digg

Join DiggAbout

Donkeys and Elephants and Delegates,oh my!
Check out the most popular Elections 2008 content on Digg.

HBO plans Mud & Blood Fantasy Series -- better than Tolkien!

variety.com — If Lord of the Rings were a western, The A Song of Ice and Fire novels would be spaghetti westerns. The stories have a decidedly adult bent, with sex and violence comparable to series like Rome and Deadwood.

Bury
show profanity settings
expand all
  • picaro, on 10/12/2007, -0/+11Below is a slashdot review:
    So after the umpteenth "you've got to check it out or I'll burn your hat", I decided to give it a shot. And discovered one of the best read fantasy novels I've read in a decade.
    http://books.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/07/03/1445206&mode=thread&tid=188&tid=192
    • ValarMorgulis, on 10/12/2007, -0/+12Yeeeey!
      I can't wait. GRRM is an excellent writer and this series is the best adult fantasy I have ever read.
    • Four20, on 10/12/2007, -21/+19better than Tolkien. . .blasphemy
    • sockpuppets, on 10/12/2007, -4/+8Anyone who hasn't seen Deadwood, please do. It's the best piece of television to come along in ages. Sadly, they canceled it, although two movies are rumored to be in the works. It's also highly historically accurate- it's interesting to watch it then read up on the historical context just to see what the old west was about.
    • thebaron2, on 10/12/2007, -7/+6It is a GREAT series. Here is the author's official website - this is the link to the update page for when the new book comes out if anyone is awaiting as eagerly as I am!

      http://www.georgerrmartin.com/nextbook.html

      I'd also recommend the series The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan for anyone else that likes this genre.

      http://www.tor.com/jordan/index.html
    • flernk, on 10/12/2007, -1/+12I just got the chills. It's about frigg'n time! Best fantasy series OF ALL TIME. (And yes, I've read the competition)
    • SourWorm, on 10/12/2007, -5/+7The Wheel of Time series is good (and I would suggest the very comparable The Sword of Truth series to any fans), but A Song of Ice and Fire is quite different in many areas.
    • aaaleman, on 10/12/2007, -0/+12Long live Lord Tyrion!
    • josak, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2This is awesome news. I hope it turns out good.
    • Daveecee, on 10/12/2007, -1/+14@thebaron2

      I always found the name of the "The Wheel of Time" series to be ironic, considering the series itself really is like a wheel.

      So ***** repetetive.
    • charli2na, on 10/12/2007, -4/+3this sounds great, but I really with HBO would do a series on King's Dark Tower books.
    • Itkovian, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8I'd say that A Wheel of Time starts out good, but drags on and on and on and on ... after book 3. There are some issues with this series:

      a) does not move on story-wise
      b) does not move on character-wise (the (young) people don't grow in their behaviour/mentality)
      c) does not portray characters realistically (sharing your man with two other women, but still get freaked out when somebody mentions something 'inappropriate' ?)

      Compared to that GRRM's books are simply outstanding.
    • Elranzer, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1"It's also highly historically accurate- it's interesting to watch it then read up on the historical context just to see what the old west was about."

      Interesting. I'm sure in the real old west, they said "*****" almost as often as on Deadwood.
    • OnlyShawn, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0...when the same people are recommending this series as are recommending 'wheel of time' and 'sword of truth'....i'm not sure it's worth my time...but I'll check it out.

      Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn (Tad Williams); some of the best fantasy I've read, other than Tolkien.
    • Tygell, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5and yet, I found Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn to drag on a bit. A good read, but definitely not my favorite.

      A Song of Ice and Fire is hands down my favorite series though! Let it be known that GRRM has no inhibitions about killing off central characters. It's quite refreshing.

      As for those who are ALSO recommending The Wheel of Time, you're deranged. That series started off well in the firs 3 or 4 books, but it really seems like there's no end in sight and he's up to like book 12 now i think. I will probably continue buying the series since I've already come this far, but I would NOT suggest anyone start this series if you haven't already.
  • stjoad, on 10/12/2007, -0/+25Man I can't wait for this. HBO and co-executive produced by George R. R. Martin himself? It can't get any better.
    • Rxbrent, on 10/12/2007, -0/+19Seriously! I can't even believe this! This is the greatest series I've ever read. If you've never read the series, DO IT! So far Martin is 4 books into it. I've listened to the audio books and each book is around 40 hours long! Trust me, you'll want more. I love Tolkien and The Lord of the Rings but it really seems like a children's book in comparison.

