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

[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.