Different Roads Sometimes Lead to the Same Castle: A Look at the Game of Thrones Book and Movie Empire
For the last few weeks one of the largest fan bases in literature has been gearing up for a big event. The premier episode of the final season of Game of Thrones aired Sunday night. Pop culture hasn’t seen literary hype like this since Harry Potter. Perhaps this fantasy world’s success is propelled by Potter fans who have grown up and were looking for a new world to love? 7 books… 7 kingdoms? I’m sure that are many parallels one could draw between the two imaginary realms. Either way, the world of Westeros is a phenomenon of exceptional fame.
Even my husband, who neither reads fiction, nor watches actual TV shows outside of sports know of this series. I got a text of genuine awe from him last week sharing that his co-worker’s sister is a hairdresser on the HBO set and he got to see pictures of the cast.
Nathalie Emmanuel, Melissandre Lena Headey, Cersei Lannister
This franchise boasts…
and their very own Oreos!
I have zero shame in admitting that reading the Game of Thrones is work, even for an experienced reader and word nerd like me. Seven story lines, unusually named characters and places, new mythical creatures and political structures and so, so, SO many words. I always chose to start a new Game of Thrones installment at Thanksgiving, when I knew I had a long weekend and an upcoming Christmas break to make my way through the 1,000+ page novels. That, or summer vacation. These behemoth tomes require extensive and extended reading time that could not take place during the regular school year. (And honestly, I’m thankful I read them before I had children, because human beings that require feeding and bathing would have cut into the reading time in a big way and I might still not be done!)
That being said. The story and world that George R. R. Martin created on the page is greater than the satisfaction of having conquered it. Epic quests, strong-hearted characters and the evilest of villains. Gorgeous scenery, mysteries beyond the realm and quick-witted dialogue from humans who were given less in life. Tradition, honor, loyalty, bravery. Martin leaves you wanting nothing… except the next book. For which we have been waiting eight years.
I watched the first season of GOT on DVD when I stayed home with my first son on maternity leave. The ramped up sexual scenes and violence kind of turned me off, so I never went any further. I had actual anxiety about watching the crown melting scene, and in the end muted it and covered my eyes. With books, my imagination can tame and blur the edges of the harsh aspects and cruel actions. I am proud to say that I read everything single word of this series (save for three pages of skimming when the Tickler was doing a nasty bit of work on some villagers), but with the show, I took a pass. And yet, here I am on Sunday night, drafting this post when I know the rest of the GOT nation is 48 minutes deep into the premier episode and I kind of have FOMO. Like maybe I should give the show another try?!?!?
From both the societal interest aspect and the perspective of a writer, I am curious what makes a book, particularly this book, a cultural phenomenon and obsession. A few of my friends weighed in with their opinions.
“As an avid Game of Thrones fan, there are thousands of reasons to love both the books and the television series. The TV show opened my eyes to the beautiful, scary, vast world of Westeros. After watching the first season, I quickly ran out and purchased all four books that had been released. While reading the books, the fifth book, A Dance with Dragons came out. I sped through all five books in approximately nine months. That alone is a feat in itself. George R. R. Martin breathes life into each character on the page, giving them meaning and purpose that the reader can both feel in the words and emotions that the pages bring to the readers’ imagination. Like any great writer, Martin details his world so exquisitely, that it doesn’t feel like fantasy, it feels real. Every time I read the novels, I feel like I’m home again, traveling from the Wall to King’s Landing. The TV show has taken the pages of A Song of Ice and Fire and brought the images that were in my head to life. I believe that the immense world of Game of Thrones is what draws people into the books and the show. There is something to say about a book and TV show that can take as many storylines as they have and create connections with the audience. One of my favorite parts about having read the books before the show came out was seeing others’ reactions to some of the most shocking scenes. I also enjoyed watching the show, to see how the creators interpreted particular scenes; and overall, I was beyond impressed.”
