I had my doubts on that score in the original text, but took it out because it got chunky. Damnit.
3. Plot: It seems blatantly obvious to me at this point (indeed, it seemed obvious quite early in the book) that Jon Snow is the son of Ned Stark's sister Lyanna and Rhaegar Targaryen. I assume he raped her (the only possible justification for the rape theme that pervades the series) and that she made her brother swear to keep the child's parentage secret so that Robert would not kill it. I have heard Jon Snow's parentage presented as one of the great mysteries of the series. This depresses me.
It's not meant as a mystery, as it's pretty obvious. But I think you must have missed something. All indications are that Rhaegar and Lyanna were in love. I believe in this book Ned remembers her telling him that Robert would never be a good husband. So she most definitely was not interested in Robert. To be fair, there are more clues in later books about the relationship between Lyanna and Rhaegar.
I did consider that the almost exclusive rape indications could be a ruse. Especially when someone stated flat out that that was what had happened (Robert, I think?). But since all I had to go on was my paranoia, I thought I might be taking it a little far.
I am glad that what I had heard about Jon Snow's parentage being a great mystery is not true.
It's never explicitly confirmed but all signs point to R+L=J. I think it will be revealed eventually.
"I mean, if everyone had a soul, there would be no contrast by which we could appreciate it. For giving us this perspective, we thank you." - Nate
A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin
- 13/08/2012 10:48:37 PM
20847 Views
Fascinating.
- 13/08/2012 11:40:22 PM
2950 Views
On the Rape issue....
- 14/08/2012 01:19:35 AM
2774 Views
Re: On the Rape issue....
- 14/08/2012 02:02:42 AM
2722 Views
Firstly, Camilla is a she. Secondly, though I won't speak for her, regarding the rape in the novels,
- 14/08/2012 02:23:19 AM
2802 Views
Camilla is indeed a she.
- 14/08/2012 06:18:58 AM
2676 Views
Re: On the Rape issue....
- 14/08/2012 06:17:55 AM
2633 Views
How is that a violent rape? At worst it would be statutory rape.
- 17/08/2012 11:53:44 AM
2811 Views
The wedding night is statutory. I would describe the later rapes as fairly violent.
- 17/08/2012 12:13:26 PM
2926 Views
That was her only sex scene, until she induces him to have outdoor sex to get pregnant 
- 17/08/2012 07:20:09 PM
2706 Views
- 17/08/2012 07:20:09 PM
2706 Views
It is not necessary to provide a scene
- 17/08/2012 10:49:20 PM
2740 Views
I believe that what is happening here is called confirmation bias *NM*
- 21/08/2012 06:23:38 PM
1484 Views
I think you misread one part
- 14/08/2012 04:51:34 PM
2829 Views
I think that the Rhaegar and Lyanna stuff does look like rape in the first book
- 14/08/2012 08:10:27 PM
2613 Views
"Looks like" is this case meaning "explicitly stated to be that way"?
- 17/08/2012 11:56:48 AM
2628 Views
Currently kicking myself
- 15/08/2012 06:43:36 AM
2941 Views
Re: Currently kicking myself
- 16/08/2012 10:11:01 AM
2661 Views
what a great review. you echo my thoughts quite a bit...
- 15/08/2012 01:21:38 AM
2577 Views
Re: what a great review. you echo my thoughts quite a bit...
- 15/08/2012 07:39:24 AM
2902 Views
philippa gregory co-authored a book "the women of the cousins' war" - it was very interesting
- 16/08/2012 07:54:50 PM
2626 Views
Wait...why would you waste time reading this fluff series when it's out on TV?
- 16/08/2012 12:10:32 AM
2757 Views
I always liked the banners and pageantry - it creates an interesting contrast...
- 16/08/2012 11:52:40 PM
2545 Views
Re: I always liked the banners and pageantry - it creates an interesting contrast...
- 17/08/2012 06:33:24 AM
2826 Views
I think the TV series handles the problematic Dany/Drogo relationship better
- 17/08/2012 12:20:16 AM
2743 Views
Re: I think the TV series handles the problematic Dany/Drogo relationship better
- 17/08/2012 06:40:12 AM
2803 Views
I think it messed it up by showing forced intercourse without the verbal consent Drogo DID obtain
- 17/08/2012 12:07:14 PM
2784 Views
I still find it difficult to read it as anything other than a coerced consent
- 17/08/2012 01:08:15 PM
2547 Views
A perpetrator-less crime then.
- 17/08/2012 07:26:26 PM
2702 Views
Exactly! I'm on board, Cannoli.
- 18/08/2012 07:45:56 PM
2556 Views
You are missing the point.
- 18/08/2012 11:11:33 PM
2800 Views
The later books do add more context and change some of this
- 19/08/2012 12:08:49 AM
2610 Views
Jesus Christ another fucking thread about rape and fantasy.
- 19/08/2012 01:47:43 AM
1623 Views
Perhaps if reading other people's views makes you so angry, you should avoid reading them? *NM*
- 19/08/2012 02:37:03 PM
1393 Views
Nonsense. 
- 19/08/2012 03:33:39 PM
1362 Views
- 19/08/2012 03:33:39 PM
1362 Views
Fixed it for you.
- 19/08/2012 08:22:18 PM
1467 Views
Oh, but that takes us back to snoop being right, and I'm sorry, but I just cannot abide that.
- 19/08/2012 10:56:10 PM
1419 Views
Shake the sand out of your vagina bitch. *NM*
- 20/08/2012 06:35:32 AM
1358 Views
Gosh, this is really turning into something fun.
- 20/08/2012 07:15:01 AM
1519 Views
Here I was about to make a "whee misogyny" post. I never get to have fun. 
*NM*
- 20/08/2012 09:09:04 AM
1229 Views
*NM*
- 20/08/2012 09:09:04 AM
1229 Views
Huh. I just came to the odd realization...
- 20/08/2012 08:29:56 PM
1484 Views
Don't lock it!
- 21/08/2012 05:11:34 AM
1431 Views
Yes, I'm aware, or I might have locked it already.
- 21/08/2012 06:17:29 PM
1301 Views
That is the best written and most insightful review of that book I have read
- 01/09/2012 05:38:00 PM
2610 Views
I forgot that I was supposed to read all threads to watch out for Bad Behaviour.
- 01/09/2012 11:09:52 PM
2824 Views