Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2007 2:35 pm Post subject: George R.R. Martin
Hello! I finished the first book, "Game of Thrones," and started the second, but I had to stop. It was superbly written, but I didn't want to read so many scenes about incest, murder, human sacrifice, etc.
I know such things don't bother a lot of people, but I decided to forgo the series, even though it was well written. Best regards.
Interesting. I've heard a lot about Martin at other sites, especially Chronicles. It seems he has quite a following. _________________ Tower of Light Bookstore Lulu Storefront
From what I understand he is one of the major writers in the trad fantasy genre. I'm not a trad fan, but my husband is and read that entire series. He would tell me about it as he read it, and it seemed to me the novels were incredibly violent, 10 times more violence than in many of the vampire books I have read (urban fantasy is my favorite genre).
So I declined to read that series after my husband finished it. But still, trad fantasy fans glorify George R.R. Martin. Many think he is the best out there. Period. That is how much trad fantasy fans think of him. And they are all eagerly awaiting his next book in that series.
Keep in mind this is just what I hear at the SF&F forums I belong to. Personally, I am clueless. _________________ Laura Stamps
"The Witchery Series" (Magickal Urban Fantasy Novels)
http://www.LauraStamps.blogspot.com (info about my novels)
http://www.OccultFiction.blogspot.com (my Author blog)
My understanding is that there are two main divisions of fantasy: Traditional Fantasy and Urban Fantasy.
Traditional Fantasy would be sword and sorcery, plots that take place in created realms/worlds or in the past. Often peopled with kings, queens, princes, princesses, dragons, gnomes, faeries, Witches, wizards, sorcerers, magick, etc. Think George R.R. Martin, Tolkien, or Marian Zimmer Bradley. The main thing is there is no science or technology in it. That would make it more science fiction. So fantasy is just pure imagination (and some magick).
Urban Fantasy takes place in contemporary times in cities and countries we all know, and on the streets we walk every day. The only difference is there are also vampires, werewolves, ghosts, faeries, Witches, wizards, sorcerers walking these same streets. Also, no science or technology to it...just pure imagination (and some magick). Think Jim Butcher, Tanya Huff, Charlaine Harris, Laurell K. Hamilton, etc.
His tales seem too dark for my taste.
But then, I was surprised at how violent the film version of "The Lord of the Rings" was. I had to admit, when I went back through the books, all the battles and violence was there. I just didn't pay attention to it.
I like to read stories that have noble characters, characters that I admire. They should have warts. The can even be "anti-heroes." They don't even have to "win" (That is what defines a tragedy, after all.)
Mr. Martin's books didn't give me a sense of "the nobility" that I think exists in each one of us. Best regards.
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