The first novel in George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series, a fantasized version of the Wars of the Roses, came out in 1996, nearly a quarter century ago. Its TV adaptation Game of Thrones, is just coming to a close now, a finale drawing a lot of audience attention and no little agitation. The books continue. Taken together the books and show represent a sprawling narrative that Martin is known for almost exclusively now.
This is strange to me, because I had read some of his fiction before the series even started. He's been a quirky writer, penning humor-tinged stories in the fields of horror and science fiction along with fantasy, as well as some non-genre work. Almost none of which the bulk of his fans have any interest in.
He might not be inclined to complain about being pigeonholed. Telling a story on that scale and then selling it on that level raises you from struggling with rent or mortgage to being able to invest in a second or third home. Being read and watched by people who don't always see the full range of your talents could be a small price to pay. And to be sure he'd already tried to franchise himself, publishing the rather successful Wildcards series of superhero books in collaboration with other authors.
Still, it does seem limiting. Decades ago Steve Martin grew tired of audiences at his stand-up shows demanding he do well-known material from his albums and Saturday Night Live appearances. He wasn't in it to repeat catch phrases. So he walked away from stand-up and has only made recent, intermittent returns to live comedy. Of course it transpired that he didn't need to be a stand-up comic to make a living.
This is strange to me, because I had read some of his fiction before the series even started. He's been a quirky writer, penning humor-tinged stories in the fields of horror and science fiction along with fantasy, as well as some non-genre work. Almost none of which the bulk of his fans have any interest in.
He might not be inclined to complain about being pigeonholed. Telling a story on that scale and then selling it on that level raises you from struggling with rent or mortgage to being able to invest in a second or third home. Being read and watched by people who don't always see the full range of your talents could be a small price to pay. And to be sure he'd already tried to franchise himself, publishing the rather successful Wildcards series of superhero books in collaboration with other authors.
Still, it does seem limiting. Decades ago Steve Martin grew tired of audiences at his stand-up shows demanding he do well-known material from his albums and Saturday Night Live appearances. He wasn't in it to repeat catch phrases. So he walked away from stand-up and has only made recent, intermittent returns to live comedy. Of course it transpired that he didn't need to be a stand-up comic to make a living.
2 comments:
I've only read two of George R.R. Martin's books, Fevre Dream and Tuf Voyaging and those not long after our discovery of Powell's. Both books were okay, I had no complaints that I remember, but mostly he was known for novellas and other short fiction as well as collaborations. When the Songs of Ice and Fire series started coming I took a look at the first and decided I could continue to do without sword and sorcery books. I'd read a couple of Anne McCaffrey's early Dragon Rider of Pern novels that also looked as though they might never end and passed on the whole thing as not quite what I was interested in at that point. After all, there's no beating T.H. White when it comes to grand sorcery and I'd really enjoyed reading Evangeline Walton's Mabinogion books when you were little.
"In stark, gaunt prose, it chronicles the years of Bran the Blessed - he who was so vast a man that no house could hold him nor ship bear his bulk - and of the tale of his beloved sister Branwen, his brother Manawyddan, and of his half-brothers Nissyen and the ghastly Evnissten. It is a tale of change and storm, of love beyond death, of high courage, of the end of an era - and the beginning of another. It is epic fantasy in its purest form - marvellous in its compass and power." (a 1970s review)
Yes, I read you chapters but you likely don't recall much about them.
From what I've observed in recent years I doubt that most of the people who love the tv series would ever have found time to read The Songs of Ice and Fire just as most of those enthused about The Handmaid's Tale never got around to reading Margaret Atwood. Meanwhile, George R.R. Martin certainly has been one of those rare lucky authors and I'm guessing he's found other ways of expressing himself while he enjoys the benefits of past efforts.
It's funny you mentioned Steve Martin growing weary of fans insisting he repeat old performances. Just a few nights ago we watched possibly the only recorded version of 'Flydini' done in 1987 on a program hosted by Jonathan Ross.
I bet Margaret Atwood herself was a little taken aback at the success of the Handmaid's Tale show. The book was adapted into a movie about 30 years ago, with Natasha Richardson in the lead. It wasn't particularly popular. Something apparently happened.
Yes, Martin probably does have other outlets, other ways of keeping himself occupied. And friends, I'm sure.
"The Great Flydini" might be the definition of "stupid idea, brilliant execution." The absolute solemnity on his face is what holds it together. At any rate, I loved that clip, so thank you.
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