170 replies to this topic

[vonstorm]

I won't lie. The first time I read the RW I cried. Well, first I closed the ebook (now I have the books), stared at the screen without saying a word for five minutes then I started to cry. Mmm yes, my reaction was pretty intense. I took two hours to calm myself, drink a tea while thinking diferent ways to kill the Freys. But then I carried on.

[shinytoyrobots]

The Red Wedding is such a great piece to read. It's emotional, wrenching but, most importantly, it feels TRUE.

That's what makes the books in general so superior to most fantasy fare. Ned Stark got executed because that was really the most logical thing to happen to him based on his actions. Robb Stark ran into the Red Wedding, again, because it was in most ways the most logical outcome of the preceding course of events.

I prefer that kind of truth. It's far better than the heroes being saved by a deus ex machina, or some unrealistic event or plot twist that justifies an unwarranted escape. Both Ned and Robb "deserved" to die based on the situations they put themselves in; but few authors would have been courageous enough to give them what they deserved.

[House Draper]

We need a Red Wedding support group. I know I could have used it.

[three-eyed monkey]

I hadn't been shook like the RW since Edgar Rice Burroughs killed off Kala in Tarzan of the Apes. My advice, have a soothing banana. It worked for me. I pulled myself together and got through the next 24 Tarzan novels. So you can do it.

[nekrohsis]

I freaked out when I read it  . . . though not as badly as when I thought Bran and Rickon were dead. I raced through that Theon chapter until I knew they were okay, then I went back and re-read it at a calmer pace.

[Mulled Wino]

Saw it coming a mile away.  I was still horrified.  I"m on another reread right now and I'm closing in on the RW and I know I'm going to get angry all over again.   Happens every time

[Adamastor]

Sometimes I feel like I'm on the other side of the fence, taking into account that most of the boards here had very visceral reactions to most of the "dramatic" turn of events in ASOIAF.

By the time I first got into the series, trusting the good judgement of a friend of mine, I was a rather experience reader. I had read around two hundred books, and most of the classics due to my line of work and study. So when Ned died, I was surprised. The overall idea of "the game of thrones" was very appealing to me, although the magic bits still felt a bit out of place (which they don't, nowadays), and even though I'm not a particular find of GRRM writing capabilities, his ability for good characters and dialog really caught my attention. Ned dies, and I'm all like "Ok, that's a shame. He's such a nice guy, but sure, I'll go with the flow and see where this is going".

The body count started, and I was mostly sorry for the dead characters, but I felt they had accomplished their part. Did I feel that Robb would actually turn this war around? Yeah, I did. But then the omens started, and the scene in the House of the Undying really gave it away for me. From there on, I started spotting most of the events a mile away... to my sorrow, because I'm rather fond of surprises.

Robb died, I felt sad, but I just turned the page and kept on reading. It's a damn good chapter, even if it's rather obvious from the get go. It's like eating rotten food: first bite and you know it's going to end up in some very disturbing moments in the bathroom, but you let yourself believe that maybe there's not wrong. But there is!

I guess people never would have though he'd do a Ned 2.0, with his own son.

[Darth Arya]

drpips, on 18 January 2012 - 04:42 PM, said:

Hi All,

I started reading GoT just before the TV series and have carried on.  Just got to the Red Wedding and I don't know what to do with myself.  I thought I could see just where the plot was going, but what a thing to happen.  Sorry, I'm not making much sense.  I'm not even sure I want to carry on reading it anymore, don't know what to do with myself!

Dom

What to do?, finish the series would be a good start, unless Robb Stark being minus a head had a very profound effect on you.....

[haenya]

I desperately hoped for a deus ex machina as it all went down (though of course it's better as is).  I've spent the rest of the books awaiting some massive Frey comeuppance over violating guest right.  

More. Frey. Pies.

[Betty Amazing]

drpips, on 18 January 2012 - 05:02 PM, said:

I had to skip to the contents to see if there was another Arya chapter.  I don't think I could cope if she went too.  Well at the same time anyway.  I now know nothing is sacred!!

I think I did that too!

I re-read the chapter a few times to make sure I'd understood what was going on properly - utter shock! My friend was reading it sneakily at work and had to run to the bathroom so nobody would ask her why she was crying, silly goose x

[Darth Rivers]

I actually liked the Red Wedding. I was already suspicious of something similar.

[Alisa]

I think the RW makes everyone want to stop reading temporarily but everyone comes back eventually, and we're glad we did.

Edited by Alisa, 12 August 2012 - 07:45 AM.

[richard_ba]

My mother is coming close to that event in the series as well, she is going to be utterly sad with its disclosure

[Naathi Prince]

Just remember that after Ned was killed, we got what I think is the most triumphant and poignant moment in the series, Robb declared King in the North. There will more triumphant scenes that will lessen the blow of the RW. Keep reading.

[Longspear Ryk]

Honostly didnt think it was all that craZy

[998]

It was sad, but as someone said above, it was one of the best parts of ASOIAF.

[unRobert]

I've read/listened to the books 3-4 times through the years. I've only read that chapter once.

[Light a wight tonight]

It was moderately predictable that something like this could happen. The details leading up to the slaughter were so discordant and unsuitable for a wedding feast force you to be aware that something is wrong.

I do wish the Starks and Tullys had been able to fight back more effectively, even in a losing cause. Cat only gets to off the halfwit Frey grandson (but makes up for it later, of course).

Off topic, the theme of crossbowmen being cast negatively. Jaime hates them, and at the wedding they're bad musicians. Must be more examples in the books.

[Darth Rivers]

Alisa, on 12 August 2012 - 07:45 AM, said:

I think the RW makes everyone want to stop reading temporarily

Don't make assumptions. Not everyone.

All it did for me was it made me rush to the PC in and check if GRRM really killed off what I thought was the designated protagonist. After that I was immediately back reading.

[Rheagar Prime]

sigh keep reading don't worry i threw away my friends book after reading it too had to buy it back.