A Game of Thrones question

yes, it certainly will ruin the full joy which u can experience from reading book.
It's all about the interpretation of characters and the world they live in.
When reading book you get your own interpretation, how characters look, what's the atmosphere in books, important locatons, motivation behind actions of characters and etc... when you watch tv show u basically see the world how others have seen it, which will probably be substansialy different from one you wiuld have imagined.

I hope this makes at least some sense.

I watched the whole first season before I started A Game of Thrones. I then went on to read A Clash of Kings and am really looking forward to Season 2. I loved the extra depth the book gives, and HBO has been pretty faithful to both the spirit and action. They've also done a pretty good job of matching actors to characters. The one thing that was a little difficult to merge in my head was the ages of some of the younger characters in the book versus their portrayal on screen. I really enjoyed both print and screen versions, and I never expect film to slavishly follow the word. The TV series is really well done, I recommend it. Plus, GRRM is heavily involved in it.

This is one of those rare occasions where I watched the series first and then started reading the books. There are things you won't know/understand unless you read the books, but I'm so hooked on this series that I go back and watch it and rewatch it over and over again. I'm in the fourth book now and loving it. Can't wait for the second season of the series too!

I have started to read the books after watching the TV series. Well for the first book and it is way more interesting. I would advise to read before watching. :)
It will be "funny" to oppose your imagination to the adaptation.

I read the books before watching the series, that said, I thought the show did a wonderful job adapting the story and the heart of the book. I loved the nuances the show added to the minor characters and I have to say I love the intro with the 3D map.

As mentioned earlier though, some things may be unclear to you while watching the series unless you've read the book.

I recommend reading the book and watching the show at the same time. i.e. read a couple hundred pages, then watch the episode that corresponds with that particular part of the story, you'll get a fresh comparison of both perspectives and the differences will compliment each other as you continue the story.

I haven't read the book yet, but I watched the series. However, I do own the book, and I skimmed a few pages here and there, and I actually lines upon lines of dialogue that were spoken in the show. I've never seen a closer adaptation. Lol. I don't think it will ruin my experience.

I watched the series first, and then read the book, and actually, they really complimented each other. Sure, I knew how it would end, but the book (as books do) had a lot of little asides and snippets of info that the show couldn't include, so the book became like "the directors cut" and ended up enhancing my experience.

It worked out so well, I'm waiting for season 2 before reading A Clash of Kings.

No, watching the series first is good for a number of reasons:
1) There's lots of characters to keep track of, and their names can blur into each other - the series puts names to so many of those faces that it becomes a lot easier to follow.
2) The core plot of the book is followed in the series and done very well, but the book contains a lot more than is in the series, so reading it second is like watching an extended edition. Reading it first, the only benefit to watching the series is seeing some of the book acted out.
3) Starting a multi-volume series often hurts your motivation to continue on, as the end (or current place) of the series seems so far away, but watching the TV series will not only motivate you to keep reading, but also let you take breathers where you don't feel you have to catch up until the next season comes out - which it will, unlike when you put down other long series, maybe to never come back to.

Normally I like to read the book first. To be honest, though, I think this time I'd go with the opposite.

My reasoning is: the show is shallower and more reliant on its plot, so it's probably a good thing not to know the plot in advance. The book, on the other hand, has the plot, but also has more background, more thematic depth, more characterisation and so forth - so there's more of a clear reason to read the book even once you know what's going to happen.

Put it this way: would you rather read the book, then watch the series thinking "oh, they simplified that; oh, they skipped that bit; yeah, but they don't explain WHY that's significant or symbolic", etc etc; OR would you rather watch the show, and then read the book thinking "THAT'S what they meant; oh, I hadn't realised that; that puts an interesting new light on things" and so on?

Also, to get the complete experience you may want to experience one version, then the other, and then go back to the first for what you missed - and it's easier and quicker to watch the show, read the book, and then watch the show again.

Plus, personally I found that the book was rather dull, and I didn't really get into it until near the end; the series being less of an investment, it's probably easier to get to the good bit of the series, and that'll make it easier to read the book - when you know there's something worth reading on for.

[I think the series was probably better than the book - but I expect that future seasons won't match future books, since as I recall they get considerably better.]

EDIT: I should say, the show is very close to the books so far, so watching the show WILL spoil important plot points in the first book (just as reading the book will spoil you for the show). So if you can't stand being spoiled and you never read a book more than once, don't watch (or don't read). But, as I say, if you're not allergic to spoilers, I think you can watch the show and still enjoy reading the book, which is kind of like an "HBO's Game of Thrones: The Annotated Edition" version.

