Did you read the book or watch the show first?

[Catherine]

Read the books first. So enjoyed reading adult fantasy that had complicated twists & turns. Wanted more until book 4. Just couldn't get into it. I love costuming So I love to see the visuals. Just hope George RR Martin finishes it and they film it all cause I so hate cancelled shows before they end properly.

[Steve]

I had no clue of the books existence before watching season one but almost instantly after watching I had to start reading. I count myself lucky because until I get done with, "A Dance With Dragons", I haven't had to wait for the next book. Already being halfway through the third book though I'm starting to slow down purposefully so as to put off the wait for the next two books.

[Tim]

I had not heard of the books until I watched the TV series, I was hooked immediately.

I soon overtook the TV episodes by reading the books, after that some episodes began to feel a little flat in comparison, still enjoyed them though.

I was impressed how true to the books the TV series held.

[H.A. Fowler]

Honestly, I heard about the show first, because I'm not much of an epic fantasy reader. When the show aired, it caught my attention, but I always read the books before I watch a movie or show. I've read and enjoyed the first four so far (I'm in line at the library for the fifth!), and now I don't think I could bear to watch the show. Not because it's not a good show -- I've heard nothing but good things about it -- but because I honestly don't think I could live through the heart-wrenching story of the first book again, with actual visuals.

[Rohan]

I'm still annoyed that Martin felt compelled to make his supremely literary fantasy novel, replete with an exploded narrative device that is unreproducible in any visual medium, into a television series. I can't watch a minute of the television series - even those including Dinklage - without noticing the awful inadequacy of the narrative when shorn of its multivocal moments of inscrutability. The necessity for visual explication in the TV series robs the viewer of the insidious narrative twists and turns enjoyed by the reader. Therefore I'm disappointed that I didn't watch the series first, as the failings of the form would have probably enhanced the novels further, whereas in reverse it robs the television series of any pleasure.

[Steve]

Rohan wrote: "I'm still annoyed that Martin felt compelled to make his supremely literary fantasy novel, replete with an exploded narrative device that is unreproducible in any visual medium, into a television s..."

Question was, "Which had you seen first", not, please complain about either and try to impress us with your wordsmithing. Bugger you and your opinion, and yes I had to use a dictionary to read your comments. HBO did a fantastic job attempting to bring this wonderful series to life.

[Rohan]

Steve wrote: "Bugger you and your opinion, and yes I had to use a dictionary to read your comments. "

As much as it may disappoint you Steve, I'm afraid I'm strictly heterosexual, and I'm not sure that my opinion has the necessary orifice to satisfy you either.

Hunting through dictionaries, even facetiously, seems a bit like too much hard work, for a comment that you could well have chosen to ignore. Whilst your opening gambit infers I ignored the question set, and/or dislike the work, which is categorically not the case. Enjoy your flagging.

[Will]

Steve wrote: "Rohan wrote: "yes I had to use a dictionary to read your comments"

Honestly, that's a fault on your part, not the poster. He really wasn't being that extravagant in his word choice. I didn't come across one word that I don't hear on a day to day basis.

That being said, I think it's really silly of him to hold a tv series to the same standards as a book. It's a completely different medium, which George RR Martin realized when he sold the rights to HBO. He's stated before that he wasn't looking for it to be translated to the screen, especially since he's been getting offers for over a decade, and has turned them down one after the next. It wasn't until HBO approached him and guaranteed to stay as faithful to the books as possible that he accepted.

[Steve]

Rohan wrote: "Steve wrote: "Bugger you and your opinion, and yes I had to use a dictionary to read your comments. "

As much as it may disappoint you Steve, I'm afraid I'm strictly heterosexual, and I'm not sur..."

Who flagged what? And straight to calling me gay in an online forum, how original.

[Rohan]

Will wrote: "That being said, I think it's really silly of him to hold a tv series to the same standards as a book. It's a completely different medium, which George RR Martin realized when he sold the rights to HBO. "

Thanks for this comment though Will. It's one of the problems that I have with phrasing this argument properly. It's not that I wish to hold the TV show to the same standards as the book, and I'm well aware we are dealing with different mediums, however I do question why there is a need to adapt works between mediums if they seem particularly suited to their original form. I appreciate that Martin has probably received a hefty sum and acquired the added security of a wider readership as a result of the adaptation, but having read the books first I cannot help but see the TV series as severely lacking in comparison, because it has to make definite decisions about character representation that are far more intricately, and almost elusively, rendered in the novels. I do love the books, but I was unable to make it beyond episode 7 of the series and that despite the fact I think Peter Dinklage an excellent piece of casting, alongside the young girl that played Arya. As I mentioned at the end of the previous comment, part of me really wishes I'd watched the show first and been able to appreciate it for the solid adaptation it probably is. I trust that isn't too verbose or 'controversial' an opinion.

