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With the HBO GoT coming to an end, I was just curious how close it is to the book? The show is incredible, I have never read the series, but I want to start with the 2nd book depending if the show is really faithful to the first book. I know that I should read the series from the beginning and I will come back and read the first one at a later time, I was just wondering if I could do that without missing out too much.
Thanks
HBO GoT compared to Book
No Spoilers please
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#2
QuickTidal 
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Posted 30 May 2011 - 02:15 PM
It's fairly faithful so far, and only a few things (mostly added scenes for character development between people who don't have POV chapters in the first book) have been added. You could certainly jump right into book 2 with no real issues to speak of and continue the story. You would not be missing much from the first book as they have stayed very true. I would recommend coming back and reading the first book down the road, but reading book 2 after only having watched the first book on TV, you ought to do just fine.
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#3
lumo
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Posted 30 May 2011 - 03:18 PM
QuickTidal, on 30 May 2011 - 02:15 PM, said:
It's fairly faithful so far, and only a few things (mostly added scenes for character development between people who don't have POV chapters in the first book) have been added. You could certainly jump right into book 2 with no real issues to speak of and continue the story. You would not be missing much from the first book as they have stayed very true. I would recommend coming back and reading the first book down the road, but reading book 2 after only having watched the first book on TV, you ought to do just fine.
That's good to hear. I don't think I'd be able to wait a whole year to find out what happens. I will go back and read the first book later on. I just have a big to-read pile and I don't want to keep adding to it. Thanks.
#4
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Posted 31 May 2011 - 01:21 PM
There's some foreshadowing about a character in the book that the show doesn't get into (so far), but I think you could jump right into the Clash of Kings and have a really good idea on what's going on.
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#5
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Posted 31 May 2011 - 01:37 PM
Personally I recommend reading the first book first, even if you saw the show. It has a lot of backstory that isn't in the show, and the show is also missing a flashback scene that is probably the key to solving the most important mystery in the series.
#6
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Posted 31 May 2011 - 01:55 PM
End of Disc One, on 31 May 2011 - 01:37 PM, said:
Personally I recommend reading the first book first, even if you saw the show. ...
Agreed.
Jumping straight to the second book after the tv series will be fine, but you'll be missing quite a few details and some things may even be outright different.
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#7
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Posted 31 May 2011 - 07:27 PM
End of Disc One, on 31 May 2011 - 01:37 PM, said:
Personally I recommend reading the first book first, even if you saw the show. It has a lot of backstory that isn't in the show, and the show is also missing a flashback scene that is probably the key to solving the most important mystery in the series.
Isn't that when Ned is in the cell? In that case it might be in the next episode.
#8
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Posted 31 May 2011 - 08:07 PM
Cobbles, on 31 May 2011 - 07:27 PM, said:
End of Disc One, on 31 May 2011 - 01:37 PM, said:
Personally I recommend reading the first book first, even if you saw the show. It has a lot of backstory that isn't in the show, and the show is also missing a flashback scene that is probably the key to solving the most important mystery in the series.
Isn't that when Ned is in the cell? In that case it might be in the next episode.
It was while he was out from his leg injury. They could always move it to the cell though.
#9
acesn8s
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Posted 01 June 2011 - 11:53 AM
End of Disc One, on 31 May 2011 - 08:07 PM, said:
Cobbles, on 31 May 2011 - 07:27 PM, said:
End of Disc One, on 31 May 2011 - 01:37 PM, said:
Personally I recommend reading the first book first, even if you saw the show. It has a lot of backstory that isn't in the show, and the show is also missing a flashback scene that is probably the key to solving the most important mystery in the series.
Isn't that when Ned is in the cell? In that case it might be in the next episode.
It was while he was out from his leg injury. They could always move it to the cell though.
That's what I think is going to happen also. The viewers get it once, while the readers get it a couple of times.
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#10
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Posted 01 June 2011 - 12:08 PM
Will that leave time for the dream sequence about Neddard's happy place? I don't want to miss Cat serving beer in lingerie and Tyrion dressed as a cowboy and riding a tricycle.
This post has been edited by Quick Ben's Magic Pants: 01 June 2011 - 12:10 PM
#11
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Posted 01 June 2011 - 01:23 PM
Never got HBO so haven't watched the series, but you need to read the first book. No way they got everything from AGOT into the show. There is zero filler in these books. That's what makes them so extraordinary.
OK, I think I got it, but just in case, can you say the whole thing over again? I wasn't really listening.
#12
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Posted 01 June 2011 - 06:29 PM
There's a fair few details from the first book which are not in the TV series which are referred to a lot in Book 2, so I'd definitely read the first book first.
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#13
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Posted 02 June 2011 - 12:36 AM
I'm sure there are a lot of little details omitted or different in the TV series that make the book worthwhile. We see Ned's sword Ice in the series, but has it ever been named? Has Valyrian steel been discussed? And Tyrion definitely isn't a magical elf in the TV show. He had Bronn fight as his champion instead of wiggling his ears and using pixie dust to teleport to Casterly Rock, ffs.