      Absolute must read if your a Sci-Fi/Fantasy fan!
    • JTH007, on 10/12/2007, -15/+5I agree..fantastic writing and story.

      HOWEVER....

      I recommend waiting until the series is COMPLETE before starting. Otherwise, you will inevitably burn through the first few books and be left waiting a year or two for the next one, and so on with the next one....(I call this the Robert Jordan "Wheel of Time" Cycle...I'll wait till that bastard is dead).

      But if you really want to restart the series every time a new book comes out..be my guest. I know I have (doh!)

    • SourWorm, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5I know what you mean about waiting and having to re-read them. I started re-reading the series from the beginning thinking the next one was supposed to be due out soon, but seeing as how I'm already most of the way through the 3rd book I think I'll finish the 4th way before the next one is finally released. And it's too bad that the 4th book covers the story arcs of only some of the characters
    • diggaiden, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7@JTH007

      You do know that Jordan is really dying of some rare blood disease, right? Give the guy a break.

      I'm excited about this as well. I hope, though, that this doesn't require too much time from GRRM, thus delaying the next couple of books even further.
    • Itkovian, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2If Jordan is dying, all the more reason to wrap the series up _fast_. I've nothing against him personal, but private matters should not be mixed with professional matters, I think. If his books are slow, unexciting, well, our criticism has got nothing to do with his health.
    • Elranzer, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4"I love Tolkien and The Lord of the Rings but it really seems like a children's book in comparison. "

      Tolkien always did intend the Lord of the Rings to be a children's book. Did you ever actually open the books and look at the inside cover? Something about "intended for ages 8 - 14."
    • diggaiden, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1@ltkovian,

      Well, Jordan did say he would finish "Memory of Light" or whatever the title is and push it out, even if it's more than a thousand pages long. For me the glow wore off after Lord of Chaos, and only sheer stubborness (and the fact that I hate hanging stories) is making me finish Wheel of Time. But it's one thing to be annoyed at him for basically releasing fillers after Book 6, and one thing to say that you're waiting for him to die.

      Same with GRRM. It's getting annoying how long the wait is between books, but at least the writing more than makes up for it. What's worrisome, though, is that GRRM ain't exactly a spring chicken. Have you seen his pic on his website?
  • chozsun, on 10/12/2007, -0/+35Hate fantasy novels with a passion. Song of Ice and Fire doesn't suck.

    When you purchase A Game of Thrones, you better get the second book. Why? It will be 3am when you finish the first and you will wishing that you could start the second one but the book store is closed.

    Only HBO could have done this justice. Not SciFi. Not a movie studio.
  • TheOtherGuy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5I better hurry up and finish reading the series. I need those bragging rights when the TV series comes out :)
  • Sabin, on 10/12/2007, -0/+14HOLY *****!
    • iggee85, on 10/12/2007, -0/+15Yeah, that's what I said when I saw this. For those of you who don't know, this series has a ***** of blood and gore, raping and pillaging, sex (straight, girl-on-girl) and incest...Oh and it also has huge wolves, dragons and undead.
    • NoDecoy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0In addition to my initial cry of, "HOLY *****" I did a little jig, sort of like Bruce Willis in "The Last Boyscout" Man, I love this series...it is the pinnacle of the genre. As much as I love Sci Fi/Fantasy, there are a lot of people out there who are driven off by these mere words so maybe this series will bring some new fans. Just beware, some of your favorite characters meet w/ some rude endings.
  • csanberg, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4This is going to be awesome.
  • diggik, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6G.R.R.M. posted about it in his blog:
    http://grrm.livejournal.com/11326.html
    "Yes, it's true.

