Winter is Coming: Symbols and Hidden Meanings in A Game of Thrones

by Valerie Estelle Frankel

Game of Thrones fans watch in delight as the epic battle of Lannister and Stark entangles the Seven Kingdoms. But only the sharpest notice how these houses echo Lancaster and York in the War of the Roses. Druids, Catholics, and even Zoroastrians wander through Westeros, reframing their religions for a new world of fantasy. But how medieval is Westeros? Did lady knights and pirates really battle across Europe? The book Winter is Symbols and Hidden Meanings in A Game of Thrones explores all this and more, from the echoes of history to the symbols and omens our beloved characters. Who is Jon Snow s mother and why is she a secret? What is Daenerys s real power, unknown even to her? Will these two characters share a destiny? Where is the red priestess s real Lightbringer and when will it arrive? Through dreams and prophecies, imagery and allegory, the deepest secrets of the series unfold, in an exploration friendly to watchers and readers alike.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Audiobook, Essays, Writing, Literary Criticism, Media Tie In

156 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 8, 2013

About the author

Valerie Estelle Frankel is the author of 88 books on pop culture, including Doctor Who - The What, Where, and How; The Villain's Journey, History, Pop Culture, and Hidden Meanings in Hamilton; and How Game of Thrones Will End. Many of her books focus on women’s roles in fiction, from her heroine’s journey guides From Girl to Goddess and Superheroines and the Epic Journey to books like Star Wars Meets the Eras of Feminism and Fourth Wave Feminism in Science Fiction and Fantasy. She's editing a series on Jewish Science Fiction for Rowman & Littlefield. Once a lecturer at San Jose State University, she now teaches at Mission College and is a frequent speaker at conferences. Come explore her research at www.vefrankel.com.

Reviews

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Highly recommended for fans of the book series of Game of Thrones. It's more of an essay than a book, and I can't give it 5 stars for the writing, but the GoT series analysis is fantastic.

[Ray Campbell · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read a review that referred to this piece as a "money grab", shameless profiteering on the popularity of Game of Throwns. Never the less, the description promised that the book would explore the English History upon which Martin had based many characters and story lines. I believe that I recognize many of these connections from my own knowledge of history and was curious to see if I am correct. I was disappointed because the "money grab" review was correct, there was no interesting historical insight.

Through most of the book, Frankel supports her own beliefs about the direction the story will take with passages she pulls from the text like a televangelist quoting scripture. After way too many pages of speculation, she mentions that Lannister and Stark sound like Lancaster and York from the War of the Roses. After 90 pages of drivel, she restates what the books description states on Amazon. OK, she adds that King Robert is based on Edward IV - but that's it. The wildlings are Scots and the children of the forest are druids and the religions are loosely based on pagan religions. I could have written this off the top of my head with more detail.

So, while it's fun the hear anything about Game of Throwns between books and HBO seasons, the insight gains by the hours spent reading was no more than one would gain by a conversation with another fan. Sharing ideas and insights, one is at least engaged by personal interaction. Frankel's quoting the books in a scholarly tone is just silly and her insight on the connections to English History are minimal. Not really worth reading.

[Beatrice · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book is divided into two parts: the first one dealing with the author's theories about who will end up on the Iron Throne, who's Jon mother, how will Cersei die and so on, the second finding connection between historical events and the plot of Game of thrones.

The first half is surely more compelling, even though of course is meaningless now that the tv show has ended (but kudos to the author for finding out about Jon's parentage in 2013!)

The second half lacks rhythm and the historical comparison felt quite sloppy.
But the feminist part in the end was nice.

[Joel Szerlip · Rating 2 out of 5]

Winter is Coming sort of felt like a cash grab. I'd consider myself a fan of the series but not nearly as hardcore into Game of Thrones as many. Like most I read the books and am now thoroughly enjoying the HBO series. After receiving a credit on Audible I purchased Winter is Coming: Symbols and Hidden Meanings in A Game of Thrones to try and get a better idea of what is to come for the rest of the series.

The first half of Winter is Coming is far more interesting then the second. More then anything it focuses in on Jon Snow and Daenerys Targareyen and their importance to the series. There was some interesting pieces pulled from both the show and books that I overlooked but that do point to the two connecting at the end of the series. Where this book lost me is its parallels to real-life history and religion. I'm sure George R. R. Martin used things from this world to influence his novels but that was far less interesting to me then the predictions for the end.

Even for the couple of dollars the book costs, I'd rather have read Game of Thornes message boards then read this one again.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the first few chapters of this intriguing book are filled with the kind of avid but general speculation familiar to anyone frequenting got forums or fan discussions, the book quickly kicks into high gear with a detailed analysis of got's prophecies, melding the books and show material beautifully to present a thoughtful (and actually pretty spoiler-free) picture of grrm's complex authorial choices and the series' future possibilities. One of the highlights of this book was ch 7, a meticulous examination of the parallels between got and the wars of the roses - more than I ever imagined! The explorations of women's roles are especially fascinating. But the characters, while rooted in history, are still clearly grrm's own, as he masterfully melds elements of historical personages and political intrigue with thorough world-building and invention - this gave me an ever greater appreciation for grrm's work.

