I have never read nor have I ever seen a single episode of A Game of Thrones. Would you suggest reading the GOT books before seeing the show?
I have never read nor have I ever seen a single episode of A Game of Thrones. Would you suggest reading the GOT books before seeing the show?
They’re different. I personally like the show better, but I wouldn’t do them at the same time. Do one then the other.
Watch before you read. There are a ton of characters so it’s easier to read the book after watching the show so you can put a face to the name. They do become different around the third book
I’ve watched the first season and read the first book. I honestly felt they were pretty much identical. If you’re looking to invest about 200 hours (that’s how long my audio book version is) than read, otherwise you’ll probably spend less than half of that watching it.
they don’t diverge until a few books in, and then they diverge dramatically. In fact, characters do things in the television show that they would NEVER do in the books…
@Deirdre I’ll get back into it after I finish Ready Player 1 🙂
Loved the books,couldn’t handle the violence in the show.
@Jade yes that’s what has put me off too! I’m not great with violence and gore.
I recommend watching first and then reading after!
I just started book 1. It is so well written. Kinda doing the show at the same time. Fast forwarding through the battle scenes!
Deb Michaels You may want to skip the entire latest episode then, i’m still traumatised ??
I watched first season and then listened to audio of the book. I think it helped me get through the book because I could visualize the characters.
Just a note of caution
Mum loved both book and show
Right up until she got annoyed because the show has gone past the books
So I would read watch then read
Though personally I never got into either so take my advice with caution too ??
Yes
Got DVDs watching final season now and got books to read later love it like Lord of the rings
To be honest it doesn’t matter they are 2 different stories now
The books are pretty great but it is a commitment and a half to get through them and the book series isn’t finished yet. If you feel up for the challenge go for it, but I have to admit I read the first enormous book and then just decided to stick with the tv show for the rest of the story.
they are two different stories, but watching the 1st 3/4 episodes before you start the books would be my suggestion because there are so many characters and stories for each, it helps understanding the baseline story…I watched 6st episodes, then read all the books, was much easier…just my suggestion..
Yes
Yes
I watched it first I am going to read them when I am finished with this new season.
I didn’t read the books as I have a hard time with keeping the many characters names straight. I loved, loved the show.
I have watched the series a few times as it does get a bit confusing with all the character names and it should make reading the books a bit easier
Yes!
The books are fabulous and I felt I understood what was happening in the shows better for having read them first
I loved reading the first book (could not put it down) and the subsequent books seem to be as well written, but I haven’t finished all of them. They are a tad slow moving at times. I have switched to watching, as I have heard the show moves past the books in story line.
Equally good
I have never watched or read Game of Thrones .
I’ve not read the books yet but the show is amazing
Watch the show then read the books just remember he isnt done with winds of winter and a dream of spring
Watch the show first. I attempted to read the books a few years ago but didn’t get far. Love the show and planning to read the books after it’s finished. The show should make the books easier to follow.
Read the books first. They are better. If you are already used to reading the likes of Tolkien then you will enjoy it. They are long reads so if you are not used to that then perhaps just watch the show. I only watched the series up to the point where the book ended. I don’t want the series to mess up my perception of the next books and from what I’ve heard it’s already gone far from the lore.
I read books first. Always do. Loved them and the show
One thing to keep in mind is the book series is a huge commitment and it is still unfinished. Two more books are eagerly awaited with no solid timeframe on their release.
Yes yes yes books are brilliant
I recently watched first episode .. found it very very graphic and violent so not for everyone ( think walking dead with a sexual theme )
@Shelley it gets better
@Pam yes a friend said it calms down , so I will continue,
@Shelley I haven’t read the books but the series on hbo legendary
I have a friend that is doing just this and she is loving it
I don’t think it matters, the show follows the books pretty closely up until 3
Yes! I loved the books, the show, not so much.
I started reading the books this last month and got through two of them and decided there’s just too much fantasy for my taste. However, I’ve found the books are always better than the show/movie
I love the show but haven’t read the books. Which is not my normal way of doing things and normally consider myself a book purist type- (I’m looking at you, Outlander) ?
I found books hard to read as it’s a new character view every few pages and the language.
Show. The books are long and tedious
I absolutely love the show. I have not read the books. There are still 1-2 to be published. I heard the show has things not in the books. I don’t like that.
I haven’t read the books. I am watching the show and I absolutely love it! ?
Not necessary
I read the books first. I’ve only completed 2 books and seen first two seasons. I read book 1 then watched series 1 and same with 2. I started and haven’t finished book 3 so haven’t seen any more of the tv series. I found it really good this way and for the most part they were consistent other than the usual thing where of course the books have more going on them. That’s why I prefer book first. If you watch something first it can be harder to stick out the book I reckon. I don’t know why I haven’t finished book 3, I hear this is where they stop coinciding anyway
The books are a hard read I found and it’s a little disappointing that the final 2 books in the series haven’t even been written yet (I have a sneaky feeling that they wont get written) BUT there is so much missing from the show compared to the books (it is almost like different stories by the end) so I kind of felt that I knew more than my husband who I watch the shows with!
SHOW
No because the two doesn’t quite follow each other exactly
I’ve watched it 2x now, and have just started reading the books. The series goes well beyond the books.
I have always loved reading the books and comparing and observing how books are translated into movies. I’m fascinated by the deference’s in what is kept, what is changed & what characters are merged.
I generally treat them as separate, but similar entities.
I ❤️ the show, but have not read the books (not my normal M.O.). I tried to start the books, but they are very long and tedious. I’m sticking to the show!
I wish I would have.
I watched first and I’m waiting until it’s over to read because I don’t want to be annoyed with the differences in the books. Typically I read first, but this way I’ll get to enjoy the book being better after I’ve already enjoyed the show.
I would read the first two books before starting the series.
The books are excellent. The Author is not finished with the story.
I would enjoy the show first then read the books
That way you won’t compare. ….there is no comparison(:
@Mary how many books are in the series right now?
@Dorian there are 5. Now with possibly 2 more to come.
The books are very detailed and are not written exactly the way the series is. I would suggest watching the series… then read the books.
I haven’t read the book(s) but I’ve watched every episode and love it
Yes!
I liked the books but not the series on tv
No, watch the show. The books get pretty tedious. Watch it from start to finish. I don’t normally like those kinds of shows but I do love this series
I’ve seen the show and now want to read the book!
I haven’t seen any of the show, but the books are very well done. It’s not my usual genre, but I loved them.
Id read the books first. The series differentiates from the books a bit. Theres only 5 of the books out now. Theres supposed to be 6 and 7 out hopefully soon. Been waiting for them for awhile
Normally I would read the books first and then watch the show. But in this case I knew the show would end before the books. So I’ll read the books all in order when, if they all get published. But I think watching the show will also help me keep track of the numerous characters when reading.
Watch the movies .read the books after
Me neither. ?
I agree, watch the shows and then read the books. I think it will be easier to grasp and they will hold your attention more. I rarely say that because I typically always read the book first, but this is an exception in my opinion.
No simply because I truly believe the book series will never be finished.
See the show but don’t read the book(s) – the show deviates a lot from the books you will always be comparing on why did they add this or why didn’t they put this in when it’s in the book etc.