(no subject)

[quigonejinn]

A NOTE ON ARRANGED MARRIAGE and CHILDREN: Yes, it’s true; in Ye Olde Medieval Europe, female tweens were oft wed to the grown-ups. A Song of Ice and Fire is known for being “gritty” and “authentic,” so really, aren’t I just objecting to the realism? Reader, here are the things that George R. R. Martin changed about Ye Olde Medieval Europe, when he set out to write A Song of Ice and Fire: Religion. Geography. History. Politics. Zombies. Werewolves. Dragons. At one point, when asked why his characters were taller, healthier, and longer-lived than actual Medieval people, George R. R. Martin explained that human genetics and biology do not work the same way in Westeros as they do in the real world. So George R. R. Martin considered that he could change all of that while maintaining “authenticity.” Here’s what he left in, however: Institutionalized pedophilia.

This is, quite possibly, the best review of A Song of Ice and Fire that has ever been written, probably because it is the review I wish I could have written if I had 10,000 percent more brain cells. I kinda disagree with her on minor points? But oh my God, this is what I've been struggling to articulate in approximately 10,000 arguments with Mr. quigonejinn.

Check also this comment where she eviscerates the stupid, stupid idea that that people who don't like the books just don't like the "grim" or the "realism of life in medieval Europe".

ILU SADY DOYLE.

Comments

[furius]

EVERYTHING I find wrong with GRRM's books but couldn't articulate possibly due to blinding rage..

Thank goodness she wrote this.

[paperclippy]

There was another similar review a while back that got circulated on Reddit. I only read the first book of that series, and decided that I didn't want to read any more books because of the writing of the rapes and pedophilia. I mean, I have no problem reading books that contain rape and child molestation, but I felt like in GRRM's book they were treated as something GOOD rather than something BAD. And that all his female characters fell into complete one-dimensional stereotypes. In fact, that last one is the primary reason I avoid reading fantasy books written by men.

[quigonejinn]

I felt like in GRRM's book they were treated as something GOOD rather than something BAD

He sort of . . . glories in them, you know? Look how hardcore I am! Look how grim and realistic I am! Ugh. And it only gets worse in the subsequent books.

Do you have a link to the reddit post? I'm curious to read it.

[paperclippy]

I think it was this one.

Agent Coulson

[(Anonymous)]

Hello!

I've been a long time lurker on your DW, greedily consuming your stories and the hivemind fic. I throw this to your plot bunnies. Because Coulson is a badass and he knows how to play the system.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMclMro6Wno

*Sits back in anticipation with popcorn*