[JanB · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up for a few dollars on Audible. For fans of Game of Thrones, especially for those who haven't read the books, this is a nice overview of some of the relationships, symbols, and meanings and left me with a deeper appreciation of the series.

[Lukas Lovas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad...definitely an interesting read. It summed up nicely some of the speculations regarding the books, and it also pointed out and explained some of the source material.
Short, and enjoyable, if you're a fan of the series :)

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice supplement to the series that is worth a read if you are a fan.

[Adam Kemp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perfect thing to summarize right before getting back into the swing of season 5.

[Lora Shouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Winter is Coming is a non-fiction book about a fantasy book and TV show. It explores the historic, myth, and folklore roots of many of the ideas, incidents, and characters in the books of the Song of Ice and Fire series and the Game of Thrones television series based on that series of books. People who are fans of the books or the TV series and want to know more about the background will likely enjoy it. Other people could probably care less.

This book was written a few years ago. At that time, it seems that about two seasons of the television series had been released. Now the whole television series is complete, and I think at least one more of the books has been released since then. There remains at least one more book at this time that hasn’t been released yet. There is some speculation in Winds of Winter about what will be included in the upcoming books and seasons of the show. If you have read/watched everything that has been released so far, you can check how accurate the author’s predictions were on that point.

I don’t remember particularly noticing the narrator on this one, so he must have done a good job.

[TashaTuesday · Rating 1 out of 5]

If I could give this zero stars, I’d give it a negative seven. Did the author even actually read A Song of Ice and Fire or did she just watch a couple random episodes of the show and do a quick half-scroll of crackpot fan theories on the internet? It’s shit. Don’t waste your time on this.

[King Tony Neale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of good stuff

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

For true fans who are still waiting for the books to be finished. So many things I had either forgotten or never noticed.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. It's obsolete in some ways, and these theories (& others) are out on Reddit, but the author's desire to wrest secrets from the text is compelling.

[Ryk Stanton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was on sale at audible.com, and I have been enjoying both the books in the HBO series so I thought I would get it and listen to it. I don't have to worry about spoilers since I have Artie read the books, and I thought it would be interesting to hear about the secrets and symbols of the book as well as whatever connections Westeros has to our own world' history.

It was an okay book, but nothing to write home about. It did what it set out to do, and I can appreciate it for that, but it was more like an essay than anything else(complete with page citations). Then again, what did I think it was gonna be? Maybe I should give it a higher rating, but I think three stars is fair. If you have read the books and are interested, this is a good book to read or listen to; if you're just watching the television show, don't bother.

I'll say one very positive thing about the book – it was interesting hearing some of the theories about where this series might be going (the book series, that is).

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having all the current Game of Thrones books and watched the TV shows, I decided to listen to this book on audio.

Let me say the first chapter is horrible. The author seems to spend the chapter quoting from the books and TV series without adding much new or interesting information. Hello! I've read the books and seen the show. If I want I want to re-read it, I will!

But, if you can make past the 1st chapter, the book does get more interesting. The final chapters about the similarities between the story and medieval England and the War of the Roses is interesting. Although, the author does paint the history of that period with a broad brush.

The end of book also features an interesting and lengthy discussion of women in the book, especially adding a mother figure to a fantasy book.

A word of warning, if you are not 100% caught up with the books, don't read this. It offers a full discussion of the current status of the story at the end of book 5. If you don't want spoilers skip it!

[Jovy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved how this book was written. It was very informative not just for GoT but also real history. English monarchy has always been my favorite (great tendency to trigger my curiosity) then the French monarchy. And of the dynasties, it has always been the Tudors, Plantagenets and Victoria's reign.

I have seen the similarities to the War of the Roses but this book solidified that notion.

I have been involved in a discussion about heroes lives when I was in college...there are a few very significant elements for a heroic story whether in real life or fantasy: first, someone very close to the hero must die (usually in a brutal and unjust way), then the hero will inherit something with great significance (like a light saber or invisibility cloak...lol) that will be used to fight for their ideals (patriotic or otherwise) then a lot (tons) of people or living beings die before the hero(es) triumph and finally all is well in the world until the next hero shows up...

I apologize for my skepticism about heroes...I do love heroic tales - they are always a good read...

