Forty-two.yovargas wrote:And how many roads must a man walk down, before they call him a man?SirDennis wrote:It just seems so dense... how many fully realized fantasy worlds should a person be expected to be able to appreciate in one lifetime?
Winter is Coming: A Game of Thrones (SPOILERS)
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Primula Baggins
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“There, peeping among the cloud-wrack above a dark tor high up in the mountains, Sam saw a white star twinkle for a while. The beauty of it smote his heart, as he looked up out of the forsaken land, and hope returned to him. For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King
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Primula Baggins
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Mine is on my dining room table, to be read first by my son who's finishing book 4. I'm still in book 2—reading time choked off by work as always.
“There, peeping among the cloud-wrack above a dark tor high up in the mountains, Sam saw a white star twinkle for a while. The beauty of it smote his heart, as he looked up out of the forsaken land, and hope returned to him. For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King
And the audiobook is released at the same time! 
We'll be downloading it as soon as we finish the book we are on now.... although it's tempting to drop the new one. We are trying a new author, and he doesn't seem to use adjectives much.
While I'm not a fan of overly descriptive works, some indication of how things are is useful. It's a very bare bones tale and thus a bit disappointing. Unless things improve, we won't be following "The Iron Druid" series any further.
We'll be downloading it as soon as we finish the book we are on now.... although it's tempting to drop the new one. We are trying a new author, and he doesn't seem to use adjectives much.
While I'm not a fan of overly descriptive works, some indication of how things are is useful. It's a very bare bones tale and thus a bit disappointing. Unless things improve, we won't be following "The Iron Druid" series any further."A Dance With Dragons" is a big disappointment so far. Both the writing and reading seem inferior to previous volumes. The reader, in particular, has gone downhill since the last book. He can't do a female voice at all now, it seems. Danerys (sp?) sounds like a slightly squeaky Tyrion! 
And the reader keeps pausing with every phrase like he's out of breath. I'd noticed a tendancy towards that on the previous audiobooks, but it's almost intolerable now.
During last night's commute we turned it off halfway home. This morning we didn't even plug in the player. We just kind of looked at each other and I said, "We need to get a different book, don't we?"
I guess I'll get the book in paper form, that way I can skim over the dull parts and not have to listen to the reader who seems to be in failing health.
And the reader keeps pausing with every phrase like he's out of breath. I'd noticed a tendancy towards that on the previous audiobooks, but it's almost intolerable now.During last night's commute we turned it off halfway home. This morning we didn't even plug in the player. We just kind of looked at each other and I said, "We need to get a different book, don't we?"
I guess I'll get the book in paper form, that way I can skim over the dull parts and not have to listen to the reader who seems to be in failing health.
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Primula Baggins
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Through a weird set of circumstances we ended up with HBO until the end of this year (it was cheaper than not getting HBO 
but so it is), and over Christmas my brother and son and I watched all of season 1 on demand. I can only agree with what many others have said. It's extremely well done and well acted. Peter Dinklage is the jewel in the crown for me; he's awe-inspiring. I have also finished book 2 and SPOILER
Dinklage also has won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for his performance in that season.
Oh, and vison, you can watch season 2 without suffering at all from your Bean allergy.
but so it is), and over Christmas my brother and son and I watched all of season 1 on demand. I can only agree with what many others have said. It's extremely well done and well acted. Peter Dinklage is the jewel in the crown for me; he's awe-inspiring. I have also finished book 2 and SPOILER Hidden text.
END SPOILERDinklage also has won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for his performance in that season.
Oh, and vison, you can watch season 2 without suffering at all from your Bean allergy.
“There, peeping among the cloud-wrack above a dark tor high up in the mountains, Sam saw a white star twinkle for a while. The beauty of it smote his heart, as he looked up out of the forsaken land, and hope returned to him. For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King
I'm part way through book 2 and I have seen the first couple of episodes. I'm glad I am reading before watching, as is usually the case with me. The story is easier to follow and I find it more fulfilling.
I wasn't grabbed by the story at the beginning. I found the Stark family, when they were all together, a bit boring. I like most of them as individuals though. When the Stark's "guests" arrived and soon thereafter, the story picked up. Then when all of the infamy and intrigue hit, the story became more readable. There are some really interesting characters and nice twists to the plot.
I do worry about him being able to tie up so many threads though as the story progresses. I would hate for it to be like Lost in that they introduce characters only to have them killed off quickly. There are so many factions involved, but I suspect it will come down to 3 or 4 at the end.
I don't really see and resemblance to Tolkien, except maybe there is some likeness to Thrones and the Silmarillion in that there are a gazillion names and places to remember.
