I might read them if they come out, but only when they’re all out, and possibly not even then. I did the same to the Wheel of Time. I’d already experienced what it was like trying to get back into that world after a break of several years and I’d stopped caring what would happen next. With ASOIAF I’d have to reread the books to avoid getting “the story so far” confused with the TV-show, and I just don’t have the desire to do that at this point and doubt I’ll have it again.
And that is supposing there will be more books, which I doubt.
I’m still looking forward to reading whatever else comes out. I feel the same way I do about GRRM as about Stephen King. Delightful reads full of interesting characters and stories, but don’t count on a satisfying resolution to anything, because there was no plan in mind when the story started.
I didn’t really like the last two, but when I reread them in the combined A Feast for Dragons suggested order some fans came up with, I did like them better. And if you told me when ADWD came out that in 2021 there was still no release of WoW, I’d probably have passed out. I was so eager for them at the time I could barely stand it.
The disappointment of the show and the … unevenness of the supplemental bonus material has tamped my enthusiasm down. I do want closure because I don’t think the show got much right (for whatever the definition of right is for a book that hasn’t been written). And there are things I want closure on that aren’t in the show. Connington, Lady Stoneheart, Patchface. I can’t believe that all of the book-only things end up completely meaningless.
I haven’t seen any of the TV show. I have read the books.
For some time after I read the last book I was excited to see the next one. I’ve long since given up. I don’t think Martin is going to finish the series and, if he does finish, I doubt he’ll do a good job of it.
I’d be moderately pleased to have it turn out I was wrong on both counts; but I’m certainly no longer excited. There’s only so long that one can keep up being excited.
I found that cutting away to the Daenerys storyline tended to kill the momentum of the other stories, so for A Dance with Dragons I initially skipped all of her chapters and then read them back-to-back once I had finished everything else. I thought it was an improvement, personally.
I will say in fairness there are a couple of things the show did better than the books (one or two in particular, I’m thinking mostly of characterization here). The first few seasons of the show are really quite well done and complement the books better than most adaptations.
Not until he finishes the series, which is of course as likely as me winning the lottery.
As others have said, the first three books were excellent. I read them (I think) in 2002, so I didn’t have too long a wait till the fourth. That one was somewhat disappointing, but still left me wanting more. However, as the delay got longer and longer, I swore off the series. There’s plenty of things to read without getting in to what is basically, an incomplete story. Chalked the experience off to another good example of why you shouldn’t start reading a series that isn’t completed yet. Especially a Fantasy series.
I am eager to read them. The books were far better than the latter episodes.
I am less hopeful the books will ever actually see the light of day. GRRM hasn’t lost his touch in other areas, eg Fire & Blood. (If anyone tries to tell me the Targaryen Age was a golden age, I recommend that book to them.)
I loved the first three books and read them in quick succession when they came out. I’ve read all the ones published so far but I hold out little hope of them being finished. I wish he had written the entire series before the TV show was made, and then at least we would have completion for those of us who read first, and the rest of you would just take whatever direction the TV show went in
I think GRRM still writes wondrous stuff, I loved his Fire & Blood and look forward to part 2, he’s built a hell of a fascinating universe for ASOIAF and I love delving in it, the way I love picking thru JRRT’s Silmarillion and HOMES books. I’m happy playing there, and less invested in him finishing the series, honestly. tho I’ll read those if they come out
Game of Thrones has been on my radar, and on my Kindle, for a long time now, but I haven’t gotten around to either reading or watching any of it. I love fantasy—it may be my favorite genre—but that certainly doesn’t mean I like all fantasy, and from all I’ve heard and read about it, I still don’t know whether this would be the kind I’d like or not. And part of my reluctance to get into it is due to the widespread opinion that the TV show doesn’t end well, and the books may not have an ending at all, let alone a satisfying one.
Another reason I’ve never gotten into it was because I didn’t know whether it would be better (less confusing, more enjoyable) to start with the books or with the show. (And I’ve never AFAIK had access to a service where I could watch the show without paying extra.)
So maybe I should try out the poll feature:
Should I read/watch Game of Thrones?
Read the books first, then watch the show.
Watch the show first, then read the books.
Just watch the books; skip the show.
Just watch the show; skip the books.
Don’t bother with either the books or the show. There are enough other good things to read & watch.
Skip the books and the last 2 seasons of the show. The books I found to be tedious, and the show was run by idiots. Without the books to keep them in check, the showrunners showed their innate incompetence and ran it into the ground at a high rate of speed. Not pretty at all. The final season betrayed everything that had come before, just for lulz.
Surprised more people aren’t suggesting that you watch the books. I mean they are absolutely riveting to see.
This thread makes me wonder if making the show before the series was finished (one way or another) was a big mistake. I can’t offhand recall any other show/book series having this happen. (Ok, Akira was mid-manga, but the film experience is still mind-blowing, even if it diverged and made no sense standing on its own)
I don’t know how excited people are for the Wheel of Time show, but there was plenty of time during the writing of the series that a show could have been made even before Robert Jordan’s passing. And elsewhere it seems people are excited to see what gets made for the show.
