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More or less Werthead Send a noteboard - 05/09/2009 06:59:53 PM
A couple of months ago, a kind poster gave be a great summary of the problems (timing of new books) of the series. This issue has caused me to stay away from starting the series (RJ/WoT syndrome).

However, I was told that reading the first 3 books is satisfying and has a pretty clear ending.....is this true? If yes, maybe I give them a shot!


The series was originally planned to be two trilogies separated by a five-year narrative gap, and Book 3 was written and ended with that in mind. It was only after Book 3 was on the shelves that GRRM decided he needed to insert a 'bridging' book between the two, which resulted in lots of writing problems.

I would say that the first three books do stand alone to a certain extent. Characters are left 'plateaued' at the end of Book 3 (in stable situations, not in imminent danger of death) and there are no immediate cliffhangers. That's why people bore five-year wait for Book 4 quite stoically, whilst they're moaning a lot more now, as Book 4 ended on a ton of cliffhangers (most of which won't actually be resolved until Book 6).
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So... A Game of Thrones - 04/09/2009 03:52:25 PM 1240 Views
Re: Meh. *NM* - 04/09/2009 03:54:32 PM 328 Views
What a scintillating contribution you've made - 04/09/2009 03:58:55 PM 917 Views
congrats! now move on to the next one *NM* - 04/09/2009 04:04:48 PM 333 Views
Re: It was an excellent summation of my feelings on the matter! - 04/09/2009 04:50:15 PM 980 Views
I don't have Jordan withdrawal - 04/09/2009 05:00:50 PM 831 Views
I've missed you, Mr Darcy. <3 - 04/09/2009 05:21:05 PM 890 Views
Re: I love you, Sir Lucas whose first name I have forgotten. (William?) - 05/09/2009 12:31:20 PM 860 Views
'Game' was good. The rest go downhill fast, though. - 04/09/2009 04:53:57 PM 793 Views
Whoa! Spoiler alert - 04/09/2009 05:30:37 PM 744 Views
I always like it when people post this. - 04/09/2009 05:52:50 PM 772 Views
Re: I always like it when people post this. - 04/09/2009 05:59:12 PM 708 Views
Oh alright, so there was a bit of exaggeration. (very slight real spoilers) - 04/09/2009 06:18:13 PM 668 Views
Really? *Veiled spoilers, but enough not to read pre-AFFC* - 05/09/2009 04:35:18 PM 663 Views
Yeah I don't get it either. - 08/09/2009 03:07:40 PM 611 Views
Re: So... A Game of Thrones - 04/09/2009 05:55:41 PM 837 Views
Read on. I think GoT is the worst of the series by a LONG way - 05/09/2009 04:26:25 PM 661 Views
Just to ask.....are the first 3 books essentially a trilogy? - 05/09/2009 05:47:14 PM 627 Views
More or less - 05/09/2009 06:59:53 PM 565 Views
You were that "kind poster!" - 06/09/2009 04:09:53 AM 526 Views
A few moments like that, yes. - 06/09/2009 01:16:06 PM 626 Views
Very cool, after Warbreaker, I may give GRRM a shot.....thanks! *NM* - 06/09/2009 07:37:47 PM 300 Views
Quite stoically? That's not how I remember it. - 06/09/2009 07:57:56 PM 613 Views
Okay, more stoically than now. - 06/09/2009 09:10:31 PM 662 Views

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