Game of Thrones

I finally caved and read Game of Thrones, by George R.R. Martin, which I now know is the first book in the "A Song of Ice and Fire" series.  More accurately, I feared for my safety and decided to read it before one of the dozen people needling me to read it thought to do something rash.

The first book was amazing, and my family can rest easy without fear of reprisal.

*** SPOILER ALERTS BELOW ***
I do not usually read any books from the "fantasy" genre, so it took a bit of coaxing to get me to read it.  Although the book certainly qualifies as fantasy, it does not fit to what I expected of the genre.  Based on the limited number of fantasy books I have read, I would venture to guess that even fans of the genre would admit that this book reaches beyond any one category.

It is as much a political thriller as a fantasy.  It is also a book about perspective.  Martin's choice to show events from the vantage points of its various characters was a big plus for me.  It is also well written and carefully crafted.

George R.R. Martin goes against the grain in many ways, but probably most clearly in his willingness to kill characters.  I got the sense that he would kill absolutely any character to keep the narrative of the power struggle and brutal times believable.  Many hero-type characters in fiction books can pull some pretty slick maneuvers and survive to see the next chapter with no echo or consequence (just one reason I read so much nonfiction).  Martin may allow a brief escape, but his only predictability is that "actions have consequences."  No decision happens in a vacuum. Characters do what they must do to survive, but the consequences follow them like shadows.  I can tell that choices in this first book will come back down the road (See the Tyrion clip below).

Eventually, a character will meet his own personal Diego Montoya of Princess Bride fame ("Hallo, my name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.").

I love that about Martin because consequences are too often left out for main characters in books.  Better put, consequences too often seem incomplete or happen "off stage."  It was a refreshing change to read Martin as he unleashes all kinds of hell for even benign actions.  Also, characters suffer internally with various dilemmas.  I found myself predicting deaths accurately based on Martin's diligence as to consequences.

In Martin's world, even noble acts do not always turn out roses.  I love it. 

That rule was applied to the Wire as well and is just one of the reasons I love that show. (as illustrated when Omar confronted Prop-Joe) (WARNING: LANGUAGE):



My favorite character of Martin's so far is Tyrion Lannister.  Tyrion is a dwarf and uses his cunning where his stature fails him.  He also has a great perspective on life.  My favorite Tyrion line was when he was told by Bran that "I am not a cripple."  Tyrion replies by essentially saying, "Then I am not a Dwarf and won't my father be happy to hear it!"  I loved that.  He has a knack for brutal honesty.

It should be noted that a few folks told me that this story was "The Wire" in Middle Earth.  Specifically, some tried to convince me that Tyrion is the "Omar" of the Game of Thrones to entice the book up my queue.  Omar uses the shotgun and his reputation and Tyrion uses his wit.  He's no Omar, but he is a bunch of fun and can be seen slapping his sniveling nephew below (I just love this scene):



I do fear for Mr. Tyrion Lannister because of that nasty "actions have consequences" rule and Joffery's new capacity for retaliation, but Martin makes no exceptions.  He is one of the only characters that I have decided to love in spite of the ever-present danger of death, but I do so knowing full well that Martin will not spare him if his death will further the story.

I will be very upset if he dies, but I will not stop reading the books.

TANGENT:  My only complaint is that Martin needs to explain why the seasons last several years.  I have a crazy pathological need to know the answer to this.  The best explanation I have had yet is that the religious figures (Maesters) define the years, which at least makes an oblong orbit a possibility because pre-enlightenment religious folks are terrible at astronomy and would totally arbitrarily define a year. But, if a year is still one trip around the star, then we need to flush out why this happens.  My thoughts involve a pronounced precession in the rotation or some sort of consequence of losing a second moon (alluded to in the book).  In any event I WANT TO KNOW.  My brother tells me that Mr. Martin has promised an answer to that before the series finishes.  I will hold him to that.  Yes this bothers me and yes I need an answer.  Why?  Because I just do.  I do.  And don't bring up Dragons, this is different.  It just is.  We can make up creatures, but this should have an answer and it would be lazy not to give one.  It just makes sense.