George R.R. Martin stopped by the The Late Show with Stephen Colbert to discuss his recent book The Rise of the Dragon: An Illustrated History of the Targaryen Dynasty, Volume One. The conversation turned towards Russia and the war in Ukraine.
Martin Tries to Have a Positive Look at a Nuclear War
After ten minutes into the conversation, the conversation shifted towards Vladimir Putin and the threat of nuclear war. Martin was looking at the glass half full and tried to have a positive twist on the matter.
“Suddenly nuclear war seems more and more feasible again,” Martin said. “It’s back there. We may have a nuclear war.” Martin went on to compare the situation to science fiction novels. “there would always be some good people who would get together and they would reinvent civilization, and optimism was still there even if the setting was terrible.”
Martin Wishes He “Had a Dragon I Could Fly to the Kremlin!”
“Is it still there?” Martin asked. “Can we be optimistic about climate change? What are we going to do if Putin actually does use nuclear bombs? I wish I had a dragon I could fly to the Kremlin!”
The crowded cheered Martin’s statement. Dragons would make Putin reconsider his threat of nuclear weapons. Expect a response from Putin and Russia in the near future. It wouldn’t surprise me if Game of Thrones or House of the Dragon gets banned as a result.
The Winds of Winter Progress
Colbert also asked Martin about The Winds of Winter and when it will be released. Martin said that it is about three quarters of the way done. He also said that it is going to be the biggest book by far.
Martin also cracked a joke about the day after The Winds of Winter gets published, there will be a tweet asking where The Dream of Spring is? Colbert jokingly responded “It will be from me.”