Because it's topical (the show does still have two more episodes for this season), and because it's a light dish alongside the whole leg of cow that is Infinite Jest, I've jumped my Reading List and started on A Dance with Dragons.
Before even getting to the book, I've got to say that it's grand to see an author give the context for his work. But along with his dedication, Martin also gets some points for acknowledging the obvious but unpopular fact that his process leaves a large gap of time between completing books. The Winds of Winter will hopefully not be much longer in creation.
All of the time between books melts away at the first page of the prologue, though. Although Martin's use of adjectives jarred me. It's not that he uses a lot, but their being present really stood out to me as I began reading. No doubt, this is the influence of Infinite Jest, where adjectives are largely taken out and replaced with the narrator's tone and diction. The contrast between a piece of genre fiction and a piece of literature, however jarring, stands as a good reminder of why a more literary tone in fantasy could be a curious experiment.
Matters of style aside, the Prologue's following the warg Haggon (aka Varamyr Sixskins) as a re-introduction to the events in the North is gripping. I couldn't help but gape as I read through his attempt to jump into the skin of Thistle, his spear-wife.
Then there's the first proper chapter of the book. A Tyrion affair, we find out that he's still well and good, if maybe a bit roughed up by his sea voyage. As with any Tyrion chapter before it, most of the dialogue involves verbal fencing of one sort or other.
By chapter's end it gets a bit dull, probably because there isn't a third party present to throw their thoughts into the mix. Having such a character would help to ground those sections that run the risk of getting too woolly with their wit.
No comments:
Post a Comment