Art, literature & culture

Publication of A Game of Thrones

9 August 1996

A Game of Thrones is a fantasy novel by the American writer George R. R. Martin, the first book of the series A Song of Ice and Fire. Published in 1996, it is set in the fictional continent of Westeros, where noble families such as the Starks, Lannisters and Targaryens struggle for the Iron Throne, while a threat gathers in the far north. The story is told from the viewpoint of several characters, and is known for its political intrigue, moral ambiguity and willingness to kill major characters. The book was a success and later volumes followed over the years. HBO adapted the series for television, running from 2011 to 2019.

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