Literature Review: "A Song of Ice and Fire"

by George R.R. Martin

Fat Jack’s Review: 5 stars out of 5
Amazon.com Customer Reviews: 1331
Average Customer Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

Characters die -- main characters -- people you care about and are invested in. A device rarely seen in today’s world of sequels, spin-offs, focus group driven plots and marketing ploys main characters are not supposed to die. George R.R. Martin, however, does not follow many conventional pitfalls of contemporary authors. Unconcerned with perception, notoriety or the small-minded short attention spans of the illiterate masses, Martin has created a work of art that is about the story and the characters rather than action-adventure.

This work has been pigeonholed as fantasy, but read on before you decide to pass. Like romance, fantasy is a genre that the literati and academics tend to pass automatically as pulp nonsense for the sheep. The exceptions possibly being “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Chronicles of Narnia,” but even they receive a nose tip from the universities.

“A Song of Ice and Fire” is not about dragons or magic or fantasy. Good thing as the unliterary trio do not appear in any significant way. Fantasy is an inaccurate description of Martin’s book series. Political medieval fantasy is probably a better description. It is a work of fiction taking place in a world of his own making, but it mimics our medieval culture and political intrigue.

This series is about power: the obsession to obtain power and the wars brought on in order to keep power. Cultures and religions make alliances and break treatise in order to gain favor with one king or another. The death of kings and the uprising of the people serve to constantly throw everything catawampus. The story is not about action; it is about people and power. The story is driven by the characters not by an artificial need to make an exciting story.

This book was given to me by a friend, Gabe, who lectured me for two years to read this book series. I have since introduced it to five friends from college, four of which have started it and report back nothing but high praise.

Contemporary issues such as separation of church and state, religious superiority, war as a device to gain or maintain power, the genocide of entire cultures, security of the homeland and political warfare and the ramifications of those acts are central to this series. But do not confuse this as a commentary on any one figure in our current or past history. The first book of the series was published in 1997 and it is about power, not anyone person.

Of particular interest is Martin’s development of women. Medieval history had a tight reign on the roles of men and women. Martin, however, develops a few females who break out of the conventional roles established for them. These women become stronger as the series progresses. This is not a fast paced story, so the reader must be patient. Good literature is worth reading and waiting for.

This is an on-going series, the first four books of which have been published. Martin has stated that he sees the series ending with book 7.


YOU WILL LOVE THIS IF YOU:
Like unconventional writers and story lines
Can live with your Heroes and Main Characters getting killed
Love medieval history
Enjoy grey characters, who are not wholly good or evil
Enjoy different truths from different characters
Love conflict, and multi-level plots
Find symbolism and clues fun
Powerful women, some with unconventional roles
Enjoy mysteries.
Using your mind when you read


YOU MAY NOT ENJOY THIS SERIES IF YOU:
Are easily offended by sex appropriate to the character and society
Are easily offended by harsh language used by real soldiers and royalty
Are confused by multiple characters
Are confused by multiple points of view
Want good and evil characters easily identifiable
Wholly good and wholly evil characters
Can’t read long stories.


CURRENTLY PUBLISHED
“A Game of Thrones” (book 1)
“A Clash of Kings” (book 2)
“A Storm of Swords” (book 3)
“A Feast for Crows” (book 4)