In my life as an Army Wife, there are days when I have to endure the Pangs of Separation, locking myself up in a room, crying myself to sleep. My roommate tried to cheer me up by handing over her external hard drive and thereby, her huge collection of movies and music. I came across Game of Thrones and I thought, what the heck! I am going to watch this right now! Remember, I was never a fantasy lover! I hated Harry Potter (yeah, don’t kill me!) and it made no sense watching/reading Narnia, Hobbit, or Inferno, until…
Winter is Coming!
I started watching Game of Thrones back to back, for she had all the episodes of the Five Seasons aired on television till then. I’d seen them all twice over when I realized I had to read the books as well. It was then when my husband came for a vacation that I literally begged him to watch the very first episode – Winter is Coming, with me. He isn’t an English T.V. Series fan. He would’ve hardly watched a few episodes of F.R.I.E.N.D.S and he hates the HP series. Well, in my defense, I had tried. He is more of a Die Hard or Gladiator fan. He painstakingly watched one episode with me and there was no looking back. It is still etched in my heart for it was one of those moments when I was so proud of myself. No kidding!
I was back home by 4 pm after my morning shift at work and he was found in front of the laptop glued to the series. He hadn’t even changed his PJs, didn’t have lunch but was jumping with joy for having watched two seasons of 10 episodes each. He had to leave the next day, and believe me when I say we never went out but watched two more seasons.
Two months ago, before the Seventh Season started airing on television (Yes! It is back after a year long wait!), he surprised me by gifting the entire book set of Game of Thrones. There are seven books in total which has been covered in the first five television series. It’s sad that the author George R. R. Martin hasn’t written any more books since 2011 and the television series is ongoing. Maybe, that’s why it has got such a huge fan follwing. Nobody- not the book lovers, not the television series lovers, knows how the story is moving and who will finally win the Game of Thrones. The fans go crazy trying to predict each move of each of the characters and Man, it is bloody brilliant!
This is one of the topics which P and I discuss in length and breadth, for hours together, day and night. This is one thing we could binge-watch together. This is one thing which both of us love. The book set comes with a map of Westeros – the continent where the fictional world of Game of Thrones takes place.
If you prefer the television series, you will be sucked into this world with the signature GOT dramatic music, taking you through all the lands mentioned in this map. It gives you an exact idea of all the kingdoms and it is pretty close to the map featured from the books. You should read a Plot Synopsis here.
Here’s a gist: From the track, you can clearly understand that Winterfell is in the north, King’s Landing is in the southeast, and there’s a big wall of ice in the far north. The kingdom of Westeros extends between Dorne in the south and the lands beyond the wall. Westeros was once divided into several independent kingdoms before the start of the Targarean King Aegon’s Conquest. After the war, all the regions south of the Wall were united under the rule of House Targaryen into a nation known as the Seven Kingdoms.
In short, The Seven Kingdoms is a realm of Westeros, ruled by the Lord of the Seven Kingdoms. This is the king who sits on the famous Iron Throne in the capital city of King’s Landing. And the story is about who would sit on the Iron Throne to rule. Phew! That wasn’t difficult!
We have painstakingly gone through each and every detail of this painfully detailed map, making this fantasy novel feel like studying a history text book from high school. Many claims that the map is based on the British Isles. There are many interactive Westoros Maps available online helping you learn and understand the geography.
Here’s a confession: I love Harry Potter and my first instinct was to write about the Marauder’s Map. But I could never find myself as a ‘Potterhead’ – if you know what I mean. I have forgotten the names of many characters, the magic spells, and potions. And for once I can call myself a true blue fan of a book/TV series – Game of Thrones. P and I have/can come up with the best of predictions and know for a fact that Jon Snow is a Mormont. Yeah! Kill us now! 🙂
P.S: If this comes true (not in the TV series for sure, but in the books), you know you’ve read it first here on Kohl Eyed Me.
P.P.S: My chest swells with pride when he convinces his friends to watch the series and turn them into GOT fans as well.
P.P.P.S: He hasn’t read even one page of the book and I know he never will! So you know who willl come up with ‘intelligent’ predictions in a discussion that often leads to an argument! 😛
Tell me, have you watched/read Game of Thrones? Do you know the Westeros Map in and out? We’ve found this quiz on the Westeros Map, at BuzzFeed. You know what our scores are! Beat it!
