The Well-Read Tyrion Lannister

[Frank]

So I have been re-reading the series and a certain chapter got me thinking. To Tyrion, a mind needs books like a sword needs a whetstone. If Tyrion were alive today, what would he read? Maybe there should be a group dedicated to reading those books....

[Joseph]

He's a big fan of dragons, safe to say he'd be a popular member of the Sword and Laser I think.

First thing I thought of was China Mieville, don't know why, because he's smart I guess? :P

[Bob]

He was a big fan of dragons in a world where dragons were once real... In this world maybe it would be more history than fantasy.

[Michael]

I think a contemporary Tyrion would read broadly and deeply, with a big portion of non-fiction, especially in history, science, and technology, while frequently re-reading treatises on leadership and governance.

[Micah]

Michael wrote: "He was a big fan of dragons in a world where dragons were once real... In this world maybe it would be more history than fantasy."

Bingo. I think he would read a lot of non-fiction with maybe thoughtful sci-fi thrown in. Not any of our escapist books. History is a great thing to read. Of course I say this as somebody who is starting school in the fall as a history major. So I may be biased.

[Rasnac]

Everything he can get his hands to, is my first thought. But, then again I don't remember him talking about reading fiction. And he lived in a world where fantastical stories, fairy tales, epic songs and medieveal-type romances were much more popular and available than non-fiction science and history books. Yet he did not show a great interest towards them. So I doubt that he would be interested in fantasy genre. On the other hand, hard science fiction might be of an interest to him.

So my final guess is: He would be a scholar who occasionaly reads a sci-fi novel if he finds an original interesting concept in it.

[David Sven]

He'd be heavy into History and Political science and probably poetry.
One of his favourite books would be "Snarks and other Myths of the First men" and "DIY - Chain Building."

[Michal]

He'd probably like Chaucer.

Even Tyrion appreciates a good fart joke once in a while.

[Kate]

He would read The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, The Art of War and The Prince.

During his teenage years he would have had a Nietzsche phase.

[Bob]

My mid 20's was my "Nietzsche phase"

[Rasnac]

I know Tyrion can be quite sarcastic and nihilistic, but I doubt he would be into that whole übermensch bussiness. He is much more of an epicurian, he would prefer enjoying life, good wine, good book and women, to becoming a "posthuman god". ;)

[Jo]

I think everyone should have a Nietzsche phase. Not saying he would agree with it, but I think he would get a kick out of some of the stuff. I agree though, history, philosophy, science, anything to expand his knowledge of the world. I don't think he'd have a lot of time for fiction but when he did take the time I think it would be some pretty interesting sci-fi, some things to laugh at and some to back up his points with in battles of wit.

What do you think his guilty pleasure reads would be?

[Michal]

Joanna wrote: "What do you think his guilty pleasure reads would be?"

Probably A Song of Ice and Fire.

[Locke]

Joanna wrote: What do you think his guilty pleasure reads would be?"

4chan.

[Charles]

Probably a lot of Business books. Someone in the Lannister clan should know accounting and how economies work.

Some philosophy too. He does that a lot.

[Ruth (tilltab) Ashworth]

You know, a lot of people here have mentioned history, but I was musing over this the other night, and it occurred to me that a modern day Tyrion would probably be something of a computer genius and tech expert as this is probably the best way he could prove his usefulness to his family in the way he does in the book; we are, after all, in an age of technology, and I can imagine Tyrion thriving in this area, perhaps also working in robotics, since he has some skill at designing things in the books (his saddle, for example). As such, he'd keep up to date with all the latest science and computing magazines, and all the top books on the subject to keep himself sharp. I think he would also delve into older texts for inspiration on new ways to apply old ideas. And undoubtedly, he would embrace the internet for all it has to offer.