Sometime later, it came back to haunt me in the form of this TV series. I am a bit of a snob. Whoever watches the series and doesn't read the book.. They are not really into it, I feel. They take the easy way out of watching a compressed version of the wonderful books. And people in this bracket, except for a couple of people like Scarlett, are not really readers. They claim to read and discuss asoiaf as if it is the most wonderful thing they know about. I love correcting them and telling them to read the damn books! And it kills me when they start a conversation in a room.. Have you seen this show! As if!!! Wannabes, I tell you!!
So I tried watching the show, I saw a few episodes and I couldn't watch it. Maybe because I wanted my visualisation through the book to remain as is.
Now the show is back again.. So much brouhaha on the net regarding the TV series. Over the last few days I have been reading online articles bashing theTV series. And I am loving it. This has rekindled my interest in asoiaf. I think it's time to dust off the book covers and read it again!
Maybe then I will watch the TV series and criticise it like crazy!! :D
10 comments:
I can totally relate to your post and i am so much of that 'snob' you mentioned :D I really try to read the book before watching the movie, and like you said many times I am disappointed by my own projection not matching that of the director's, but in the process I finish some books which otherwise would have taken many years.
I know!!
Though some movies do, do justice to the books in question. Classic example being Lord of the rings.
You have been so nice to me in the post :)
To be honest, I'm not as voracious a reader as you or Melee. I had trouble with ASOIAF. I couldn't keep up with the many characters and events happening simultaneously, and had to abort my attempt to read the book after the first 200 pages or so, ashamed as I am to admit it. So for a person like me who hasn't read the book the show is very addictive. I watched the first four seasons (some 45 episodes I think)? in a week!
The fifth season though wasn't as engaging and I'm now reading about how significantly the show has digressed from the book. So I'm thinking it's time to pick up the book again! Maybe I can keep up with it better and go through it faster now that I know the sequence of events.
Scarlett, you have really got to read those books!
I've read them cover to cover twice and am thinking its time to get back into it a third time. Each reading has given me so much more to enjoy with the hidden references that I missed out on in the first reading! It's really awesome çoz few books manage that feat!
The show is making a royal hash of the whole thing. I am more and more disappointed with their version of things! It really does feel like the producers decided to simply tick of the major plot points through whatever means possible instead of focussing on getting the emotion communicated properly. Or perhaps, because my emotions were so strong when I first read the story, I can't seem to get into the show-version of things. It's a different medium for sure and many times the internal struggle of the character is missing but they could still have done some things differently. Anyway, I'm done with the show now till the 6th book comes out. There is NO WAY I will let he show be my first reference to this epic story
I like watching a couple of youtube channels that did really good episode reviews for each season (or maybe they skipped season 1, can't remember). And then ofcourse there are the various discussion boards that can keep you engrossed for hours n hours!! I remember being this nuts about the Potter series. But the craze for ASOIAF is on a whole new level altogether. Fun! :)
@Scarlett you haven't met the people I am talking about!!! They are absolutely not into books! And talk about got as the series to follow.. Intelligent show apparently!!
Now that you have seen the series, you must read the books to see the difference. You will enjoy the nuances much much more!!!!
@mommie there are so many theories floating about many characters.. I really wonder how it will all come together!! I didn't get to the various discussions posted online , the last time I read it. Time has come to re read it!!! And then another post on it maybe :)
Books anyday. Haven't seen the TV show for two reasons - first, I had already read the books. So, i know who is he going to kill next and of course, I have no desire to see it again. (spoiler: think red wedding)
Secondly, I am beginning to tire of the books also. Tired of the endless wait for the next book and how he seems to be dragging out the stories, with new characters introduced in every book and not just that they start taking centre stage. I think he could learn a thing or two from Rowling on how to write a seven book series without rambling.
@Bluestocking Endless wait it is. I remember being so frustrated after finishing whatever he had written. Apparently winds of winter should release soon! It will need 5 books more to tie up all the loose ends :)
I have watched the entire series and read the first 2 books. Both are really good. The TV series takes a few liberties and that makes it interesting for me.
The books maybe much better in terms of the nuances and the descriptive narratives. But with today's level of technology, the series has done a fantastic job of bringing it all to life.
How does it matter if the series is not true to the books? I am a big fan of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. I have read most of the books. BBC created a 7 episode series which does not truly follow the books. But I love both.
Each to their own, I suppose.
The writers for the TV show have to be as good at creating what GRR created! That's why.. they have no clue how to the story will pan out and how all these characters tie in together in the end. Taking small liberties is fine - it is not possible to showcase each and everything. Some parts will get edited but why change. They do not know the significance of that particular activity, or the way the character will develop further. That's my problem with these. I thought LOTR was fantastic as a movie.
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