[SPOILERS] Did anyone else have trouble remembering who was who?

[ButtSwag]

So I read all the books, and I really had trouble understanding what was going on, especially with Dany. Not because I didn't inderstand the plot, but because I couldn't remember all those names, and the gaps in between different character's chapters usually made me forget all the different plots. Did anyone else have this problem?
If so what did you do to overcome it, and if you don't have you got some advice?
It may be because I rushed when reading (I read all 5 in a row) and I don't really want to read them again right now

[mortem et gloria]

due to the huge scale of the series it is advisable to re-read all books before procceeding if you have trouble with remembering plots. tho it would take you a long time. Or just skim back and re read what you do not understand.

English is not my first language so i sometimes also share a difficulty with some of the words but never the plot. hope this helps dude as it is a very good series.

[McL0v1n013]

Honestly what helped me was using the wiki after reading each book and looking over characters who I struggled to remember. I just finished the 5th book and I still have a few question marks but I understand the bulk of the plot/stories of each character. There is an iPhone app called "A Wiki of Ice and Fire" that lets you set which books you've read so it doesn't give spoilers... It was very helpful for me.

[SoulGamesInc]

Well once i got into the books i kinda did not stop reading until it was finished, found out it was 6 in the morning, and then wanted more. I don't read books a lot, but when i find one i love... I make youtube video's about it?!?... In all seriousness, if i found something that i did not fully understand i'd simply re-read a little. I end up reading each book at least twice anyway, not like Gorge pop's the books out at light-speed.

[Badger-dude]

I read all the books apart from ADWD over a period of three months. Had a break. Then bought ADWD last January. I did not find the characters a problem... except the minor ones.

Wiki or the index of houses at the back of each edition (UK version at least) is very helpful!

[Mount Suribachi]

The major characters weren't a problem, but all the semi-major and minor characters, there's such a bewildering array of them.....Apart from all those around Dany in the east, I really struggled to keep track of all those odd sounding foreign names that were all so similar.

[Feanaro Curufinwe]

As far as it got was all those R'andom Con'fusi'ng A'postroph'e Na'mes in the East.

[The First Triumvirate]

This may be the scholar in me but i get a piece of paper and just jot down who's who and a trait or event which i can relate them to. Obviously it isn't necessary for everybody and every event but it comes in handy when everyone's name in Essos is such a hassle to remember and easy to confuse. If i don't, i focus on names more than the plot, which means missing various pieces of info. I discovered this the hard way by reading stuff on here and going 'wuuhhh when did that happen?'

[Mount Suribachi]

Just too many characters to do that though. I got to say though, it was MUCH easier on my re-read, you're so much more aware of who everyone is. And so many little tidbits slot into place like Ser Jorah being the old bears son, or the Lancel who slept with Cersei and helped kill Robert is the same Lancel who married Gatehouse Ami (who is a Frey) and who confessed to Jaime and joined The Faith.

Yes, I really didn't connect those dots first time round!

[ggggtotalwarrior]

Just too many characters to do that though. I got to say though, it was MUCH easier on my re-read, you're so much more aware of who everyone is. And so many little tidbits slot into place like Ser Jorah being the old bears son, or the Lancel who slept with Cersei and helped kill Robert is the same Lancel who married Gatehouse Ami (who is a Frey) and who confessed to Jaime and joined The Faith.

Yes, I really didn't connect those dots first time round!

Haha. Same here. I just started rereading a few weeks ago, and in GoT especially, I noticed all the references to things I didn't notice as part of the plot until later (Illyrio mentions Red Priests, brief mentions of characters who appear later, the singer in Winterfell who is actually Mance Rayder, etc.)

[ButtSwag]

Yeah, luckily I understand the main plot line, but I've found that when reading the sample chapters from TWoW, I've had to go to the wiki every time to remember who was who (minor characters). I do want to re-read, but don't really have the time or patience

[JesusLovesYouNot]

I've read the books twice, and still can't remember all the minor sub-plots and characters. No doubt a great many of them have been used to further the main storylines without me noticing.

[Badger-dude]

As far as it got was all those R'andom Con'fusi'ng A'postroph'e Na'mes in the East.

Meh, they don't count.

[The Forgotten]

I never had too much of a problem until Slavers Bay. I mean seriously, I think there was a guy named Giznak no Giznak. Not to mention all the even more bizarre ones.

[Madari]

I never had too much of a problem until Slavers Bay. I mean seriously, I think there was a guy named Giznak no Giznak. Not to mention all the even more bizarre ones.

Agree with that The ghiscary names are so complex, I even cant´s remember Daenerys husband´s name Hizdar Zo Lorak?

[ButtSwag]

Yeah, and all the different "factions" in slavers bay. The Yunkai, all the sellsword companies + the generals names, and all the ghiscari names. It got a little confusing to say at the least

[Mhaedros]

I had a bit difficult to remember the names when Dany was in Merjeen (I think that was the name), but otherwise I understood everything.

[Dyflinn432]

Anything in the second half of Feast for Crows i wouldn't know well, i spent about two months alone on that book, and had to skip the rest because id never have read a Dance of Dragons if i didn't and i spent about 10 mins catching up on what i missed using Wiki, as others say all the Ghiscari names in Mereen makes it hard to understand whos who, im only wrapping up part one of a dance with dragons and im trying to slow down because id don't know what to do when i finish, iv been reading them for nearly exactly a year now! (not a fast reader)

[Mount Suribachi]

When you've read them, go back to the beginning and start your re-read You'll find it all makes so much sense, and be astounded at how much you missed!

Oh, and stay off these forums until you've finished ADWD unless you want to me majorly spoilered!

[Dyflinn432]

Oh trust me im extremly careful when it comes to Spoilers and i dont know anything about ADWD which have not actually read, i might re-read, of im quick i might even rush through AGOT. COK and then be reading A storm of swords just in time for Season 3 to air so i can complain every 5 mins about how different it is.