‘I am taking part in The Write Tribe Festival of Words #6‘. On Day 1 we wrote about a treasure. On Day 2 we wrote about a resource. The prompt for today is to write about a feature a map and write about a place either real or virtual.
Today morning I had a chat with my bestfriend, and she was literally threatening me to watch the whole series. And I haven’t even watched a single episode till date.
I’m trying to watch GOT since 2014, on season 5 at the moment! I’m at a very good place right when the Queen is ….!
I have a notion too, just by the title of the books, will share cos, after all no matter how much of GOT fan I’m not, the series are globally a hit!
Loved your take on the prompt!
Winter is coming – in two months. 🙂
I tried watching GOT once, but it wasn’t my cup of tea. After reading this, I think I should start watching it. My friends are all going gag over it, may be I should give it one more try.
I enjoy the visual design and broadcast of the tv series GOT, but I prefer the books for the depth and detail. And, as I type this comment, I am waiting for my son to come back with popcorn so we can finish watching HP Prisoner of Azkaban for the umpteenth time. Again, I prefer the books. 😉
The name of the series does seem familiar, T. I might have read it. It does sound interesting.
I love it when fiction takes over people’s lives– it’s magical, isn’t it? I’ve read GOT but can’t bring myself to watch it.
It’s always fun to stumble upon a new “love” you can share with your one love!
Game of Thrones / GOT or GO are like Greek and Latin to me. I have never watched any such series. And I assure I will never watch in future too. But your post is well described that I should confess I had a second thought. Hope I withstand my principle….. he he ….
Hi Shalzzz,
Super interesting post.
I’m one of the few people who have neither read, nor watched GOT. 🙈
Now, I have to confess, I’m tempted.
I’ll get back to you after watching one episode. 🤗
You and I are in sync 😆 I love the starks so much… The latest episode was so funny and so filled it’s emotions. I have read till the third book. I wanted to read the books first before watching the series. After 3rd I just watched the series. It was too much of a wait. I loved the fantastically cruel and shocking world of GoT is.
I am a big GOT fan & I see myself sometimes at the places meeting the characters in my dreams (Well, seems like too much GOT reading & watching right before bed) For day 3, I too have written about a day when I was at king’s Landing. Please do read.
I have read GOT and I am waiting for the epic to end .If George Martin doesn’t write it it’s going to be horrible. I don’t watch GOT because I am still irritated at how it’s concluding .If you have completed the book you will know what I mean.!
I am a huge fan of fantasy fiction but I just couldnt get around to reading George R R Martin – I did picvk up one book but….
And no I havent even gotten into the televised series at all. I think I found it to be too dark and maabre with everyone killing off everyone!!
Not me, but my son is a fan…and sont understand muxh of it… but feom your post it really seems to bean interesting one. So never say never… may be i will take it up! Ithink i will start wid d books
Anagha feom Team Mocktailmommies.
https://mocktailmommies.blogapot.com
Game of Throne is like rocket science for me. The only thing that I am a crazy fan is Harry Potter and love it like anything. I need to catch up with some desi web series which is the real thing in India. Need to get on with some good English TV.
Heard a lot about it. Quite interesting it seems.
Game of Thrones is on my wish list and I hope to watch it sometimes soon. This is one series which has taken the world by storm and everywhere, everyone is talking about it.
What a captivating piece, Shalini! I have the GoT box set but haven’t read it yet. Planning to do so soon as it takes a tremendous amount of patience.
What a lovely post – i love how happy you are sharing this with us, and writing about it 🙂 it must be wonderful to share this with your partner.
I haven’t read or watched a single episode. The few mins i have caught on T.V while browsing haven’t caught my fancy, frankly.
My cousin bro & his wife are huge fans, and have been recommending it to me as well, and now you have written such a lovely post. Looks like i will have to watch a few episodes for myself now 🙂
Trust me Shalini, you’ve earned my respect even more today. There is a saying that GOT unites people and I’ve seen that many-a-times. Now I know, apart from blogging what all we can discuss whenever we meet in person. I remember when I watched 3 seasons of GOT in a stretch and slept in the office, the next day. 😛
People can talk for hours on GOT. And am a proud GOT Fan. 😀