I've always read the book and then watched the adaptation.
But with A Game of Thrones, I watched the TV series before reading the book, and I regret it!
Reading after watching was not the same book experience for me. I knew in advance the main plot, and sometimes I thought the book was too slow, and I got uninterested to go on with some chapters, because I knew exactly what was going to happen (some parts of the series were very loyal to the book. So, I took longer than usual to read the book.
Another thing is that it was harder to imagine the characters with my own mind, with the author description. I got completely spoiled by the actors of the series.

You should read them, but if you don't want to and you choose to watch first--or you could do them symetrically. That would be awesome. Like read a chapter, see an episode. Anyways, the TV series is incredible (for a TV series) and quite true to the book, but the books are SO. GOOD.

The show is what got me interested in reading the books. My daughter bought the set and when she is done reading it will be my turn.

Hurin,

Renly and Loras are gay in the books too; it's pretty clear without being openly stated. Google it and you can find page references. A lot of the extra scenes like the Loras/Renly ones were inserted, in consultation with George RR Martin, to say more simply and directly something that (with no time/space constraints) could be said more subtly in the books.

This is 2012. The only trend is that people are becoming less and less worried about being openly homosexual, or depicting homosexual relationships in TV, film, etc. Which is exactly as it should be. Art is reflecting life, like always.

I think it was hinted at that the relationship between Renly and Loras are a bit closer than simply buddies, though it has never been explicitly mentioned that they are gay perhaps because the gay stereotype in that world doesn't exist as it does in ours. Read some of the theories floating around at towerofthehand.com..

The TV series is VERY similar to the book; almost word-for-word, scene-for-scene at times.
However, if the book looks too long or challenging or daunting and you worry you may not be able to follow the storyline because there are like 10 plot-lines happening simultaneously, watch the series first because it may be easier to follow when you read the book when you know what the general storyline is.
There are also bits in the TV series that are actually from A Clash of Kings (like the ending of the series), or bits that you don't really find out about in A Game of Thrones but happen later on, like Renly and Loras - it's in the TV series, but not in Book 1.

I guess it's too late to comment on this thread, but they are a few things in the tv series that will "spoil" some aspects of book 2.
I read the book first and then watched the show (it was hard to restrain myself, but it was worth it). The show did not disappoint me, but it does give little things away for what's to come, and show pointless violence and sex. The book has a lot of violence and sex, but it's always with a purpose, not just to show lesbian sex in the background while a character is talking.
Apparently, season 2 will spoil some things of book 3 as well, just to show more of some characters :(

I watched the show, which made me wanna read the books. I would say that it made them better as I had faces to put to the characters.

Watching the show on tv made me curious to know what would happen next, so I ended up reading book 2,3,4 and 5 and there is still books 6 and 7 on their way to be published. That would not stop me from watching the upcoming series next spring. I am actually looking forward to see how good they are going to be by adapting these books visually.

It Will Not Ruin Your Reading Experience But I Personally Enjoyed The Series More Than The Book.The TV Series Has Many Extra Scenes Which Are A Treat To Watch!!A Game of ThronesGeorge R.R. Martin

I started watching the series when I was 70% through the book. It was great to put a face to the name and I loved watching parts I just read, so it made the read even more interesting.

I watched the series first and that made me want to read the books. So I would say watch and enjoy

I read and watched at the same time, doing an episode, catching up and reading further, catching up on the show if I read ahead. I think watching the show enabled me to better picture things that might not have made sense. Oh, and pronouncing their names became a lot easier.

I don't think it will ruin your experience, but I read the book first & couldn't wait for the series!! I was so glad I read it first, but I was worried the series wouldn't be as good!! but the series is good; they do a pretty good job. Can't wait for the next to start, but I'm still reading that book! LOL

Somehow, I was not aware of the books until the series was coming to air. I loved the series, then read the books which only made me like the series more. I have watched again since completing the first four books and have to say that they really do complement each other very nicely! I don't think it much matters which order you go with, they are both so very good!

That being said, I have had a great time following the casting news and previews of Season 2. I really love the casting of the new characters in most cases. I'm on the fence about a couple but more than willing give them a chance. I'm very interested to see how the timeline is handled from season 2 forward considering the way the books are written.

It won't ruin it if you appreciate great storytelling. In fact, reading the book AFTER you watch the series (or some of it) will help you appreciate George R.R. Martin's genius all the more. Here's my take on how this series grabs a reader by the throat, and why it won't let him go: http://bit.ly/HJiHyL

Books provide everything in way more graphic representation, so, naturally, it is recommended that the books are read first. Also, when you do watch the series, if anything has been changed, you can go: "Hah! I know what actually happened!" :)

No way!!! If anything its a rather nice visual representation of the book. In fact I'm going to try and read the books in time with the series, because I think the books are a bit intense!!! Have fun! :)

I would naturally read the books first as they are the original, than proceed with the series which is the adaptation. Good as it is, series is still far inferior to the books if you are not some visual freak.

