Theology and Game of Thrones

Reviews / Votes

This is a volume that showcases a number of truly excellent, insightful, and provocative essays (in all the best ways) that explore the theological subtexts and religious themes that have been interwoven throughout George R.R. Martin's masterful fantasy novels, A Song of Ice and Fire, and in the derivative HBO series, Game of Thrones. Popular fiction has always engaged the cultural landscapes familiar to its audience, and the fantasy world by Martin is no exception. In particular, and as revealed in the essays within this volume, the character dramas and social tensions that are set in this world take inspiration from Biblical themes (but not only!) of sin, guilt, damnation, and repentance. Truly, these works are a genre-defining collection of essays, and they should enjoy a wide readership of academics and non-academics alike. -- David K. Goodin, McGill School of Religious Studies and the Institut de Theologie Orthodoxe de Montreal This volume packs a sea of splendid inquiries into George R.R. Martin's fantasy opus, ranging from a psychoanalytic examination of Hodor and Hindu themes to the myriad worldviews explored in print and the small screen. Theology and Game of Thrones is dense but accessible for students and scholars of religion and pop culture, along with any inquisitive readers hoping to place fictional worlds in a broader context. -- Tim Posada, Saddleback College