Hug0r Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 Depends on the kid. Eleven seems like an okay age but you should definitely supervise him and ask him how he feels about the book. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slavers Bay City Rollers Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 Fifteen or sixteen, not just because of the violence and mature themes but because the story requires a certiain maturity to appreciate in my opinion. The complexities would sail over the head of younger audiences.To be fair, a lot of the complexities sailed right over my head and I'm in my 30's :dunce: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viserys - The last dragon Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 Hm, being from a different country I would probably wait a bit longer to give my son/daughter the first book. Simple because the language will be to advanced. So I'll probably introduce my children to the books at the age 13/14 or something. Will be a great way to learn english.But if it weren't for the language I would probably give it to them whenever they wanted/were able to read. I am not going to protect them from the content. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aceluby Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 I don't see a problem w/ it if you don't have issues w/ the language, though a lot of it will probably go over his head.I'd actually recommend the Farseer trilogy over ASOIAF for him. Great fantasy story that's still 'real', but not quite as gritty in terms of language, rapes, etc... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viserys - The last dragon Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 I don't see a problem w/ it if you don't have issues w/ the language, though a lot of it will probably go over his head.I'd actually recommend the Farseer trilogy over ASOIAF for him. Great fantasy story that's still 'real', but not quite as gritty in terms of language, rapes, etc...Because he will have issues with understanding it.. Because english wont be his first language, but his third..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aceluby Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 Because he will have issues with understanding it.. Because english wont be his first language, but his third.....I was talking to the OP, but looking back it seems he left this thread a while ago. Sorry for the confusion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Survivor of Hathsin Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 I'd say 15-16. Not really even so much for the violence and sexual content and whatnot, but because I think the material is kind of wasted on someone younger than that, given its layers of complexity and the effort it takes to really "see" what's going on. I think most of it would go right over the head of someone too young, even if the content didn't bother them.And let's be honest here: This is not Lord of the Rings.I totally agree. I would probably wait even longer than 16. I think there is alot of fantasy much better suited than ASoIaF for a teenager and his or her interests, generally speaking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cravensbayne Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 I would say high school. I started reading them back in the early 2000's when I was in high school. Kids mature fast. They are sexually active much younger and the stuff they see on tv and movies is just as bad as some of the worst of ASOIAF. It is a fantasy world, but it has so much to teach young people. I was a reckless youth until I started to idolize Lord Eddard and Ser Davos. No one can teach honor like those two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhiteWalder Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 I think the title of the OP says it all....At what age would you hand a child the first book?I wouldn't. If I considered them to be a child, I wouldn't give them the book. If the person was emotionally and mentally mature enough to read it, then I probably wouldn't consider them a child anymore - regardless of age. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Of the North Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 If your 11 year old has access to a television, the internet, and friends there are far worse things for them read/watch/hear/see then they'll read in ASOIAF. It may be difficult for them to follow the depths of the story, but as far as being to violent and all that well "life is not a song, you may learn that one day to your sorrow" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellswung Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 Definitely old enough.At age 11, he probably would of understood the book as if from the point of view of Bran.Bran is 10, and he became lord of Winterfell for a little while then wandered off north to do some kick ass sh!t. I bet Bran doesn't understand half the things going on in the book, so your son will be fine. It is all self censoring.Personally, I plan to introduce this book to my son when he reaches the age of six, he'd be understanding things like prince Tommen. One minute he is reading it, the next minute he will be outside playing with mud. Haha, until then, I plan to watch the entire transformer series with him.Ahh, gonna treasure those moments Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Wayne-1st of His Name Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 13 if my son is interested in adult/graphic stuff on his own.Otherwise, ASOIAF can wait until he is 16 and a man-grown! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BericDondarrion Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 13 at the latest. Theyre only books!! Hell, I remember my parents taking me to see Species and A time to kill at the theaters and I was only 5/6! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellswung Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 I think the title of the OP says it all....At what age would you hand a child the first book?I wouldn't. If I considered them to be a child, I wouldn't give them the book. If the person was emotionally and mentally mature enough to read it, then I probably wouldn't consider them a child anymore - regardless of age.Quite a high opinion of the book.Personally I held this book in very high regards. It is like the gothic version of Shakespeare or Homers, only more epic.I don't think reading this book will teach your kid bad stuff. They will never turn bad if they are emotionally balanced to start with, plus they have a good role model in life. It will however impact their tender sensibilities as they slowly understands the violations depicted in the book. It is a form of awakening to one's own mortality. It will definitely have huge impact on their view of the world and creates a lot of questions and intrigues.I think a mentor needs be close by to guide them through the themes and meanings in a most non invasive way.All in all, this is excellent stuff. It is not like drinking or smoking. Think of it as the pornography of the literature. Like the awakening of sexuality. It is bad, but it is good. All you men out there know that I say the truth. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBastardofBluegrass Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 I think 11 is too young for the mature content, is that censorship? In a way, yes. I would also add that the sheer amount of content is a lot to take in, although I'm sure there are plenty of 11 year-olds tearing through the pages of the Harry Potter series, but attention spans of 11 year-olds are very short. I tried reading The Hobbit a few times and got too bored, I didn't read it until after I had completed Lord of The Rings, also a struggle, getting through the beginning of Fellowship as a 15 year old was pretty monotonous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambi76 Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 13/14 thereabouts. But I'm a filthy European so YMMV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kungsmurfen Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 I'd say 12-13 but if my kids really wants to read the books I woudn't stop them from doing so at an earlier age. As long as they know of the adult content and can handle the language. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Usman Mir Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 as soon as he/she can read ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhiteWalder Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 Quite a high opinion of the book.Personally I held this book in very high regards. It is like the gothic version of Shakespeare or Homers, only more epic.I don't think reading this book will teach your kid bad stuff. They will never turn bad if they are emotionally balanced to start with, plus they have a good role model in life. It will however impact their tender sensibilities as they slowly understands the violations depicted in the book. It is a form of awakening to one's own mortality. It will definitely have huge impact on their view of the world and creates a lot of questions and intrigues.I think a mentor needs be close by to guide them through the themes and meanings in a most non invasive way.All in all, this is excellent stuff. It is not like drinking or smoking. Think of it as the pornography of the literature. Like the awakening of sexuality. It is bad, but it is good. All you men out there know that I say the truth. :DI think much the same thing... but my statement was not meant to form an opinion of the book itself. What I meant by my statement is that if I think my kid is ready to read the book, I'm probably not going to consider them a "child" anymore. If I think my offspring is ready to read, understand, and form their own opinion on mature subject matter like rape and torture - I will probably not think of them as a "child" anymore- even if they are 11 -12 yrs old. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ser Duncan of Flea Bottom Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 11?too young, he won't understand lots of thing, not just about sex, but other stuff as wellhe will be happier for now reading Harry Potter :)when he is 14 or 15 he can start ASOIAF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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