Wed Reading Meme...
Jul. 23rd, 2014 09:32 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
shadowkat[I'm now on my 4th Real Estate Broker, and I'm starting to feel like Goldilocks in that fairy tale - "Goldilocks and the Three Bears". I can't find anything I want to live in. Also when did realtors start sounding like used car salesmen? Or is that just New York? I keep collecting them, would prefer to look without them. They are driving me crazy. Have however come to the conclusion that I can't handle huge buildings - 196 units scares me. ]
1. What You Just Finished Reading?
Same thing as last time "The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck".
2. What are you reading now?
Same as last time: A Dance with Dragons by GRR Martin. Which has a few nice gems here and there. Currently reading a chapter with Bran - which takes place more or less where we left off in the television series. Except Jojen is still alive. They haven't killed him off. Instead they healed him. Which is interesting. Wondering why the television series writers chose to do the opposite?
Anyhow the gem is : "The man who reads 1000 books lives a 1000 different lives, while the man who reads none, only lives one life." Yes, you can tell this sentence was written by a reader and writer, but I think it is true. At least for me. When I read a book, one that resonates for me on some level, I escape into that world and into those characters.
In a separate discussion on an unrelated topic, someone stated that they felt they entered the mind of the writer. I don't think that is necessarily always true - at least not for me. Which is why what the writer does or doesn't do in their personal life has little bearing on the story. Sure - there are some writers who basically are writing about themselves or their "philosophy" or "agenda" - so when you read their books you do to an extent enter their heads - or get their "agenda" or "philosophy". Example? Ayn Rand. It's very hard to read Ayn Rand and not get her philosophy thrust down your throat. Although, I will state that Fountainhead isn't quite as preachy as her other books. Another example? Barbara Kingslover. I have no idea about Marion Zimmer Bradley - since I haven't exactly made it past page 50 in Mists of Avalon, but it felt preachy to me - so yep, pretty much. GRR Martin on the other hand - feels more like a story teller. I don't really feel that I'm entering his head. Most writers - are just telling the story that came to them or they channeled or felt.
Also, when I read a story - I'm bringing my own experience and views to it. I'm digesting what the writer has told and changing it, rearranging it, and reconstructing it. Until it becomes something brand new. That's why whenever we are told a story, we all hear a different one. We all focus on something different. Which, if you think about it, is sort of cool. And makes discussion and story analysis a lot more fun.
Be pretty boring if we all saw it the same way.
So, no, I think if I found out GRR Martin was a nasty human being (highly unlikely), I doubt my views on his stories would change all that much. Then again...maybe they would?
Here's the thing? Our actions, regardless of what they are, do inform how others perceive us and perceive whatever we say, create, or do. And people, regardless of our intent, do hold our actions against us. While we are not defined by our actions - that doesn't mean others won't choose to define us by them - even if it was an isolated occurrence. People are wonky that way. So I guess I don't really know. You never do know what you'll do or think until it happens.
It's either my mood or where I'm at currently in the novel, but it's more compelling than I remembered it being the last time I attempted to read it. Of course I'm much further along. Sort of past the section that was spoiled in the tv series - ie. How Reek became Reek. Now, I've gotten an explanation as to why Ramsey Bolton/Snow feels the need to create a "Reek" as a faithful companion. His father, Roose Bolton, who is a nasty piece of work, is also quite fascinating and manages to explain why Ramsey is the sadistic bastard that he is. Roose is a pure sociopath, he cares about nothing but himself and his own survival. He'd feed his own children to his dogs to survive, which explains why Ramsey is the nightmare that he is - well that and how Ramsey came about, which was basically rape and murder. Roose hung a miller woman's husband, and raped the woman as he swung above her. Hence Ramsey. Lovely.
Anyhow, Tyrion's chapters are becoming more compelling - he's forming a relationship with the female mummer/Dwarf Penny. And through that relationship - he's becoming more likable. Also his take on Jorah is rather interesting - ie. he doesn't think much of him, but can't say I blame him - Jorah had him chained up for half of their travels.
Jorah has decided to cart Tyrion off to Danerys - possibly as a peace offering. See, I'm not a traitor, Dany, I brought you Tyrion Lannister. Too bad it wasn't Jamie Lannister - would be more convincing.
And Melisandre...provides an interesting perspective regarding Jon Snow. Plus Mance Ryder managed to survive. I was spoiled on that by my flist, so expecting it. To Melisandre - there's not a heck of a lot of difference between Jon Snow and Stannis. They are actually a lot alike. I would tend to agree - this explains why I've struggled with Jon throughout the book. Ned Stark - I'd add to that group. They basically put honor and duty above everything, are rather cold, and don't believe in anything.
That said? Jon Snow is growing on me. And I'm enjoying the sections that focus on him more than expected. I actually like the character now.
Also starting to wish GRRM would write the prequel to this series. (The story of the first war and what lead up to it - with Robert Barratheon.) That story sounds a lot more interesting than the one I've been reading. With a lot more complexity. The Taragens are painted as the villains in that tale by one group of people (Barratheon, Stark, Lannister) but from another angle (the Barratheons, Lannisters, and Stars are the villains, not the Taragens.) This fascinates me. Actually, that's what I like about the series - GRRM does tend to change how you perceive certain characters over time.
Although I don't think the Bolton's and Freys can ever be seen as anything but pond scum. Actually worse than pond scum.
