Beyond the Wall: Exploring George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire, From A Game of Thrones to A Dance with Drago [NOOK Book]

An essential companion to Martin¿s A Song of Ice and Fire series

Beyond the Wall is a collection of essays delving into George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire books and also touches on the television series and the graphic novel adaptation. It comes from Smart Pop books, which over the last few years has been publishing a line of books that in their words offers “fresh, engaging nonfiction titles on the best of pop culture TV, books, and film, with a particular focus on science fiction and fantasy television and literature.” This book tackles Martin’s fantasy series, and does an excellent job of going beneath the surface of his rich, multi-layered epic tale. It offers fourteen essays (not including the forward and introduction) that cover topics including the use of magic in the series, the moral ambiguity running rampant throughout the tale, the signs of post-traumatic stress disorder in several of the characters, and more.

The essays are all well written and I eagerly devoured each one for their eye-opening scrutiny of Martin’s complex tale, only to find myself wanting more when I reached the end (and hopefully Beyond the Wall 2 is currently in the works). Among the most enlightening were:

“Men and Monsters” – which looks at rape and violence in the story and how these are more than just gratuitous elements thrown in, but an essential part of the harsh world Martin has created.

“The Brutal Cost of Redemption in Westeros” – which looks at the rampant moral ambiguity we see in many of the characters in the tale.

“Of Direwolves and Gods” – and interesting exploration of the gods and mythology and their place in Westeros.

“A Sword Without a Hilt” – which looks at the sparse magic present in the tale that still plays an integral part of the overall story.

“Petyr Baelish and the Mask of Sanity” – a spot on character study of Littlefinger.

“Power and Feminism in Westeros” – an interesting look at how the women of the tale are more than just the objects of the brutal whims of the more dominant male characters.

These are among the ones the stood out to me most and stuck with me after reading them, but really it is hard to single out just a few of the essays because each one adds its own perspective on Martin’s vast, accomplished work.

Now some readers may cry foul on a few essays, believing that the author is not the one best suited to address that particular topic. For example, the essay on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (“Art Imitates War”), is not written by a member of the psychology or psychiatry professions. Yet the author did serve in the military and in the Iraq War, so he had first-hand experience with PTSD. And the author of “Of Direwolves and Gods” is more a student of math and science and less of mythology. Yet he, like all of the other authors of these essays, manages to speak authoritatively on his subject and presents well thought out arguments and analyses.

One very important thing to note about this collection for those with spoiler phobia, this book has plenty of reveals for what is coming, especially for those who have only watched the television series. If you hate spoilers, you may want to save this book until you have caught up to the most recent book (it covers through A Dance With Dragons). But no matter what, definitely get it on your reading list because I consider it an essential companion to Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series and I look forward to more editions that will hopefully delve even further into his masterpiece of fan

9 out of 10 people found this review helpful.

Great companion to ASOIAF!

Very well written and interesting insights. If you can't get enough of the world of Westeros then this is essential reading!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

How is it possible to sell a paperback cheaper than a nook editi

How is it possible to sell a paperback cheaper than a nook edition?

1 out of 11 people found this review helpful.

Silvermist to FireClan

A silvery queen walks into the remains of the camp. "This is why I dislike it when I don't visit often," she mutters to herself. "Cedarstar can't stay in one spot." She examines the leader's den, the warriors' den, and the apprentice den. Lastly, she searches the nursery. A flame colored kit, a jet black kit, and a stormy grey kit follow after her. Finding nothing, she turns to leave, then notices two fallen leaves on the ground near the nursery. She looks at the sky. "Steathfire, are you trying to tell me something?" She whispers. Calling to her kits, she starts to leave, then turns back to the clearing. "FireClan, wherever you are, hear me," she says. "I am at fallen leaves result two. Please, I beg you, contact me. I miss you guys." That said, she turns and dissappears into the shadows of the trees. Once she is gone, a pair of yellow eyes glint in the shadows. A brown tom steps forward into the light, but he is slightly transparent. He goes over to the two fallen leaves. A transparent third shimmers into existence. He looks at the sky, now shadowed with storm clouds. "It is time," he murmurs, and follows the queen.

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Iceheart to below

Runs over to her and gives her some herbs and dresses her wounds..."how did this happen?" She asked, helping lillysoul to the med den...

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Lilysoul

With her wounds helped, she began. "I used to belong to this clan. Fireclan. I had three kits and a mate named Smudgepelt. Do you know him?" She shuddered and went on. "My nook was taken away, then lost." Her face crumpled. "That was at the end of august. Now l found it, and l tracked you all to here." Tears trickled down her face, and she said no more.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Anyone miss me?

"anyone miss me?" russleflight

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

May I join?

I am a she cat with golden eyes and an amber/black pelt. I am mostly a warrior and hunter. I do not have a name, you can name me what e ver you like.

Sliver

To below. He paws at her back playfully. He ha silver fur.

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Onyx

13

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Lionclaw

Good good now i go to camp i brought a turkey for us to feed on

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Cedrsar

Silverstar. Go to the book where you asked for help.

0 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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