I’ve said it out loud so now there’s no going back. I’m going to soon start watching the Game of Thrones TV show. I’m usually an adamant stickler for ‘read it before you watch it,’ and I’ve tried. I read A Game of Thrones and A Clash of Kings and I’ve decided not to take it any further. I have a dissenting opinion on this series and I wasn’t a fan of the books.
I thought the first one was OK. It wasn’t great but it was fun, the pace moved well and I enjoyed it. I didn’t grab the second on immediately because I needed a break but I did eventually pick it up. I struggled to get through the second book. It was both length and number of characters that were my biggest issues with it.
During a five-hour car trip with my parents, this came up. My mom is a big fan of the books and show and I’d constantly told her I was set on reading the books first so admitting it to her made it official. She’s going to lend me a few of the seasons on DVD and my brother has digital copies of the ones she’s missing.
This feels slightly like giving up. Am I wrong? Have you ever watched a TV show or movie instead of reading a book? Did it feel like giving up? Leave a comment and let me know.
Until next time, write on.
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Taking On a World of Words 
Sam,
I did this with Game of Thrones, not realizing that it was a book series until after I started watching it. I thought about not watching it until I read the books, but looked at the length of them, and said no way. Now that I’ve started reading the books, it’s fun to go back, and watch the seasons as they happen in the books because it is still follows pretty closely, at least for the first few seasons, or so I’ve heard. I just started A Clash of Kings, so we’ll see how it goes. I hope you enjoy the show!
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I hadn’t heard of the books until the show came out. It’s good to hear the parallel is pretty good. I agree, the length is daunting to say the least. I’m glad you can still enjoy both. Happy reading (and watching)!
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The books are much better than the show. The differences aren’t as noticeable in the first seasons, but in later seasons there are noticeable, odd changes.
You may find it easier to go back to the books once you get a visual of the characters & settings from the show. The casting and sets are on point and excellent.
If you had problems following all the plotlines & characters in A Clash of Kings, it only gets more complicated (and longer!) in later books. The show does cut a lot of the complexity out and streamlines things, but to the detriment of the overall story in my opinion.
Hope you enjoy the show and make your way back to the books at some point!
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Thank you! I was going out of my comfort zone to read the books in the first place so it wasn’t a surprise to me that I wasn’t very into them. I’m glad to hear earlier seasons stuck to the books more, even if later seasons took some liberties. I honestly don’t know if I’ll ever go back to the books. I struggle to enjoy a book if I have even a rough idea of how it will end. I guess only time will tell. Happy reading!
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I started with the shows. This summer my husband and I binge watched the shows and loved them. Now I’m reading the books, well, the first book anyway. 😉 I don’t feel bad about watching the shows first. There is so much going on you can easily miss details. Reading the book, going at a slower pace, is helping with that – and remembering all the names and characters! Plus, I don’t feel forced to read the book quickly since I know what’s going on. I read a bit, then pick up another book finish it and go back to GoT.
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Going back to it was part of my problem, I think. I was using the audiobook and kept losing my library hold so I was forced to put it aside, even when I was into it!! Happy reading.
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I knew it was a book series but at the time I started watching it I didn’t have funds to buy the book or (unfortunately) transportation to the library (I suppose I could have taken a bus, but I’m a scaredy-cat). So when I finally could get the book from the library, I did. I hated it, couldn’t even finish it. The writing style just didn’t jive with me. So no, it didn’t feel like giving up. I’d rather spend time on the show (which intrigues me as much as it infuriates me) than try to slog through a book I just don’t like.
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Amen! If you don’t like it, don’t read it. I’m looking forward to the show. Everyone seems to love it. Happy reading!
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The show is good, but it’s also really intense!
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