Look, I want to read The Winds of Winter as much as anyone. A Song of Ice and Fire is a masterpiece and one of my favorite fantasy book series, right next to Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn. And while Game of Thrones‘ ending gives us some idea of where it’s headed, I’d love nothing more than to experience George R.R. Martin’s true vision for the last two books.
But no matter how much any of us would like to return to Martin’s world, the harsh truth is that he doesn’t owe us that. It’s no secret that The Winds of Winter has been delayed for a long time, and we’ve all heard the complaints about it — Martin included. These range from lighthearted jokes to increasingly troublesome remarks.
Martin himself has repeatedly addressed The Winds of Winter‘s 13-year delay, even calling it “the curse of his life.” It’s clear that the author would like the sequel — and A Song of Ice and Fire in general — to be finished. And with any luck, we’ll get a long-awaited positive update about The Winds of Winter in the near future.
However, even if that doesn’t happen, it’ll have to be enough. When and if Martin releases The Winds of Winter is completely up to the author and his publisher. Fans are entitled to their feelings about that, but they aren’t entitled to make those feelings Martin’s problem. In the end, no artist owes us their work — and exhibiting harmful behavior towards creators won’t change that.
Unfinished Stories Are Frustrating, But We Aren’t Owed Art – Even The Winds Of Winter
The Winds of Winter has regularly sparked online debates over whether artists owe anyone their work, and ultimately, the answer is no. While some creators may feel a sense of duty to their audience, that’s not a given. They call the shots when it comes to their creations, and that extends to how long they take to release them — and if they release them at all.
Beyond whatever agreements Martin has made with his publisher, there’s no requirement for the author to finish his series or turn his sequel around in a certain amount of time. Frustrations about that are probably inevitable, but they’re not an excuse to make personal jabs at the author or speculate about his future.
And it’s worth noting that such commentary isn’t going to make The Winds of Winter release faster. Martin opened up about his writing struggles in a 2024 Not a Blog post, admitting that the state of the world had him feeling “fury and despair.” He revealed he wasn’t finding “solace” in penning Winds or Blood & Fire, which is a good sign that he should take his time.
For one, Martin’s well-being comes first, and he should prioritize personal endeavors or more pressing writing projects if that’s what he wants to do. Additionally, it’s doubtful that forcing himself through The Winds of Winter will result in a strong book. And ultimately, that’s what everyone wants, no matter how long it takes to get there.
A Song Of Ice And Fire Is Better Off Than Most Stalled Book Series
A Song of Ice and Fire isn’t the only fantasy book series to stall over the years, though readers should be grateful for one thing: at least Martin’s story received a finished TV adaptation. Even if it’s not quite the same as getting the next two books, it does offer closure. Not every unfinished series gets that.
While Martin’s updates suggest he still intends to finish The Winds of Winter, Game of Thrones’ ending is a great way for fans to tide themselves over until the proper continuation of the novels. With Martin giving the showrunners the major story beats, there isn’t so much urgency surrounding the next installment either.
We can probably guess how A Dance With Dragons‘ cliffhanger resolves based on the HBO series — and we can anticipate what’s next for certain characters. But even if that weren’t the case, it still wouldn’t justify the way Martin’s been treated when it comes to The Winds of Winter.
Source: Not a Blog
- Publisher(s)
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Bantam Spectra
- Author(s)
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George R. R. Martin
- Genre(s)
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Fantasy
