Absolutely wild that you read ASOIAF at 10 years old (???!!!).
Also, yeah, I don't really understand the purpose of Preston Jacobs' fanfic version of Winds. I know that GRRM's dislike of fanfiction has been on the record for a long time, so I can't imagine he would be very happy about it (though on the other hand, it might not even be on his radar).
The 'post-apocalyptic ASOIAF' theory is also an odd one. On the one hand, big if true, on the other, who cares? Would such a detail actually change anything meaningful about the nature of the story (i.e. the characters, the worldview, the social commentary)? It wouldn't even be unique in the genre, Joe Abercrombie has done it, even Adventure Time has done it, and I'm sure there are many other examples I'm not aware of/have forgotten.
Also, appreciated your summary of all of the late-introduced new plotlines and things that need to happen in Winds, really puts into perspective why Winds continues to not happen. Maybe it will one day?
I doubt Martin is aware of the fic, but I think it feels almost insulting, like Preston thinks he can do a better job at finishing the series than the author, it would not make me feel good if I was Martin and found out my "fans" think that.
I think my issue with the Post-Apocalyptic world theory is that it makes sense, but then they act like being post-apocalyptic means there's no magic and everything can be explained with science. ASOIAF is canonically post-apocalyptic because of the long night, but people like Preston Jacobs want to twist it to fit into their theories that "actually, it was a nuclear apocalypse and Ashai is a nuclear wasteland". If Martin wanted to write sci-fi he would have written a sci-fi story... and like you say, what would it even add to the story?
There are so many plot lines, I genuinely have no idea how could someone fit all that in one book. I will be super impressed if Winds does come out some day, but I think realistically the series can't wrap up in just 2 books
I really enjoy the "Lovecraftian world" theories, they are really fun even though I don't necessarily think Martin is going to do much with that aspect of the lore. I think the references to Lovecraft are just Easter Eggs, I don't think we will see much of that Lovecraftian inspo in the story aside from maybe Euron's plotline.
That's a tough question. I haven't read Abercrombie yet, but from what I've heard I think he could be well suited to take on that role. I personally think Robin Hobb is the closest to Martin's writing style and the themes they explore in their work is similar so she could help him out a lot (plus they seem to know each other and get along well), but she's also around his age and has her own complications that hold her back from writing too much. If she was younger she'd be my pick to continue ASOIAF.
I have read a few King books (Carrie, It, The Shining, and The Long Walk), but I'm not familiar with his fantasy work. I have heard great things about his Dark Tower series, so I may check it out in the future! The Eyes of the Dragon also sounds super interesting, I'll try to read it soon before I get into his other stuff.
Honestly, I haven't read ASOIAF because it is incomplete. I know that I will hate getting to the end of the 5th book without a proper closure and adding one more to the list of people mad at GRRM, haha. I prefer to keep the memory of Fevre Dream, which is a terrific book (specially the audiobook).
It's sad because GRRM is a superb writer. I wonder if HBO has some fault with him not able to finish the books. We will never know.
Hopefully, I will read them some day, but I don't think it's happening soon 🫠.
I do think reading ASOIAF even while incomplete is still worthwhile, but I understand choosing not to. I have been meaning to check out Martin's work outside ASOIAF, Fevre Dream sounds very interesting, I'm adding that to my list!
I think the situation with HBO has aggravated Martin's issues and because the show made the series so big it probably put some extra pressure on him, I don't think the show is entirely at fault but it aggravated the situation for sure.
George RR Martin should direct all inquiries concerning the Winds of Winter to Patrick Rothfuss, who should direct all inquiries concerning the Doors of Stone to GRRM. When these bounce back they should be referred to Robert Jordan, who is dead, so the publisher will refer them to Brandon Sanderson who will be forced to write everything, despite GRRM explicitly not wanting him to.
i've started reading game of thrones this year after having the first four books collecting dust on my shelf. but now that it's unlikely we'll ever get closure from this series, i'm wondering if i should still continue lol
Honestly, I think the series is still worth reading as it is. There's a lot of depth and it's very thought provoking even without an ending, Martin is one of the best fantasy authors ever and he really gives you a lot to love in just 5 books
thank you for your reply! i appreciate your thoughts—i have been finding the worldbuilding refreshingly expansive, even though the material isn't perfect. i've hyperfixated on the wars of the roses when i was younger so it's interesting to see where he takes that in these books
Damn I thought I was the only member of the Read ASOIAF at Ten Club (I liked LOTR and Narnia and my unsuspecting parents got it for my birthday).
I feel like Martin is on one end of the fantasy writer spectrum where he's too distracted by sidequests to actually finish the novel. On the other end of the spectrum is Brandon Sanderson, who has probably written two more books in the time it took you to read this comment.
Absolutely wild that you read ASOIAF at 10 years old (???!!!).
