2018 Beyond the Classics discussion

A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin is the first book that I’ve personally chosen to read in what could literally be years. A Game of Thrones refuses to limit itself to one character, or even one storyline. Plot twists abound, and the fates of each character hinges upon the whims of the gods and Martin. A fantasy book with a soap opera heart, there are few groups who would not be completely engrossed with this novel. Martin’s mix of politics and the make-believe creates a storyline that can shock the reader while still feeling entirely relatable. Needless to say, I was a big fan of this book.

There are three main storylines, for all intents and purposes. The first two storylines center around the visit of King Robert to Winterfell, the ancestral home of the Starks. Without giving too much away, this visit results in Eddard “Ned” Stark taking up the position of Hand of the King, leading to him leaving for King’s Landing with two of his daughters, Sansa and Arya. Indirectly, the king’s visit also results in the bastard son Jon Snow taking up the black to be a part of the Night’s Watch up on the Wall. The third main storyline centers around Daenerys, the daughter of the murdered former king, who has been on the run her entire life. Each of the storylines has its own characters and settings, with each worthy of dominating its own separate novel. Really, A Game of Thrones is less of a story of the actions of a few characters than it is an expanded universe of differing yet interconnected journeys.

While a literary triumph, A Game of Thrones is not without its flaws. As many have noted, Martin’s writing is more functional than exceptional, which does lead to some clunky sequences that do not feel the writings of a best-selling author. Another notable downside is that by having a massive cast of characters, you have, well, a massive cast of characters. Even the closest of readers will struggle to keep up with all the names, and by having so many separate narratives, some characters will be reduced to simple personalities and tropes, and not truly develop. Of course, Martin does create a number of deep and relatable characters, but he is forced to make sacrifices elsewhere. Finally, one flaw that only I seem to notice is that Martin takes his good time to really get into the meat of some chapters. I struggle to get through the descriptive parts of storylines, so when Martin starts off a chapter with four pages discussing the setting, I am inclined to daydream more and read less.

Obviously, with the critical acclaim often bestowed upon A Game of Thrones, the novel is exceptionally strong in a number of areas. First and foremost, Martin is a master of plot. While A Game of Thrones does not shirk the responsibility of developing a number of complex characters, Martin makes his money on the storylines. As stated previously, A Game of Thrones is a conglomeration of a number of concurrent plots, each one containing twists and turns that few will expect. The characters are all put in harrowing situations, both physically and morally, where any and every decision can result in the deaths of their enemies or their loved ones. Another strength is Martin’s ability to create conflict between characters. Everyone hates each other for some reason or another, and this creates sort of a medieval reality show atmosphere, which deep down, we all want.

I cannot recommend this book enough. Admittedly, if you want to get through the series, a fine alternative is the TV show Game of Thrones. From what I’ve heard, it’s pretty awesome. However, you are able to get more information and insight from the book, and just for that, I’d say you should read the novel first. The mix of conflict and characters lends for an incredibly engaging read, and everyone should try it at some point.