    Yes, this is the Big News that I have been hinting at."
  • RyAnderson, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7Great googly moogly!
  • kaiza, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3A Song of Ice and Fire is a great series, I would recommend anyone who enjoys fantasy to go pick them up!
    • NoDecoy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I would recommend this series to anyone who enjoys great literature, great character development, the type of story that sucks you in and leaves you gasping for more. Martin's work, imho, transcends the genre, and should be recognized for it's sheer brilliance, regardless of which section it sits on the bookstore shelves. And for those of you who mention Jordan's work in the same sentence, shame on you. Tolkien, Anthony, Eddings, Jordan, then there is King George, all alone on the mountain top.
  • Kinser, on 10/12/2007, -11/+4It'll be decent.. but better than Tolkien? You're dreaming.
    • Rxbrent, on 10/12/2007, -2/+8Have you read these books? The best I've ever read. No *****.
    • thesuperrad, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5Yeah, I don't agree with the subjectivity in the Digg title, but A Song of Ice and Fire is my favorite series ever.
    • Jankos, on 10/12/2007, -14/+1Agreed, you just can't compete with tolkien.
    • dkm201, on 10/12/2007, -0/+12The Fire and Ice books obviously wouldn't exist if not for Tolkien, but the storytelling and characters have much more appeal to modern audiences (I'm talking strictly about comparing the books, the Peter Jackson movies obviously found a way to make the Tolkien books appeal to modern audiences).

      The GRR books won't even need tweaking at all. They're already HBO-style stories... I can't wait for this series.
    • adam.skinner, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4> The Fire and Ice books obviously wouldn't exist if not for Tolkien

      This is patently untrue. Tolkien introduced us to his fantasy races in the form of an epic trilogy, and ASOIAF is not high fantasy by any means. This is to say it's not a "high magic" world and it doesn't have tons of fantasy races. It's mostly mundane. I hear it's like "War of the Roses".

      But yes, it does have dragons and undead. However, both of these concepts were well known long before Tolkien.

  • omega95, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5"Only HBO could have done this justice."

    What like the justice they showed Deadwood, Curb, and Lucky Louie?

    It not TV... its canceled.
    • SwimTorrent, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I hear the creator actually wanted to stop doing Deadwood.

      But I agree with the general tone. GRRM is fantastic and his novels are fantastic. This is pretty exciting.
    • SparQy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Not to mention Carnivale. Damn it!!
    • flatline79, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7HBO is the only one with enough balls to make shows like Rome, Deadwood, Carnivale, etc. They are making huge financial risks, and if a show isn't succeeding like they need it to, they have to pull it. They would not be a successful business with the resources to take these risks if they stuck with every show that was critically acclaimed but losing them money
  • stjoad, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4Honestly, I completely agree with the people who say it's the best they've ever read. No exaggerating at all.
  • The0cho, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Wow....im speechless. This is even more exciting than the movie in the works based on Phillip Pulman's "His dark materials" series.
  • azAZ09, on 10/12/2007, -0/+18"Winter is coming ..."
    • kenthorvath, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3"A Lannister always pays his debts..."

      (I know - "Hear me roar!")
    • SourWorm, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6wolf > lion
    • adam.skinner, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6"...I'll shove that sword someplace even Renly never found."
    • Tygell, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5yikes, I actually got chills seeing the "Winter is coming" and Lannister quotes.

      I am so freakin excited to see this series, I will subscribe to HBO instead of pirating it after the fact =)
    • azAZ09, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Are you ready to "pay the Iron Price" ?

      (In this case the Iron price is the cost of HBO HD)

  • zephc, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3For those like me who like audio books, there are several of his on the iTunes Music Store, unabridged of course.
    • kenthorvath, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5I hate how they changed narrators for Book 4. Roy Dotrice was the best voice actor I've heard since Jim Dale.
    • ValarMorgulis, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3@kenthorvath
      Yes, that new guy totally sucked. It made the book sound cheap and mindless. I bought GRRM's first three books at audible, but when I heard the sample recording with the new guy I was totally disappointed. Let's hope Roy will be able to take on the next book in the series.
    • vanker, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Roy Dotrice is nearly 83...unlikely he'll do another audiobook, but I completely agree that the new guy sucked. I hated listening to that one...
    • adam.skinner, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3I absolutely LOVE Roy Dotrice. He imbues such life and vitality and emotion into his characters. His voices for Tyrion and The Hound are superb. Also Maester Aemon.

      I was aghast and supremely disappointed when that other narrator took over and just bungled everything up.

