10/2007 Winner: Dune, by Frank Herbert

GWC Community Book Club Winning Nominees and Polls
#61

Grats!
I told Steve about your post. He hasn’t been able to get past the first few pages either.

I love Dune but I don’t care for the Dune series beyond Children of Dune. I read one of the prequels but I didn’t like it that much either.

The movie is depressing because I think the music and actors were really good (except for Sean Young and Kyle MacLachlan). It could have been a great movie if it didn’t have heart plugs, antidote made out of cats milk and weirding modules. The Alan Smithee version of the movie was slightly better in my opinion. I watched the Alan Smithee version before I read the book and actually enjoyed it before I realized how much better it could have been. The regular version was a struggle to watch though.

~rav

#62

I Just wanted to say to make sure someone said it because I haven’t been here in a while; that there is a new Dune movie in the works. And, I know someone involved with it so if I hear anything, I will be sure to tell you guys about it.

#63

First off i just started reading dune about a week ago, it was rocky at first but now i feel like i’m a trout being pulled by the lip, so yeah i’m hooked, decent writing but what seems to be an epic story. oddly enough i’ve had the book for about six years now and have never seemed to get around to it, but a friend told me about a soundtrack to one of the mini series which was quite good so i said what the hey i’ll give it a try. and now i have even less free time . will leave more comments when i finish the thing. I’m only more than a few decades late after all.

How come you good folk always seem to know about cool stuff before me?

#64

We know about them because we keep cool by always wearing our stilsuits.

Enjoy Dune and the sequels!! I’ve read 'em all—prequels, sequels, Frank Herbert, Brian Herbert etc etc. Now I’m working through the most recent book “Sandworms of Dune”. Yeah, some of the Dune book are better than others --and none compare to “Dune”. But I just love playing in that universe.
I also recomend the two SciFi channel dune miniseries Dune and Children of Dune–great stuff.

#65

I finally made it around to reading Dune. I tell you, I haven’t had any trouble falling asleep the past few nights…

Guess I’ll make it past “those first few pages” sometime soon.

#66

That’s what I love about Watercooler…everybody here knows something cool, all they have to do is share it !

#67

<not reading any of the posts in this thread…yet>

Don’t go away people…I am 1/4 of the way through reading Dune for the first time…and I am loving it. Dr. Yueh just gave the Duke a sinister tooth…

#68

Very cool, Solai. Enjoy. Don’t be afraid. Keep reading. “Have No Fear. Fear is the Mind Killer…”

#69

Wait till you get to the part where Gurney explodes and comes back from the dead with new clothes and no explanation !!
Enjoy the book, it’s one of my favorites.

#70

An OG should know about using spoiler tags…

#71

Ladies, Gentlemen, GalaxyRanger, I have finished the book.

Wow. Seriously. Wow. Like many others once upon a time I tried to pick it up, poked at it with stick and left it. You guys inspired me to try once again. After struggling through the beginning “universe dump” I really began to enjoy it. By the end I felt immersed. It has been a long time since I have read a book that could so completely transport me to another place everytime I opened the book.

At first, it was funny, everytime Duncan Idaho would show up Thot’s avatar would leap to mind. At first this was distracting, and then it was endearing, and then Duncan fell down and went boom. Ah well.

I am very impressed at the complexity that Mr. Herbert has created here…mixture of science, sociology, fantasy and economics. The characters are fully developed and fully realized. I realized about halfway through that one incredible technique he uses is to minimially describe anything…he hints, paints a picture in broad strokes and then lets you fill it in with your imagination.

My only complaint came when I realized I had about 40 pages left and thought, “Wait…how is he going to resolve all this?” When I got to the end I was a little let down…it was like seeing the “To be continued” at the end of a BSG episode. He gave some resolution but clearly was opening the door for the next novels.

It is a small complaint. I look forward to reading the next books!

#72

Congratulations Solai!! It is true, the Dune universe Herbert creates is so rich and unique and compelling—I love it.
That is riot that you thot of me when Duncan Idaho appeared in the book. But I get the same feeling when I watch Star Trek original series lately, I think of FrakkinTalos. And I’ll bet I won’t be able to watch FireFly anymore and seeing Capt. Reynolds without thinking of you.

I’m on the far oppisite end from you with my Dune reading. I’m now reading the last book in the main Dune series Sandworms of Dune (written by Frank Herbert’s son Brian Herbert). And I’ve read the Pre-quels and Legends of Dune books. And there’s more coming. www.dunenovels.com I fully admit, the Brian Herbert/Kevin Anderson Dune novels aren’t equal to the Frank Herbert ones. But they’re not bad—and it’s so great that they’ve explored the universe of Dune in so many ways.

And as for Duncan Idaho dying…I so want to say something about that, but in the interest of spoilers I’m holding my tongue.

Anyway, keep reading the Dune books, Solai. And do not fear. “Fear is the mind killer…”. With that voice of yours Solai, I’m convinced you are Bene Gesserit trained, and maybe even the Kwisach Haderach!!
-Duncan…uh, I mean ThotfullGuy

#73

That one slipped. I kept on thinking as I read the book, “Wait…Duncan Idaho is dead?” Then I thought about your old sig, “Duncan Idaho…there are many copies…” and figured, oh…someone must make a copy of good old Duncan.

Then I saw the green comments above and realized my guess was spot on. Not a big spoiler I suppose. I read the first sentence and went, “Whoops…better stop”. I knew on some level something from a future book would be given away in this thread, and I am ok with that. I am 40 years late to this book, it stands to reason many people would assume the people reading this thread have read them all.

I am sure I can figure this out in the book store, but what is the next novel?

#74

The next one is Dune: Messiah (hopefully it’s not accidently in the beach novels or religion section!:)). And after that, Children of Dune.

#75

Glad you liked the book, Solai…nothing as bad as highly recommending a beloved title than to have the reader come back with the negative !! And you have the series, as far as you decide to go with it, ahead of you.

Who was your favorite character ?

#76

You know, right now I really like Jessica. I enjoyed her depth, her conflict, her wisdom and her grace. A close second would be Thufir Hawat for his intelligence, cunning and strategic approach to everything he encountered.

#77

Children of Dune, etc can’t really be appreciated without reading through Chapterhouse: Dune. It’s pretty obvious that Herbert had more to tell after the last one, but unfortunately we end up with a not very good ending to the saga by his son with others helping. Dune as a whole often strikes me along the same accord as a cross between Frankenstein and Asimov’s Foundation series. The desire towards stability and predictability, but with fears of the unknown and others whether justified or not.

#78

I missed my chance to join the discussion way back in May. But just have to say I love this book. I have probably read it 6 times. Plus most of the other Dune novels (including the prequels).

What an masterful job at world-building.

#79

Better late than never. Now let me ask you this, have you read the latest “Paul of Dune” or are you planning to?
I’ve been thinking about it. I was a little disappointed with Sandworms of Dune. So I’m reluctant.

#80

No, ThotFullGuy, I haven’t. I’m still making my way through The Battle of Corrin. However, I do plan to eventually get to Paul of Dune.