I can't see it ruining it as such, but you'll notice incongruities between the two whichever way round you do it. I'm of the opinion that you always do whichever one came first, so as the book came first, read the book first. That way, you're not reading the book wondering "wheres so-and-so that was in the series", instead you watch the series and think "hey, he shouldn't be in it yet", which is a nicer way round in my mind.

I watched the show first then read the book. Since the show follows the show so well it didn't matter too much. But it could alter your perceptions of some characters and/or events.
But don't worry too much about it if you watch it first.

Oh dear God no. Adaptations are always good, mainly because they give you a chance to see something you enjoyed or found inspiring adapted into a visual medium. Even when the result is a letdown, its still exciting, and let's face it, most of the time people do feel let down because changes are made, things are left out, things are put in. You can never totally faithful, but something that is faithful to the theme and spirit of a book is always good to see.

There are some things in the show that maybe you won't be able to understand if you don't know the background story that the book offers... however if you watch the show first, it will help you to remember better the characters and places.

I know some people who say they weren't as interested in reading the book after watching the show because they already knew what was going to happen... so if you are ok with reading a book knowing "spoilers" and that doesn't affect your interest in the book, then go ahead, why not, watch the series...

Anyway i think it's better to read the book first and then watch the series.

you cant compare the depth of the books to the tv series. read the book first definitely.

It is normally my preferred option to read the book before watching an adaptation. However in this case I did do it the other way round, and it worked out fine. I think having seen it on screen probably did help me keep a good idea of the huge host of characters and places from the beginning. There was only one small part which I didn’t understand (view spoiler)[the crow (hide spoiler)] from viewing first.

Reading the book second, gave more depth and explanation to the story and as there are 6 books I enjoyed being able to carry on reading further into the story which gave me more motivation to continue reading, even though the first book was familiar and didn’t have that many suprises.

No, it wouldn't. I've started reading the book while watching the series and the worst thing that happened, if you can call it so, was that it helped me put some faces behind the characters. Both, book and series, are excellent.

I almost always, given the choice read the book after i watch the adaptation because 95% of the time the adaptation is awful in comparison. This is not one of those instances. The adaptation is so close to the book that you can practically read along. Obviously some things are skipped because of time constraints and the ages of some of the characters are altered (seeing thirteen year-olds having sex is not kosher).

I'm four hundred pages into the fourth book. This past weekend I watched the first season again, and I enjoyed it just as much. The names the characters are relentlessly referencing are known to me now, and that gives me a feeling of investment. Can't wait for season two.

Definitely read the books first. There are a number of shocks and surprises that will be ruined for you if you watch the show before reading the books--well the first volume at least. I'd much rather experience those when reading. The show is great for seeing the story come to life and also for figuring some stuff out that can be a bit obscure in the book.

I think so. I read Game of Thrones and then immediately watched the HBO series. It's a book and a series that is a lot more fun when using your imagination while reading. The series is great to watch afterwards because it is true to the book, in my opinion. Only now when you read the remaining books you might have the actors and scenery in your mind.

I read the book first(finished Jan 31'12). Now my hubby and I are going through the TV series. Surprisingly I found the series actually helped me understand a few points in the book that I didn't get. I think it was the visual of things that I didn't get just reading about it. :)

I'm a person who reads books before seeing the movies and/or television shows. That said...

I have a friend who loved season one and so I twisted his arm into reading the book. Mind you, he's not a reader AT ALL. Surprise, he loved the book. Couldn't put it down. He said having seen the show first made it easier to keep the characters straight in his head, he had a visual representation of each person. A lot of little stuff made more sense to him; no matter how good the show is, it still cut out some of the little details and changed others for the sake of television. Reading the book enriched his experience of the material and I think he prefers the books but still adores the show. He went on to read "Clash of Kings" and devoured it because he wanted to be caught up before season 2 aired.

I didn't know it was based on a book series when I first started watching the show. And of course once I learned that I got the books and have read up to book 3 so far. Personally I think the show does the book justice. It is pretty close to the source material. Of course there are things omitted and things changed like the ages of some characters, but not to the detriment of the show. I think you can read book prior to show or show before book and still thoroughly enjoy them both. If anything watching the series first and then reading the book made the book more exciting for me. Just my opinion though.

Read first and watch scond. The golden rule of reading.

More like : Reading the book first will ruin the series. :)

It won't ruin your enjoyment, but watching an adaptation is never the same as reading the book, so I'd read first then watch.

watching the series is really only necessary if you don't have an imagination.

It won't "ruin" your experience of the book if you watch the show first, but I would highly recommend you hold off until you've read the books first. I imagine the show isn't nearly as good without having read them first.