|
I don’t think your analogy stands up. The standalone paperback was written and published in its entirety, and the author never intended you to only be able to read two thirds of it. Generally individual books in a series have some sort of payoff or finale at the end of the book, to give the reader satisfaction in finishing it, with enough unresolved plot lines to make you want to buy the next one, Games of Throne being a very good example.
I think the existing Game of Thrones books are some of the best fantasy novels ever written, and it is a shame if anyone cannot enjoy them just because there is no conclusion to the series in sight. For me reading is more about enjoying the journey along the way, and not worrying too much about the destination. Often the end does not live up expectations anyway, and this certainly seems to be what GRRM is struggling with—how does he wrestled the many-headed monster he has spawned into a conclusion that will satisfy his demanding fans?
|