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Martin, George R.R. - A Game of Thrones (buddy read/1st in group series read) Start date June 9th 2011
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Sarah
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Jun 09, 2011 03:35PM

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I mean, what kind of man sells his sister to a barbarian warrior king?




Hey, did anyone else pick up on the fact that Dany was born nine months after the sea crossing? Maybe her mother was raped and she is his half-sister?
???


ETA:
"Viserys had been a boy of eight when they fled King's Landing to escape the advancing armies of the Usurper, but Daenerys had been only a quickening in their mother's womb" (30).
Is the Usurper Robert? The King that Ned Stark is preparing for at the end of Catelyn's chapter.


If I were Dany I would consider it a blessing to not have to marry Viserys. I would gladly marry Khal Drogo.

If I were Dany I would consider it a blessing to not have to marry Viserys. I would gladly marry Khal Drogo."
So would I :P



I don't think she would ever have the courage to disobey him unless she understood that he couldn't control her or that she would suffer no consequence. But at this point in time he controls everything for her. He even had a say in what she wore to meet Khal Drogo (I believe). Plus, he uses physical force whenever he wants to.
You've given me a lot to think about, Lisa Kay! It's a good thing! I don't think I've tried to tear apart a book this much. :)




Also people these days would be a little shocked and put off if she was that young in the show.



Looking forward to them, Carol!
Sarah wrote: "I just meant thrown off because of the comparison to the show, but it doesn't surprise me that she's getting married so young."
I understood what you meant, Sarah. :)
Kate wrote: "Also people these days would be a little shocked and put off if she was that young in the show."
I wondered if they had a younger actress play her, then filled in with an other one later. GTK.
Shay wrote: "...due to our current feelings about this, often adjusted ages upward in noble marriages."
True, Shay. Nothing attractive about a pedophile in today’s culture, let alone a “legal” one; however, back then these ages were the norm. Ditto with the brother marrying sister (eek! almost quit reading!), but in some cultures this is also the norm. (Great questions, BTW.)



I think the reason they don't use a young actress is because of the viewers. Honestly, too many people would become uninterested in the show or they would complain. I think it was just easier for the producers/writers/directors/whomever to find someone older. The only ones who would know that the character is really younger are the ones who have read the books before. I think there are too many people who are new to the series because of the show to know better.

I agree with Sarah. More than finding the right actor, it was just easier for them to cast an older person. If a 13 yr old was casted, I think there would be lot of complaints. While we all know that this was how it was in the medieval ages, most of people watching are not interested in the reality of how it was. They just want a good show where it all censored to their expectation.

1. Many fantasy stories have a "medieval" feel. They incorporate elements that seem or are very fitting to the medieval time period. Why do you think authors do this?
I'm not sure, but I love that time period so perhaps that is why they do it - because they love it too? I like how it's different from modern times and has a sort of feel to it that seems somewhat darker.
2. Tolkien was asked many times how WWII affected his writing of The Lord of the Rings. Was it allegorical? Tolkien always insisted that it wasn't. That being said, does Martin "mean" anything by setting the North vs. the South? Those things obviously "mean" something to us- the Civil War, North and South Korea, Vikings, etc.
I don't know. I guess if it had been written closer to that time period of the wars I might make that association, but I guess to me it was just a division he felt like taking. Never would have thought of that if you hadn't posed the question.
3. For some reason, many epics start with an execution (or perhaps a death/murder). What is the author's purpose in doing that?
To get your attention/interest is my thought. I think it's a requirement. :) I've known authors who have had to change their first scenes to be more of a dramatic beginning to grab the readers interest. I think there is a term associated with it, but it eludes me at the moment.
4.Does the direwolf, and her pups, appearance foreshadow anything? What do you make of the pups numbering the exact amount of Stark children?
It must mean something since so much attention was given to it.
5. The orphan is a powerful literary symbol. Especially historically where one's birth determined career, marriage, etc. Orphans are free to, sort of, create their own destiny. What, if anything, will Dany (Daenerys) choose to do to break with her "destiny"?
It didn't seem like she'd do anything at this point and I'm curious to see what a 13 year old could do in the world she lives. Seems like a male dominated one to me.

