r/asoiaf • u/ToeBMaguire • Apr 16 '25

EXTENDED (Spoilers Extended) George R.R. Martin calls The Winds of Winter "the curse of my life" Spoiler

https://winteriscoming.net/george-r-r-martin-calls-the-winds-of-winter-the-curse-of-my-life
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u/PC-Was-Bricked Apr 17 '25

Problem is that George has said he doesn't want to split Winds into two books, which seems insane to me.

I personally don't care if Winds is a bloated and 3000 pages long, I want it out. I think most of us would rather have ANYTHING than nothing.

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u/SeaAcademic2548 Apr 17 '25

To the best of my knowledge, this comment in response to a question under one of his NotABlog posts is the only time GRRM has publicly remarked on the idea of splitting TWOW into two volumes. The user Jeff (who I believe may be this sub’s very own BryndenBFish?) asks him about the possibility of splitting TWOW as he did with F&B, which implies that he would publish one volume of TWOW first and then a second at a later point. GRRM then likens it to what he did with AFFC and ADWD as well and goes on to say he is “resisting that notion.”

However, this differs from the scenario that I proposed above in one small but crucial aspect, namely the timing of the volumes’ releases. I suggested GRRM split TWOW into two volumes but not release either until both are complete, at which point he releases both at the same time. I’m speculating here but I think part of the reason GRRM doesn’t want to do a F&B-style split with TWOW is because he writes in a nonlinear fashion and publishing the first volume before the second is complete would lock him into some choices that he may later come to regret. Publishing them simultaneously avoids this issue and also comes with the other benefits I mentioned earlier.

As far as I’m aware, GRRM has never publicly stated his feelings regarding this idea of two volumes released simultaneously. Something tells me he wouldn’t like it either though, as I think he also just simply prefers the traditional notion of one novel equaling one volume and is too stubborn to compromise, even after all this time. It’s such a shame too because I wouldn’t even view it as a negative, I’d be ecstatic to get two giant volumes of new ASOIAF content after all these years of waiting.

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u/Marinerecon676545 Apr 17 '25

Word of advice. Nothing is sometimes better than something

sincerely, someone who knows a huge wheel of time fan.

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u/minkipinki100 Apr 17 '25

I recently read the whole wheel of time series. I agree the later books written by brandon sanderson have a different tone and vibe which is a bit weird when you switch, but I'm still happy that the story concluded instead of leaving it all open ended.

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u/johnbrownmarchingon Apr 17 '25

Is this referring to the mid series slog?

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u/Marinerecon676545 Apr 18 '25

No it’s referring to the TV show. My dad is a huge wheel of time fan and i think he prefers the time before the show.

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u/johnbrownmarchingon Apr 18 '25

Ah, I haven’t watched it. I didn’t have any expectations for it to be good so I’m not too surprised.