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What say you Dakka? I am in a real pickle here, part of me really really wants to read all the GOT books as its simply the best, and because I have a true visualisation of what the characters look like from the series, it makes immersion for me easier.
But another part of me is thinking I would ruin the experience of the series. I love watching the series not knowing what is going to happen.

So anyone out there who has read the books? Is watching the series still 'fun'?

Please no spoilers

I enjoyed the first series even though I'd read the books. I think it captured the feel nicely, so it was nice to see things come together.

I'd recommend it. There are lots of interesting characters in the books that aren't in the TV show. And you can always stay behind the show while reading the books, so it'll still be a surprise!

Yes.

Yes. They are excellent.
I love both the series and the books.
My dad uses my knowledge of the books as spoilers. It actually feels kinda good being "clairvoyant"

You won't regret reading them. I'm working my way through them now and find them quite hard to put down. In some ways I would say they are almost better than the TV series. Having overtaken the series on TV it is a little sad knowing what comes next, but at the same time you still have those 'oh that's what that looks like' or ' I missed that when reading, I should go back and look again'

Was Renly gay in the books though? I don't seem to remember reading that.

CthuluIsSpy wrote:Was Renly gay in the books though? I don't seem to remember reading that.

it was hinted at in like one sentence, nothing like what was seen on HBO.

but with the next book supposedly coming out in 3 years, you could watch the rest of the hbo series, then read the books before for the next book comes out.

CthuluIsSpy wrote:Was Renly gay in the books though? I don't seem to remember reading that.

It isn't really suggested in GoT itself, but it is more strongly noticable in Clash of Kings

So not one negative comment, Guess I will be reading them

Suppose as well, I won't remember everything I read and will not know what will be shown on the show so it will still be a bit of a surprise.

Damn can't wait, thanks Dakka for your persuading comments.

Book 4 is a bit dry, but still not bad. None of them are books you can spend an entire day reading in one sitting, because of the switching perspectives.

I don't really want to try and race through them anyway, maybe for the first book just to catch up, but I want to absorb everything properly. So I will definitely be taking my time

It is definately worth reading them, they are probably the most intricately, yet logically plotted books that I have ever read. The last couple of books seem to have lost their way a bit though.

I have actually gotten bored with the TV series.

I will admit I've got two of them on my shelf I've yet to read.

I've only read the first 4-5 ones tbh. I forgot which one I need to read next...I think its called a "Feast for Crows." It certainly has crows in the title.

A Song of Ice and Fire?

Do read them, they're awesome. As the Storm Lord said, they're kinda hard to put down - on the other side, I found its "mini-chapters" to be very generous in terms of reading length. You can perfectly read one, two or three of them in a single evening in your bed ... no need to stop mid-chapter like it may happen with some other books that have longer segments!

Admittedly, it's a bit late now (generally I think it is better to read the books first, then watch the show), but you'd still gain some additional insight from them and, simply put, they're enjoyable to read, not just for their content but the way it is written.

Also, who knows how many seasons the TV show will have? You may be forced to start the books sooner or later, anyways, simply because you'd want to know how it goes on!

Yes, you should read the books. There is quite a bit of divergence from the show anyway, and a hell of a lot more background: Even if you watched the show, there is lots more stuff in the books.

Yes, but don't be afraid to skip tedious chapters.

I recommend it, in fact, I would call it a must read.

I've been reading it with some help with audio books.

Story really draws you in to the point you get pissed when a character you like gets killed. Author is great at playing with human emotions.

Now if only he would stop rooting for the Jets.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Lynata wrote:

Also, who knows how many seasons the TV show will have? You may be forced to start the books sooner or later, anyways, simply because you'd want to know how it goes on!

Well, HBO said the 3rd book will be 2 seasons, so at least 4


though the rate GRRM writes them, HBO will have caught up to GRRM

A Song of Ice and Fire is my favorite unfinished fantasy series. I would definitely recommend reading them. I've read all of them, and I think the show is an excellent interpretation of the story in a different medium.

You'll still be surprised either way when the surprises happen for the first time, whether you're reading them or watching them on TV!

I am not much of a reader so for this to make me want to read, that means something

Do you reckon they would make one book into a film? If the fan base grew much larger, which I am certain will.

unmercifulconker wrote:I am not much of a reader so for this to make me want to read, that means something

No excuse for not reading, ever! Come the revolution all shall read muchly

Do you reckon they would make one book into a film? If the fan base grew much larger, which I am certain will.

One book down into a film would require massive amounts of cutting of content. The series is nearly ten hours and that has had bits changed and cut. I hope they don't try and do that. The series does very well I think.

Sure, read them. Just don't confuse them as actual literature or anything. Also be aware that while the first three books are good that the fourth and fifth are pretty terrible. You should also understand that there's a big chance GRRM will die before the series is finished and even if the series does get finished that the ending will likely be pretty awful.

But, sure, I guess you could read them. You should read Moby Dick or Blood Meridian or Generations of Winter instead, though.

Castiel wrote:

CthuluIsSpy wrote:Was Renly gay in the books though? I don't seem to remember reading that.

It isn't really suggested in GoT itself, but it is more strongly noticable in Clash of Kings

the same goes for Stannis and Melisandre

Yeah I heard the books have not been finished yet.

Damn just searched the author (I feel bad I know) and didn't realise he was that old. If the ending was bad I would still be very thankful for the experience, much like Mass Effect (although I am easy to please so I doubt it would be bad for me)

I am no expert on how the business works but I wonder how the show has such low budget considering the popularity of it. A friend told me some things that happen in the future and so I suspect they would need more money to show such things properly.

There isn't much that happens 'on screen', you could quite easily cover the bigger battles on a limited budget with some creativity and a hint of CGI.

Palindrome wrote:There isn't much that happens 'on screen', you could quite easily cover the bigger battles on a limited budget with some creativity and a hint of CGI.

Were the battles described in some detail in the books or were they skipped like in the series? I thought the series just couldn't film them due to the budget.

Bit off topic but watching this weeks episode, it got me thinking what if a warhammer film/series was made that was as complex as GOT. Maybe the civil wars within The Empire would be cool.

unmercifulconker wrote:

Palindrome wrote:There isn't much that happens 'on screen', you could quite easily cover the bigger battles on a limited budget with some creativity and a hint of CGI.

Were the battles described in some detail in the books or were they skipped like in the series? I thought the series just couldn't film them due to the budget.

Bit off topic but watching this weeks episode, it got me thinking what if a warhammer film/series was made that was as complex as GOT. Maybe the civil wars within The Empire would be cool.

Most of the battles in the book, the POV character came in after the battle and go "Hey we won" but the battle for kings landing was pretty descript, and I'm hoping they do a awesome job on the naval battle with all the ships.

Ah oh well as long as the key battles are written in detail

Hate that there is only 3 episodes left of the series :( It passes by too quickly