      I even started a "Bring Back Roy Dotrice" petition =)
    • OnlyShawn, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I still don't understand how people think Jim Dale is a good narrator....at least for HP. Stephen Fry (british reader for HP)......TONS better. Perhaps that's because I listened to Fry first, and so that's how the characters "should" sound...if I'd have started with Dale, that might've made me like him more.
  • patientXero, on 10/12/2007, -2/+7This is the best fantasy series ever. Tolkein's stuff is great, but not nearly as complex or realistic as Martin's world. This is like a dream come true!
    • diggik, on 10/12/2007, -1/+7Yes. Tolkien did a fantastic job with creating and describing a whole believable world, but he didn't delve so deeply into character as George R. R. Martin does.

      Sauron: love him or hate him and what he's about? It's pretty obvious.

      The same for Tyrion? The choice is not so easy.
    • adam.skinner, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4It's not fair to compare Sauron to Tyrion. Tyrion is a POV in the series, and Sauron was simply an "enemy". Better to compare Frodo or Sam to Tyrion or Arya.
    • diggik, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2@adam.skinner

      Agreed. I should have offered the comparison of the Hound to Sauromon or similar.
    • patientXero, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I really think it is hard to compare the characters from Tolkein to the characters from Martin. Here's why. If you haven't read Martin yet, here's your warning, ((POSSIBLE SPOILERS)) but mild :)

      Tolkein's creations are Good or Evil.That morality informs their every action. The only characters with more complex motivations are Frodo, Golem and Boromir. All of whom would be solidly Good if it wasn't for the corrupting influence of the One Ring.

      The inhabitants of Martin's books, on the other hand, are flawed and complex. Lord Stark is noble, but not necessarily Good. Plus, one could say that his nobility is the tragic flaw that causes his downfall.

      Tyrion's motivations are nearly impenetrable, and his actions veer from heroic to cowardly - hitting every space in between. Jaime Lannister is another example of characters bucking their "type" and upholding various loyalties and motivations.

      Arya, Littlefinger, Danaerys, Varys, The Hound, Dondarrion, Stannis, the list of characters with more complex motivations than the characters from Tolkein could go on and on.

      Also, (and I know some people love this about Tolkein), Martin doesn't have some lame-ass boring song, or 20 pages of irrelevant history making the series a boring and tedious read. Tolkein deals with maybe 4 main characters (Frodo, Gandalf, Aragorn, Golem . . . 5 if you count Sauron, but he's not really a character).

      Martin has no compunction about killing off main characters and the plot revolves around a cast of, I don't really know, maybe 10 major characters at any given time, each with a set of sub-characters and their own storylines and subplots and their own POV. So, the reader is never sure of how things are going to work out. THAT makes for compelling reading.
    • johnbr, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Once I read ASOIF, I realized what was missing from Tolkein. Every single character except for Sam and Eowyn are completely flat. No change, no development in any meaningful sense. Sam surpassed what he believed he was capable of, and demonstrated a fierce independence and love that transcended greed and lust. Eowyn demonstrated that she was more than just an ornament, just as she had hoped she would. Sure, they all changed, but not (IMO) in any "heroic" way.

      Everyone else? Pretty much the same at the end of the series (emotionally) as they were at the beginning.

      The funny thing is that the LOTR movies have better characters than the LOTR books. Aragorn is much more torn and interesting in the movie than he is in the book, and Arwen, and Elrond, and Faramir.
  • drobv1ous, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2I wonder who's going to play Tyrion?
    • kenthorvath, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I'd like to see Warwick Davis get the part. (Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warwick_Davis) But his description (face-wise) in the book always reminds me of that old chinese wizard - the good one - ( http://imdb.com/name/nm0939378/ ) from Big Trouble in Little China.
    • DocFunBags, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1As long as its not Mickey from Seinfeld I'm cool with who they choose!! (Anyone see him in that Conan tv show?? blechh)
    • vuedoo, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1Wee Man of Course. And Paris Hilton will obviously be cast in the role of Cerce Lannister.
  • dooms13, on 10/12/2007, -3/+4I don't know about better than Tolkien. I haven't read them yet, but it would take a lot for a book to compete with the mastery of the English and other languages Tolkien had. Not only his mastery of language but also his ability to so vividly convey his thoughts, views and morals through a book. The LOTR is the best fantasy series I have ever come across with its mesh of poetry, language, story, and culture. Then to add to those three books you have to read the other works by Tolkien.