At any rate? I'm enjoying it at the moment. Which is good. Considering I'm doing a lot of reading on subways and while waiting to see apartments.
3. What I'm reading next?
Magic Breaks by Illona Andrews - assuming of course that I'm still in the mood.
1. What You Just Finished Reading?
Same thing as last time "The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck".
2. What are you reading now?
Same as last time: A Dance with Dragons by GRR Martin. Which has a few nice gems here and there. Currently reading a chapter with Bran - which takes place more or less where we left off in the television series. Except Jojen is still alive. They haven't killed him off. Instead they healed him. Which is interesting. Wondering why the television series writers chose to do the opposite?
Anyhow the gem is : "The man who reads 1000 books lives a 1000 different lives, while the man who reads none, only lives one life." Yes, you can tell this sentence was written by a reader and writer, but I think it is true. At least for me. When I read a book, one that resonates for me on some level, I escape into that world and into those characters.
In a separate discussion on an unrelated topic, someone stated that they felt they entered the mind of the writer. I don't think that is necessarily always true - at least not for me. Which is why what the writer does or doesn't do in their personal life has little bearing on the story. Sure - there are some writers who basically are writing about themselves or their "philosophy" or "agenda" - so when you read their books you do to an extent enter their heads - or get their "agenda" or "philosophy". Example? Ayn Rand. It's very hard to read Ayn Rand and not get her philosophy thrust down your throat. Although, I will state that Fountainhead isn't quite as preachy as her other books. Another example? Barbara Kingslover. I have no idea about Marion Zimmer Bradley - since I haven't exactly made it past page 50 in Mists of Avalon, but it felt preachy to me - so yep, pretty much. GRR Martin on the other hand - feels more like a story teller. I don't really feel that I'm entering his head. Most writers - are just telling the story that came to them or they channeled or felt.
Also, when I read a story - I'm bringing my own experience and views to it. I'm digesting what the writer has told and changing it, rearranging it, and reconstructing it. Until it becomes something brand new. That's why whenever we are told a story, we all hear a different one. We all focus on something different. Which, if you think about it, is sort of cool. And makes discussion and story analysis a lot more fun.
Be pretty boring if we all saw it the same way.
So, no, I think if I found out GRR Martin was a nasty human being (highly unlikely), I doubt my views on his stories would change all that much. Then again...maybe they would?
Here's the thing? Our actions, regardless of what they are, do inform how others perceive us and perceive whatever we say, create, or do. And people, regardless of our intent, do hold our actions against us. While we are not defined by our actions - that doesn't mean others won't choose to define us by them - even if it was an isolated occurrence. People are wonky that way. So I guess I don't really know. You never do know what you'll do or think until it happens.
It's either my mood or where I'm at currently in the novel, but it's more compelling than I remembered it being the last time I attempted to read it. Of course I'm much further along. Sort of past the section that was spoiled in the tv series - ie. How Reek became Reek. Now, I've gotten an explanation as to why Ramsey Bolton/Snow feels the need to create a "Reek" as a faithful companion. His father, Roose Bolton, who is a nasty piece of work, is also quite fascinating and manages to explain why Ramsey is the sadistic bastard that he is. Roose is a pure sociopath, he cares about nothing but himself and his own survival. He'd feed his own children to his dogs to survive, which explains why Ramsey is the nightmare that he is - well that and how Ramsey came about, which was basically rape and murder. Roose hung a miller woman's husband, and raped the woman as he swung above her. Hence Ramsey. Lovely.
Anyhow, Tyrion's chapters are becoming more compelling - he's forming a relationship with the female mummer/Dwarf Penny. And through that relationship - he's becoming more likable. Also his take on Jorah is rather interesting - ie. he doesn't think much of him, but can't say I blame him - Jorah had him chained up for half of their travels.
Jorah has decided to cart Tyrion off to Danerys - possibly as a peace offering. See, I'm not a traitor, Dany, I brought you Tyrion Lannister. Too bad it wasn't Jamie Lannister - would be more convincing.
And Melisandre...provides an interesting perspective regarding Jon Snow. Plus Mance Ryder managed to survive. I was spoiled on that by my flist, so expecting it. To Melisandre - there's not a heck of a lot of difference between Jon Snow and Stannis. They are actually a lot alike. I would tend to agree - this explains why I've struggled with Jon throughout the book. Ned Stark - I'd add to that group. They basically put honor and duty above everything, are rather cold, and don't believe in anything.
That said? Jon Snow is growing on me. And I'm enjoying the sections that focus on him more than expected. I actually like the character now.
Also starting to wish GRRM would write the prequel to this series. (The story of the first war and what lead up to it - with Robert Barratheon.) That story sounds a lot more interesting than the one I've been reading. With a lot more complexity. The Taragens are painted as the villains in that tale by one group of people (Barratheon, Stark, Lannister) but from another angle (the Barratheons, Lannisters, and Stars are the villains, not the Taragens.) This fascinates me. Actually, that's what I like about the series - GRRM does tend to change how you perceive certain characters over time.
Although I don't think the Bolton's and Freys can ever be seen as anything but pond scum. Actually worse than pond scum.
At any rate? I'm enjoying it at the moment. Which is good. Considering I'm doing a lot of reading on subways and while waiting to see apartments.
3. What I'm reading next?
Magic Breaks by Illona Andrews - assuming of course that I'm still in the mood.