[Will]

I definitely see what you mean, but I think the key to enjoying the series is to hold it to the standard of other shows, which in this case, it destroys the competition. I feel like you need to completely remove yourself from the books first, which is obviously difficult to do, but worth the effort.

[Rohan]

Steve wrote: "Who flagged what? And straight to calling me gay in an online forum, how original. "

I flagged you for the content of your original post and as was the case with your initial reading of my post I'll point out two things which clearly need clarification. Firstly I have not called you gay, although you did see fit to use profanity that refers to anal intercourse, directed at my person and my opinion. Secondly, as you point out yourself, this is an online forum, and one which is used by a wide variety of people, of different age groups, to discuss books and book-related themes. I therefore suggest your clearly well-reasoned language choices are perhaps a little inappropriate and, dare I say it, unoriginal. If you wish we can carry this discussion on in some kind of interminable Private Message-loop for however long it takes, as I'm pretty sure this is already boring the rest of the users.

[Hazel]

Will wrote: "I hope so, because they gave him free reign for book 5 and we all saw how long that took!"

I spent ages bemoaning having to wait so long for the 5th book, and how he should have written it by now, but I wasn't aware of them making the series at the time. George RR Martin is deeply involved in the making of the show, and as such, on seeing the results on the screen, I instantly forgave him taking so long over book 5's release.

In answer to the original question, I picked up Game of Thrones in 2005, and was instantly hooked.

[Rohan]

Will wrote: "I definitely see what you mean, but I think the key to enjoying the series is to hold it to the standard of other shows, which in this case, it destroys the competition. I feel like you need to com..."

You are not the only person who has said as much, Will. I've a few good friends who are constantly harping on at me to give the series a second chance. I'll probably come round to it in time - after all it took me almost a decade to finally get past my Sopranos-blindness. When talking television programmes though, it is some statement to make that GoT destroys all competition, particularly in this time of HBO, Showtime, AMC plenty. Do you mean it destroys all other fantasy-drama shows? Or are you saying it crushes the likes of Mad Men, Breaking Bad and Nurse Jackie, to name a few shows currently still running that I'd consider to be amongst my favourites?

[Steve]

Rohan wrote: "Steve wrote: "Who flagged what? And straight to calling me gay in an online forum, how original. "

I flagged you for the content of your original post and as was the case with your initial reading..."

"You did see fit to use profanity that refers to anal intercourse", Huh? Are you referring to bugger? I just got done reading the Enders Saga.

[Rohan]

Steve wrote: " I just got done reading the Enders Saga. "

That's just not good Form-ics. Tu-dum!

[Ruby]

Laura wrote: "Ruby wrote: "Confession: I didn't know there was a book (I'm 11, so no one would recommend them) . I didn't even know about the TV show, but then my best friend Rebecca, who's 14, and her sister, P..."

Will keep that in mind! Thanks!

[Will]

I actually meant to say "most" of the competition. Breaking Bad is certainly just as good (just counting the first season, as it's a bit unfair to compare all 4 seasons, and which it is certainly a better show when considering them all), but I'd definitely disagree about Mad Men. Interesting show, but Don's character has just gotten plain boring (which they've tried to correct recently), and the story has gone downhill fast. I find Mad Men vastly overrated. I have yet to see Nurse Jackie, which I've heard as much good about it as bad.

I think my favorite part about Game of Thrones the tv show so far is the opening score. I find it stupendously fitting to the mood the show presents, and just incredibly well-done.

[Rohan]

Will wrote: "I think my favorite part about Game of Thrones the tv show so far is the opening score. I find it stupendously fitting to the mood the show presents, and just incredibly well-done. "

Yes, the board-game style credits sequence, with its Carnivale-esque sweeping score was pretty impressive.

[Will]

I love it. I occasionally YouTube it just to hear it.

[Sebastián]

First watched the TV, but it was so amazing I have to buy the books. Now I alreay read A game of thrones, an I am starting A clash of kings. But I have a question: the five book is the last one?

[Rohan]

Sebastián wrote: "First watched the TV, but it was so amazing I have to buy the books. Now I alreay read A game of thrones, an I am starting A clash of kings. But I have a question: the five book is the last one?"