    I will pick up this book though. From what I have been reading it seems like it is one of the best fantasy series of recent memory. I am a fantasy junkie, maybe this is what I have been waiting for.

    For those of you who have read this I would recommend Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth series. I found it fascinating and had a good tempo to the books.

    I can't wait to pick this up with all the hype I have been reading.
    • Gryffydd, on 10/12/2007, -1/+9Terry Goodkind's stuff is absolute ***** compared to the Song of Ice and Fire. Tolkien's stuff is great, but it's just not in the same field as Martin's. I've read just about everything Tolkien you can buy: Unfinished Tales, the Books of Lost Tales, The Silmarillion (obviously), and I really do love it. However, GRRM's work transcends Tolkien's not so much in fine artistry, but in raw appeal.

    • dooms13, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Obviously most novels transcend LOTR in raw appeal. Tolkien didn't write the books for publishing, he wrote them for his on enjoyment. They are a hard read for the most part, the language is extremely complex. I really want to get my hands on these books tho (GRRM's), it seems no one has anything bad to say about them, which is rare.

      IMO Goodkind's work is decent, I wasn't comparing it to GRRM's works, but I know Goodkind is no where near the masters of literature like Tolkien and CS Lewis, but has a good story with good underlying material.
    • Peterh, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8There is no hype, it's all 100% true
    • azAZ09, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2dooms13,
      I have to say I agree with you about Tolkien's use of Language, I have read his translation and notes on Beowulf for a college course. I adore Tolkien's writing, particularly his linguistic choices. I've read LOTR numerous times, as well as the Hobbit, Silmarillion, and Unfinished Tales. I understand your skepticism.

      That being said, I enjoyed reading A Song of Ice and Fire more.

      I have to agree with Gryffydd about Terry Goodkind. This relies on too much exposition through conversation. This is the same kind of thing I didn't like about Dan Brown's books.
  • Teku, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2If done right this could be another excellent series on HBO. If it turns out to be garbage it will not be the fault of GRRM, his series is one of the best fantasy series out there. I am unfamiliar with the writers named in the article, research will have to be done!
  • Jakerius, on 10/12/2007, -12/+3Over-hyped and underworked. No digg, nothing's better than Tolkien.
  • liosaith, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4i've tried reading LOTR - must say i didn't like it. only time i liked the 'movie(s)' better than the book(s).

    martin's fire and ice series is good, but if you really want a stellar fantasy series try steven erikson's "malazan book of the fallen" series - absolutely the best (imho) fantasy series written. so far 6 books (from 652 to 1194 pages) of some of the most complex and interesting characters/situations ever written. try it - i promise you that you will enjoy it. make sure you read them more than once. i've read them 4 times and still find things/connections missed in previous reading...
    • ae92, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2I enjoyed The Hobbit and LOTR, and have re-read them every so often (and I've even bothered to go through the Simarillion, which reads like the holy book of some crazy folk religion), but it's pretty widely acknowledged that Tolkien's books are muddling, plodding works; the best description I ever read was something to the effect that he had no idea how to put together a novel. Where they really succeed, however, is in the incredible degree of detail about his world he imparts -- you get pulled into the world in spite of the way it's written...
  • PureGamer, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3Oh holy ***** yes ***** awesome. This series is quite possibly the best fantasy series I've EVER read. The way the author changes your outlook on a character within a few chapters is amazing, the way that it doesn't fit into a whole lot of tired overdone fantasy stuff, everything is great. No characters are safe, even your favorite characters are killed, there's minimal magic so it's not the tired "Oh problems let me magic my way out" *****. Awesome, awesome series. The series never seems to lose pace either. I quit reading Lord of the Rings somewhere during Two Towers, I think around "Floatsam and Jetsam" when everyone just sat around talking and *****. Boring. These books have alot of action, violence, sex, twists and turns. A must read for any fantasy fan.
  • JrGhoull, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1a combo between deadwood and lord of the rings? jesus ***** christ i cant even imagine how this ***** is gonna go down...good thing hbo is doing it, they rarely mess up so odds are this will be great.
  • browwiw, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3I am now happy.

