Sunday, June 19, 2016

Five of the best dad moments in SFF history

Jeff Somers is the author of Lifers, the Avery Cates series from Orbit Books, Chum from Tyrus Books, and We Are Not Good People from Pocket/Gallery. One of his top five dad moments in science fiction & fantasy history, as shared at the B&N Sci-Fi & Fantasy blog:
Ned Stark Has a Very Bad Day (Game of Thrones, by George R.R. Martin)

Ned Stark strength pervades the entirety of A Song of Ice and Fire (so far) despite (spoilers!) the fact that he’s been dead throughout most of it. Ned is an example of a just man, a man who strove to teach his family what it means to be responsible—to your vassals, your lord, and to the people you rule—but in his ultimate Moment of Doom, he’s also an example of a man who is very, very bad at playing politics. Despite everything that has gone wrong for the Lord of Winterfell, Ned is just as surprised as the reader when his expected sentence of exile is revoked, and the scene quickly transitions into Ned’s very own terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. It’s not inspiring, but it’s definitely one of the most memorable Dad Moments in SFF.
Read about another entry on the list.

A Game of Thrones is among Julie Kagawa's top ten dragons in fiction, Ryan Britt's six best Scout Finches from sci-fi & fantasy, Charlotte Seager's top five spoiled suppers in literature, Melissa Grey's five top female characters of under-appreciated strength, Non Pratt's top ten toxic friendships in literature, Becky Ferreira's eight best siblings in literature, and Nicole Hill's top six books on gluttony. A Song of Ice and Fire is among Ferreira's six favorite redheads in literature and six best books with dragons, Joel Cunningham's seven top books featuring long winters. The Red Wedding in A Storm of Swords is one of Ferreira's top six most momentous weddings in fiction. The Lannister family from A Game of Thrones is one of Jami Attenberg's top ten dysfunctional families in literature.

--Marshal Zeringue