That Trendy Thing

[ladysprite]

So about ten years ago or so, my husband started reading this awesome-looking book by George R.R. Martin. And I thought to myself, I like good epic fantasy. And I like Martin's work. And I have an unfortunate fondness for books that are hefty enough to be used as self-defense weapons in a pinch. I should read this.

And then I thought to myself, that's what got me started on Robert Jordan. Fool me once, shame on me. And I decided to wait until the last book was At The Printer's, Damnit. (For the record, after reading the first book, husband made the same decision.)

And then about a year or two ago, my friends started watching this super-popular TV show based on said epic fantasy series. And I thought, I don't want to watch the show until I've read the book. Because I really do WANT to read the books, someday, and I'd hate to have the book spoiled by the show. So, not now.

Except I can't absolutely avoid it, because it seems like every conversation needs to include one Game of Thrones reference at this point, and whoa, do people have some strong opinions! And I recognized that I was starting to form opinions as well, and that's not cool. I refuse to judge a thing on hearsay; that's not fair or honest.

So finally a few weeks ago I broke down and tucked into 'A Game Of Thrones.' I was fully expecting to rather dislike it, to be honest, based on some of the feedback I'd gotten. And I admit, I spent the first few days sighing about the fact that I encountered my first rape scenes well before I encountered anything like plot, and about the representations of female characters, and about the fact that it's a pretty darn pasty-white world.

But.... it's pretty darn well-written, too. And while most of the characters are at best jerks, and many of them I kind of want to step on their face... there are enough people I like to keep me reading. And darn it, I want to find out what happens next.

(Yes, I know. Nothing pretty. But still.)

So darnit, I know it's trendy, and I know it's problematic, and in spite of myself, I like it anyway. On to the next....

Comments

[autographedcat.livejournal.com]

The good news is that if there's a character you dislike so much you want to step on their face, there's a better than even chance someone eventually will do it for you.

Martin has a very Hobbesian view of the world in these novels, but it does not lack epic sweep. If you want to chat about the books at any point when you're done, ping me. I miss you.

[vettecat.livejournal.com]

I had the same reaction to both the Jordan series and this one, after too many years of Waiting For The Next Book. Haven't gotten sucked into the TV show yet, though.

[citabria]

The world gets less pasty-white as you get further into to series.

[johnpalmer.livejournal.com]

Well, keep in mind that even trendy stuff is good sometimes.

(Honestly, I don't have anything against something being trendy - it's just not a good predictor for me, is all.)

[ian-gunn.livejournal.com]

I will add that even if you like a character there is a better than even chance that events will conspire against them... don't get to attached.