#14
acesn8s
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Posted 02 June 2011 - 12:35 PM
Quick Ben, on 01 June 2011 - 12:08 PM, said:
Will that leave time for the dream sequence about Neddard's happy place? I don't want to miss Cat serving beer in lingerie and Tyrion dressed as a cowboy and riding a tricycle.
Whatever Neds needs to do to sink that final putt.
“The others followed, and found themselves in a small, stuffy basement, which would have been damp, smelly, close, and dark, were it not, in fact, well-lit, which prevented it from being dark.”
― Steven Brust, The Phoenix Guards
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#15
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Posted 02 June 2011 - 01:26 PM
Cobbles, on 31 May 2011 - 07:27 PM, said:
End of Disc One, on 31 May 2011 - 01:37 PM, said:
Personally I recommend reading the first book first, even if you saw the show. It has a lot of backstory that isn't in the show, and the show is also missing a flashback scene that is probably the key to solving the most important mystery in the series.
Isn't that when Ned is in the cell? In that case it might be in the next episode.
Ned is put into a cell? Cool. Can't wait to see how that plays out.
I'll take everyone's advice, I'll start the series from the first book but it'll all have to wait, I just started rereading GotM.
#16
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Posted 02 June 2011 - 03:32 PM
lumo, on 02 June 2011 - 01:26 PM, said:
Cobbles, on 31 May 2011 - 07:27 PM, said:
End of Disc One, on 31 May 2011 - 01:37 PM, said:
Personally I recommend reading the first book first, even if you saw the show. It has a lot of backstory that isn't in the show, and the show is also missing a flashback scene that is probably the key to solving the most important mystery in the series.
Isn't that when Ned is in the cell? In that case it might be in the next episode.
Ned is put into a cell? Cool. Can't wait to see how that plays out.
I'll take everyone's advice, I'll start the series from the first book but it'll all have to wait, I just started rereading GotM.
End of episode 7 leads to that.
“The others followed, and found themselves in a small, stuffy basement, which would have been damp, smelly, close, and dark, were it not, in fact, well-lit, which prevented it from being dark.”
― Steven Brust, The Phoenix Guards
― Steven Brust, The Phoenix Guards
#17
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Posted 02 June 2011 - 07:02 PM
acesn8s, on 02 June 2011 - 03:32 PM, said:
lumo, on 02 June 2011 - 01:26 PM, said:
Cobbles, on 31 May 2011 - 07:27 PM, said:
End of Disc One, on 31 May 2011 - 01:37 PM, said:
Personally I recommend reading the first book first, even if you saw the show. It has a lot of backstory that isn't in the show, and the show is also missing a flashback scene that is probably the key to solving the most important mystery in the series.
Isn't that when Ned is in the cell? In that case it might be in the next episode.
Ned is put into a cell? Cool. Can't wait to see how that plays out.
I'll take everyone's advice, I'll start the series from the first book but it'll all have to wait, I just started rereading GotM.
End of episode 7 leads to that.
Yes, sorry, it wasn't meant as a spoiler. But really it's the next logical step from the end of ep. 7.
#18
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Posted 02 June 2011 - 08:09 PM
This series holds the record for most characters put in cells. It's real exciting!
This post has been edited by worrywort: 02 June 2011 - 08:10 PM
They came with white hands and left with red hands.
#19
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Posted 02 June 2011 - 08:27 PM
Cobbles, on 02 June 2011 - 07:02 PM, said:
acesn8s, on 02 June 2011 - 03:32 PM, said:
lumo, on 02 June 2011 - 01:26 PM, said:
Cobbles, on 31 May 2011 - 07:27 PM, said:
End of Disc One, on 31 May 2011 - 01:37 PM, said:
Personally I recommend reading the first book first, even if you saw the show. It has a lot of backstory that isn't in the show, and the show is also missing a flashback scene that is probably the key to solving the most important mystery in the series.
Isn't that when Ned is in the cell? In that case it might be in the next episode.
Ned is put into a cell? Cool. Can't wait to see how that plays out.
I'll take everyone's advice, I'll start the series from the first book but it'll all have to wait, I just started rereading GotM.
End of episode 7 leads to that.
Yes, sorry, it wasn't meant as a spoiler. But really it's the next logical step from the end of ep. 7.
I know I know
I was just joking. You are correct, it's the next logical step. I was just thinking he might get 'died' seeing how crazy this show is. This post has been edited by lumo: 02 June 2011 - 08:28 PM
#20
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Posted 03 June 2011 - 02:36 AM
End of Disc One, on 31 May 2011 - 01:37 PM, said:
Personally I recommend reading the first book first, even if you saw the show. It has a lot of backstory that isn't in the show, and the show is also missing a flashback scene that is probably the key to solving the most important mystery in the series.
Been a while since i read the book. Which flashback is this?
