Choosing the Right Series to Read First: A Song of Ice and Fire, The Lord of the Rings, and The Godfather

When deciding which series to read first among A Song of Ice and Fire, The Lord of the Rings, and The Godfather, consider your personal preferences for genre themes and reading style. Each of these works offers a unique experience that can shape your reading journey.

Overview of Each Series

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

Genre: High Fantasy Themes: Friendship, heroism, the struggle between good and evil, and the impact of power Style: Epic narrative with rich world-building and deep lore Recommendation: Enjoy immersive worlds, adventure, and classic storytelling

A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin

Genre: Epic Fantasy Themes: Political intrigue, power struggles, morality, and the complexity of human nature Style: Gritty and realistic, with multiple perspectives and unpredictable plot twists Recommendation: Prefer darker themes, intricate plots, and character-driven stories

The Godfather by Mario Puzo

Genre: Crime Fiction Themes: Family loyalty, power, and the American Dream Style: Focuses on the Mafia and organized crime, with a strong narrative about family dynamics and moral dilemmas Recommendation: Interested in crime stories and character studies centered on family and power

The Recommended Order

Start with The Lord of the Rings: For its foundational impact on fantasy and engaging story.

Follow with A Song of Ice and Fire: For a more modern and complex take on fantasy.

End with The Godfather: If you’re in the mood for a compelling crime narrative.

Ultimately, consider what themes and styles resonate with you most to make your choice!

Why the Order Matters

The writing style of The Godfather is a bit more towards pulp but it is still dense in terms of events and their emotional impact. Starting with this book can help 'warm up' your emotions in a different way. It’s not too long, but the emotional resonance, the world, and the writing will start to define your preferences, similar to how The Lord of the Rings and A Song of Ice and Fire do. If you don’t start with The Godfather, you might struggle to appreciate the unique emotional depth and narrative complexity of the other two.

The Lord of the Rings trilogy requires a bit of a break in between the second and third book. Tolkien is incredible at gently orienting the reader into all these different things, and you won't even notice it. While I personally found some stretches of the trilogy boring, the mechanics and effects are still strong. What's important is that you take a break between the second and third volume to let the first one sink in and to recharge.

A Song of Ice and Fire series, partly because it is ongoing and partly because it builds on some of the ideas set up in The Lord of the Rings, but then does a twist or left turn or divorces itself from these things, is its own world, with its own authorship. Taking a break between the second and third book of A Song of Ice and Fire would be beneficial. This series is high-quality material, but it’s different from the previous two, with some elements that might be less enjoyable. However, these are minimized, and the awesome stuff is maximized, which is part of the series’ beauty.

By following this order, you can experience a harmonious reading journey that gradually builds and unfolds the different worlds and stories.