Also, yeah, I don't really understand the purpose of Preston Jacobs' fanfic version of Winds. I know that GRRM's dislike of fanfiction has been on the record for a long time, so I can't imagine he would be very happy about it (though on the other hand, it might not even be on his radar).
The 'post-apocalyptic ASOIAF' theory is also an odd one. On the one hand, big if true, on the other, who cares? Would such a detail actually change anything meaningful about the nature of the story (i.e. the characters, the worldview, the social commentary)? It wouldn't even be unique in the genre, Joe Abercrombie has done it, even Adventure Time has done it, and I'm sure there are many other examples I'm not aware of/have forgotten.
Also, appreciated your summary of all of the late-introduced new plotlines and things that need to happen in Winds, really puts into perspective why Winds continues to not happen. Maybe it will one day?
Yeah not exactly age-appropriate lol
I doubt Martin is aware of the fic, but I think it feels almost insulting, like Preston thinks he can do a better job at finishing the series than the author, it would not make me feel good if I was Martin and found out my "fans" think that.
I think my issue with the Post-Apocalyptic world theory is that it makes sense, but then they act like being post-apocalyptic means there's no magic and everything can be explained with science. ASOIAF is canonically post-apocalyptic because of the long night, but people like Preston Jacobs want to twist it to fit into their theories that "actually, it was a nuclear apocalypse and Ashai is a nuclear wasteland". If Martin wanted to write sci-fi he would have written a sci-fi story... and like you say, what would it even add to the story?
There are so many plot lines, I genuinely have no idea how could someone fit all that in one book. I will be super impressed if Winds does come out some day, but I think realistically the series can't wrap up in just 2 books
I really enjoy the "Lovecraftian world" theories, they are really fun even though I don't necessarily think Martin is going to do much with that aspect of the lore. I think the references to Lovecraft are just Easter Eggs, I don't think we will see much of that Lovecraftian inspo in the story aside from maybe Euron's plotline.
That's a tough question. I haven't read Abercrombie yet, but from what I've heard I think he could be well suited to take on that role. I personally think Robin Hobb is the closest to Martin's writing style and the themes they explore in their work is similar so she could help him out a lot (plus they seem to know each other and get along well), but she's also around his age and has her own complications that hold her back from writing too much. If she was younger she'd be my pick to continue ASOIAF.
I have read a few King books (Carrie, It, The Shining, and The Long Walk), but I'm not familiar with his fantasy work. I have heard great things about his Dark Tower series, so I may check it out in the future! The Eyes of the Dragon also sounds super interesting, I'll try to read it soon before I get into his other stuff.
Honestly, I haven't read ASOIAF because it is incomplete. I know that I will hate getting to the end of the 5th book without a proper closure and adding one more to the list of people mad at GRRM, haha. I prefer to keep the memory of Fevre Dream, which is a terrific book (specially the audiobook).
It's sad because GRRM is a superb writer. I wonder if HBO has some fault with him not able to finish the books. We will never know.
Hopefully, I will read them some day, but I don't think it's happening soon 🫠.
I do think reading ASOIAF even while incomplete is still worthwhile, but I understand choosing not to. I have been meaning to check out Martin's work outside ASOIAF, Fevre Dream sounds very interesting, I'm adding that to my list!
I think the situation with HBO has aggravated Martin's issues and because the show made the series so big it probably put some extra pressure on him, I don't think the show is entirely at fault but it aggravated the situation for sure.
George RR Martin should direct all inquiries concerning the Winds of Winter to Patrick Rothfuss, who should direct all inquiries concerning the Doors of Stone to GRRM. When these bounce back they should be referred to Robert Jordan, who is dead, so the publisher will refer them to Brandon Sanderson who will be forced to write everything, despite GRRM explicitly not wanting him to.
i've started reading game of thrones this year after having the first four books collecting dust on my shelf. but now that it's unlikely we'll ever get closure from this series, i'm wondering if i should still continue lol
Honestly, I think the series is still worth reading as it is. There's a lot of depth and it's very thought provoking even without an ending, Martin is one of the best fantasy authors ever and he really gives you a lot to love in just 5 books
thank you for your reply! i appreciate your thoughts—i have been finding the worldbuilding refreshingly expansive, even though the material isn't perfect. i've hyperfixated on the wars of the roses when i was younger so it's interesting to see where he takes that in these books
I hope you enjoy them! I also really like the worldbuilding, and the historical inspiration is super interesting
Damn I thought I was the only member of the Read ASOIAF at Ten Club (I liked LOTR and Narnia and my unsuspecting parents got it for my birthday).
I feel like Martin is on one end of the fantasy writer spectrum where he's too distracted by sidequests to actually finish the novel. On the other end of the spectrum is Brandon Sanderson, who has probably written two more books in the time it took you to read this comment.
The crazy thing is that my parents were fans of the show and they still thought it was okay to let me read the books haha
I agree, Martin and Sanderson are complete opposites, for better or worse!