[Worm · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well-detailed and researched analysis that explores the history and fate of most main characters, as they pertain to fulfilling the key roles needed to save Westeros. The points and examples are clear and connections are sound. Prophecies and their many interpretations are explored, not just the conclusion that the author thinks is most likely. Both the books and hbo show are referenced, with obvious preference given to the books as they are the original source material (which I greatly appreciated). Oliver Wyman is a great narrator (I know him from the Monster International series) and does another solid job here. Worth the read for fans of the books, certainly. I suspect HBO fans might want to begin reading GoT if they haven't already, and start taking in the deeper, richer story that can't quite make it to the screen.

[Cynthia Serrano · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Game of Thrones by George RR Martin and The HBO tv series based on his complex story is chock full of characters, extended families, royal dynasties each with their own years of complex history and legends. Winter is Coming is an excellent and handy companion piece to help the reader keep track of the main characters as well as many other lesser names crucial to the story, but perhaps not so easy to remember. The book recaps and traced the interwoven family lines and their connection to the Iron throne. Characters whose names I had forgotten were placed in context by this guide to Symbols. It explored theories and hidden meanings in the interactions of the large cast, without spoiling the story's eventual resolution.

[Elzibub · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent analysis of the themes, symbols, prophesies, characters, archetypes, and historical and religious influences on both the Game of Thrones books AND TV series. Well researched, each section references the particular book & page and/or season & episode from the show, as well as short stories (which I didn't even realize existed) and interviews with Martin himself over the years! The later sections also refer to particular regions/peoples/religions, kings, queens, noble men & women, and female knights & pirates/adventurers who the world and characters of Westeros were likely influenced by. I've got some additional reading/research to do now!

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're only watching the TV show of HBO you probably don't want to read this book -- LOTS of spoilers. If you've only read the first three books, there also are spoilers from books 4 and 5, but I didn't let that stop me. Frankel has made a THOROUGH study of all 5 books and the first three seasons of the show. She includes a huge number of references to both versions, as well as quotes from interviews with Martin and others, and generously supplements facts with fascinating speculation of what may (or may not) be in store as we move along toward the final conclusions.

[travis cooper · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun read due to the subject and all the theories discussed. However I did not understand the author's ease of some spoilers and reluctance to others for fear of spoiling fans of the show only. To bring up spoilers for some characters from later books only to leave out spoilers for some characters confused me.
All in all an interesting and quick read for those who really enjoy Westeros, Essos, Asshai, etc. Next up Dunk and Egg.

[Tim Jin · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Winter is Coming" is pretty much an overview for the first three season of "Game of Thrones" and a synopsis for the books for "A Song of Ice and Fire." There is nothing much that we don't know already. If you already caught up with the books and the show, you already know what is going on. This book is just speculation with no explanation. It's like reading the Cliff Notes instead of reading the book and you wonder why you failed on the term paper.

[Snem · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read all the Song of Ice and Fire books so I knew a lot of stuff here already. It was more of a refresher for me and it did really get me excited for the new tv season. I think if you've read the books you can skip this or a quick search on the Internet can probably get this same information. However if you haven't read the books and want to supplement your knowledge then it might be beneficial.

[Prity Malhotra · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Must Read Book for all HBO Hit Series Game of Thrones Fanatics & for also those who haven't read Game of Throne Books like me. Loved the Small Points & refrences the Author picks from the Game of Thones series giving us a Peek-a-Boo at the would-be Spoilers in the last 2 unpublished Books. The Author also explains how the Characters in the Book are similar to the British Royal Family members, giving a new arc to the Book Series.

[Simone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book, makes you think about the overarching plot of the books, which may not be evident at first reading. However, I don't think it is deep enough to cover the TV show, the five novels and the short stories. I also think there were some plot omissions and some characters were neglected. Overall, a good companion to present theories regarding the main plot, but it lacks depth regarding the rest of the story.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was worth reading and I got my $.99 or whatever the cost. It reminded me masters thesis. I would have liked her to present a unified understanding of how she interpreted the series concluding, even if it was pure speculation. Good read though. I would have brought in a mention of Littlefinger, who is essentially Alexander Hamilton. Pure coincidence.

[Joey · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, don't read this book unless you've read up to A Dance With Dragons!

I very much enjoyed the first sections of the book that discussed different theories and symbolism in ASOIAF. The final section about the historical parallels to ASOIAF was interesting, but much less so.

If you read and love the books, this is a fun read.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is geared towards the HBO show, and not the books, which is a huge limitation. But for its intended purpose, it's okay. The author definitely had some insight into the hidden symbols and meanings in the storyline, some of which I had missed. I'd love to see her interpretation of the books.

[Les · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this because it was offered as a $. 99 special on Audible.com. A very short treatise on the characters, story, and historical background info on GOT. I found it to be just a bit too academic for my taste. If you're a dyed in the wool rabid fan than yes, this is for you. If not you can probably get the same analysis on any decent GOT fan site.