It's more like medieval England with a smattering of fantasy thrown in. Possibly more than a smattering as the story develops, but not really Tolkien-esque in any way that I can see.[/spoiler]
I wasn't grabbed by the story at the beginning. I found the Stark family, when they were all together, a bit boring. I like most of them as individuals though. When the Stark's "guests" arrived and soon thereafter, the story picked up. Then when all of the infamy and intrigue hit, the story became more readable. There are some really interesting characters and nice twists to the plot.
I do worry about him being able to tie up so many threads though as the story progresses. I would hate for it to be like Lost in that they introduce characters only to have them killed off quickly. There are so many factions involved, but I suspect it will come down to 3 or 4 at the end.
I don't really see and resemblance to Tolkien, except maybe there is some likeness to Thrones and the Silmarillion in that there are a gazillion names and places to remember.
It's more like medieval England with a smattering of fantasy thrown in. Possibly more than a smattering as the story develops, but not really Tolkien-esque in any way that I can see.[/spoiler]
Here is a funny cartoon from the Oatmeal.
Not appropriate for work and contains some language that may be offensive.
http://theoatmeal.com/comics/game_of_thrones
Not appropriate for work and contains some language that may be offensive.
http://theoatmeal.com/comics/game_of_thrones
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Primula Baggins
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Yeah—marry Joffrey or take a bath in cold white slugs, I'd pick the slugs.
“There, peeping among the cloud-wrack above a dark tor high up in the mountains, Sam saw a white star twinkle for a while. The beauty of it smote his heart, as he looked up out of the forsaken land, and hope returned to him. For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King
Season 2 is starting in just a couple of weeks!!!!
I have had mixed feelings about the next couple of seasons. While I really liked book 1 (and last season, based on Book 1), the rest of the books have been kind of disappointing to me. Some of the story lines are interesting but to me a lot of them were meh. Any story line with Daenarys or the Imp was awesome, but some of the others? eh. So I'm not sure how excited I am for the source material for Season 2......but some of the teasers and previews I'm seeing on HBO now are looking pretty good. So, yes, I'm getting psyched...
I have had mixed feelings about the next couple of seasons. While I really liked book 1 (and last season, based on Book 1), the rest of the books have been kind of disappointing to me. Some of the story lines are interesting but to me a lot of them were meh. Any story line with Daenarys or the Imp was awesome, but some of the others? eh. So I'm not sure how excited I am for the source material for Season 2......but some of the teasers and previews I'm seeing on HBO now are looking pretty good. So, yes, I'm getting psyched...
Duffy sent this link to me. It is just an animated gif and not spoilerish. It takes a sec to load on my old slow computer, but it is worth the wait. 
http://www.gifsoup.com/view/2505728/tyr ... ffrey.html
http://www.gifsoup.com/view/2505728/tyr ... ffrey.html
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narya
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Unfortunately, Joffrey needs far more than a few slaps from his uncle.
Book five was not nearly as concise or gripping as the earlier books.
Just ordered my DVDs from Amazon, and expect them to be delivered this week. If it doesn't arrive, someone's head will be on a post. You can now download everything on iTunes, as well.
I read the series right after I moved to California, without my family. It kept me company every night. When I read it again, recently (with me, hubby and grown children all back under the same roof) it was not the same. Likewise, I watch the TV series twice in quick succession, three episodes a night, late into wee hours, the week my mom died. The sheer volume of casual and senseless killing was numbing. Should be different when I watch it this coming week.
Book five was not nearly as concise or gripping as the earlier books.
Just ordered my DVDs from Amazon, and expect them to be delivered this week. If it doesn't arrive, someone's head will be on a post. You can now download everything on iTunes, as well.
I read the series right after I moved to California, without my family. It kept me company every night. When I read it again, recently (with me, hubby and grown children all back under the same roof) it was not the same. Likewise, I watch the TV series twice in quick succession, three episodes a night, late into wee hours, the week my mom died. The sheer volume of casual and senseless killing was numbing. Should be different when I watch it this coming week.
In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer. ~ Albert Camus
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Primula Baggins
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Having read book 2, I'm a bit 
about how they are going to pull this off.
about how they are going to pull this off.“There, peeping among the cloud-wrack above a dark tor high up in the mountains, Sam saw a white star twinkle for a while. The beauty of it smote his heart, as he looked up out of the forsaken land, and hope returned to him. For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King
Thought this might be best here as it's mainly about Game of Thrones...
Why are fantasy world accents British?
Why are fantasy world accents British?
Game of Thrones and The Lord of the Rings are set in fantasy worlds, so why does everybody speak with a British accent?
There is magic in long-distance friendships. They let you relate to other human beings in a way that goes beyond being physically together and is often more profound.
~Diana Cortes
~Diana Cortes