Back
atcha with another book! I have started reading the classic Of Mice and Men, by Nobel Prize-winning
author John Steinbeck. Steinbeck was born in 1902 inn Salinas, California, the
setting for most of this novel. Of Mice
and Men follows the plight of two ranch workers as they search for a job
during the Great Depression. Some of the experiences in the book are based off
of Steinbeck’s own experiences around this time period.
Despite containing content marked as vulgar,
racist, and offensive, Of Mice and Men
finds its way into required reading for many schools. For now I can predict
that this story will most likely take a saddened mood. Anyway, I have to get
reading. See you guys soon.
Wow. George R. R. Martin is a true champion. Not only has this book entertained me, it has placed me in a whole other universe of kings, knights, and dragons. My first throughout after reading this entrancing novel is that I need to get my hands on the next book in the series. Talk about cliffhangers, Martin finishes the novel with the birth of three dragons: creatures that haven't roamed Westeros and Essos in hundreds of years. Martin writes, "…and for the first time in hundreds of years, the night came alive with the music of dragons" (807). Dragons were knocked out of the picture from the beginning of the novel, that when they are introduced at the end it is really surprising.
Map
Although 800 pages can provide for a ton of substance, Martin did not follow the standard story line that is taught in school. Although the story did have its minor rising actions and entered a climax towards the end of the book, it never reached a true falling action or conclusion. The story continues into the next installment in the series.
One of my favorite characters in the novel, Tyrion Lannister, the Imp, poses the idea of abstract concepts surpassing the power of a sword. Tyrion comments, ""My mind is my weapon. My brother has his sword, King Robert has his warhammer, and I have my mind... and a mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge" (123/124). This idea of a mind overcoming a sword is so powerful and applies to real life and brains over brawn. Martin addressed this topic again when he writes, "Fear cuts deeper than swords" (541). This quote is spoken by a young girl named Arya, and really stuck with me once again. Martin's abstract ideas versus a sword are prevalent throughout the novel and give more meaning to the story.
Hey guys! This weekend I was very sick and barely got out of bed. This
gave a lot of time to rest and watch TV. I did read, but I didn’t always feel
up to it. I had the opportunity to watch the Game of Thrones show and match names to faces. It was awesome
seeing how the characters look and interact. At this point, I am over half way
through my book and looking to finish it up before the end of the week. I will
then proceed to read at least two books before next Thursday.
I am very delighted with Martin’s novel so far and it has kept me so
interested in his fictional world. He really places you in the characters
perspective, in their world. As each chapter changes perspectives it is disappointing
to not find out about them again for some time, but it is just so amazing
regardless.
Anyway, as I predicted the houses move closer to war. Daenerys, one of
the few remaining Targaryen’s (dragon-people). She was given a couple aged
dragon eggs at her wedding that I think could hatch, once again populating
Westeros with the fiery beasts. Daenerys, the Khaleesi (queen-like figure), is
gaining power and I see her possibly taking the iron throne with Drogo Dothraki
some time in the futureMartin writes about Daenerys and her stone dragon eggs, “They
were so beautiful, and sometimes just being close to them made her feel
stronger, braver, as if somehow she were drawing strength from the stone
dragons locked inside” (394). Daenerys is gaining power and will bring the
dragons back.
Anyway, I have to finish this up and I will be back shortly to report to
you about how amazing this book has been. Bye.
Hey guys! I am back to talk to you about my book Game of Thrones (A Song of Fire and Ice #1). As most of you probably
know this book is about 800 pages long, so my teacher has been nice enough to
count it as two books. Unfortunately, I am behind in my reading, being only at
the rising action stage of my book, and will read more in the upcoming days to
catch up. I will blog more about this book than others because of its length.
As I sit now, I am 200 pages in and I am enjoying the book very much. I am so
excited to be reading an interesting book so I can really get into it and enjoy
reading.
For those of you looking into the book, Martin follows the story of a few
of the numerous characters throughout the book. Each chapter is told from a
different character in a third person limited point of view, to give an
over-the-shoulder experience. Although the narrator switches perspective often,
the book still follows a linear timeline. Anyway, the story begins in
Winterfell, the city where the House of Stark live, possessing one of the seven
major kingdoms of the continent Westeros. In control of all the Westeros lies the
Iron Throne, the seat in King’s Landing where the king of all the land sits.
Once controlled by House Targaryen, the dragon people, the throne is now in
possession of Robert Baratheon and his house.
Iron Throne
Throghout literature it is known that winter/cold often symbolizes death
and sickness. This is particularly fitting to the story as death and murder
runs rampant through the kingdoms. During a section of the book where a murder
took place, Maritn writes, “The night air was cold as the grave on her bare
skin as she padded across the room” (62). The death that followed was
predictable due to the cold night and the constant phrase that is spoken by the
Starks, “Winter is coming”. Another quote that stuck out to me was, “ ‘Can a
man still be brave if he’s afraid?’ ” (163). On the brink of death, a small
Stark boy named Bran was told this in his sleep. I found this quote interesting
the way that it posed such a significant question. I think the answer is
simple. The only time a man can be brave is when he is afraid. There is no such
thing as fearless; only courageous. When your back is against the ropes and
fate is not on your side, that is the only time you can be brave. In the next
couple hundred pages of the novel I believe there will be more death and betrayal
surrounding King’s Landing, where the Starks now live. There will be a fight
for the Iron Throne and Robert and Eddard Stark (king of House Stark) will
break there seemingly unbreakable relationship, leading to a war between the
Houses.
House Baratheon
House Stark
Well that’s it for now. I will be back to report to you all again soon.
Bye.
