Everything I know about Game of Thrones tells me I should love it. Everything I hear about the setting is captivating. And maybe that's the problem, nothing about the characters or the story is particularly interesting. Basically, everything I know about the characters/story can be summed up in the following: "A bunch of borderline psychopathic jack-ass nobles do horrid things to each other for several thousand pages and lots of people die."
So, why am I blasting through something written in 1911 (and published in book form in 1917)? The answer comes down to, basically, one simple reason.
Pulp fantasy vs. ...whatever the hell Martin (or Jordan) writes.
If you turn on the television (or go to a movie) you will find the modern equivalent of pulp novels. Larger than life heroes, pretty girls (or boys), exotic locations, and strange villains all there for your cheap, easy, and low quality entertainment.
There is no grand self-seriousness in Borroughs writing. There is no presumption to mimic reality (gritty or otherwise). His writing seeks to entertain and precious little more (he and other pulp writers made the barest of livings with no hope for a movie deal).
And yet, as I read briskly through the Princess of Mars I find myself completely satisfied with what I read. Like any character that Sam Worthington plays, the main character is neutral enough that I can project myself on to him. I can like him, but I've yet to be forced to understand him or even explore his character beyond what is necessary for the story.
I've yet to meet the pretty girl, but imagine her to be comparable to any starlet in any television series or movie. The Leia (Buffy, Inara, Lois Lane) of her time.
Modern novels (at least in the Martin/Jordan vein) are whole different beast. I seriously doubt entertainment is the first thing on the authors mind. I really have no idea what is on their mind. I don't think I really understand them, and I don't think I care to. Maybe I just don't get it and maybe someone reading this can explain it to me.Is it like modern art? You must be cultured enough to grasp and appreciate the artistry? I won't deny Martin and Jordan's works are labors of love. I expect they are. I'm not going to debate if they are art or not. To paraphrase the Joker, I don't know it it's art, but I don't like it.
It's entirely possible, I'll go so far as to say LIKELY, that I am the "problem". I'll entertain the probability that Martin and Jordan (and others) are geniuses and I lack the ability to appreciate their superior intellect and story telling. I'd love to know why, but ultimately, I can accept it.
I considered offering up a defense of pulp fiction, but honestly, I see no need. It's defended itself just fine for 100 years or so without the slightest need of my words. Will Martin or Jordan's works fare as well?
*Addendum*
ReplyDeleteOne working theory on why I dislike WoT and GoT, and yet they are so popular is what I entitle the "CW Theory". I detest straight up 60% of what that network produces. (Gossip Girl, Hellcats, 90210, One Tree Hill, Smallville, and Vampire Diaries).
Look at that list of (horrid) shows. They are all reasonably successful, enjoying millions in revenue, numerous seasons, and many fans.
But at least 3 can be summed up as the following: "Horrid and wealthy people doing terrible things to each other". Which is frighteningly similar to Martin's and Jordan's book series. There is an audience for such nonsense.
I got to a point in GoT when I literally threw the book halfway across the room in disgust. And I don't throw books across rooms. So it's nice to hear someone else who likes fantasy and sci-fi also isn't slavering at Martin's feet.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure you would enjoy Borroughs. One one hand the writing is simple and basically intended to entertain. On the other, I know you to be an educated and critical reader who may find the simplicity of the story off-putting.
ReplyDeleteIf you are capable of 'shutting off' and just enjoying it in the same way one must mentally check out to enjoy "Wipeout", then yes I imagine you could enjoy it.
At very least it would be a quick read. Physically, the trade paper-back of GoT is about a quarter inch larger in both directions and 674 pages (plus appendix). All 3 books of the Martian "Trilogy" (there are more than 3 books, but this is the main 3) is 666 pages total, no appendix. the first in the series in a trivial 216 pages.
I read somewhat slowly and inconsistently, yet I've made almost 60 pages in 2 days of sporadic reading. I imagine at your rate you would finish it in, what? a few days? a week? a few hours? I'm simply have no idea other than: "A f-ing metric ton faster than Jeremy".
I like Harry Potter. I am TOTALLY capable of enjoying simplistic writing. :D
ReplyDeleteLately I've been reading more slowly, just because I tend to pick up a book, read a few pages, then put it down again. I've been averaging less than ten books a year for awhile now, which is weird to me! Almost done with Cloud Atlas, which is...interesting and well-written, but sooo much of it is really boring and kinda heavy. I may be looking for some fluff when I'm done with it.