In Defense of George R.R. Martin Never Finishing the Last Two ‘Game of Thrones’ Novels

If you’ve read Game of Thrones, you know the series is actually called A Song of Ice and Fire—Game of Thrones was merely the first novel in the collection. You also know that Sansa never actually marries Ramsey, Barristan Selmy is still alive and Lady Stoneheart is kicking grotesque ass in the Riverlands. Quite different from the HBO show.

But if you haven’t been keeping up with the show and only read the books, you still think Jon Snow is dead. 

Spoiler alert: He’s back, baby. And no thanks to George R.R. Martin. Though Martin penned the first five novels between 1996 and 2011, the last two have been forthcoming for what feels like forever now. The internet has been begging Martin to stop procrastinating (this vid from Corey Palmer is so, so funny) and get back to work. They’ve even begun speculating that his upcoming Dublin World Con appearance will include a Winds of Winter announcement (even though he said it won’t).

But here’s why it’s time to cut Martin a break: Why should he finish the novels at this point? He gave David Benioff and D.B. Weiss a glorious running start, and now, they’ve already proven their ability to craft original material with seasons five through seven (yes, I’m fully aware that there were eight seasons…).

Yes, Mom always said you should finish what you start, but what if someone with great credentials takes it over for you, does a (mostly) fabulous job and still gives you tons of credit…I’d be like, shut up, Mom, you don’t understand the nuance of this ideal situation.

I know, I know. You GoT heads will be all up in arms with the Old and the New about this take. And, not to be all High Sparrow about this, but I was once like you. I really, really wanted to read the next two novels penned by the master himself. But as time has gone on, I just…don’t care as much. 

And it’s no wonder the author hasn’t had time to finish Winds of Winter—dude just finished a 700-page history on House Targaryen. And even though he did recently promise he would, in fact, finish the books, the whole delay has been gnawing at him.

But I’m sick of 70-year-old Martin feeling sad. I want George R.R. Martin, creator of some of my favorite content of all time to be happy!

So, George. I’m here to tell you that this gal thinks it’s OK to put the pen down. Your work very much lives on its own. Take a break. Or write another thousand pages on the Children of the Forest. The point is George, you do you.