George R.R. Martin, author of The Song of Ice and Fire books, recently stated he doesn't understand why some fans get upset over spoilers.
His remarks come shortly after the creators of HBO's Game of Throne TV series, based on Martin's books, announced that the TV series would spoil the last few books.
Of course, fans of both the TV show and the books knew this day was coming: Martin is notorious for being a slow writer, having taken nearly six years to publish the latest book in the series, A Dance With Dragons. The HBO show produces a new season of Game of Thrones every year, covering the events from one book each season.
However, this season, we'll see events from two books on the series, A Feast For Crows and A Dance With Dragons. Martin wrote those books in a way that events happen at the same time during them, so it makes sense that the HBO series will put those stories together in chronological order.
Fortunately, there will be no spoilers for Martin's book fans this season.
"We're not really beyond the books yet," says Benioff. "Thinking about the first scene of the season and the last scene of the season, it's all still within the novels, so you're still mostly safe."
However, with next season, the sixth for the TV series, all bets are off. The show's creators and writers have met with Martin and know what happens next in the books (mostly). So unless Martin gets the next book in the series, Winds of Winter, published before season six airs, the show will contain spoilers.
However, Martin doesn't understand the fuss over spoilers anyway, and recently said so.
"This whole concept of spoilers is one that I've never gotten," says Martin. "Yes, there's a pleasure when you're reading a book, or watching a television show - What will happen next? Who will win? Who will lose? But that is by no means the only reason to watch a movie or a television show. It's not the only reason to read a book."
Martin went on to compare the concept of spoilers with his love for historical fiction, saying that although he knows how the Civil War ends, he still enjoys reading about it.
Of course, there's hope we'll see Winds of Winter soon. Martin recently cancelled several of his upcoming convention appearances to work on the novel, and even teased that he could finish it soon.
[Photo Credit: HBO]
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