    For those of you don't now what Fire and Ice is all about, it's a lot like LotR but with more rape, incest, gluttony, conspiracy, murder, sodomy, and all the other good things in life.
  • Misterchef, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2OMG. Yay!
  • TheToecutter, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1If you have to compare something to something else that's the first indicator it will never be as good as what you're comparing it to.
    • OnlyShawn, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0and yet, remarkably, analogies continue to be used.
  • msergeant, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2I wish I had never come across this series, just like I wish I had never come across Robert Jordans works. I much prefer not having the damn wait, always thinking the next book will be the one that finishes the series! People just need to shut their mouths and only tell me that X is great once the series is damn well finished!
    • longklaw, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0I know how you feel. I'm currently working on 4 unfinished series, including this one. I have adopted a rule that I'm never going to start reading any series that haven't already been completed.
  • evanpugface, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1best fantasy series i've read thus far!
  • banditski, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5This is the best news I've heard in months. The best series I've ever read. I read the first three books in this series before reading Tolkien and I think it spoiled me. While reading Tolkien I was constantly thinking, "yeah, this isn't bad, but ASOIAF is way better."

    Do not go to this site until you've read the books!!! spoilers EVERYWHERE!! http://asoiaf.westeros.org/

    I'm also pretty into the Game of Thrones boardgame. Pretty fun. Check it out if you're into that kinda thing.

    R'hllor is burning bright tonite.
    • picaro, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1If you've read the books, the site mentioned above is *the* place to go for theories and speculation about the story. Also, there is information about fan meetings where you can hang out with George (the author). He is very down-to-earth. It is a surreal experience drinking and talking football with your favorite author.
  • EnglishmanInAu, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7My god, you Tolkeinites are crazy people, do you still drive a Model T-Ford?

    Tolkein defined the genre, Martin is now leading it.
    • patientXero, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Excellent point. And succinctly put.
  • azAZ09, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2This really is big news.

    I'm a big fan of this series, but I don't think I would have equated them with "spaghetti westerns", or used the phrase "Mud & Blood" to describe it. This has the potential to be a really good medieval fantasy.

    Damn, now I may have to invest in HBO-HD, and a high def recorder.
    • picaro, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2The spaghetti western analogy was to highlight the moral ambiguity present in Martin's universe. There is so much schlock produced under "medieval fantasy" banner that drawing a different comparison might be helpful.
      The first few books are similar many historical fiction epics.
    • azAZ09, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2"so much schlock produced under the medieval fantasy banner"

      I agree all around--also about both the moral ambiguity and lack of easy comparisons. But the example carries a connotation of low-budget, that you may not have intended.

      Maybe this comparison -- If LOTR=Batman, then Game of Thrones=Dark Knight Returns.


  • grungegbunny, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3YES!
    George RR Martin is hands down the best writer I've ever come across

    If you like to read fiction it is a MUST you pick up this series.. he makes Stephen King look like Dr.Seuss
    and if you don't read fiction, now is the time to start these books are beautiful..

    and I'm sorry to say if you think Tolkien is better than Martin you are sadly mistaken.
    Buy "A Game of Thrones" seriously.
    • CookieTrain, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Jupp,
      I've been reading fantasy for years and I loved it, until I read "a wheel of time" wich is.. well.. basicly loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong... Didn't read any fantasy after that, until i found "song of Ice and Fire" wich is one of the best series of books ever, disregarding genre. Go Georgie, we all love ya mate!
  • azAZ09, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Casting suggestion ...Liam Neeson as Eddard Stark ?
    • Pandalume, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I could be wrong, but I believe Eddard Stark is only around 35 years old at the beginning of "Game of Thrones". Liam might be a little too old.
    • timothyconard, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1When I took my kids to see Eragon (which totally sucked, but that's a whole 'nother thread), the one thing that struck me was how much Jeremy Irons looked like my mental picture of Eddard Stark.
    • codechino, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I'm interested to see who they get for Cersei, since properly evil women seem to always have casting issues. Then again, HBO did a great job with the women in Rome, which are comparable. Also, Liam Neeson would fit Eddard Stark well, despite his age.
  • tdp05, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5I've never read his books, heard of them and now feel like I need to read them. I didn't realize they were so well liked and thought of. Show concept sounds great, definitely excited for it.
    • longklaw, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I'm excited about the HBO series. I'm always excited when I hear about people deciding to give the books a try. They always like them.
    • picaro, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I give away copies of the first book to people. A few prudish people are turned off, but it generally well received by everyone else.

