George R R Martin Discussed The Design Differences Between His Vision And 'Game Of Thrones'

'Game Of Thrones' has taken the world by storm. With 60 Primetime Emmy Award nominations and 14 wins throughout its four seasons, the HBO fantasy drama has overtaken the popularity of the original books. Yet it still continues to gain fans every day, in part due to the show's viewers being desperate to discover what happens next; once you begin reading the books, however, it becomes clear that 'A Song of Ice and Fire''s world has more history that HBO suggests. 

George R.R. Martin at the cast of HBO's Game Of Thrones

The series' writer, George R R Martin has helpfully compiled much of that history in 'The World of Ice & Fire: The Untold History of Westeros and the Game of Thrones'. In promotion for the guide, Martin visited the New York cultural and community centre at 92nd Street Y, and answered questions about his fantasy world. While announcing that the HBO series is currently filming in Spain, Martin offered that "I think ['Game of Thrones' is] probably the best looking show on television". That said, it isn't what he originally intended the lands of Westeros to look like. He made this point by drawing attention to the iconic Iron Throne, and how his version from the books is uglier and bigger than the version 'Game of Thrones' viewers are familiar with. "It was put together by blacksmiths," he explains, "not by craftsmen and furniture manufacturers." 

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Giving credit where credit is due, however, Martin revealed that there were times when HBO's adaptation surpassed his own. "Their version of the High Hall of the Arryns with the Moon Door is the floor is probably better than my Moon Door, which is just a door set in a wall. 'Cos I didn't think of putting it in the floor. That was pretty cool." 

'Game of Thrones' is currently filming its fifth season, with the first episode due to air on 8th April, 2015. 'The World of Ice & Fire' was released on 28th October, 2014.

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