Series or Books?

[z3n]

This mod looks so interesting that I decided to start watching the series.
I'm definitely going to try V1.0.

Which is better in your opinion the television series or the books?
(I read the thread about the books already, it looked interesting but I'd like to hear your thoughts on the pros and cons of each.)

[TouchyAndalou]

The books are better, as generally tends to be the case. The TV series did a good job of remaining true to the novels for the most part (with one or two notable exceptions) but for all its good intentions, it's inevitable with such a rich, dense world that certain elements/complexities will be lost in the translation.

I'd suggest reading the first book at least before watching the series, if not the first three books.

[Timur Amir]

The books are better, as generally tends to be the case. The TV series did a good job of remaining true to the novels for the most part (with one or two notable exceptions) but for all its good intentions, it's inevitable with such a rich, dense world that certain elements/complexities will be lost in the translation.

I'd suggest reading the first book at least before watching the series, if not the first three books.

actually, perhaps watching the series first might be better. It creates some nice images of who what where and when that really helps with keeping everything remembered and sorted out. The books can get a little confusing, but the visual basis of a show can really make a fine foundation to read the novels. Also, there is just enough left out by the show that makes the first book of the series worth reading, while the show gets old fast when you've read the books first.

[Pyres Δt Varanasi]

Both are good read the books and watch the series. And wait until the new season

[Heart of Madness]

Well, I must say the books. I started reading the books before I can remember. When I saw this mod on TWC, I joined and decided to read them again.

I'm more loyal than one may think, and I'll be staying loyal to the books.

[flopsies]

If you were in front of me and i had a white glove id slap 50 times and yell at you BOOKS!BOOKS!BOOKS!BOOKS!BOOKS!BOOKS!BOOKS!BOOKS!BOOKS!BOOKS!BOOKS!BOOKS!BOOKS!BOOKS!BOOKS!BOOKS!BOOKS!BOOKS!BOOKS!BOOKS!BOOKS!BOOKS!BOOKS!BOOKS!BOOKS!BOOKS!BOOKS!BOOKS!BOOKS!BOOKS!BOOKS!BOOKS!BOOKS!BOOKS!BOOKS!BOOKS!BOOKS!BOOKS!

[Captain Zoran]

I'm with Timur on this one. Series were really good, and I think that they managed to portray the characters extremly well, which gives you an clear mental image to follow. Then theres that the books are more complex and give much more detail, and the thoughts of the characters, which makes you more aligned with whom they are.

So watching the series first might be a good thing, but missing out on the books would be an catastrophic mistake if you enjoyed the series well enough. :Thumbsup2

[Prophet1331]

The books are better. But the series is great too, but as far as I heard it they will make some changes to the story in the series. GRRM said in an interview that although he makes one episode per series the rest is in the director's hands, and he can change whatever he wants in it. The series will probably become a what if scenario with some differences from the books.

[Lordinquisitor]

Captain Zoran. THEY DID PORTRAY RENLY WELL? RAAAAAAAGE!



The Books are far better. Read them first. Before your mind gets burdened by impressions from the series.

[Captain Zoran]

Captain Zoran. THEY DID PORTRAY RENLY WELL? RAAAAAAAGE!



The Books are far better. Read them first. Before your mind gets burdened by impressions from the series.

Schweet mother o' mercy! Forgot about that! Well, they did well in MOST aspects... Please don't use the banhammer on me!

[TNTNate]

Schweet mother o' mercy! Forgot about that! Well, they did well in MOST aspects... Please don't use the banhammer on me!

Shouldn't you been more concerned about him calling up his BANnermen?

I saw the series before I read the books, and while I did like how I could, in most cases, put a face to the name, there are some things, like Lordinquisitor said, that they did botch. That said, the series is fantastic in most aspects, and that led me to look in to the books, which I don't regret one bit

[flopsies]

Shouldn't you been more concerned about him calling up his BANnermen?

[Derpy Hooves]

Books.
Also it would probably be best if you read the books first, IIRC, this mod will not have the armor from the HBO series(especially that god-awful Lannister samurai armor)

[flopsies]

STILL! BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS! I just finished the series last week, and i just finished DWD the other day. So when I read the bbok, inSTEAD of the original views of the people, they're all actors!

[Karnil Vark Khaitan]

What about both?

[TheRedViper]

to put it simply the books

[Sardaukar One]

I had never heard of Game of Thrones till HBO made the first season. With the possible exception of the Wire, this is the best show they have made. I ordered the first two books and got them with two episodes left. About a month later, I ordered the rest and finished the last book a few weeks ago.

For me, the books make everything more complete, but without the show, I would never have read the books. I think the show made the books more enjoying in that I could put faces to the characters. It made reading the books richer for me. More enhancing.

Saying that, the show made things clearer. There are flashbacks that occur in book two or three that happen in the season one timeline that HBO put it.

For me, it was much clearer in season one on HBO that Cersei did not try to kill Bran. In the books, I thought it had to be her as there was no other legitimate reason to kill Bran by anyone else.
I was a little taken back as to who that person ended up being. To be honest, I found the reason for the attempted murder of Bran in the books to be unconvincing and found the HBO reason to be far more compelling. Out of spite, from and a spiteful and evil person.

Both have their good points and I would recommend both. Try watching the first season and read the book at the same time.

[Lord Derfel]

Books by far the inner dialogue of the characters is great and you really get a good view on their perspective.

[Heartsbane]

Read the first book at least, before you start watching the series.

[WarlordZ]

Read the book first. I thought the series is very good, but there are a lot of elements that the books contains that the show just cannot portray. For instance, the things going through the minds of the characters. Another thing is that a lot of minor characters, who you get to know quiet well in the books, are neglected int he show (again for good reason, becuase there is a time and budget limit that they work with)...so I think the books are definitely better, but having said that, I think you will enjoy the show very much as well.