TheNorthReigns Posted May 24, 2013 Share Posted May 24, 2013 To be honest I'm not a fan of fantasy books, while I do like a few movies of the genre, like the LOTR series, and one of my absolute favorites "Excalibur". I have tried to read Tolkien's books, as well as the Harry Potter books and other fantasy series, but just could not get into them. Not saying that they're not good, because I know there are a lot of readers who love them. Yet for some reason after hearing about this series last year, I started reading AGoT and was sucked right in and read all 5 books in 6 weeks. Hate to admit this, but I think I'm actually obsessed with them, since I'm now doing the re-read of the series, just finishing up ACok. I talk about them so much at work, I now have a couple of nurses hooked on them. Needless to say, I'll probably won't see my books in the near future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LordStoneheart Posted May 24, 2013 Share Posted May 24, 2013 Was this a question?Sometimes I think its just too complicated for certain people to like it. I showed a friend of mine the chapter structure and it was like he couldn't wrap his head around a story focusing on different viewpoint characters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tquinn BC Posted May 24, 2013 Share Posted May 24, 2013 I too have a hard time getting into fantasy as well. But this book is different because of well.... the gritty violence, the sex, and the swearing. Its like real life! With real magic! Or that's at least what I say to other converts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valyrian Steel Link Posted May 24, 2013 Share Posted May 24, 2013 The short, easy answer: Martin is a good storyteller. He's worked in a number of different genres and has also benefited from being the editor for some very good fiction writers through his Wild Cards work. I would guess that has helped him refine his storytelling and writing. I imagine having a highly rated TV show has probably helped introduce people to the books and, given Martin's writing ability, sucked in a few people who otherwise never visit that section of the bookstore. Kind of like the big run on legal fiction when John Grisham was doing his thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Littlefingers In The Air Posted May 24, 2013 Share Posted May 24, 2013 It sucked me in because in a fantasy world, you have morally ambiguous characters who are actually telling of what life is really like. There is so much grey an it isn't traditional. Plus, it's unpredictable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cybvep Posted May 24, 2013 Share Posted May 24, 2013 Fantasy or not, it's all about the story. If the author creates a believable world with many interesting characters and knows how to tell a good story, you end up liking his books. Also, the fact that at least in the beginning it's a low magic setting helps to suck people in, I think. On the other hand, I think that some people may end up being disappointed, since magical elements are becoming more and more important and I think that not everyone will like it. For me, the "game of thrones" is much more interesting than the Others and I don't know how the author plans to resolve this conflict in a way which will be satisfying to the readers who enjoy the political bits the most. Also, as of book 5, we still don't know much about the Others, so why should we care about them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommens Cat Posted May 24, 2013 Share Posted May 24, 2013 i think because the books are actually.....reali know, i know, its crazy but i honestly believe in glimpsing other dimensions or realities. the beatles did it and i think GRRM is doing it.i dont believe im reading a figment of GRRM imagination, i believe he has glimpsed (albeit, unknowingly. as it always happens. some call this a muse, i believe its a bit different than the traditional sense though) a possible alternate dimension, or world. not in our universe mind you. but a different place this world exists in reality. no way a man that has never fought in a battle or watched his family-members and friends die can write a passage like merribalds broken men speech. i understand it sounds strange but GRRM is actually telling a tale, a true story that has happened or is happening as he writes. i cant be sure.sounds crazy i know, but this "book" or "series" is on another level that a normal man could not hope to create. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinkie Baelish Posted May 24, 2013 Share Posted May 24, 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cybvep Posted May 24, 2013 Share Posted May 24, 2013 @Tommens Cat Are you serious? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mother of The Others Posted May 24, 2013 Share Posted May 24, 2013 Because it's not all,"Ooh look, a wizard!""It's pronounced wi-ZARD, Toby. The wi-ZARDS have an ancient tradition of turning people into toads who make the mistake of calling them Wizards. Why, back in the neo-necromantic wars, the archbishop was turned into a chamber pot for less.""...Even I think that's a lame snippet of backstory, Shaanzar, and I'm a character in this book." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommens Cat Posted May 24, 2013 Share Posted May 24, 2013 Are you serious?me? yes.im not going to argue it. its philosophical. i couldn't fully explain my reasoning behind it even if i had a year to formulate an explaination. i just believe art (in all forms, media, physical....etc) there are a few different ways to accomplish or create art. one such way would be divine intervention of a sorts. but not divine like god. just.....truth.edit:spelling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
para Posted May 24, 2013 Share Posted May 24, 2013 Because it lulls people into the false sense of security that it isn't fantasy but rather alternative history Earth or something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TalalOfDorne Posted May 24, 2013 Share Posted May 24, 2013 Well I enjoy reading about political intrigue and stuff like that. Then I realized that the characters in this story are so different and diverse. I also really enjoyed the multi-factions in the story. Its not just good vs evil. Basically its different in a very good way that focuses more on the characters themselves rather than the "magic". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Castellan Posted May 24, 2013 Share Posted May 24, 2013 I am in the same boat but I am dreading all the fantasy elements coming into their own in the next book. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Pepper Posted May 24, 2013 Share Posted May 24, 2013 me? yes.im not going to argue it. its philosophical. i couldn't fully explain my reasoning behind it even if i had a year to formulate an explaination. i just believe art (in all forms, media, physical....etc) there are a few different ways to accomplish or create art. one such way would be divine intervention of a sorts. but not divine like god. just.....truth.I think you're mixing up 'divine' with LSD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
butterbumps! Posted May 24, 2013 Share Posted May 24, 2013 Martin has access to an alternative dimension a la Slaughterhouse 5 or some such, which is apparently what ASOIAF is based onBetween this and those visions god sends MoTO, I'm starting to feel like the deities are a bit racialist against butterballs or something. What am I doing wrong? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Florina Laufeyson Posted May 24, 2013 Share Posted May 24, 2013 Between this and those visions god sends MoTO, I'm starting to feel like the deities are a bit racialist against butterballs or something. What am I doing wrong?I dunno, but im doing it wrong apparently too. For such insight has not come to me. They must really have it out for Florinas. RACISTS! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Great Walrus Posted May 24, 2013 Share Posted May 24, 2013 I dunno, but im doing it wrong apparently too. For such insight has not come to me. They must really have it out for Florinas. RACISTS!I'm not going to even ask... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Littlefingers In The Air Posted May 24, 2013 Share Posted May 24, 2013 Also, in regards to the OP, boobs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Pepper Posted May 24, 2013 Share Posted May 24, 2013 Between this and those visions god sends MoTO, I'm starting to feel like the deities are a bit racialist against butterballs or something. What am I doing wrong?I dunno, but im doing it wrong apparently too. For such insight has not come to me. They must really have it out for Florinas. RACISTS!I think the word y'all are looking for is misogynist. God hates women, clearly. This is what I say to god. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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