1. We now know what was so significant about how the direwolf was killed. The fact the antler was the means of death suggests the King, whose symbol is an antler, must somehow cause the death of Eddard (aka Ned) leaving his children orphans. The question is should this be seen as a warning as to what could happen or a prophecy of what is to come? What do you think? Knowing what could happen can the outcome be changed?
2. Knowing how close the King and Ned were do you think Catelyn was right to encourage her husband to become the King's Hand?
3. Do you think Jon Snow's jealousy of his siblings tureborn siblings will cause trouble in the future?
4. Were you surprised that Catelyn would ask that Jon either go with her husband or become one of the brother's of the Night's Watch?
5. Wall are usually put up for a reason. Any ideas as to why the Wall was put up thousands of years ago? Do you suspect it had something to do with the Others? What do you the the Others are?
6. What do you think of Tyrion's advice to Jon? "Never forget what you are, for surely the world will not. Make it your strength. Then it can never be your weakness. Armor yourself in it, and it will never be used to hurt you."
7. What character(s) do you find the most interesting so far?
8. Thoughts on why the Lannisters would want to get rid of Jon Arryn and then foster his son?
9. Sounds like Rhaegor did something to Ned's sister. Any thoughts on what that was?

1. Many fantasy stories have a "medieval" feel. They incorporate elements that seem or are very fitting to the medieval time period. Why do you think authors do this?
I love the time period also. I'm not exactly sure why many authors go with this time period, but it may be because they can explore things that are no longer tolerated in this day and age, but were the norm then. For example: child brides, incest, bloody hand to hand combat, debauchery, non-existent women's rights (allows for a strong woman to shine in the story), etc. plus it harkens back to a simplier time before technology took over and changed society's mores forever.
2. Tolkien was asked many times how WWII affected his writing of The Lord of the Rings. Was it allegorical? Tolkien always insisted that it wasn't. That being said, does Martin "mean" anything by setting the North vs. the South? Those things obviously "mean" something to us- the Civil War, North and South Korea, Vikings, etc.
Hmmm...I'm not sure about this. I haven't read enough to form an opinion if this is a 'North vs South' type of story. It seems more to be a story about revenge against those that wiped out the House of Targaryen (or nearly did). If you're going to overthrow a family for control of a territory/country then you better make darn sure you wipe them all out or you'll have problems down the road. That's what I see coming, anyway.
3. For some reason, many epics start with an execution (or perhaps a death/murder). What is the author's purpose in doing that?
I think it shows that the story is going to be drama filled and not full of sweetness and light. Fun fact: Almost all of Clint Eastwood's movies start and end with a death.
4.Does the direwolf, and her pups, appearance foreshadow anything? What do you make of the pups numbering the exact amount of Stark children?
I believe it foreshadows something, but I have no idea what yet. Plus, the antler that killed the mama seems significant. The House of Baratheon has a stag on it's banner and the House of Stark has a direwolf.
5. The orphan is a powerful literary symbol. Especially historically where one's birth determined career, marriage, etc. Orphans are free to, sort of, create their own destiny. What, if anything, will Dany (Daenerys) choose to do to break with her "destiny"?
I'm hoping she'l kick some ass and take some names and I'm hoping one of those names is her brother whom I've nicknamed Viscious.
My thoughts so far:
1. I'm wondering what the heck are The Others.
2. I like Bran and his brothers.
3. I don't like Theon Greyjoy.
4. I think Jon Arryn was murdered
5. I like Eddard Stark
6. I don't like Robert Baratheon. He's a self-indulgent, gluttonous a-hole who's going to push his 'friend' into serving him when he knows Eddard doesn't want to leave his lands. I hope Dany kills him in the end. lol
7. I like Dany and hope she can endure, survive and conquer.
8. I despise the nut bunny Viserys. Inbreeding is not just wrong, but bad genetically, people! Makes me wonder if Dany's mom cuckolded her husband since she seems to be ok.
9. I don't like the nickname Ned for Eddard. It's confusing.
10. There are too many names in this book to keep track of. I hate medieval books that name all the family ties right off the bat. I don't care about them and it frustrates me.
11. I like that House Stark has a different type of saying for their house than the others.
12. I think Catelyn has a bit of psychic something in her since she refers to feeling eyes on her and seeing the 'signs' and she believes in them while her husband doesn't.



