beat2beat

When I first read this book back in 1999, I admit I was underwhelmed. The world building was uninspired (long seasons? Really?), the plot took a long time to develop, and there so many dull POV's from children. And a main character called "Ned," always made me picture Flanders from the Simpsons. I actually almost stopped reading it, but a friend told me to continue and I'm glad I did. Looking back on it, my critiques were pretty silly. Not that the above problems were wrong, they just don't matter. As the first in the series, this book is setting the stage for the story to come. Given what happens at the end of this book, I suspect most authors would have started the series with the second book, and told it from a more limited POV (probably Rob). That's kind of Martin's genius. Though many of pieces introduced for this game are lost later in the storm, the story feels more real and is easier to get involved in because you start in the very beginning. Stylistically, the multiple POVs and italicized thoughts works exceptionally well. Many of the "post-Martin" authors have borrowed this convention, but none have done it as well. With best-selling numbers and the HBO series, this isn't a book that need a lot of hype. But if you, like me, find it slow going, just know that the eventual payoff will be worth it.

2023-06-03 05:59