“I’ve only watched, I’d love to read but just haven’t gotten there. I think the balance is awesome across genres, so no matter what you crave, there is a well-developed plot for it! Romance, fantasy, action, there is something for everyone. We love watching because both my husband and I are entertained. It’s hard to find an engaging show that we are both really into! It’s also a new world to dive into. Similar to the wizarding world of Harry Potter, it’s a place we’ve never been before so we’re completely taken by this world and how it works! It’s a place we’d all love to be in (at least some of the time. 😆)”
I’ve gathered a few interesting pieces of information that will hopefully shed a little light on to the success of the Song of Fire and Ice (the novel series’ official name).
Technology
Part of this series widespread fame and notoriety is due in part to technology. “It’s now possible for a series to release new episodes for viewers around the world and the result is a global watercooler – a shared media culture that transcends national boundaries” (Lotz, 1). HBO’s international reach as a media company also played a large role in distributing the TV show simultaneously to global masses. All other companies are forced to delayed airings due to contractual and trade regulations.
Location
Incredible landscapes, unfamiliar to the American eye, have added beautifully to the magical atmosphere of the story filling viewers with a sense of wonder not often found during print time TV. Filmed in Northern Ireland, Malta, Croatia, Iceland, and Spain, tour companies have capitalized on the craze as well. (Making my bucket list item of traveling to Iceland even more appealing.)
** Images pulled from: here, here and here.
Experience Immersion
This series is such a big deal that it was able to convince almost 3,000 people to literally bleed for the throne. At the SXSW event on March 9, GOT fans were able to experience a recreation of Westeros, which concluded with the opportunity to donate blood to the American Red Cross. “Some 80 actors were outfitted in costumes shipped in from the show’s sets in Belfast. They don’t break character, sticking to a roughly 100-page script created for them, and they even worked with a dialect coach” (Boorston, CNBC, 1). “All attendees, donors or not, experience an immersive activation recounting how a selection of favorite characters have bled for the throne. Fans are led through the storylines of Arya Stark, Cersei Lannister, Jon Snow and Tyrion Lannister through an audio, visual and physical installation” (Morton, HBO.com, 1).
Fan Fiction
Where there are fans, there is fan fiction. Once we nerds fall in love with a world, we never, ever want to leave it. After we’ve devoured all an author has to offer, we begin to use their work as fodder for our own imaginations, dreams and storytelling. (C’mon, tell me you haven’t wished, even once to apparate or make your little brother puke up slugs! Maybe you’ve wished to fly on a magic carpet or get your pets to do your chores?!?)
I once attended a conference, aptly named NerdCon, in which a keynote speakers, Paul and Storm, wrote and performed a parody version of Bye Bye American Pie as a Game of Thrones recap, titled Westerosi Pie. Never have I been prouder to read an entire book series – to have spoilers bounce off my well-read armor and fall harmlessly to my feet – as I did when singing in a slightly darkened auditorium with a thousand other humans who also proudly chose to self-anoint themselves as nerds. These pieces of fan fiction have also helped to keep the books, story lines and characters hanging around after the actual stories have concluded.
The Cost
“HBO spends lavishly on the series – beyond what most other networks can afford – and the result is a visually breathtaking product.” CNBC reported yesterday that each Game of Thrones episode cost approximately 10 million dollars to film, and Vanity Fair shared that each episode in season eight was closer to the 15 million mark.
The Conspiracy Theories
The complexity of the series led to necessary discussion of the material. “The intricate, surprising story lines on “Game of Thrones” inspired instant dissection and analysis on social media feeds” (Lotz, 2). These avid fan conversations only furthered people’s obsession with the world of Westeros.
I’m not sure, even after all of this research, that I fully understand what makes a blockbuster hit. Maybe there really isn’t a formula for recreating story magic. And maybe that’s a good thing. I once heard that most pop songs are built off a beat and melody schemata that are programed to be acceptable and pleasing to our brains. I felt cheated and manipulated. I lost respect for the music industry professionals that didn’t write their own work. I know that there are some formulaic authors out there, but I guess I’m happy that there isn’t a “one path beats all” way of writing in the story world.
George R.R. Martin blogs almost daily, which is in itself is an accomplishment. If I have learned nothing else from this foray into the mythical world of Westeros, George has proven to me there is no limit of words we are given to use in this life, and that, is a comforting thought.
Until next week word nerds, happy reading, happy writing, and happy watching. And remember, even though we’ve just FINALLY reached spring… WINTER IS COMING.
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