A Feast For Crows - The split, the reasoning doesn't make sense!

[MSBorba]

Originally Posted by Culhwch

Where do you get this info from, MSBorba? I was under the impression that the decision was a mutual one between George and his publishers, with George, if anyone, pushing for a geographic rather than chronilogical split. Or at least preferring the geographic split....

Culhwch,

After reading your reply, I went back and re-read Martin's update...you are absolutely correct. My bad. I mis-read his statement below.

"We decided not to do that. It was my feeling -- and I pushed hard for this, so if you don't like the solution, blame me, not my publishers -- that we were better off telling all the story for half the characters, rather than half the story for all the characters."

Since it was indeed Martin's push to split the novel by region/POV, I'm with Aryaunderfoot. There is no reason to feel Martin won't produce two books which we will all find fantastic reads. I am glad Culhwch's reply made me re-read Martin's update.

[Sword of the Morning]

the whole split issue does not seem concering as long as the next book comes out early 2006.

[Duff_Omathum]

At first, I wasn't too keen on the split idea, but over time I've come to agree that this is good thing from both a narative perspective and a marketing one.

From a story-telling standpoint, I think splitting the book according to characters is in line with his POV driven style and certainly has precident. Tolkien split his LoTR into parts Frodo&Sam (East) The Rest of the Fellowship (West), and there are other great series out there which are essentially set in the same timeline but from different perspectives.

From a marketing standpoint, it seems a slam-dunk too. I expect we, the fans, are going to be hopping up and down awaiting the 'the other half' of the tale. To NOT buy it would be like chips without the sauce.

He's a sneaky old coger Mr GRRM!

[Boaz]

How does everyone feel now?

Personally, I feel MSBorba was right... it's good, but I feel cheated without the chronological story.

[ChasenFate]

I enjoyed the story overall, I do wish some of the other POV's were in there. We just need to have faith that Martin did the right thing.

[Cssndra]

I'm with Boaz, I feel kinda cheated too. Not good with waiting for sequels!

[Culhwch]

I'm happy with it. I thought the story advanced sufficiently, and I didn't really 'miss' any of the off-screen characters. I'm still dying to know what's happening in the North and across the sea, but unlike a lot of you, Tyrion and Dany, and even Jon to some extent, are far down my list of fave PoVs... Even a little Martin is a lot, I feel. We should be thankful that George didn't just keep holding off, and gave us such a wonderful book.

[asdar]

I want more but even with the whole book I'd feel the same.

I liked the book a lot. Every time I think back on a section I get a whole pile of new conspiracies going through my head.

[Boaz]

Keep sharing them, asdar.

Folks don't get me wrong, I liked the book. I kinda feel my complaints are like going to the Oscars with Halle Berry and thinking Did she put highlights in her hair?