Game of Thrones. Strong stuff!

[Bledlow]

It really isn't gratuitous though - it's a pseudo-mediaeval universe, this is what people were like back then, like it or not.

Hmm. Not so sure. More like it's what GRRM fantasises things were like back then.

Look up chevauchée. It was an accepted tactic of mediaeval warfare. William the Bastard used it in 1066, & it was still common 300 years later.

[caerau]

Thanks for that-  yes GRRM is most certainly aware of that tactic. I was not, but I guess, was in fact from reading Ice and Fire 

[Eccentrica Gallumbits]

Excellent.  Another four books and you can join in the seemingly endless wait for the next one   
The books are, as always, better by far than the series - I don't know how anyone who watches the series and hasn't read the books has any clue as to who is who - I know my other half doesn't really follow the vast number of characters very well.

You're clearly not reading it right though - it is traditional for either Tyrion or Arya to be favourite, so there 

(Mine's Arya)

I worked with a woman called Tirion who was bloody annoying, so no chance. 

[caerau]

Well the book Tyrion rather specialises in annoying people - must be something in the name 

[Eccentrica Gallumbits]

I like how Daenerys has just got on with things. She's in a pretty difficult situation, married off to a bloke though neither of them share a language, covered in pressure sores from being on a horse all day, really whiny brother threatening her and giving her a hard time

(click to show/hide)

until he got a bucket of melted gold over his head

, having to drink fermented mare milk instead of tasty wine, cut off from everyone she ever knew, and she doesn't whine or complain or feel sorry for herself, she just becomes more and more conscious of her feminine strength and power and gets on with what she has to do.

[L CC]

You're clearly not reading it right though - it is traditional for either Tyrion or Arya to be favourite, so there 

(Mine's Arya)

Tyrion here. 

[Chris S]

I like how Daenerys has just got on with things. She's in a pretty difficult situation, married off to a bloke though neither of them share a language, covered in pressure sores from being on a horse all day, really whiny brother threatening her and giving her a hard time

(click to show/hide)

until he got a bucket of melted gold over his head

, having to drink fermented mare milk instead of tasty wine, cut off from everyone she ever knew, and she doesn't whine or complain or feel sorry for herself, she just becomes more and more conscious of her feminine strength and power and gets on with what she has to do.

She also has conversations with other women about subjects other than men, thereby passing the Bechdel test, which seems highly improbable given some of the other rather more misogynistic tendencies of the series.

I have a family member who is a pretty strident feminist, and who is also very much into fantasy, including LARPing and role play stuff. I can imagine GoT gives her some interesting conflicts of interest to resolve.

[Eccentrica Gallumbits]

The Bechdel test is really a bare minimum in the "depicting women as actual human beings" stakes. The scandal is how many films/books/etc don't manage even the very low standards set by the Bechdel test, and "passing" it is no guarantee of decent attitudes towards women. Die Hard passes the Bechdel test, and that's more or less the complete opposite of Steel Magnolias.

[caerau]

I gotta admit although I always particularly look forward to the Arya POV chapters I do also rather like both Tyrion and Danaerys.  Those three do stand out as the most cool characters in the books I think.  Noone else comes close- not even Jon Snow.

[L CC]

Jon Snow. Well. He knows nothing.

[Chris S]

Jon Snow. Well. He knows nothing.

Not entirely, as Ygritte discovered.

[clarion]

Jon Snow. Well. He knows nothing.

But he has colourful ties.

[Eccentrica Gallumbits]

I've requested a library reservation for the second book.

[PaulF]

I've requested a library reservation for the second book.

I don't think we share a library??? If we do you'll have to wait until I've finished with it as I reserved it last week

[caerau]

I've requested a library reservation for the second book.

A good time machine might be appropriate for the sixth ;-)

(Hold on to your hat, A Clash of Kings is the best one I reckon - certainly the most action packed)

[Eccentrica Gallumbits]

I am annoyed by the name Catelyn. GRRM obviously has no idea how Caitlin is pronounced.

[Bledlow]

Just another version of Katherine. The Irish got it from the French variant Cateline (maybe GRRM is harking back to that with his spelling). Given the sound shifts it's already undergone, I don't find Kate-linn hard to take.

[fuzzy]

I am annoyed by the name Catelyn. GRRM obviously has no idea how Caitlin is pronounced.

Oh Triple Breasted Wonder Woman, fear thee not, 'tis not a real world M'lady.

[LEE]

I've never watched Game of Thrones but I heard I could simulate the experience by watching Lord of the Rings and occasionally flicking over to The Adult Channel every 15 minutes or so.