Song of Ice and Fire reread

[brigdh]

So, I've been reading the Song of Ice and Fire books in preparation for new one (which, yes, I am way behind everyone else in reading, but I decided to get it from the library, which means it will probably be another month before a copy winds its way to me, because only this library system would think it's a good idea to buy a mere 10 copies of a book that had a waitlist of over 200 before it even came out). I've read them before, once, but this is a good series to read, since I'm noticing foreshadowing and connections that I didn't before. Thoughts on the first below! Spoilers, but just for GoT.


I'm surprised rereading these how influenced I am by having just watched the series. Which I suppose makes sense, but I can't help comparing everything.

The writing is much more... unsubtle? Shallow? Obvious? Something more than I'd remembered it being. Fortunately, this mostly seems to be a problem with the first part of the book, faded away by the end.

I really love Varys, and his costume-disguising self. He comes off as much more dangerous in the book, and I'm sad the show dropped that aspect. The show seems to have favored Littlefinger, who I find less interesting.

The scene where the Hound tells Sansa how his face was burnt is faaaaaaaaaaaantastic.

Dany continues to be the most awesome thing ever, the end.

I hate Joffrey, but he is like the Platonic ideal of a spoiled brat, so I suppose he's actually written quite well.

I like Jon much more in the TV show than the book. I think actually seeing a teenager, particularly with his little wispy wannebe beard, makes me more sympathetic to him. When I'm reading his chapters, I want to go "emo, emo, emo, every fantasy hero ever, emo, emo".

I finished it about a week ago, so I've forgotten everything else I meant to say. But has anyone else read it recently? Thoughts?

Comments

[call-me-ishmael.livejournal.com]

When I read the latest book most of the characters sounded like their TV counterparts in my head and their images had adjusted to fit. I am mostly ok with that. (Peter Dinklage makes everything better. The actor for Ser Jorah does not make me think of a bear at all.)

Damn, I really need to reread but I have so many new books that should come first. :[

[kessie.livejournal.com]

I'm currently just over halfway through A Clash of Kings, and I can't remember why Tyrion wasn't one of my favourite characters (his ability to actually manage a realm is more apparent in CoK than GoT). I'd also forgotten what a conniving bastard Littlefinger is. :D

Joffrey is just a little brat who deserves everything he gets.

I was surprised that the TV show didn't really influence most of my mental images of the characters. I was also surprised by how much I'd forgotten; it feels like I'm reading them again for the first time.

[pukingtoreador.livejournal.com]

I found I had a loooot more respect and interest in Sansa in the second reading. I could see the little subtle hints of wolf steel in her where I didn't before - like how she was calm when her other companions freaked out. I'm hoping she'll become of her own kind of badass eventually, but that is probably hoping for too much.