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Originally Posted by JSWolf
I disagree. I think it's not worth it to read the series until it's complete if it ever gets completed.
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I think whether or not the series gets completed is irrelevant. The first three books are well worth reading, but then walk, rather run, away. The subsequent books detract from the experience. I don’t like epic fantasy, but I thought the first three books were compulsive reading. Why miss out on that?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sirtel
I believe he lost interest in writing the ASOIAF sometime after the third book. No, I have no evidence, just a gut feeling. Yes, he has continued to work on the series, but imho the spark has gone out a long time ago. It's just drudgery for him now. And he hasn't the courage to just come out and admit it. Perhaps he hasn't even admitted it to himself.
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I think there’s evidence for this in the text at that. Martin kept opening up the story at the point where the plot trajectory should have started leveling off in advance of the final confrontation. It was easier for him to keep inventing rather than manage the plot. I think it’s obvious he can keep churning out the stuff, but can’t resolve it. It’s like a daytime soap. In that sense, I take Jon’s point; however, I don’t see why you can’t enjoy the best of it and then move on. Stories run their course and this one has. And in this case especially so, when I gather Martin is going to be constrained by the last two HBO seasons anyway. I’d say it’s a pity, as filmed versions frequently and of necessity depart from a text, so why not backwards?
When the series wasn’t sufficient goad for him to get the books done, I personally can’t put much stock in revised timetables. I’d ask if anyone cares anymore anyway, except that it’s obvious that they do. Eh. While I doubt the series will be finished, what I know is that it can’t possibly live up to what people have invested in it, and perhaps that’s what has blocked Martin.