      Here is a good synopsis:

      Imagine a feudal kingdom on a massive continent in a world filled with many cultures and half-legendary lands and an ancient history. Imagine a time where dragons once lived but magic is now dwindling, yet the seasons can be long or short, bringing glorious summers or terrible winters that last years at a time. Imagine a massive iron throne from which seven kingdoms are ruled, with false knights and true all gathered about it in hopes of blood or glory or profit, and shadows behind it pushing the pieces that make up the game of thrones.

      more:
      http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/Books/Entry/160/
  • baboonraf, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1What about preacher?!
  • CookieTrain, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I want WeeMan!!!!!

    (you all know wich part he's playing)
  • mrdctaylor, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I wonder when it'll come out. I've got the first 3 books on my shelf...was waiting until he wrote more to begin. I hate waiting for books to come out (got burned by the Dark Tower!!!). But...I love HBO's shows so if this debuts in a year or two I'll have to read the books (at least Book 1) before then. Does anyone have more info on timing?
    • picaro, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1The first three books comprise one big story arc. By the end of the third book many of the plot threads have been resolved. The story is ongoing, but each book has some resolution.
      The fourth book is out now. The fifth is 50% complete and should be out in a year.

      The waiting sucks, but the stories are worth it. You could be hit by a bus tomorrow, why deprive yourself? Read it!
  • Fantom, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2These are easily the best books I've ever read, of any genre. He really is brilliant. Even after reading and knowing the story backwards, a re-read is always enjoyable because of Martin's storytelling skill. Fantastic news, I cannot wait to see this!
  • jenic, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Who says they will ***** that book up royally?
  • tch1337, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Now I know how Cartman felt when he wanted to freeze himself because he couldn't wait for the Wii to come out.
  • Jolard, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I am an avid reader, and this series is probably my favorite series of all. OH MY GOSH, I hope they do a good job with these. They are deep "realistic" fantasy, and I haven't read anything like them. I have been anxiously awaiting the next one.

    This will get me to subscribe to HBO.
  • stryck, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I agree that ASoIaF is an excellent read! Martin creates incredibly complex and believable characters that each seem to have a life of their own.

    Once you've finished the first 4 books, try Elizabeth Haydon's Rhapsody/Prophecy/Destiny series to fill the void where Martin's books have left you waiting til the next book comes out. It's right up there on the list of excellent fantasy trilogies with interesting, growing characters that keep you reading til way past bedtime.

    I can't wait for the series to come out on HBO!
  • oknothing, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1WWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOO I CAN'T *****' BELIEVE IT, MY NIZZAS!!!!!!!!!!!!1 George R.R. Martin is the ***** man. Tyrion is a pimp. HBO is cool.

    Goodkind is a dumb bitch who I would attack on sight. All you fans of Goodkind, get out of my sight.
  • unwiseone, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3*****, Yeah! This is is the best news I've heard so far this year! As a fan of Tolkien, Tad Williams and GRRM, I'd say that GRRM's "A Song of Ice and Fire" series rocks 'em all.
  • Diggdeep14, on 10/12/2007, -2/+0Awesome-Awesome-Awesome free to read on www.jtolkien.com covers Tolkien family live and dead and has anyone seen the limited edition book Klone’it on EBay? Author claims JRR Tolkien was Frodo and some priest named Fr Morgan was Bilbo Baggins. Well worth a look – Check it out - See if you agree.
  • goatfoam, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1***** yeah! I'm excited about this! I've read the series twice and listened to the audiobooks once, and it's going to be ***** amazing to see it on the screen! Even if it pales in comparison to George's writing, who cares? It's still going to be a bloody good watch. The most compelling, addictive fantasy series to date - in my book, and I've read a fair amount - and I'm seriously happy that HBO has picked it up because the last thing this series needed was dumbing down or over-romanticising for the screen and HBO can't be accused of that in most cases.
  • xinpheld, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Here's your Tyrion right here - Peter Dinklage:

