Unknown to many Game of Thrones fans, George R R Martin is not the first author to give one of his works such a title.
The Winds of Winter was also a romantic novel by Sandra Field, released way back in 1980 – and still prompting discussion on the internet today. It’s currently listed on Amazon as published by Mills and Boon.
It has been causing a little confusion for Martin’s followers – a comment on GoodReads says: “i thought this was george RR martin’s and i freaked out, f**kers is jon snow alive? [sic]”. Another customer on Amazon suspiciously said this was “not the actual book I was looking for”.
Fanzine Winter Is Coming even jovially shared the cover on Twitter two years ago, quipping: “Because of all the Winds of Winter talk, we feel compelled to point out that it already came out in 1980.”
But outside of the Game of Thrones shadow, Field’s The Winds of Winter is an enduringly popular read, according to online reviews.
It’s about a woman named Anne, a young nurse who became estranged from her husband after enduring a stillbirth.
While some on GoodReads have blasted the “pathetic doormat” central character, others have said that with the time period taken into consideration, it’s a gripping tale.
“I was not disappointed, in that this book certainly packed a punch!” said one satisfied customer.
Another hailed the “Angsty goodness”, while a third said: “I LOVE this book, and it surprises me with every new read.”
In fact, it holds a 3.65-star rating on the site, although one joker has posted a review as if it were a Song of Ice and Fire entry.
So perhaps before Martin’s next instalment eclipses it even more – whenever it may be released – Field’s publication might be worth a read as well.
