First of all, sorry. I'm well aware that GOT questions have been done to death across books and reading related subreddits. However, I can't seem to find the answers to all of my questions online or through AI.
I've recently got back into reading after a number of years and bought myself a Kindle in January. I've read 7 books thus far, the longest of which was 350 pages. This was by choice, as I wanted to re-immerse myself in reading and felt shorter novels would suit. They have!
That said, I've wanted to get into a fantasy series for a while now and have added a ton of books to my Goodreads 'want to read' account. I finished 'Annihilation' yesterday and decided I'd like to try GOT (ASOIF). I know nothing about this series, other than the hype which surrounded the show, but I never watched it. I don't even know the names of any characters. I'm also aware that the series may never be finished – this is fine.
Finally, my burning questions:
Since I'm using a kindle paperwhite, the appendix and maps are kind of a nuisance to regularly navigate to, so I've come across an interactive map (thanks Reddit!) and two websites to assist and provide chapter summaries (A wiki of ice and fire and the tower of hand). Are these all worthwhile resources?
I believe there are so many characters to keep tabs on, is this true? I don't want to feel overwhelmed or lost after 300 pages and as if I've wasted my time.
Like the above, I believe there's so many houses and places to know about, I'm afraid this will also overwhelm me. Is this true?
It is important to read this book (AGOT) slowly, with your full attention and try not to miss any details, even the small ones? I don't know if I'm the only one, but sometimes if I'm reading something on my lunch break, I might try to finish the chapter while I'm aware that I've to get back to work. Basically I'm aware of this and may miss smaller details, but it doesn't happen often.
I suppose I'll ask for any tips you may have before I start reading the first one. I'd really like to get lost in a fantasy series I know nothing about.
Finally, and I think most of you will be like 'yes' – am I simply overthinking all of the above based on what I've seen online already?
Thanks all!
by YouserName007
6 Comments
There’s also a asoiaf dictionary that you can add to your kindle that has non spoiler descriptions of characters and locations.
My first time thru I struggled to keep track of all the characters.
Partially due to the sheer number of them.
Partially due to the fact that many of the names are uncommon/irregular (Cersei, Sansa, Varys) and sometimes multiple characters have the same first name (Jon Snow/Aryn, Robert Stark/Baratheon) or very similar first names (Tywin/Tyrion Lannister).
So I paused and watched a few episodes of season 1, then once I had an idea of who the characters were and how to pronounce their names, as well as other words/names of things in the story, I was able to read thru much easier.
I don’t think you need to be worried. I think trying to keep track of all or most of the characters and houses is futile off the bat. The more you read the books, the more the major players and houses will stand out and the more you can deduce who is important to the story and who isn’t.
If perhaps a minor character comes back (which happens), then you can use other resources to remind you of who they are.
I would give a hard yes to reading it, and I would maybe only recommend having a map of Westeros for consultation. I also liked looking up the actors photos so I could picture them, but that’s just me.
The book is not hard to follow because each chapter is broken down by a specific character you are following. I constantly forget side characters but they don’t matter that much if you forget. The separate characters and storylines are so distinct that you will not be overwhelmed in a bad way.
I never read a fantasy book before and this one was not too difficult to follow.
Yes, the answer is not to worry about it too much! As far as wanting to dive into a fantasy world, these books have so much to offer and so it’s rewarding to the type of readers who pay attention to detail. But it’s not a requirement at all. Fundamentally these books are just well written stories with incredible characters. You’ll be fine! Enjoy! 🙂
Honestly I feel like you’re over thinking it, I am reading it now too, and GRRM’s prose is pretty easy to understand and follow. Also it is not that crazy for the maps, like Westeros basically is just north or south lol. They also mention places that are not in Westeros nor does the book’s map actually have but basically it’s in Essos and that place is basically giant version of the Anatolian Peninsula. So for there, it’s just east or west.
You’re treating this like it is the Silmarillion and it is definitely not lol. It mainly just follows the Stark family and Daenerys primarily. All the Starks have names that are quite easy to remember who is who, Aria, Eddard, Jon, Sansa, etc.
The Silmarillion by contrast will just have entire paragraphs that are of random people moving around from location to location, this book is not that. It introduces you to the world pretty well with exposition, good dialog and a pretty slow (in a good way) and steady pace. You’re really over preparing for this honestly, it’s not that hard of a book, honestly if the subject matter was not so gruesome, this is at a high school reading level. If you read regularly and you passed high school this will be a breeze.