I have not read them either but I check against online synopses.
Really no time to read them though I will, someday.
It’s not clear if he dies or not, from what I gather.
I do know that the fight between him and Brienne is not in the books.
Instead, the infected wound weakens him and he falls from his horse.
That is when she abandons him.
Maybe it’s left open-ended for some miraculous return.
[I hope!]
http://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/Sandor_Clegane
Hmm so the show had to up the drama and have him fight a woman warrior to his death. (possibly death I guess now?) This makes us dislike Arya even more because the reason he fought Brienne was to keep her from forcing Arya to go with her. Those guys really enjoy playing with our emotions eh? Either that or they just thought it would be cool to have these two great fighters face off:) Man I did wince when he was brutally beating a lady upon the face and other areas:(
It’s been my understanding that you can’t count out any character unless you’ve specifically seen them die. And even then, you still can’t (Beric Dondarrion, Lady Stoneheart.)
I’m still speculating that Syrio didn’t die. Apart from being a first sword of Braavos, I think he was also one of the faceless men - later showing himself to Arya as Jaquen.
Wishful thinking maybe, because he was one of my favorite characters.
Season 5 should be spectacular, as this is the point where the stories shift to include more of the fantasy elements.
Hodor.