Game of thrones books. Disapointed!

[John Fenna]

After all the hype about "Game of Thrones" on this forum I decided to try the books (I don't get the channel to watch it on TV and my interweb is too unreliable to watch it on You Tube....) arranging to get the first one from our local library.
What a crushing disappointment!
I struggled through the first few mind numbingly ill written chapters that seemed stuffed to bursting with clichéd scenes of gore and soft porn (OK - nowt wrong with a bit of erotica but I have seen better written in Mills and Boon!), silly names and cardboard characters.
It was one long cliché!
I used to enjoy the odd fantasy novel in my youth and even the most "juvenile" of fantasy writing seemed far advanced compared to the chapters I read!
I can only hope that the story is better served by the scriptwriters and actors in the series than the novels deserve...
I have been bitterly disappointed as, from what I heard, I expected a ripping read!

 

[mountainm]

Think you may find yourself in a minority on this one. I read them about 15 years ago and thoroughly enjoyed them.

 

[John Fenna]

Think you may find yourself in a minority on this one. I read them about 15 years ago and thoroughly enjoyed them.

15 years ago they may have not seemed so clichéd ... but I thought he had yet to finish the series?
Have you read them all or did you give up?

 

[copper_head]

I must admit I found some some of the story lines pretty dull and at times the sheer amount of characters confusing. But I really enjoyed the majority of the books and particularly liked the first one. Although I'd seen the first series before reading the books so maybe I just knew what to expect...

 

[Harvestman]

I've only recently started reading them and have found them ok, without being special. I'm on to book 2.

 

[presterjohn]

I came to the books in my early 40's after reading everything from Dick Francis to Salmon Rushdie. At the time apart from Tolkien these were the only fantasy books I had ever read. I have to say I loved them and thought they were well written (although they do suffer from bloat on occasion). I have read a fair number of fantasy books since trying to recapture the quality of Game of Thrones and have struggled as much has seemed juvenile and clichéd. The only ones that have come close for me Is Joe Abercrombie and perhaps Robin Hobb. Give Abercrombie's Blade Itself trilogy if you fancy a different and twisted take on the fantasy theme.

 

[santaman2000]

Before commenting I need to confess that I've neither read the books nor watched the series.

That said. I thought (from the adverts, talking with friends, etc)the series was supposed to be somewhat toungue in cheek? Kinda using cliches to poke fun at the stories?

 

[Outdoorlifeofbrian]

I think it's one of those things, where you just need to take the things you don't sit comfortable with, with a pinch of salt and just get hooked into the story line, because it's so deep and you never know what's round the corner. I wouldn't say the characters are cardboard, I'd say the books have some of the most diverse and in depth character's you'll find in books today. They just take a long time to develop as they're are so many of them and the way the chapters are written. I'd give it another chance if I were you but that's from a serious fan! aha.

 

[Stew]

I'm audio booking it and enjoying it. I'm not an expert on writing though so would never say it's great work but for me it works.

 

[mountainm]

15 years ago they may have not seemed so clichéd ... but I thought he had yet to finish the series?
Have you read them all or did you give up?

Read all he'd written. He hadn't finished them (still hasn't). Was very cross when nothing got resolved.

Treat them like an Arnie movie. Good old fashioned right rollicking fun.

 

[Goatboy]

Thank you Mr Fenna, welcome to the far side. (The Gary Larson cartoon of the meeting of the "International Didn't Like Dances With Wolves Society". There's only two or three folk there.)

Must admit have not read GOT's yet but I will get round to it. But my IDLDWWS author is Tolkien, can't stand him, have tried and I'll force myself through some pretty dry stuff but I just cant get into him.

I like the genre and read it a fair bit but there's a few balloons that need bursting for their tedious styles or clichéd ideas like Michael Moorcock, but at least his books lick along at a good pace and are a fun romp.

Anyway, it's all subjective I'm sure most going through the rooms of books at mine would be disgusted it's just that folks don't often own up to not likening a popular author.

 

[sandbender]

"...Thank you Mr Fenna, welcome to the far side. (The Gary Larson cartoon of the meeting of the "International Didn't Like Dances With Wolves Society". There's only two or three folk there.)..."

I really didn't like Dances with wolves.

I have not read the books, I probably won't, there is too much else I have to read in my short life, however I will probably lose twenty odd hours of my life to the TV series, but not for a while yet.

For long running fantasy sagas, the only one I really liked were the 'Chronicles of an Age of Darkness' by Hugh Cook.

 

[TheNative]

I have not read the books but have heard they can be difficult to read for reasons already mentioned. As for the TV series I have gotta say I got through 3 seasons within a few weeks, I got hooked on it straight away! Definitely worth a watch bro

 

[DaveBromley]

My tuppence is that although the books have areas that are a little........uphill through treacle. The overall story is excellent, and kept me entertained enough to read them back to back. Read all of the ones currently released and when (if) he ever get around to making the next one i'll read that too!

the writing style does take a bit of getting used to but once you do i think its pretty rewarding, i especially like the fact that some of the major plot points are only hear 2nd or 3rd hand and that you have to fill in some of the blanks yourself. I think it's quite refreshing that an author has decided not to spoon feed the reader.

I watched season 1 of the tv series before reading any of the books but after reading the first one (whilst waiting for season 2) i decided to finish the books before watching anymore of the series. Once i'd read all the books i decided not to bother with the series as the first one was a pale impersonation of the books tbh.

like i said just my 2 cents

Dave

 

[John Fenna]

I have to admit to being a Moorcock fan - the way ALL his books, in all his styles from juvenile to ...weird ... interlock....
But I also have to say that I read very little fiction at all these days.
There is just too much interesting factual stuff out there!
Strangely, although I am no misogynist, I find female fiction writers (with notable exceptions) to be the hardest reads of all.
I appreciate that tastes differ, but I expected better of GOT after all I had heard ... but it could just be me!
If you want really well written Fantasy then try CS Lewis and the Narnia series - OK it is written for children, but it is WELL written
If you read the entire series you will find some great themes, from politics to (of course) religion, ethics, morals etc
Great reading for adults as well as children!

 

[mountainm]

Cs Lewis.Too allegorical for my tastes.

Have you read Duncton Wood? Just retread the weird stone of brisingamen, now that is good kids fantasy.

 

[Harvestman]

Intelligent fantasy/science fiction? try Mary Gentle, Steven Erikson, or the recently departed Iain M. Banks.

 

[Niels]

I have had Dutch translations of all seven chronicles of Narnia and really loved them. Must have read them all like 3 times when I was a child.
Not going to read game of thrones. It will spoil the series. I'm just going to wait patiently until april next year for season 4.

 

[Wayland]

Liked Duncton Wood and Stonor Eagles is a good read too but heavy going in places.

Julian May has written some good stuff and the first three Steven Donaldson books were OK but forget the rest.

I liked Lord of the Rings but gave up on Silmarillian and the half finished one.

Don't get much time for fiction these days, always got a text book on the go.

 

[udamiano]

I have to admit to being a Moorcock fan - the way ALL his books, in all his styles from juvenile to ...weird ... interlock....

with you 100% there. the eternal champion series was legendary.