The Worlds of George RR Martin

The Inspirations Behind Game of Thrones

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Pub Date Sep 24 2024 | Archive Date Sep 06 2024

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Description

In the many realms of modern fantasy there is only one true King, and his name is George Raymond Richard Martin.
 
With A Song of Ice and Fire, Martin has created a world on a scale almost unrivalled by any other single writer. Approaching two million words and still evolving, this genuinely epic series of novels, with its deeply interlocking narratives, finely crafted drama and enormous range of characters, is a creation of extraordinary breadth.
 
So how did a writer best known for short stories come to craft such a gigantic sequence of novels, and what is the key to their extraordinary success? What sources – historical, literary and personal – did Martin draw upon in the writing, and what inspiration did they give him?
 
The Worlds of George R.R. Martin is an in-depth bringing together of the enormous range of inspirations behind Martin’s work ­– from historical borrowings as wide-ranging as the Roman empire, the Wars of the Roses and the Mongol conquests, to diverse literary and mythological texts, and Martin’s own family experience and biography.

In the many realms of modern fantasy there is only one true King, and his name is George Raymond Richard Martin.
 
With A Song of Ice and Fire, Martin has created a world on a scale almost unrivalled...


Available Editions

EDITION Hardcover
ISBN 9780711288522
PRICE $35.00 (USD)
PAGES 208

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Average rating from 26 members


Featured Reviews

The historical, literary and pop-culture inspirations and references behind George R R Martin’s series A Song of Ice and Fire are discovered in this book. It is perfect for any fan of Martin’s work, since it uncovers deeper meanings and creates a better understanding of the fantasy world Martin created. The book is well structured and very well written, it is an easy and captivating read. Each section is accompanied by photos, screen grabs from the series, posters, works of art, all connected to the concept from the series. I especially enjoyed the locations break-downs, and the historical parallels with real-life figures and events.

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It was so exciting to read and view the inspiration behind George's work, I've loved the world of ice and fire, so this was such a magical book to read and look through.

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Expect EXTRAVAGANT!

Yes, you can expect real pictures of movie scenes, rare paintings, the most amazing quotes and descriptions of the most known works of the author.

Expect nothing less than your highest expectations when you pick up this book.

This book is a treasure!

Thank you, Frances Lincoln, for the ARC.

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The Worlds of George RR Martin by Tom Huddleston is a fascinating exploration of the inspirations and historical parallels that shaped the complex world of A Song of Ice and Fire. This book seems to delve deep into the various influences that George R.R. Martin drew from when creating the Seven Kingdoms, highlighting the connections between Westeros and real-world events, people, and eras, particularly the Middle Ages.

The author's approach of alternating between quotes, historical analysis, and a wide range of visual references—including images from the TV series, spin-offs, and other fantasy series—creates a rich, immersive experience for the reader. This method likely helps to contextualize the intricate narratives and characters within Martin's world, comparing them to significant historical events and figures, and underscoring the bravery and creativity involved in building such a detailed and expansive fantasy universe.

The inclusion of female characters, dragons, and other fantastical elements, and the way these are paralleled with historical or contemporary counterparts, shows a deliberate choice by the author to not just entertain but also to challenge traditional narratives and perspectives. This thematic analysis, combined with visual storytelling, seems to offer readers both a deeper understanding of the books and a broader commentary on the nature of storytelling itself.
Overall, it appears to be a comprehensive guide that not only celebrates the world-building in A Song of Ice and Fire but also encourages readers to see the connections between fiction and reality, past and present.

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The Worlds of George R.R. Martin is an in-depth bringing together of the enormous range of inspirations behind Martin’s work ­– from historical borrowings as wide-ranging as the Roman empire, the Wars of the Roses and the Mongol conquests, to diverse literary and mythological texts, and Martin’s own family experience and biography.

Thank you Quarto Publishing Group & Netgalley for the digital ARC! I wanted to read this book because I enjoyed reading the books and watching the TV show. I enjoyed reading this book and looking at the pictures that are included in the book. This book is perfect for Game Of Thrones fans. If you are a Game Of Thrones fan then read this book when it goes on sale September 24.

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Thank you to Netgalley for providing me an E-ARC copy in exchange for an honest review. I really loved this book. I love Game of Thrones so as soon as I saw this was available to request I leapt on it. I feel like this book was very well informed. I liked how the book was split into parts and had a chapter on each area of Westeros. I also appreciated how it related the scenes and inspiration for Game of Thrones to historical events as well as some pop culture influences. Overall a very interesting read. I would recommend!

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This was a super fun read, full of fascinating historical facts and interesting details from the world of Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, and I absolutely loved it. 10/10 will recommend, will buy for my husband's birthday (as he is a giant GoT nerd). Get this for your loved ones, they'll enjoy it for sure!

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My boyfriend is a collector of Game of Thrones books and is so excited to get his hands on this one. A very informative look at some of the most impressive world building ever. If only I'd had reference books when I first watched Game of Thrones I wouldn't have been so lost!

Great visuals and easy to read

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This book is so wild and well put together! I can not praise this enough! Especially for lovers of world building. So much great insider information and incredible photos.
Highly recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – White Lion for the opportunity to read and review this book!

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I have reviewed the Worlds of George RR Martin for book recommendation and selling site LoveReading.co.uk. I’ve chosen the book as a Liz Pick of the Month and a LoveReading Star Book. Please see the link to the site for the full review.

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