Beyond the Wall by James Lowder



Published June 19, 2012 by Smart Pop

egalley for review from netgalley
3 stars

Goodreads Review
Foreword by New York Times bestselling author R.A. Salvatore

Go beyond the Wall and across the narrow sea with this collection about George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, from A Game of Thrones to A Dance with Dragons.

The epic game of thrones chronicled in George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series has captured the imaginations of millions of readers. In Beyond the Wall, bestselling authors and acclaimed critics offer up thought-provoking essays and compelling insights:

Daniel Abraham reveals the unique challenges of adapting the original books into graphic novels.
Westeros.org founders Linda Antonsson and Elio M. García, Jr., explore the series’ complex heroes and villains, and their roots in the Romantic movement.
Wild Cards contributor Caroline Spector delves into the books’ controversial depictions of power and gender.

Plus much more, from military science fiction writer Myke Cole on the way Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder shapes many of the leading characters to author and television writer Ned Vizzini on the biases against genre fiction that color critical reactions to the series.

Review:  I am a huge fan of the Song of Ice and Fire series.  I think it's absolutely brilliant and by far the best epic fantasy I have ever read.  The characters are complex and they live in a rich world with long running history, religions, and cultures (not to mention some fantastic geography, the backbone of any good fantasy in my opinion).  I love discussing the different themes and events that occur in the series so I was very interested in this collection of essays about the popular series.  However, we get kind of a mixed bag.  Some of the essays are thought provoking and worth the read, but others just felt like filler. 

A word of warning, do NOT read this book if you haven't read the first five books in the series!  These are discussion essays and will contain major spoilers!

My favorite essay in the collection is probably The Brutal Cost of Redemption in Westeros by Susan Vaught.  This essay talks about how seemingly good characters, such as Robb Stark, make terrible choices due to lack of foresight and are forced to pay the consequences.  The essay also looks at characters that start off unlikable, such as Sansa Stark or Jamie Lannister, adapt to their situation and struggle towards redemption, often having to make terrible sacrifices in order to do so.

Other notable essays in the book are An Unreliable World by Adam Whitehead, which discusses how over time events can be skewed and exaggerated, with average men being made into heroes and demons.  I especially enjoyed the discussion of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen and the uncertain truth to their relationship. 

In Of Direwolves and Gods by Andrew Zimmerman Jones we look at the different religions that are present in the Song of Ice and Fire series.  It analyzes the influence of these religions on Westeros society and also compares them to modern religion's influence on today's society as well.  The end point is summed up quite nicely in a quote from Varys "Power resides where men believe it resides.  no more and no less."

And finally in the essay A Different Kind of Other by Brent Hartner we look at the role of outcasts in ASoIaF.  Through this essay we realize that many of the main characters are viewed as unnatural or minority in some way - Arya and Brienne defy feminine social norms; Jon Snow the bastard; Tyrion the dwarf; Bran who is disabled; and Daenerys the literal outcast queen.  This essay looks at how people who don't conform to social expectations can develop into the strongest and most heroic characters of all.

There are other essays that touch on subjects of rape and feminism, post traumatic stress disorder, the use of magic in Westeros, and more publishing business topic such as adapting the books into graphic novels and a television show, the collection of prequel novels, the future of publishing in a digital age, and the expectations of the fantasy genre as a whole.  These essays are interesting, but not really stand out.

Overall the collection is just ok.  There are a few interesting points, but most of the essays are disappointing.  I would recommend this collection to the true die hard fan who really wants to dive into more thematic discussions but would say pass to the more casual reader.