1. We now know what was so significant about how the direwolf was killed. The fact the antler was the means of death suggests the King, whose symbol is an antler, must somehow cause the death of Eddard (aka Ned) leaving his children orphans. The question is should this be seen as a warning as to what could happen or a prophecy of what is to come? What do you think? Knowing what could happen can the outcome be changed?
I think it can only be changed if they see it as a warning. From what we've read so far Catelyn is the only one who seems to be worried but she's not voicing her fears. She is keeping them to herself. If she really thinks there is something wrong, I think she would tell Ned. I'm not sure that it could really change anything though. Maybe knowing will only perpetuate what will happen.
2. Knowing how close the King and Ned were do you think Catelyn was right to encourage her husband to become the King's Hand?
I think Catelyn is right, she doesn't want Ned to be disrespectful to the King and she is right that the man Ned once knew is no longer the man who is King.
3. Do you think Jon Snow's jealousy of his trueborn siblings will cause trouble in the future?
I don't think so because Jon does care for some of them, particularly Arya. Plus if he does join the black he won't see them ever again.
4. Were you surprised that Catelyn would ask that Jon either go with her husband or become one of the brother's of the Night's Watch?
I think she was being overly cruel. I understand she's jealous that Ned slept with another women and cares so much for Jon, but I think she should have let him stay. Yet, because of the time period she is not wrong to suggest those things. Jon is not her son and she holds no responsibility for him so it would be up to Ned to either take him to court or send him to the Nights Watch.
5. Walls are usually put up for a reason. Any ideas as to why the Wall was put up thousands of years ago? Do you suspect it had something to do with the Others? What do you the the Others are?
I think the Wall has everything to do with the Others. There is some element of magic/paranormal activity and the Others would be that element. Perhaps they believe if they cut off the Others then they will eventually become extinct or there will be no way for them to get over the wall to attack people. Yet, they've said that Others haven't been seen for thousands of years, why still have a wall? Also, why not believe the ravings of a man who claims to have seen the Others? It is possible that the Others is just an old belief that has become apart of common sayings but no one really believes in it. If that's the case then people have become naive.
6. What do you think of Tyrion's advice to Jon? "Never forget what you are, for surely the world will not. Make it your strength. Then it can never be your weakness. Armor yourself in it, and it will never be used to hurt you."
I think that's great advice especially coming from someone who has had to deal with having a "weakness". Jon's weakness is that he is a bastard and as long as he embraces that and is able to understand that people will use it against him, he will be stronger for it. Tyrion says he is seen as a bastard because he is a dwarf, he knows what Jon is going through and I believe he wants to help him. (In the show Tyrion is my favorite character.) Jon is going to be a man soon by the standards of the time period and he already wants to become apart of the Night's Watch so he needs to prepare himself for the world. He already knows that being a bastard will be used against him because Catelyn uses it against him. She doesn't bother trying to get to know him because he isn't her son or her responsibility.
7. What character(s) do you find the most interesting so far?
I particularly like Daenarys, Arya, Tyrion, Jon, and Ned. I find Catelyn to be too cruel, and I think since she's been at Winterfell for 15 years she needs to get over the fact that she misses her home. Winterfell became her home when she married Ned.
8. Thoughts on why the Lannisters would want to get rid of Jon Arryn and then foster his son?
Maybe Jon knew something about the Lannisters that they didn't want anyone to find out. Maybe they want to foster his son and make him into the Hand of the King but he would side with the Lannisters. They would have to get him while he's young before he can form his own opinion.
9. Sounds like Rhaegor did something to Ned's sister. Any thoughts on what that was?
I don't know if Rhaegor did anything to Ned's sister. I think the reason Robert wanted to kill him was because he was the heir to the Targaryan throne. Yet, it is highly possible that Rhaegor did something. I just have no idea what. Where was Lyanna when she became sick? I don't recall it saying where she was just that she wanted to be taken back to Winterfell. Rhaegor was already married with a child when he died so I can't see him in the running for marrying Lyanna either.
ETA: Lyanna died in the mountains of Dorne which (according to the map in the front of the book) wasn't near where Rhaegor was since he was at The Trident, right? I should probably look at the map more often!