Apparently not Sebastián. George RR Martin has gone on record as saying the series will be complete with a 6th and 7th volumes. Here's hoping he is able to finish them slightly sooner than the last one.

[Sebastián]

Rohan wrote: "Sebastián wrote: "First watched the TV, but it was so amazing I have to buy the books. Now I alreay read A game of thrones, an I am starting A clash of kings. But I have a question: the five book i..."

Thanks, Rohan. I hope he could finish them, in my country are able only the first 4 books, for the moment.

[Cindy]

Books first. All of them in 2 months. Then I watched the first season on HBOGo. Almost as good as Lord of the Rings series.

[Syb]

I first learned/heard about GoT from the advertising plastered on bus stops that I passed daily for quite some time on my college<->dorm route. Y'know, that lovely poster with Sean Bean on the Iron Throne - that sure put the TEASE in teaser photos!

Fast fwd until about a month ago, and I finally decided to pick up the first book (HBO isn't my usual fare, so I decided to start with the source material). I guess I just got curious enough to check it out. The rave reviews GoT got from one Nathan Fillion didn't hurt!

I've finished SoS and am taking a reading break to watch the show (just finished the 4th ep). I'm definitely enjoying it.

[[deleted user]]

Geez! I really need to read these, as they sound so good! I plan to start them when book 6 is out. I am asking now how long was it ago that book 5 was released?

[Rohan]

Josiah wrote: "Geez! I really need to read these, as they sound so good! I plan to start them when book 6 is out. I am asking now how long was it ago that book 5 was released?"

Book 5 was released in July of this year. Martin has claimed that the 6th volume will be along in the next 18 months, but he said something similar about the last volume and it took nearly 6 years. My advice to you Josiah, get stuck in now. Btw, I've started The Stand and I'm enjoying it.

[Ruby]

Will wrote: "Honestly every sex scene had a purpose, and I really didn't find the violence excessive or unrealistic."

I agree, except for that one with Littlefinger...That was really unnecessary. They just needed to tell his story, but they didn't have to do it like that.

[Will]

Ruby wrote: "I agree, except for that one with Littlefinger...That was really unnecessary. They just needed to tell his story, but they didn't have to do it like that."

Are you referring to when he made a couple of his prostitutes fuck each other? I thought that was a really powerful scene.

[Gabriel]

I accidently bought a clash of kings first. I did not realize or at least ignored the author's insistance of things I should know. Then I went on to read a storm of swords and bought the game of throne fterwards. It made everything complete. I saw the show with my wife and it helped fill in long lost information in my head.

[[deleted user]]

Rohan wrote: "Steve wrote: "Bugger you and your opinion, and yes I had to use a dictionary to read your comments. "

As much as it may disappoint you Steve, I'm afraid I'm strictly heterosexual, and I'm not sure my opinion has the necessary orifice to satisfy you either."

Steve, GoodReads asks you not to flag for foul language. I assumed this person used "bugger" because it's a curse often used in the GoT books. Immature, yes, but shrug it off as trolling. Your response, however, took it to the next level of inappropriate. Your comment is much nastier than a simple "fuck you" or "bugger you" and is borderline homophobic. I have flagged it as slanderous, and ask that if you kids can't play nicely, please get off my discussion forum and stop flooding my inbox. Thanks.

[[deleted user]]

Ruby wrote: "Will wrote: "Honestly every sex scene had a purpose, and I really didn't find the violence excessive or unrealistic."

I agree, except for that one with Littlefinger...That was really unnecessary. ..."

I actually liked that scene. It showed what a cold person he is...and while he's instructing the prostitutes on how to do their jobs, he's basically describing what he does in court and politics -- seduces people, makes them believe and trust his little act. He's a really unsavory character and he *does* own a chain of brothels, after all. He wouldn't hire Ros if she wasn't good enough, lol. And then you see Ros with Pycelle, and you know she's there as Littlefinger's spy...connections, connections...

[Will]

That was one of the coolest parts of the show, Maester Pycelle's "act." I must have missed that in the book, so it was a really "whoa!" moment for me watching the show.

[Joe]

Books first - read the first 4 as they were published. Have not seen the show.

[Meredith]

My husband (then boyfriend) really liked the series, and I read it maybe 3-4 years ago. (Well, the 4 books which were out at the time.) Husband got REALLY excited for the TV series - in fact, we got HBO so we could watch it. We both read A Dance With Dragons as soon as it came out.

