For its first several seasons, the hit HBO series Game of Thrones managed to stay largely true to the source material by George RR Martin. While there were some notable deviations from the story as laid out in the published volumes of A Song of Ice and Fire, for the most part the adaptation managed to capture the spirit. In fact, so strong was this association that there are quite a few things from the series that people, sometimes even those who actually read the books themselves, mistake for being part of the original canon.
The White Walkers Didn't Leave the Corpses In Patterns
From the very beginning, Game of Thrones made it clear that it was going to be a series that left an impression on viewers. In particular, the horror of seeing the bodies of the wildlings spread out in a pattern set up an essential enigma that would remain for several seasons: just what were the White Walkers planning to do?
Though this mystery would also permeate the novels, there was no mystery or speculation around these weird patterns, precisely because they didn’t appear, nor did the symbols left by the Walkers later in the series.
Arya Can’t Use A Bow In The Books
Arya is without a doubt one of the best characters in the series. With her formidable fighting abilities–honed to a deadly edge during her time training with the Faceless Men–there are very few people who can beat her in a hand-to-hand confrontation. Among other things, she demonstrates that she is quite skilled with a bow. As indelible as this image is, however, it doesn’t match up to the books in which, so far at least, she has yet to show that she has ever even used this particular weapon.
Theon’s Mistreatment Of Jon Is Original To The Show
There are many important relationships that emerge during Game of Thrones, and it becomes clear early on that Theon Greyjoy has a vehement dislike for Jon. While this sets up their mutual antagonism–and helps to demonstrate Jon’s uncertain place in Winterfell–it’s a dynamic that has no counterpart in the books. In fact, during the time that they are together, it’s clear that Theon has at least some respect for Jon, perhaps because he, too, realizes what it’s like to be something of an outsider in the family that adopted him.
Ramsay Didn’t Marry Sansa In The Books
Ramsay Snow is one of the most hated villains in the history of Game of Thrones, and it’s not hard to see why. With his relentless and incessant cruelty and viciousness, he was a terror to both his friends and his enemies, and this was especially true for Sansa. However, while their marriage has become one of the most notable–and horrifying–aspects of the series’ story, it so far doesn’t have a canonical counterpart in the books. Given what Sansa endures at his hands, this is definitely a good thing.
Robert Wasn’t Nearly As Impressionable
Throughout the first season, Robert Baratheon proved to be a rather ineffective king, far too impressionable and lazy. In fact, this vision of Robert has come to seem canonical to many, but it bears only a ing resemblance to his personality in the books.
While book Robert is still much reduced from his glory days as a formidable warrior, it’s still clear–to both the characters and to the reader–why it is that so many people would be willing to follow him into rebellion and then, later, into kingship.
Renly And Loras Aren’t Explicitly Lovers In The Books
There is something deeply beautiful yet also tragic about the love affair between Renly Baratheon and Loras. During their time together in the series, it’s clear that they truly love one another and that they have found in their romance something lacking in the harsh world around them. As touching as their bond is, however, it’s something that is only alluded to in the novels. Though there are strong suggestions that the two of them are lovers–and many of the characters believe this to be true–it is never stated or shown explicitly.
In The Books Varys Didn’t Secretly Daenerys
Few GOT characters are quite as intelligent as Varys, who not only managed to stay alive almost until the end but also, through his machinations, managed to keep Westeros from totally falling apart. In the series, it’s made clear that he has been angling to have Daenerys return to the Seven Kingdoms and claim her throne. In the novels, at least as they have been published so far, Varys has instead allied himself with another potential claimant to the Targaryen line, whom he hopes to sit on the Iron Throne.
Aerys Was Far Worse In The Show
Like far too many other of his family, Aerys II suffered from a form of madness. In the show, it is made very clear just how devastating this was for both his inner circle and for the people of King’s Landing. Indeed, he appears to have been a tyrant capable of killing almost anyone.
While his novel counterpart is still quite insane, the books tend to paint a moderately more sympathetic portrait of him, never quite making him the mass murdering monster on a level like that in the show.
Tyrion Isn’t A Good Fighter
Tyrion Lannister is, of course, another of the best characters to have emerged out of Game of Thrones. While it’s clear in the show that he is, for the most part, a canny tactician and political strategist. One thing he is not, however, is a skilled fighter. In fact, the series goes out of its way to make clear to the viewer that he’s not especially good at fighting. In the novels, by contrast, he repeatedly shows that, while he may not be one of the great warriors of Westeros, he still can hold his own.
Robb And Talisa
Though for the most part the HBO series kept many of the personal relationships intact, one of its most notable changes was the marriage of Robb Stark to Talisa. While viewers might believe this is book canon, the situation in the novels is somewhat different. In fact, Robb marries a minor noblewoman named Jeyne Westerling, which causes quite a disruption, as it does in the series. What’s more, in the novels, Jeyne survives the infamous Red Wedding, while she perishes (along with her unborn child) in the series.