George R.R. Martin is the mastermind behind Game of Thrones and has never shied away from writing things that people find controversial. HBO’s hit show was adapted from his epic fantasy series, titled A Song of Ice and Fire, which was praised for its intricate world-building and shocking twists.
While fans and critics lauded his storytelling, they denounced the explicitness of his books, particularly the s*xual content. Despite some harsh and downright ugly criticism, Martin responded to all of it with a mix of grace, wisdom, and wit.
George R.R. Martin received criticism for the books that inspired Game of Thrones
When Game of Thrones first aired, some loved how the narrative and tension were built, while others condemned the s*x scenes. But George R.R. Martin had to deal with this even before his books were adapted into a TV show. In an interview with Grace Dent, the author revealed that he regularly received letters from readers who were against the s*xual content in his books.
Even with insults like “you’re just a dirty p*rnographer,” Martin kept his cool and wrote back to the readers with utmost respect and kindness. He would even apologize to his audience and ask them to “skip over the scenes” if they felt too inappropriate.
But despite such harsh criticism, Martin stands by his decision to include explicit scenes. He argues that they serve a purpose when it comes to plot and character development. Martin even mentioned J.R.R. Tolkien’s work, humorously questioning how Hobbits reproduce if s*x is never mentioned in The Lord of the Rings.
George R.R. Martin talks about the double standard in storytelling
In the interview, George R.R. Martin took the opportunity to bring our attention to a broader issue, i.e., the double standards surrounding s*x and violence in storytelling. He pointed out that while people are often fine with graphic violence, they are quick to condemn s*xual content.
What I never get any complaints about, of course, is the violence. And this is uniquely American here that I can describe, in exquisite detail, an axe entering a man’s skull and splattering blood and brains, not a peep. I describe a p*nis entering a v*gina in equivalent detail, and the world has ended.
Martin’s work, with its unflinching portrayal of both, often forces readers to face this disparity. He includes s*x to reflect the complexities of human nature, and it can challenge readers to question why they accept one form of explicitness but reject another. But ultimately, the author’s intention is only to create a world that feels real, with all its flaws and desires.
You can watch Game of Thrones on HBO Max.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