As for Rhaegor and Lyanna there was some comment made by the King that made me wonder if something had happened. I'll have to see if I can find it.


"I vowed to kill Rhaegor for what he did to her."
They were discussing Lyanna at this point. Page 44 in Eddard chapter.

1. We now know what was so significant about how the direwolf was killed. The fact the antler was the means of death suggests the King, whose symbol is an antler, must somehow cause the death of Eddard (aka Ned) leaving his children orphans. The question is should this be seen as a warning as to what could happen or a prophecy of what is to come? What do you think? Knowing what could happen can the outcome be changed?
Hopefully it is a warning; I like Ned/Eddard. Deciphering the meaning of the prophecy could change the outcome – maybe. Also, the direwolf was a female; does that make a difference in this instance? Could the death be Catelyn’s?
2. Knowing how close the King and Ned were, do you think Catelyn was right to encourage her husband to become the King's Hand?
I don’t know. I don’t have a clear feel for Catelyn yet. I see her reasoning. I don’t doubt she loves her husband, her family; however, I don’t like her dislike of her husband’s bastard. I want her to rise above that.
3. Do you think Jon Snow's jealousy of his siblings’ trueborn status will cause trouble in the future?
I find Jon’s jealousy interesting. Yes, he is bitter about being a bastard, yet I don’t see him taking this out on his siblings. I find him more generous of spirit, stepping in about the direwolf cubs, comforting Arya. It will be interesting to watch the progression of these relationships.
4. Were you surprised that Catelyn would ask that Jon either go with her husband or become one of the brothers of the Night's Watch?
I was a little bit; it was one of the things that made me realize I didn’t have a clear picture of her nature in my head.
5. Walls are usually put up for a reason. Any ideas as to why the Wall was put up thousands of years ago? Do you suspect it had something to do with the Others? What do you the Others are?
Reason: As an agreed upon boundary line? To keep something out or something in? I am going to forgo the Robert Frost poem analogy and say repairing it wasn’t to make good neighbors. There is obviously something dangerous on the other side. What? Don’t know. And yes, I think the wall has everything to do with the Others.
The Others – something mystical. The back of the book synopsis says there are “lords, and ladies, soldiers and sorcerers, assassins and bastards” – so I’m going with sorcerers, or something equally mystical.
6. What do you think of Tyrion's advice to Jon? "Never forget what you are, for surely the world will not. Make it your strength. Then it can never be your weakness. Armor yourself in it, and it will never be used to hurt you."
Good advice. No, wait - great advice!
7. What character(s) do you find the most interesting so far?
Brad, Dany, Jon, Ned/Eddard are the ones I feel an affinity toward. Still making my mind up about Theon; he is arrogant and cynical, but maybe it is all for show – he did step in when Robb and Prince Joffrey were ready for a more serious fight in the practice yard.
8. Thoughts on why the Lannisters would want to get rid of Jon Arryn and then foster his son?
I can’t figure this one out. Arryn was the Hand of the King. Did that make him a threat to the King? Did he know something about someone trying to overthrow the King? Why take young Robert Arryn in? You know the saying, “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.”
9. Sounds like Rhaegor did something to Ned's sister. Any thoughts on what that was?
First response: Nope. This fact totally slipped my mind until you questioned it. Something that caused her death from fever? Maybe childbed fever? So, maybe he raped her and got her with child. (Gee, I keep pushing the “secret baby” theme, LOL!) If that is so, who is the child, or did it die? Other causes of fever: left in a dungeon, left in the cold, infection from wound, etc.

