Ive decided to do more of this challenge so this will be my 7 shows and books like Game Of Thrones and A Song Of Ice And Fire.
This obviously was very hard considering how Unique the series is but I came up with Shows and Books that have similar themes I believe.
*Once again I should Note that this is not in any particular order.
Tv Shows Like Game Of Thrones
Vikings
Lets get the obvious one out first. Vikings is a show on The History Channel that Chronicles the life of the Legendary Viking Warrior Ragnar Lothbrok and later on his sons. Based on the Icelandic sagas historians are divided on whether or not Ragnar Lodbrok was a real person however his sons certainly were real. The show follows Ragnars rise to power from a simple farmer into the King Of Denmark and the Scourge of England and with his raids. It later involves his sons rhe Historical figures Ivar the Boneless, Bjorn Ironside, Sigurd Snake In The Eye, and Hvitserk. Also theres several other figures from Viking, English, and French history like Rollo the first duke of Normandy, English Kings Alfred The Great, Aella, and Aethelwulf and the Norwegian King Finehair among others. The show mixes History, Fantast, Religion, Prophecy, and magic all in one effortlessly. It also features a pretty accurate representation of life in the Viking Age. Showing both the brutality and humanity of the time without making judgements. While it is true that its not always Historically Accurate Rollo was never Ragnars brother, Sigurd Snake In The Eye wasnt killed by Ivar The Boneless, Vikings certainly didnt wear Leather, etc. It captures the essence of the age. I strongly recommend this Show if you havent already seen it.
Black Sails
Black Sails is a Prequel to the Robert Louis Stevenson Novel Treasure Island. It features the character of Long John Silver years before the novel takes place. The show takes place towards the end of the Golden age of Piracy on the Pirates haven of Nassau in the Bahamas. It features many Historical Pirates Like Calico Jack Rackham, Anne Bonny, Blackbeard, Charles Vane, as well as the english Governor Woodes Rogers and the fictional pirates Billy Bones, and Captain Flint from Treasure Island. The show has plenty of battles and sea battles depicting the raids of Various Pirates. The show also features political manuevering and backstabbing from its Various characters. While of course not the most historically accurate of shows it offers plenty of emotion and a authentic picture of Pirate life and its Collison course with Civilization.
Spartacus
Set in Ancient Rome and inspired by the life of the legendary Gladiator Slave Spartacus who led a revolt against Rome Spartacus offers plenty of violence and Sex as well as emotion and heartache. I have to confess I only watched Blood and Sand and Gods Of The Arena of this show. Unfortunately the lead actor Andy Whitfield developed Cancer while playing Spartacus and was recast by Liam McIntyre I just could never get used to seeing someone else play Spartacus. Andy Whitfield died a short time later. Spartacus features the politics of Ancient Rome with John Hannahs Character Batatitus (apology for the misspelling) being a young ambitious Gladiator owner looking to rise in the world. Ultimately his own ruthlessness leading to his downfall and the start of the Slave Rebellion that shocked Ancient Rome.
Rome
Rome was in many ways the pre cursor to Game Of Thrones. It was an ambitious HBO show that featured the brutal politics of Ancient Rome and having plenty of bloodshed, sex, and excess. Rome was at the time the most expensive show ever produced which ultimately led to its cancellation. However Rome features amazing set Designs and accurate depiction of how brutal Roman Society was. It features many Roman Figures Moat notably Julius Caesar and great performances from an ensemble cast. Its a shame it didnt last long.
Sons Of Anarchy
Wait I know what youre saying How could A show based on Bikers and taking place in modern times be similar to Game Of Thrones? ittedly it doesnt make sense at first but Sons Of Anarchy Shares many themes with Game Of Thrones. Both have Political power plays, Backstabbing, Lots of sex and violence, Morally ambigious characters, and have a feudal feel to them. Sons of Anarchy was largely inspired by the William Shakespeare Play Hamlet. With a Outlaw Motorcycle Club taking the place of a Kingdom. The President of the Club Clay Morrow usurped the throne from Its founder John Teller. The Ghost Of John Teller talks to his son through his journal letting him know of the dangers involved with Power and Politics. We even hear the bikers given Feudal titles from time to time Gemma is referred to as Queen, Jax as Prince, and Clay as king. The show also features a bit of fantasy with a mysterious ghost girl being present throughout the series.
Outlander
Im going to keep it :100: right now and tell you Ive never seen this show. However many people are fans of it and Game Of Thrones and are in love with this show. It features many elements with Game Of Thrones it takes place during the Jacobite Risings in Scotland and features a woman who has mysteriously gone back in time to that era. It has plenty of violence and Sex and a strong love story. I think it tries to be a good representation of its time Period. So we have Politics, Fantasy, Sex, Relationships, Violence, and History colliding sounds like Game Of Thrones to me.
The Wire
The Wire in my opinion one of the top 3 Tv Shows ever. The Wire of Course is set in Modern Baltimore and is a Crime Drama. However there are many themes The Wire and Game Of Thrones have in common. Most notably being the Morally Ambigious characters and the telling of both sides of the same story. We see things from the " Bad" and " Good" characters. The characters of the wire are Grey just like Game Of Thrones a character like Omar Little who is a vicious Stick Up Man who targets drug Dealers but at the same time will not harm a civilian and lives by a strict moral code. We see the Complexity of human morality and emotions in characters like Bodie Broadus who in many ways is like Sandor Clegane aka The Hound both being soliders extremely loyal but ultimately pushed to far by their masters resulting in their changing sides. Bodie despite being a drug dealer and a killer doesnt believe in killing innocents and loses hia temper at the senseless murder of his friend. At the same time we see many crooked cops and Jimmy Mcnulty the protagonist is a serial Womanizer and drunk who plants evidence and lies to get what he wants. The Wire features backstabbing and Maneuvering and features The dirtiness of politics. The Wire shows a real authentic representation of human nature and life and doesnt care about killing off popular characters or what the audience wants to happen. There is no fan service done by this show as it depicts the villian of the series getting off and its moat popular character dying a senseless death out of nowhere.
Books Like A Song Of Ice And Fire
I dont know of many books like Asoiaf Im generally not a big Fantasy reader but I Will list a few.
Lord Of The Rings, The Hobbit Etc.
Once again starting with the obvious one The Lord of the Rings is the most famous work in the genre of Fantasy and obviously inspired George R.R. Martin a lot. He has spoken numerous times of his love for Tolkien as well as the things Tolkien did that he doesnt like. I dont think I need to go into much detail here the connections are obvious and of course Martin has referenced Tolkiens work in Asoiaf. Samwell Tarly was inspired by Samwise Oakenshield is the name of Island Euron takes etc.
H.P. Lovecraft Cthulu Mythos
Martin was obviously inspired by Lovecraft and has made several mentions to his work Dagon Greyjoy being named for the God in The Shadow Over Innsmorth. Cthulu is probally the Drowned God and Euron Greyjoy takes the form of Cthulu while he is on the Iron Throne in Aerons Visons. The deep ones, the Oily Black Stone Forbidden Knowledge, Church of Starry wisdom all are references to Lovecraft works. HP lovecraft wrote pretty weird fantasy stories about commonly called the Cthulu Mythos. Common elements are Gods human worship that are actually ambivalent to Human beings and just are focused on warring with each other and their own gains.
Dune
Once again Im going to be honest I have not read this book however a friend has been trying to get me to read it for awhile now. Everyone who has read it will not shut up about it and it appears George might have been a fan as well. Given the Intense fanbase this book series has I felt I should mention it. Hopefully Ill Get around to reading it one day.
Thanks for Reading.
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