G.R.R. Martin

[Falagar]

Another update! Here, in fact

As I write, six days have passed since the election.

Since I posted my "Mourning for America" update last Wednesday, I have been absolutely deluged with emails. As of this writing I have received more than six hundred letters. Short letters, long letters, funny letters, sad letters, heartfelt letters, angry letters, and everything in between. I am pleased to say that the vast majority of those emails have been very supportive.

Yes, there have been a few dozen abusive letters full of semi-literate namecalling, but actually fewer than I anticipated. No surprise there. Like Superchicken, I knew the job was dangerous when I took it. To those who say they will never read a book by me again, well, that's your choice. To those who suggested I get out of "your" country and move to France, nah, don't think so. I have nothing against France and hope to visit there again one day, but this is my country, and I believe I will stay and fight for it.

I have also received some thoughtful and considered missives from Bush voters, expressing their disagreement with the views I expressed in my last update. I wish I had time to answer those, since I do believe that the only way America is ever going to heal is if people of good will on both sides talk to one another and find some common ground. However, the last thing I need right now is to engage in twenty or thirty protracted political discussions via email. I do appreciate those letters and respect those who took the time to write them, as much as we may disagree on Bush, Kerry, and the issues.

Hundreds of you wrote to echo my sentiments about the election and the future that we face. Some of you have said that my words helped you in dealing with your own rage, depression, and despair. If so, I am very pleased. Your own emails had the same effect on me. I wish I could answer each and every one of those emails personally, but that is obviously impossible... especialIy since the flood continues even as I write.

I have, however, read every letter that I received. We all need to be reminded from time to time that we do not stand alone. It was good of so many of you to take the time to console me, commiserate, share your outrage, and generally help me try and recover from the aftermath of the vote.

So where am I now?

Back at work on A FEAST FOR CROWS, mostly. Revised and rewrote one of Arya's chapters yesterday. Today I mostly worked with Sam, and a little bit with Cersei. I still hope to finish by year's end, but of course I have said that before. We will see how it goes.

As for the election, our fight (like Tolkien's road) goes ever on and on, and we must follow where we can. There will be other battles, other elections, and we are legion. The Boss says it best: NO RETREAT, NO SURRENDER.

Keep reading, keep thinking, and keep voting.

—George R.R. Martin, November 8, 2004

[Count Comfect]

I just spent an entire two days slacking off from school and instead reading A Storm of Swords (previously read the other two in the series). GOD it's good.

I wish that he were less interested in politics in the US... because then he'd finish the bloody book faster

[brownjenkins]

just started GoT two days back... only about 100ish pages in, but pretty good so far... i had finally finished the dune series, excellent stuff, but lot's of work on the head... then read through eddings stuff in about two weeks the opposite end of the spectrum as far as literary intensity goes, but still entertaining... martin's a good in-between, not too basic, but not too deep either

my question, do his books continue in the jordan-esk "mostly about personal relationships" style... or do you get a bit more in terms of an epic plot as the series goes on? not that that's a bad thing, just curious

[Lenya]

That sounds perfect. I just bought Dune but I haven't setteled down to read it yet. Though I must admit, I LOVE the politics and plots within plots (I saw the mini series) and I can't wait!

[BeardofPants]

Tom, a lot of the series is about personal relationships, and their development towards a "bigger picture", so to speak. Full of political intrigues, and petty revenges - fantastic stuff.

[Lenya]

I want to buy A Song of Ice and Fire, by GRR Martin, but I don't really know what its like. I've been looking for reviews but I just can't find any. Don't know what I'm doing wrong. To top it all, not one library in the facinity has the books in store, so I can't find out if its good or not.

Can anyone who has read it please tell me his/her oppinion. I'm desperate here.

