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A Goodreads user asked this question about A Song of Ice and Fire (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1-5):
Does the tv series follow the storyline of the books or are they quite different? I realize that game of thrones tv series is based on these books but how well do they match up?
Cogent Asparagus The first book is remarkably close to what what eventually portrayed on TV in the first season, many scenes being almost verbatim from the book.
After …moreThe first book is remarkably close to what what eventually portrayed on TV in the first season, many scenes being almost verbatim from the book.
After that however, the TV and the books start to gradually diverge so that by the latest book there are a great many differences. The main characters and themes are retained but a great deal of the rest is just absent - unsurprisingly, given the sheer volume and complexity of the content. Some characters are merged into one, but the absent ones are more notablt - Lady Stoneheart being the most significant absentee.
Of course just quite how they differ eventually is harder to say as now the TV has overtaken the books.
The greatest difference however, is the amount of background detail and information, much of it very significant, that it was not possible to put in the show - personal reflections and thoughts of the major characters, for example, and much revealing detail of the histories of Westeros and of the Houses.
Absent also are the many occasions when Jon, Bran and Arya wargride with their Wolves; both the Wolves and the many varied dreams, visions, wargsights etc have prominence in the books. In particular Jon's recurring nightmares regarding the Winterfell Crypts.

So while everything starts in sync between book and show, they slowly diverge until only the major strokes appear on TV. Things are not significantly altered mind you, just pared down to suit the constrictions of TV.(less)
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A Song of Ice and Fire
by George R.R. Martin
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