that it's still worth reading the book - maybe even more now that I have a general idea what the book's about and got to know a few of the characters already.
I have a lot of books on my books-to-be-read list, but I would like to get into this one when the time is right. I remember the same happened with Follett's The Pillars of the Earth; I read about 100 pages, then I got bored, and about a year later I picked it up again, finished it, and loved it.
But what you say is right; the many characters and little details is what "bored" me, because it felt like I had to study the world in order to properly understand what happens in it. Like I said, with a bit more time and patience, I am sure I'll get around to read it and enjoy it :P

Rjinn · 01-05-2013, 08:32 PM

Finally I'm able to start reading the first book. Hope it's as good as the critics say.

Quote:

Originally Posted by verdi

I remember the same happened with Follett's The Pillars of the Earth; I read about 100 pages, then I got bored, and about a year later I picked it up again, finished it, and loved it.

I just finished that book. It's great, and found it interesting at first, but it took a while to get into. I think it's because you had to wrap your head around understanding the foundation, especially the introduction of characters at the beginning. A lot of fantasy books need to do that though.

.

verdi · 01-06-2013, 03:56 AM

I agree. That plus the fact that there wasn't much going on. The thing with Follett is that all the excitement comes from relating to his characters' feelings, and at first one isn't expecting that to be all, and one certainly doensn't have enough grounds to relate to any of his characters. At least it's why I think it was hard to get into it, at first. That was the first book written by him that I ever read, but World Without End was then much easier to get into, as I was already familiar with his writing and plot style.

Rjinn · 01-06-2013, 04:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by verdi

I agree. That plus the fact that there wasn't much going on. The thing with Follett is that all the excitement comes from relating to his characters' feelings, and at first one isn't expecting that to be all, and one certainly doensn't have enough grounds to relate to any of his characters. At least it's why I think it was hard to get into it, at first. That was the first book written by him that I ever read, but World Without End was then much easier to get into, as I was already familiar with his writing and plot style.

The book is really intense and detailed which also made it hard take in. But as you go along it eventually just made for great suspense, which is the beauty of the book.

wiggums · 01-06-2013, 04:24 AM

As an enjoyer of the Harry Potter, lord of the rings, and eragon series, would any of you recommend this for me? I need something to get lost in, and movies are too short.

Unknown Soldier · 01-06-2013, 04:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wiggums

As an enjoyer of the Harry Potter, lord of the rings, and eragon series, would any of you recommend this for me? I need something to get lost in, and movies are too short.

More adult orientated and more based on the medieval side of things than actual fantasy. Don't expect to see orcs or trolls as you'll be disappointed.

01-06-2013, 04:24 AM	#269 (permalink)
wiggums A Sarcastic Joyful Sound Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Montana Posts: 174	As an enjoyer of the Harry Potter, lord of the rings, and eragon series, would any of you recommend this for me? I need something to get lost in, and movies are too short. __________________

01-05-2013, 02:29 AM	#261 (permalink)
verdi Groupie Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 44	Read 40 pages, got bored. I'm sure the books are great, though. I'm definitely going to read them at some point. I just get the feeling I would have to devote (perhaps?) a lot of time to the story - time that I don't possess now.

01-05-2013, 04:17 AM	#263 (permalink)
verdi Groupie Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 44	Thank you for the advice, Unknown. I'll definitely follow it!

01-05-2013, 04:29 AM	#265 (permalink)
verdi Groupie Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 44	Haha, well, sometime ago I went ahead and watched the first season. That might have spoiled a few things, but people have told me that it's still worth reading the book - maybe even more now that I have a general idea what the book's about and got to know a few of the characters already. I have a lot of books on my books-to-be-read list, but I would like to get into this one when the time is right. I remember the same happened with Follett's The Pillars of the Earth; I read about 100 pages, then I got bored, and about a year later I picked it up again, finished it, and loved it. But what you say is right; the many characters and little details is what "bored" me, because it felt like I had to study the world in order to properly understand what happens in it. Like I said, with a bit more time and patience, I am sure I'll get around to read it and enjoy it :P

01-06-2013, 03:56 AM	#267 (permalink)
verdi Groupie Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 44	I agree. That plus the fact that there wasn't much going on. The thing with Follett is that all the excitement comes from relating to his characters' feelings, and at first one isn't expecting that to be all, and one certainly doensn't have enough grounds to relate to any of his characters. At least it's why I think it was hard to get into it, at first. That was the first book written by him that I ever read, but World Without End was then much easier to get into, as I was already familiar with his writing and plot style.