Quick rereading of AGoT and ACoK

[blueplait]

Hi, I'm new to the forum and not an expert of the asoiaf novels.

I began to watch the show last summer and after finishing season 3 I started the books, but I stopped at the end of ACoK because I didn’t want to spoil the show. After thinking about it, I have finally decided to read the whole series, mainly because almost every scene in season 4 was spoiled anyways.

And that’s where I need your advice. I remember the main plot of the first two books, but since I read them almost a year ago I forgot most of the details. Basically I’m going to reread the books skipping the chapters that focus only on the plot. It’s only a quick reading to refresh my memory for ASoS.

So, I was wandering if any of you can suggest a “list” of chapters or scenes that I need to reread. For instance, I already thought of Ned’s last chapter from GoT, Dany’s visions in the house of the undying, and some chapters set in King’s Landing. Mostly things that will become important later in the story, not only in ASoS but also the rest of the books (politics and conspiracies, prophecies, secondary characters that will return and things like that). Knowing where the story in the next books is going, can you suggest the chapters that I absolutely don’t want to skip?

[DrunkSister]

Aw man, don't do that, just read the recaps from the wiki. It will take less time and you can do it paralel to reading ASoS.

The problem with rereading only for the plot is how much you will miss out in characterization, poetry of language, foreshadowing, descriptions of places and events, motifs and themes GRRM is elaborating on... so just jump right in with the books and you can always go back if you realize you have missed something important.

[blueplait]

You see, I've already tried to read the first pages of ASoS thinking of doing something like that but as soon as I started I got a bit discouraged. I found characters I didn't remember, like, there's the list of characters so I knew who they were, but I forgot their relationship with the main characters, their characterization, and their role in the plot and that made me wish I read all the books without any break :(

Anyway, I tried to read the prologue the way you suggested and at first it was a bit slow but I soon remembered many things I thought I forgot... I think it will work for the other chapters too. Thanks for your help!