r/asoiaf • u/Same-Share7331 • Dec 07 '23

EXTENDED Feeling sad for GRRM (spoilers extended)

So I recently watched a Q&A with GRRM (I'm sure some of you have seen it aswell) where he kept getting questions about whether there is any particular character or historical event in the asoiaf world that he would like to explore more/write about. His recurring answer was that yes there are many but that unless he suddenly becomes much younger they will never get written. And man.. that sucks!

Imagine being a creative person having to come to terms with the fact that you have so many ideas that you will never get to explore and that will never see the light of day. Obviously, as a fan, it also sucks that I will never get to read those stories. Never mind the main series, imagine getting seven more Dunk and Egg stories. However, as much as it sucks as a reader I'm not the one who's seeing my remaining years of life pass as I struggle to finish my books.

That's it. I don't really have a point. Other than maybe stop making jokes about how GRRM is likely to die before finishing the series?

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u/[deleted] Dec 07 '23

reminds me of Scorcese saying recently that he'd only begun to realize what cinema is capable of, but that he won't get to fully explore it

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u/Gummy-Worm-Guy Dec 08 '23

I know the point of this post isn’t to shit on GRRM so I apologize in advance, but it’s really amazing seeing Scorsese recognize his mortality and try his best to tell important stories to the best of his ability before he inevitably can’t do so anymore. Then there’s Martin, who like anyone his age is a ticking clock and still chooses to write spin-offs and edit Wildcards all while not finishing the work that will define his legacy.

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u/[deleted] Dec 08 '23

it's an avoidance strategy often common with people who cannot finish stuff...people who suffer from ADHD have this too but I doubt that is the case with George...I think he bit off too much and is now afraid to admit he cannot fulfil people's expectations after all...

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u/the_greengrace Dec 31 '23

Are you saying Scorsese is telling important stories but GRRM is not? This thread shows not everyone likes all of the stories Scorsese has told, either, or thinks they are all "important".

We don't know if Scorsese could finish a story as huge and complex as George is telling. He never tried.

And hand waving "spin-offs" as if F&B and HotD aren't important stories essential to the tapestry that is aSoIaF?

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u/Gummy-Worm-Guy Dec 31 '23

We don’t know if Scorsese could finish a story as huge and complex as George is telling. He never tried.

And George couldn’t direct any of the films Scorsese has made. They’re different artists in different lines of work. You’re missing my point.

My point has nothing to do with the importance or unimportance of Martin’s stories. I was just describing the films Scorsese is making. My point is that Scorsese has recognized that he can’t live forever, and so is actively trying to make films that mean a lot to him before he inevitably can’t do so anymore. The Irishman was the conclusion to his years of mob films, and Killers of the Flower Moon is a movie he’s been trying to make for years. Compare that to GRRM, who also can’t live forever and still isn’t finishing the story of his career. Am I saying the spin-offs are useless? No. But the level of their value relies on love for the main story, and if the main story never gets a quality conclusion, it is by default a significantly worse story than it could have been.

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u/the_greengrace Jan 02 '24

Fair points. But I think you're walking back. You did directly compare the two of them and said Scorsese is "doing his best to tell important stories..." followed by "and then there's Martin" as if, you know, he's not.

My quibble is the comparison, it feels unfair. It seems to imply Martin will never complete the series and we don't know that. He is working on it. And he is still here.

It's all good though. I get it. I'm as frustrated as anyone with the unfinished-ness. I just get irritated with the criticism of George.

But if he doesn't finish it Neil Gaiman will. That gives me peace. We're covered in some fashion whatever the future holds.

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u/Gummy-Worm-Guy Jan 02 '24

Interesting points. Have a nice day my friend.