[Jabberwock]

Martin's Ice and Fire series is very well written, populated with complex characters you love or love to hate, and has a great setting, plot, etc. So far. Each chapter is written from the point of view of one of the set of main characters (not first person though). There is no true protagonist. Instead, there is a cast of about a dozen characters who alternately appear as the focal point of the narrative. You'll likely discover there are a few characters you'd rather speed through to get to the one's you love. My personal favorites are John Snow, Aria, Jaime, and Tyrion. The series is a sprawling epic dealing with the deaths of monarchs and the struggle toward a new ruling body. Along the way, though, it becomes clear that there are other forces in motion which seem like they'll supercede the petty quarreling of nobles. It's a very complex story so there is no easy summary of it all. It runs the gammit from court intrigue to haunted wilderness exploration to deserts and swashbuckling port cities. You might as well buy it and start reading it because I haven't met a person who didn't like the series. Martin has a way of keeping his reader constantly guessing and reassessing their expectations.
That all being said, one warning - if you're sensitive to sexual situations and swearing, there are times in the books when such things appear, not often, but graphically. It's still well worth reading.

[Falagar]

One of my favorite series, of which the last book (A Feast for Crows) which I've been waiting for a long time now is just finished! Knowing Norwegian bookstores (though one of them even recommends it) it will probably not be here before 2006, but still.

Check out this thread for more info (watch out for spoilers, though ): http://entmoot.tolkientrail.com/showthread.php?t=10434

[Snowdog]

I bought three of these books at a used book store, and started reading Game of Thrones but only got through the prologue. I have just recently started reading it again. Maybe I will get farther this time?

[Lenya]

Thanx Jabberwock! Great (and convincing) review - just what I wanted to hear. Maybe I'll order it over the internet if I loose my temper ('cause I simply can't find it!) but not just yet. Still busy with Death Gate Cycle and next up is the rest of the Chronicles of Narnia. *sigh* It is hard to be a fantasy fanatic, but oh so good

[Snowdog]

I tried to start reading Game of Thrones three times and the last time managed to get through chapter 1. I guess it doesn't inspire me th read on. So Lenya, if you want my used set, I'l send them to you.

[Pytt]

Thanks to Falagar, I read the Game of Thrones book this summer. And I like'd it alot! Very good. But... when I read it, I missed WoT so much, so I began reading it instead :roll: But I'll surely finish Song of Ice and Fire. After I've read alot of other stuff.

[Falagar]

At last! At long, long, long last! Praise the Red, Drowned and other gods, AFfC has come!



Well, hasn't gotten all the way here yet, as I can't afford it, but it's definitely out there, somewhere. Soon...soon.

[brownjenkins]

Originally Posted by BeardofPants

fantastic stuff.

as always, anna is dead-on

gotta order my copy too

[BeardofPants]

Ooh, glad you stuck at it. *high five*
Yep, can't wait for the next book. I should re-read the series in prep for it, but I'm too busy at uni right now.

[Lenya]

Originally Posted by Snowdog

I tried to start reading Game of Thrones three times and the last time managed to get through chapter 1. I guess it doesn't inspire me th read on. So Lenya, if you want my used set, I'l send them to you.

Now way man, that's really great of you - too bad I was not here to read that post, I allready bought them all and read book I & II . And... I LOVED it! It was soooo good. The only reason why I haven't read on is because the exam is coming up... study, study...

I can't believe I'm going to say this, so cover your eyes guys... *big breath* I like it better than LotR. *silence, breathe out* The only book that tops it is Silm.

[BeardofPants]

I bought the new book, but I'm not allowed to read it until after my exams. The last time I delved into GRR Martin's world, I almost failed a paper at university, so the BF has hidden the book from me, until I've finished. No will power.

[BeardofPants]

I have the new book hidden somewhere in my apartment - not allowed to read it until after my exams are over.

[Lenya]

Man, I know how you feel. My book is at home and I am at ress. *only difference, I'm to start with book III - can't wait!*

[Lenya]

You know, I feel really stupid. I started a thread without knowing of this one and now there are two of the same threads. How idiotic. Someone should merge them.