    http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0227759/
  • Diggdeep14, on 10/12/2007, -2/+0Searching on Google I found a new book called 'Tolkien is Klone'it' which surprise - surprise is free to read. Most of my life I've been a Tolkien fan, loved the books, loved the films.
    Tolkien is Klone'it is a book like no other Tolkien book I've read, it delves into the personal lives of JRR and his descendants.
    At first I couldn’t believe what I was reading so I searched the net putting in words I'd gleaned from the book and to my horror found some of the issues validated in respectable journals around the world.
    Amazingly Michael Tolkien's son was responsible for supplying a huge amount of the input to author Christopher Carrie.
    I have to accept the story is true because if it were not Christopher Tolkien would be suing the arse off Carrie.
    The experience has done nothing to diminish my love of the Lord of the Rings or the Hobbit. Quite the contrary it's expanded my understanding of Tolkien and his motivation.
    Has anyone else read this book? Check it out at www.jtolkien.com What's your conclusion?

  • Diggdeep14, on 10/12/2007, -2/+0Ref Tolkien new book found this blurb, interesting what Tom Tolkien has to say:

    “This book is the honest and open accounts of the authors struggle to bring his assailant to justice.” Jamie Harms, HAVOCA Organization.

    “This newspaper was threatened with legal action to stop us telling the truth.” David Brookes, Editor Sunday Mercury.

    “Tolkien has been arrested…” Detective Inspector Steve Craddock, West-Midlands Police.

    “The case passed what is termed the evidential test; in that it was felt there was sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction.” Julie Seddon, Crown Prosecution Service.

    “We are talking graphic details on a day-to-day basis. In terms of language, much of it is couched in typical Tolkien prose. Phrases like, “I know he wanted to give me his love” or “yield himself to me” are interspersed with accounts of oral and anal sex.” Thomas Tolkien.
  • carrieisaloser, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0Every Tolkien fan knows Carrie is a nutter. Noone can sue him because John Tolkien is dead. As far claiming he’s had help from family members he’s been through four names already, who’ve all denied it – he’ll run out of names soon!
    As for claiming he’s a victim of sexual abuse – on his website he attacks people he claims are victims of abuse. No real abuse victim would do that – the guys a fraud.
    Anyway the Sun did an expose on this guy about two years ago – he’s been trying to rip people off for years – read about it there.
    • Diggdeep14, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0You are so uninformed.
      (a) Everyone whose read Carries book admires and supports him!
      (b) John Tolkien being dead in no way affects the families options in law. Carrie says plenty in his book about Michael Tolkien and Thomas Tolkien both very much alive. John Tolkien was arrested in respect of the sexual molestation of a number of boys. He escaped prosecution because of his health and mental state.
      (c) Heaven only knows where you got the impression "he attacks people he claims are victims of abuse."
      (d) As for the Sun newspaper doing an expose on Carrie, your living in cloud cuckoo land. The Sun is owned by News International i.e. Rupert Murdoch. News International owns Harper Collins who hold the rights to all JRR Tolkien's works. All organs of News International have failed to report one single issue involving Carries claims against Tolkien family members. The Sun has never printed one word against Carrie, I challenge you to show otherwise.
      You left your post nameless denying me the opportunity to address you.
    • Diggdeep14, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0Reply to Carrieisaloser
      (a) Everyone whose read Carries book admires and supports him!
      (b) John Tolkien being dead in no way affects the families options in law. Carrie says plenty in his book about Michael Tolkien and Thomas Tolkien both very much alive. John Tolkien was arrested in respect of the sexual molestation of a number of boys. He escaped prosecution because of his health and mental state.
      (c) Heaven only knows where you got the impression "he attacks people he claims are victims of abuse."
      (d) As for the Sun newspaper doing an expose on Carrie, your living in cloud cuckoo land. The Sun is owned by News International i.e. Rupert Murdoch. News International owns Harper Collins who hold the rights to all JRR Tolkien's works. All organs of News International have failed to report one single issue involving Carries claims against Tolkien family members. The Sun has never printed one word against Carrie, I challenge you to show otherwise.
  • Fetching more discussions...
    Show 51 - 56 of 56 discussions
  •  

    Login or register to add a comment

    Create a new account or login to join in the conversation on Digg. You'll also be able to Digg stories to help promote things you like.


© Digg Inc. 2008 — Content posted by Digg users is dedicated to the public domain.
DIGG, DIGG IT, DUGG, DIGG THIS, Digg graphics, logos, designs, page headers, button icons, scripts, and other service names are the trademarks of Digg Inc.