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So after finishing the lovely Delia Sherman's absolutely beautiful (yet simultaneously creepy) The Porcelain Dove on Friday morning, I turned toward that book that has been sitting and taunting me since October. Perhaps you've heard of it? It's called A Game of Thrones.
I had planned on cleaning. Or, you know, finishing my book. Yeah, not so much.
While I liked Ned Stark at the beginning, all his issues with honor are really starting to try my patience.
Catelyn Stark has earned my life-long emnity for acting like a total bitch to two of the three characters I've come to really enjoy so far - Jon Snow and Tyrion Lannister. What kind of person tells a boy of fourteen "It should have been you"? And while I suspect her information regarding Tyrion isn't entirely accurate and thus her kidnapping him is not entirely her fault, I still don't have to like her for it.
As for the little Starks, I like Robb and Arya, am constantly annoyed by Sansa, and a bit bored by Bran. I feel bad about the last part, because it's not exactly the kid's fault that he's recovering from a fall that broke his spine.
Oddly enough for everyone who knows of my love of Milady de Winter, I cannot abide Cersei. It's one thing to be cunning and devious and use sex to get what you want, and quite another to be a perfect whiny bitch. Cersei, I fear, has too much of the latter. At least for Catelyn I can muster some sympathy. Cersei escapes me entirely. (This feeling could be from the POV characters, of course, but what can you do?)
Tyrion is a refreshing perspective. I think I'm looking forward to seeing his interactions with Daddy Dearest, should they happen. Robert doesn't strike me as long for this world. In addition to letting himself go in the worst way, he's also in the way of said Game of Thrones. Plus, his wife's an evil bitch.
Ah, Daenerys. She would be the third of the characters I really like so far. I wish there was a nice picture of her out there. Part of why I enjoy reading her sections is because they're new and almost independant of the rest of the story. Viserys is the sort of petty tyrant in the vein of what I expect his father was, but Dany actually uses her head for something other than shouting futile orders. I'm wondering if she doesn't deserve to get that throne back after all. (What happens after is an entirely different story. She seems an able queen, but what about after her?)
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queenofthorns will be delighted to learn that I am already greatly enjoying Jaime Lannister. "Enjoying" is the best word, as he's not very likeable at all, yet. But I have found that he's that breed of fictional character I simply adore to read about, yet would probably hate to be around in real life. (Alec Campion of Swordspoint is the example I always provide.) Thus far, he's done nothing worthy of affection, but what he's done, he's done with style.
Also, I really don't see why Kingslayer is an insult. I mean, both Robert and Ned were planning on doing that anyway. Presumably for what they regarded as good reason. They really should have just thanked the poor guy and gotten on with their lives.
Ah, bah. I guess I'll read and see.
I had planned on cleaning. Or, you know, finishing my book. Yeah, not so much.
While I liked Ned Stark at the beginning, all his issues with honor are really starting to try my patience.
Catelyn Stark has earned my life-long emnity for acting like a total bitch to two of the three characters I've come to really enjoy so far - Jon Snow and Tyrion Lannister. What kind of person tells a boy of fourteen "It should have been you"? And while I suspect her information regarding Tyrion isn't entirely accurate and thus her kidnapping him is not entirely her fault, I still don't have to like her for it.
As for the little Starks, I like Robb and Arya, am constantly annoyed by Sansa, and a bit bored by Bran. I feel bad about the last part, because it's not exactly the kid's fault that he's recovering from a fall that broke his spine.
Oddly enough for everyone who knows of my love of Milady de Winter, I cannot abide Cersei. It's one thing to be cunning and devious and use sex to get what you want, and quite another to be a perfect whiny bitch. Cersei, I fear, has too much of the latter. At least for Catelyn I can muster some sympathy. Cersei escapes me entirely. (This feeling could be from the POV characters, of course, but what can you do?)
Tyrion is a refreshing perspective. I think I'm looking forward to seeing his interactions with Daddy Dearest, should they happen. Robert doesn't strike me as long for this world. In addition to letting himself go in the worst way, he's also in the way of said Game of Thrones. Plus, his wife's an evil bitch.
