I’m interested in seeing how many of the people who have been watching Game of Thrones have read the book(s) and whether or not that influences your enjoyment of the HBO series.
I did not read the books, but I have been watching and while it is interesting I can’t really say I’m all that into it. I believe my main issue is I don’t give a shit about any of the characters. Aside from the little girl they are all either uninteresting and/or unlikeable in any way; I’m watching just hoping to see them all get stabbed in the face.
Do you think having read the books is increasing or decreasing your enjoyment of the show? Are the characters more likeable or at least relatable in the books more so than the show?
Haven’t read the books, and am finally starting to really sort of enjoy the series, despite an at the same time draggy and sort of rushed-seeming start to the thing.
In the grand scheme of HBO original series, I’d rank it slightly above the trashy (but fun and engrossing) True Blood, but nowhere near the lofty heights reached by the Big Three (Deadwood, The Sopranos, and The Wire).
I need to explain my poll answer, since it’s a case of “This is the closest option but not quite right.”
I chose “Read the books but not enjoying the series” only because I don’t get HBO and we can’t really afford a premium channel at the moment. I did see the first ep because it was on during a free preview weekend. So by “not enjoying” I really mean “not watching”.
I am, however, following along on episode threads, since I DO know the story and I enjoy reading other people’s reactions.
I watched the first two episodes and loved it enough to start reading the books. I just couldn’t get enough of it. Actually just finished the first book last night, going to start the second soon enough. I’d say the book complements my enjoyment of the show, and vice versa. It’s strange, I have a vivid imagination, so I have memories of certain scenes, but whether they came from the show or the book is hard to distinguish.
I haven’t read the books, but I plan to read them all after I’ve watched the first season of the show. I usually prefer to read the books first, but they’re all checked out of the library due to the show’s popularity. Same problem as when a Harry Potter movie comes out.
I read the books and I’m enjoying the series. The first few episodes seemed rushed and it was clear they were setting the stage but the last couple of episodes have been really good.
Haven’t read the books and am enjoying the series a lot. Admittedly, it’s helping a lot that I’m watching it with my girlfriend, who knows the books in and out and has been extremely helpful in explaining what the hell is going on.
I chose “I read the books and I am not enjoying the HBO series,” but that is just the closest answer. I am somewhat enjoying the series, but not as much as expected and not nearly as much compared to what I read on various forums from people that read the book.
I just have a lot of problems with the series. I’ll continue to watch, but I think this is a case where the hype has actually helped rather than hurt. People are so invested that I think they are willing to overlook a lot.
I also have some negative feelings about the books. I did enjoy the books quite a lot, but there were also a number of instances when I thought Martin made characters act in ways that didn’t make sense mainly because he writes himself into corners. I think it will only get worse though I’m hoping to be proven wrong. I really did find the books entertaining and enjoyable, but some of the writing was also aggravating.
He really should have planned the major plot lines out from start to finish rather than improvising and trying grandiose expansions to the story once he was part of the way through. At least his characters, particularly women, seem better written than Robert Jordan’s characters.
I don’t have cable, so I am not watching it, though from what other posters have said, there is a good chance I will buy the DVDs. I think the books are awesome.
This seems like a good place to put in a plug for Martin’s other stuff – Fevre Dream (vampires on the Mississippi in Mark Twain’s time), Armageddon Rag (rock 'n roll and a sort-of apocalypse), and his SF – Wild Cards, Dream Haven, Hunter’s Run, and some really luscious horror shorts, collected in various places. I haven’t read everything he’s written, but everything I’ve read has been very satisfying. Except for Dying of the Light – that one puts me to sleep in the first few pages every time I try to read it.
I’m hoping some of his other stuff might get film treatments, especially Fevre Dream.
Does Martin actually write Wild Cards? I thought the milieu was a shared world and Martin just edited (well, not just edited, like he doesn’t work at the editing…you know what I mean!).
The first volume has 2 stories by Martin (out of 12), the second, ditto, the third, one of the seven characters was written by him, 1/11 in the fourth and fifth, after that I can’t find specific authors for the anthology and mosaic books for the first series, and don’t own them. The New Cycle, he didn’t provide anything until the third book, Black Trump. After that, so far as I know, he’s not written any.
I began reading the first book just before the series started and was liking both the show and the novel. Then I decided that knowing the book stuff was actually hurting my enjoyment of the show, so I stopped. The episode that airs on Sunday will probably be 40 or 50% new stuff for me, so I’m very excited. I plan on going back and finishing the book after this seasons ends.
Both my father and sister haven’t read the books and are loving the show so far.
Please, somebody make a movie of Fevre Dream! I’d pegged ASOIF as one of those interminable Tolkien ripoffs until the TV series PR hit after I’d re-read the novel once again. Oh, *that George R R Martin! So I ripped through the series, enjoying it a bunch. (George–would it have killed you to make an outline?)
I signed up with HBO to catch the series. Think they’re doing a very good job. (GRRM is working with the TV guys–he used to write for TV. Is he changing some of the things he wishes he’d done differently, like the ages of the Stark kids? Will he “novelize” the TV show after it’s done?)
I don’t know that “enjoying” is the right word. I thought it was excellent but it wasn’t really fun-filled…
Haven’t read the books and am absolutely loving the series.
I’m also enjoying reading the SDMB threads as each episode airs, and really appreciate all the effort that’s been made to keep book spoilers out of the TV show threads. Everyone who’s read the books has been able to add valuable insight to the discussion and yet I haven’t had a thing spoiled for me. It’s hugely appreciated.
I now plan to read the books one day… probably the day the final volume is published.