Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Inside HBO's Game of Thrones

Sooo, I have a backlog of no less than 20 books I've read and not yet reviewed, but which one do I want to talk about right this minute? The one I finished last night, of course!

Inside HBO's Game of Thrones, by Bryan Cogman
Series? Yes; 2nd volume to publish Nov 2014
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Date: 2012
How did I get this book? borrowed from library
GoodReads | Author | Publisher

Let me say right from the beginning that I have not yet read The Game of Thrones or any of its sequels. I cannot comment on how anything in this book (or on the HBO show) compares to George R.R. Martin's actual novels. My husband got me hooked on the series and I am completely and utterly addicted. I'm sure the books are even better and I intend to catch up on them before the next season airs, but I'm a little afraid I will start the first one and not come up for air (or any other books) until I finish all five of them. So for now, I keep reaching for other titles on my TBR pile and have been reading up a storm this summer. I still have plenty of time, right?

ANYWAY, as a fan of the HBO series, I really liked this book. I'm not the best with names, history, and family trees, so having all this information in one spot was a nice review for me. It helped filled in a few gaps in my understanding of who's who's and how everything is all related (a real challenge in a series of this scope, for me anyway!) I also really enjoyed the behind-the-scenes look at all the work and creativity that goes into creating each episode. It's easy to forget how much time, money, and expertise goes into a project like this when it all looks so effortless on the screen.

Reading the thoughts of the actors and other people who work on the show was truly fascinating to me. I rarely use quotes in my reviews, but there is one from actor Peter Dinklage (who plays Tyrion Lannister) in the final paragraph of the book that really struck me:
"I actually don't see it as a genre piece anymore. These characters are as vibrant and real as anything I have come across in more traditional great fiction. I think it is narrow-minded to put things into separate categories or dismiss them for being in the far corner of your local bookstore." -- Peter Dinklage
With silly YA-shaming articles circulating the net lately and the persistent (yet ridiculous) idea that genre fiction is somehow *beneath* or *less than* literary fiction, this quote really resonated with me. As if I needed any more reasons to love Peter and Tyrion!

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Reading Challenges:
New to Me

12 comments:

  1. This sounds like a good one to get from the library! I' the same as you, I've watched the show but I haven't read the books yet either. My husband has tho, so usually I use him as my resource when I have Game of Thrones questions. I can't wait for the next season. Also, rock on Peter Dinklage!!

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    1. I just realized that this comment is so repetitive, you already know that I haven't read the books, but watch the show. We have talked about it before. FAIL

      Either way, I still think I will be looking for this book from the library. It may even be fun to go over with my husband and I still love Peter Dinklage.

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    2. That's OK -- I can only imagine how many times I've repeated myself to you. LOL I really think you would like this one -- a great one to get from the library unless you're going for a GoT collection :)

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  2. Oooh, I so need this. I love the series (tv & books) and want to do a rewatch/reread at some point.

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    1. You should definitely check it out! I really do want to read all the books before the next season starts on HBO -- I thought I would start this summer, but it's feeling more like a fall/winter *project* -- one that I'm very much looking forward to :)

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  3. Love that quote SO much! I am totally going to check this out, I have read the first book and am half way through the 2nd and I love the show!
    Missie @ A Flurry of Ponderings

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    1. I know, right?! I hope you enjoy it -- it's really great for fans of the series I think :)

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  4. This sounds like an awesome coffee table book or gift for GoT fans. I love both the book and the show, and this sounds lovely. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. You're totally right about it being a great coffee table or gift book -- I'm tempted to add it to my collection, but am good with borrowing from the library for now :) I hope you get a chance to check it out!

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  5. I don't know, I'm not sure if I like the quote or not. I just think the first bit sounds as though he's complementing Game of Thrones by calling it not genre fiction, as though genre fiction is bad. But I think the second part makes it clear that isn't his intent and I do agree that it's silly to dismiss something simply because it falls into a specific genre :)

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    1. I just took it to be a statement against letting genre labels limit or narrowly define books. I really liked the open-mindedness of the quote, though I can see what you mean by the beginning part possibly meaning something else if it hadn't continued on!

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  6. I feel like I am the only one who doesn't watch or read TGoT series. I love when actors love the project they are on. It makes a world of difference.

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I'd love to hear what you think :)