Sunday, April 1, 2012

A Game of Thrones

A Game of Thrones.  The very title conjures up images of chess, doesn't it?  Politics has often been compared to the game of chess.  It's all about strategy, and moving your pieces to trap and defeat your opponent.  In reality, the art of politics is nothing like chess, except maybe on the surface.  Most political tactics take place off of the board, however. 

I first read A Game of Thrones, by George R.R. Martin, probably when it was first published in paperback. I remember being extremely angry about some of the characters in the book--so upset, in fact, that I had no interest in reading any of the other books. I won't tell you what upset me, because I don't want to spoil the story.  But I used to be way more idealistic than I am now, and that colored my response to the story.   After my husband and I started dating, he read the book.  Larry wouldn't stop talking about it, and while I remembered that I had read the book, I had forgotten much about it.  (Before I had a kid, I averaged about 8 books a week; that so does not happen anymore!) So I reread A Game of Thrones.  I still got very upset with part of the story, but this time I had a more realistic view under my belt.

And I've been hooked ever since.  My only kvetch about the series is that Martin takes forever to finish each book!

Larry and I were beside ourselves when we learned that HBO was turning A Game of Thrones into a television series. We were right to be concerned; could the tale told by George R. R. Martin be translated onto the screen in a way that would convey the rapture of reading it?  We decided that we would wait and see, particularly when we learned that Sean Bean would be playing a role in the series.  My husband adores Sean Bean, particularly his portrayal of Boromir in The Lord of the Rings movies.   The phrase "One does not simply walk into Mordor..." is oft repeated in our household, even before it was popular as a meme.  Casting Sean Bean was sheer genius on HBO's part, at least in terms of getting nerds/geeks like my husband and I to watch the show. 

We watched the first episode, and were hooked.  It was as if the book had come alive!  The producers took great pains to make the show as authentic looking as possible, and it shows.  I'm not going to spoil the show for you, if you haven't watched it, but the settings, the pacing, the actors all fit together so perfectly that you find yourself transported.  Which is what a good book or a good movie should do.

The second season begins April 1st, (today!!), and we will be parked in front of our television, at least after our son is asleep, since the show is definitely not kid safe.  If you haven't read the books, no worries.  You don't need to, although the books provide enrichment.  If you haven't see the show, go rent the first season.  You won't be sorry!

11 comments:

  1. But I want to watch it with you! Although I would ask too many questions and get kicked off the couch!

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  2. I've read the book, but not watched the show!

    Look forward to your challenge posts.

    Twitter: @AprilA2Z
    #atozchallenge

    ---Damyanti, Co-host A to Z Challenge April 2012

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  3. Thanks for the suggestion. What is the category--is it Lord-of-the-Ringish? I have never gotten into the fantasy genre, but perhaps you could change my mind.

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    1. Martin has been called "The American Tolkien", but where Tolkien was all about the mythology, Martin is more about the characters. At least I think so.

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  4. My college aged daughter just told me the same thing yesterday....to go out and rent first seasons and then catch up with the current one. She's addicted as well and has already set up her day's schedule so she's ready and watching!!

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  5. On my reading list
    Sean Bean is a favorite
    Happy A to Z month

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  6. Is it necessary to read the book before trying the TV series? Just curious... We had free HBO this weekend on the Dish and I was tempted to watch it but I wasn't familiar with it. Thanks!

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    1. No, it is not necessary to read the books, but it sure makes it more fun.

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  7. I've just heard of this within the last weeks and not sure if it was based on books or not. I will have to check to see what all the fuss is about; the movies/shows usually pale in comparison to the books.

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  8. Will have to look this one up! Sounds great!!

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  9. Here from A-Z, and so glad I did. Tony (the husband) has been wrapped up in the books long before the HBO series came out, and once the first season was out on DVD he got me hooked. He calls me his sweet Kaleshi. (feel free to correct my spelling on the name) I just try to ignore the fact that she was subservient to him, and just try to focus on her immense power. And the dragons. Because Dragons are always cool. :)

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I welcome comments, but reserve the right to correct your spelling because I am OCD about it!