[Warning: Spoiler alerts for those who haven't read A Storm of Swords, the third book in George R. R. Martin's Song of Fire and Ice trilogy. Turn back now, all ye unread.]
After taking a two-month hiatus, I finally returned to – and finished – A Storm of Swords. And while Martin’s tale is as depressing as ever, I’m glad I slogged through it.
See, the thing is, I hate Westeros and Essos. Loathe them. Martin’s world is a cesspool of degradation in which men are brutish thugs, women are rape chattel, and life is awash in a sea of blood. If I’d been born in Westeros, I’d have brewed myself a stiff cup of hemlock tea at a tender age.
Why do I keep reading? Well, first, Martin’s a fucking fantastic writer. He’s one of the top five living fantasy writers, an author who can write both stunning descriptions as well as witty and (generally) even-handed dialogue.
Second, Song of Fire and Ice is a stunning achievement in terms of complexity of both scene and character. I have no clue how Martin keeps track of it all.
Third, as brutal as it is, I’m drawn to the realism of the story. There are no miraculous escapes from impossible situations in Westeros. Nasty situations incur nasty losses.
But, most importantly, there’s this looming sense throughout the story that both Westeros and Essos are doomed. DOOMED, I SAY!! Daenerys approaches from the East, bearing dragons. The Wildings threaten the Wall. The Wights and Others are close behind. Magic is slowly seeping back into the world. I have this hope – which, knowing Martin, he’ll probably dash as effortlessly as Gregor Clegane snuffed out Prince Rhaegar’s life – that, in the end, what passes for “humanity” in Martin’s world will reap what it has sown.
But, I digress. A Storm of Swords. Good points?
- Having established that Westeros is a foul pit of rape and murder, Martin backs off the rape and focuses more on the murder. As grisly as it is, all of the death and violence in the story serves a purpose.
- It’s a compelling read. The last 400 pages in particular crackle with tension in every story line.
- Daenerys Stormborn, Mother of Dragons, makes Essos her bitch.
- Gregor Clegane is dying – slowly and painfully. There is a Stranger!
- Halfman! Halfman! Halfman! Our favorite character exacts some cruel but just revenge.
- Jamie Lannister. His relationships with Brienne and Tyrion humanize him. This was the first book in which we really came to know Jamie. The cruel blow Martin dealt to him at the midpoint only makes him more sympathetic.
- Sandor Clegane. I love that brute. Beneath all of his anger is a man desperate for beauty and human kindness.
- Lady Lysa being shown the Moon Door by Littlefinger. I laughed out loud at the end of this scene, delighted by what a devious little bastard Petyr could be.
- Sam. Bless that tender boy’s soul.
- Jon Snow gets what he so richly deserves: a place in the world.
- The Starks. Sweet Mother, can this family ever catch a fucking break??
- Sansa Stark is not so much a character as a shiny bauble passed along by the other characters.
- Bran, who’s still annoying, though less than he used to be, and is starting to come into his own as a character.
