Game Of Thrones. Now That I Have Your Attention...

Talk about saving the most entertaining til last! Listening to a panel about one of my (and I'm assuming a number of people) obsessions was a lovely way to end my weekend. Now I know what you may be thinking:

"Hell yeah I love me some Game of Thrones"

or

"It's not THAT good. It's just fantasy porn with violence"

If you love it - then great! I have more good news for you. If you're not a major fan of it - please stick around and see how you feel. At least appreciate some of the points it makes. 

Just to clarify this isn't a post on why you should be a fan, it's more about the clever things it addresses. 

As a genre it does fit into the fantasy seen and is heavily influences by the  European Medieval era. However this isn't a show about bold and daring quests to save a princess from a dragon, but it's about that princess and a large number of others wishing to gain power. One of the members of the panel even described it as "Sopranos with battle axes". Instead of it revolving around the fantasy aspect however, it focuses more on the politics and religion of the world and in some cases is just an incredibly raw an brutal interpretation of our own patriarchal world. 

It looks at the rise and fall of certain characters, the different religions and how they influence a kingdom, and even the intense changes of climate (yes yes, "Winter is Coming" and how a lot of people higher up are refusing to believe there is a serious problem). What I particularly enjoy also is how the way you take power determines how well you hold onto it. One particular king didn't take and use his power in the best way, and as a result held onto it only long enough to marry. 

The children in the show aren't exactly treated as kids either, and are even younger in the books. In that time period it may not have been seen as such a crazy notion, but it can also reflect in our society how kids are growing up quicker than we intend.

I could go on about this book series and the TV series for a long time. But I will just leave suggesting to anyone that the next time they watch or pick up the book to just notice how their world reflects certain parts of our own. 

Unfortunately the dragons are not here. One day.

Overall I would have to say that the Writers Festival has been a real eye opener to the beauty of words, and I would encourage everyone to attend next years.

The Beautiful City and WWI

As I sat in a lecture theatre about to hear a talk on Gallipoli and the works of British soldiers I couldn't help but notice that I was one of the youngest people in the room. It was a little saddening because history is such an important and fascinating part of our lives that I think needs more credit.

Gallipoli itself translates to "The Beautiful City" and is in the area where some of the greatest wars written about took place. Homer's Iliad is one of the dominant examples in this case. What was being discussed however were not the historical events themselves, but how the writing of these events were so inspiring and romanticised in soldiers of the first world war. The soldiers even to copies of the Iliad with them to Gallipoli!

Achilles seemed to be a main role model for those who considered themselves to be heroic soldiers and I don't blame them. The way he is written, even in one of my favourite books "Ransom" by David Malouf, would make anyone view him in a particular light. Achilles was a huge influence even to Alexander the Great who aspired to become the next Achilles.

The way a war or any particular part of history is written can influence the reader. During the school years you only get to read history in a textbook throwing up information way. However there are books out there that give history life again, such as Christopher Hibbert's book on the French Revolution. But this is going off topic.

There were a group of soldiers in World War I known as the "nerds" and they were called the Argonauts. The Argonauts wrote about the war as if it was occurring in the school yard and about how they wished to re-enact the Trojan War. This is years and years and I mean YEARS after the war even took place! The Greeks did seem to have a romantic attitude to war which is evident in their writing of it which does make it appealing to others.

A man named Rupert Brooke who fought in the war was insanely influenced by Achilles, always writing and quoting verses on the way to Gallipoli and forming the idea in his mind he was going to be a modern Achilles. He was even written about in such a way, with reports of his golden hair and being a handsome man.

History is one of the reasons why I adore literature. It's amazing how influential it can be depending on how it is written. Talking about a war as if it's a love story inspires others to fight, talking about a war and the statistics fills people with deep sadness over the tragedy. It's just beautiful,
However I don't intend on going off and becoming a heroic soldier, I'll keep Achilles where I think is best, in my heart and on my tendons.

Dinosaurs, Birds and a very Handsome Man.

First off, I wish to apologise for only writing my further experiences of the festival a month afterwards, there has been a mixture of wonderful/crazy/exciting adventures in between.

However there is no time to talk of that now! Because as suggested in the blog title - there are dinosaurs to discuss.
"But Annabelle, why are you putting dinosaurs and birds and a handsome man (oh my!) all together? Surely that can't be!" you all cry. Well gather round as I tell you of the most fan girl experience that has increased my social awkwardness by a large amount.

There was a room at The Capitol where thanks to Dymocks, a majority of my money was exchanged for books and books and well, more books. It was known as "The Hub" where authors would answer questions about their recently published books. Now it is no secret that I am a fan of dinosaurs, so of course when I heard that editor of Australian Geographic John Pickrell was attending to discuss his recent book "Flying Dinosaurs" it was evident that I was going to attend whether or not my friends came. But seeing as they were lovely friends they came with me and helped me contain my excitement for all the knowledge I was about to absorb.

I mean for years people just believed dinosaurs were really large reptiles - but for them to be related to birds? crazy! The first feathered dinosaur was discovered in 1996 and since than 40 species alone have been found in China. That's over 100 years after the theory of the relationship started playing in people's minds in 1861. There have been over 80 pieces in bones and lung physiology that have become evident to the connection. The iconic roaring sounds from Jurassic Park are sadly fictitious with theories of them sounding more like a bird chirp, but a lot more slower and deeper.
It seems humorous to imagine a T-Rex clucking like a chicken. But it's as funny as it is possible, considering the close relation.

Now that explains the dinosaurs and birds and you must be wondering by now about the handsome man. Of course it is the wonderful John Pickrell who even after I made a complete fool of myself in front of him still signed my book. As he asked me if I was a fan of dinosaurs I responded with a very embarrassing "Yes oh my lord I love dinosaurs I went to this exhibition and it was amazing and there's even this dinosaur with claws the size of tennis racquets!"
Whilst this was coming out of my mouth my brain responded appropriately with "shut up shut up shut up"

Whether you are a dino dork or not I would love for people to read more about this, even if it is to look at the beautiful images in the book.
Jurassic Park is still wonderful though.