Everything seems to have multiple names (not just the people, but the houses/places/titles - maybe even the battles?); I have never been so happy about an appendix in my life, LOL! Took me a while, after checking the appendix, to figure out I was barking up the wrong tree about Theon; I thought he was the brother of Jon’s mother, as his sister’s name is Asha and Jon’s mother is Ashara.

"I vowed to kill Rhaegor for what he did to her."
They were discussing Lyanna at this point. Page 44 in Eddar..."
I didn't even notice that. Hmm... that does make me wonder what happened... do you think it will come up again in another chapter?

Sarah & Lisarenee: I took note of that when I read it, but then promptly let it slip my mind until Lisarenee's question. There is so much in this book!

#2 "...the man Ned once knew is no longer the man who is King." Very true!! I wouldn't trust him anymore.
#5 Hey, we both used "everything"! :)
#8 We think alike - forgot about the Hand of the King connection, though.
#9 She did die in the mountains of Dorne, but where/why/how did she get the fever? Hummmmm...

#5 "...her brother whom I've nicknamed Viscious." I did this in my head a couple times too, LOL!
Your thoughts:
"I don't like Theon Greyjoy." Still making my mind up about him.
"I think Jon Arryn was murdered." I think you're right!
"I like Eddard Stark." Ditto!
"I don't like Robert Baratheon. He's a self-indulgent, gluttonous a-hole...I hope Dany kills him in the end. lol" LOL is right! Okay! Now, there's a thought!

#2 "...the man Ned once knew is no longer the man who is King." Very true!!..."
I have no idea how she got the fever but maybe it has some weird connection to Rhaegor that will be brought up later? I have no clue. We do think very much alike! :D

" Okay Lisa you got me thinking - what if Jon Snow is really Eddard's sister's child? "
That thought occurred to me too. It would explain why Eddard would have claimed him so openly and not allowed talk about Jon's mother as he is protecting his sisters name and what was done to her by Rheagar


My best reasoning, if Lisarenee & Nikk’s suspension were true, would be that Ned doesn't want anyone to know that Lyanna had a child (Jon Snow) by Rheagar's rape. If people delved into Ashara's background/history, they would find she never carried a child.
But, I believe Jon is his son (he does have a dierwolf!) and it is possible he still feels some love for Ashara (though he killed her brother, correct? Man-oh-man! This is like Fantasy Peyton Place.).
But I'm not giving up on my "secret baby" theme, LOL!

1) Before you found out what happened, were you apprehensive about Bran climbing all over Winterfall, especially when you discovered he was crawling the outer walls fraught with loose mortar? Did his direwolf cub’s growl cause you to have a sense of impending doom?
2) Did it take you long to figure out who the man and woman were whom Bran overheard? Did you surmise both their identities at the same time, or just one?
3) We learn from their dialogue that these two wished the King ill; did you think eavesdropping was an effective way to learn this? “That frighten cow shared Jon Arryn’s bed.” What do you deduce from this statement?
4) Since Bran is a POV character in this story, it would be surprising if he died so early in the story; therefore, what condition do you think he will be in after the push? (Any comments about the push?)
5) Were you surprised Tyrion slapped Prince Joffrey not once, but twice? What do you think his reasons were for emphatically insisting Prince Joffrey put aside his contemptuous attitude and seek out Lord and Lady Stark?
6) How much do you think Tyrion knows about the secrets of Queen Cersei and her twin, Ser Jaime, the Kingslayer?
7) How did you feel about Jon Snow defying Catelyn in order to say good-bye to Bran? Why do you think she told him about her prayers?
8) Forget Viserus’ brooding boorishness at the wedding; to me, Magister Illyrio seems overly invested in Daenerys’ behavior. Are his reasons of a pedantic, prurient, or purely solicitous nature?
9) Are the three dragon eggs gifted to Dany by Magister Illyrio still viable? If so, does he know this? Are his actions and gift-giving consistent with his moral nature and personality?
10) Looks like Khal Drago can only communicate to Daenerys with one word, but he uses it effectively, no? Comments.
Books mentioned in this topic
A Time to Kill (other topics)Halfway to the Grave (other topics)
A Clash of Kings (other topics)
River Marked (other topics)
A Game of Thrones (other topics)
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