[[deleted user]]

"(no italics) Rohan Said: Gekrge said it would be within the next 18 months, although thats what he said with the last one and that took him 6 years"

I mean seriously? What's he gonna do when the TV series gets to season 6 and book 6 hasn't even come out yet?

[Gabriel]

Actually some books are being split up into multiple seasons. This might give him more time to write.

[Huw]

I heard about the TV Series and anything with Sean Bean in it is ok by me (even if he cannot adapt his accent). I couldn't watch the series because it was on SKY in the UK, which I don't have. I then found a friend who had had a friend who had recordeded the series onto hard-drive so was able to read the book and watch the series in tandem, until I felt the book to be better than the series.

[Jill]

Laura wrote: "How did you get into this series? I heard about the TV show a while back, but wasn't interested until I heard Sean Bean would be in it. He's one of my favorite actors! :) When I found out who else ..."

I started watching the show and then immediately bought the books. I finished the book before the first season ended, but I was basically just reading ahead of each episode. I want to finish book 2 before next season starts in April.

[Sara]

L.S. wrote: "I read the book after I watched the show, and that was a mistake. I should have read the book first. The show follows the book so closely that I never even to make up my mind about what the scenery..."

LOL! Started writing my comment, then scrolled back up, found yours and realized I was writing pretty much the same thing. My thought's exactly. It was like watching the show again. A very weird experience. I'd never had that happen before. The scenery and characters from the show would not get out of my head no matter how hard I shook! I'm not going to read any more of Martin's books because this one really dragged on. I'm not impressed with his writing style, though I'm enjoying the story so far. I'll continue with the shows. :)

[Jenni]

i read the books first thanks to a kindle suggestion. these book sites with suggestions are brilliant! i wouldn't trade my kindle for any hardback. it feeds my needs like my inner book junkie needs!

[Margaret]

read it. Have yet to se series.

[Margaret]

Laura wrote: "How did you get into this series? I heard about the TV show a while back, but wasn't interested until I heard Sean Bean would be in it. He's one of my favorite actors! :) When I found out who else ..."

[Margaret]

Afriend raved about the series and said I have to read the book. I started the series...am presently reading A Storm of Swords. Ordered (advanced copy) series from Amazon months ago and still don't have it.

[Ruby]

Will wrote: "I love it. I occasionally YouTube it just to hear it."

Me too! Yay

[Ruby]

Will wrote: "Ruby wrote: "I agree, except for that one with Littlefinger...That was really unnecessary. They just needed to tell his story, but they didn't have to do it like that."

Are you referring to when h..."


Wow don't curse it scares me...But yes. How do you think that's powerful? I don't know...There could be so many other better ways to tell his story...

[Will]

Ruby wrote: "Wow don't curse it scares me...But yes. How do you think that's powerful? I don't know...There could be so many other better ways to tell his story..."
How in the world did you even get through the tv show if you get scared when I say the word "fuck" (which is just a word) one time?

Anyways, Laura explained it well: "I actually liked that scene. It showed what a cold person he is...and while he's instructing the prostitutes on how to do their jobs, he's basically describing what he does in court and politics -- seduces people, makes them believe and trust his little act. He's a really unsavory character and he *does* own a chain of brothels, after all. He wouldn't hire Ros if she wasn't good enough, lol. And then you see Ros with Pycelle, and you know she's there as Littlefinger's spy...connections, connections..."

It's the fact that he's manipulating these women right before our eyes as he tells us how he manages to do this on a political level that makes the metaphor so powerful. A wonderful scene.

[Ruby]

Will wrote: "Ruby wrote: "Wow don't curse it scares me...But yes. How do you think that's powerful? I don't know...There could be so many other better ways to tell his story..."
How in the world did you even ge..."

I dunno...Seeing it in writing makes it so frightening and powerful.

Anywho, that is very true and smart. I suppose it's just that it was so, so, so, so, so graphic. I'm only an innocent little 11 year old. *SOB*

No, but that is true, and now that you said that, I really understand it better. Thank you.

Also, after the 3rd book, I just loved Littlefinger so much. It's so sad.

[Will]

You probably shouldn't be watching such a graphic show if you can't grasp the adult themes. js

[Ruby]

Will wrote: "You probably shouldn't be watching such a graphic show if you can't grasp the adult themes. js"

I think I can grasp the adult themes. I understand and enjoy everything. I just think that some of it is really quite graphic. But I love the show. A lot. By the way, Is js just saying?