Ah, Daenerys. She would be the third of the characters I really like so far. I wish there was a nice picture of her out there. Part of why I enjoy reading her sections is because they're new and almost independant of the rest of the story. Viserys is the sort of petty tyrant in the vein of what I expect his father was, but Dany actually uses her head for something other than shouting futile orders. I'm wondering if she doesn't deserve to get that throne back after all. (What happens after is an entirely different story. She seems an able queen, but what about after her?)
And
queenofthorns will be delighted to learn that I am already greatly enjoying Jaime Lannister. "Enjoying" is the best word, as he's not very likeable at all, yet. But I have found that he's that breed of fictional character I simply adore to read about, yet would probably hate to be around in real life. (Alec Campion of Swordspoint is the example I always provide.) Thus far, he's done nothing worthy of affection, but what he's done, he's done with style. Also, I really don't see why Kingslayer is an insult. I mean, both Robert and Ned were planning on doing that anyway. Presumably for what they regarded as good reason. They really should have just thanked the poor guy and gotten on with their lives.
Ah, bah. I guess I'll read and see.
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"Enjoying" is the best word, as he's not very likeable at all, yet.
Even I, with my MASSIVE Jaime love, must admit that he is not very likeable at all throughout all of A Game of Thrones! Possibly his only saving grace is that he really does love his brother Tyrion.
Thus far, he's done nothing worthy of affection, but what he's done, he's done with style.
Oh, what a great observation! Yes, Jaime is always very stylish - and you'll be pleased to know that he never loses his wit and style even after he becomes a much nicer and more admirable person in later books.
YAY! I'm so happy you've started reading and you like it. I feel like Martin ought to give me some kind of bonus for the successful pimping I've been doing - like, oh, share with me some future story developments or something. Heh!
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Even I, with my MASSIVE Jaime love, must admit that he is not very likeable at all throughout all of A Game of Thrones! Possibly his only saving grace is that he really does love his brother Tyrion.
You know? I think I fell in love with him when he caught Ned riding back after the brothel. He pretty much had me at "I'll butcher you like Aerys if I must, but I'd sooner you died with a blade in your hand."
It's a telling line, over and above the notions we have of him. Yes, he threw Bran (to, as Cersei points out, protect his own children) but he'd face the father in battle regardless. Also tells you that there's something not quite kosher with the characterization we have of him.
And I think that's why I'm drawn to him so much right now. With Tyrion, Jon, and Dany we have their voices. We like or dislike them because we see them acting and rationalising their decisions. Sansa is a prime example of a person who I want to strangle because I see her inner monologue.
But Jaime we only know through the perceptions of others - most notably the Starks who see honor as a black and white, and Tyrion who cherishes an incredible affection for his golden boy brother. And it makes you wonder about the man beneath. Because as Babylon 5 taught us, understanding is a three edged sword, and the truth is likely to be different from both Ned and Tyrion's visions.
As for a bonus from Martin, did you see my entry about the con? If you want me to pick up something signed for you, don't hesitate to ask!
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It's a telling line, over and above the notions we have of him. Yes, he threw Bran (to, as Cersei points out, protect his own children) but he'd face the father in battle regardless.
Jaime's many things, but he's not a coward AT ALL. What I really love in that scene is that the thing that makes him NOT kill Ned is the thought that Tyrion might die for it. He's totally rash and hot-headed and willing to go to war for his brother, but then he remembers that Tyrion's in Catelyn's power and so he holds his hand.
But Jaime we only know through the perceptions of others - most notably the Starks who see honor as a black and white, and Tyrion who cherishes an incredible affection for his golden boy brother. And it makes you wonder about the man beneath.
Ooooh! ::rubs hands together in glee:: (He does get his own POV eventually, btw, and it's so great. But not for a while.)
You are so kind about the con. I am actually hoping to go myself, although I have a family obligation that I think is going to coincide with Martin's talk (tho' they are being extremely cagy about when exactly that *IS* and I would like to know!) but if not, perhaps I will take you up on your kind, kind offer.
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His speech is from 5 to 6 on Saturday. Here's the link (http://www.vericon.org/events/55.html). I'm just sad that I'm going to wind up missing Friday's events, so the first panel and the reading of ADWD.
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I will let you know for sure regarding the plans. Yes!
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::censors all spoilery things::
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