Audiobooks are THE way to go for this series, I think. I explain why in my Goodreads review . Short review: some good, lots bad (but mostly enjoyably so), bio-steampunky Dune universe still rocks. 16 months ago
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I decided that what I really knew forwards and backwards was the Dune movie (awful, awful). So I reread the first book this weekend. Parts were much better than I remembered, but it turns out I also remembered its shortcomings accurately. Paul-Muad’Dib gets really boring once he becomes a superhuman holy warrior and the last knife fight is tacked on and anticlimactic.
Still, I’m reading this more for the universe than the plot, and that didn’t disappoint. 17 months ago
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and read the following three volumes long, long ago (before I had the patience to understand the politics and philosophy). Dune is the one universe that’s really stuck in my imagination, even as I’ve outgrown my earlier Trek loves.
I’m going to read the whole thing, Brian Herbert cash cow sequel/prequel travesties included. Not going to read the first book, ‘cause as I said, I know it back and forth. Going to re-read the rest of the original tetralogoy, and then perhaps reevaluate how I feel…also going to try to find audio versions just to keep things interesting. 17 months ago
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Have now finished both Messiah and Children, and am just away to start God Emperor. 2 years ago
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I finished the first Dune a couple of days ago – what a book. Incredible.
I’m now about quarter the way through Dune Messiah – I’m enjoying it even more. Despite it being much shorter, I would say it’s the superior novel. 3 years ago
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I finished reading Dune Messiah few weeks ago and started reading the third book – Children of Dune. 4 years ago
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I have completed the first (original “dune”) dune book which I really loved.
Now I’m reading the second book (“dune messiah”). But I haven’t
touched the book for multiple months. Hopefully I will find some time for it soon. Need to be more organized!!! 5 years ago
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Great books, must read. 5 years ago
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Excellent! Don’t forget to read Frank Herbert’s essay about his wife, which was published at the end of one of the books… I think it was “Children of Dune”. So beautiful, it made me cry! 5 years ago
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I loved the books so much! I want to read them again! 5 years ago
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I read the first 2 Frank Herbert Dune books last year, but I’ve decided to start my journey through the series with Brian’s prequels. I’m sure ya’ll will think this is complete blasphemy, but I’m liking Brian’s better so far. I read Butlerian Jihad and I’m about halfway through Machine crusade. 5 years ago
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Although this novel does give some insight into the grounding events that shaped the world Paul Atreides is born into, I found myself disappointed with this novel.
The chapters were so short, you often got the feeling you were being bounced around, and I found myself ultimately frustrated by the middle of the book.
It seemed as though the writing lacked punch, and all the Dune prequels written by Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson, suffer from the same problems. They lack the kind of deep thought that Frank Herbert brought to all of his Dune novels… there was something substantiative missing.
Now I enjoyed The Butlerian Jihad, House Harkonnen, House Atreides, which although didn’t have the kind of esoteric fibre that Frank Herbert’s other Dune novels did, were entertaining.
This novel I found immensely boring. It is only because I found it intriguing to read about the Origins of the hatred between the Harkonnens and the Atreides, the origins of the Spacing Guild, of the wild Fremen, of Mentats and the absolute law, “Thou shall not make a machine in the likeness of a Human mind”.
If you’re not a fan of the Dune Universe, take my word for it and give it a skip. 6 years ago
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Loved this series. I will be reading it again as soon as I can. I even loved the movie. There are 2 versions and the newer one was pretty good at sticking to the book. I wish that hollywood would make the rest of the series into movies. 6 years ago
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Finished Children 6 years ago
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Dune, Messiah, and about half way through Children. Enjoying the last two much more than I did the first time around. Something to be said for getting older I guess. 6 years ago
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I’ve finished the first book, Dune… but I was quite lazy about it. Read off and on the last few days. It was actually a light reading exercise for me, because this story I know so well. Things is though, my copies of the other books are in Trinidad, and I don’t think I’m getting them anytime soon. I hope I do though. I really have a problem with buying the whole series again when I have them in a box in Trinidad. Shucks man, one of my goals on this sucker is to stop wasting money. This copy was a loaner from a friend. 6 years ago
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I started re-reading a copy of Dune by Frank Herbert this morning. I’ve been wanting to re-read all of those first six books and then read all of the prequels.
I find Herbert’s fascinating spiritual and political understanding of human nature and compulsions a satisfying read.
My brother and I have a bank of reliable entertainment, although some of our tastes vary. Dune, the novels, the film and recent mini-series are all high up on that list.
So here’s to another delve into Herbert’s universe! 6 years ago
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Herbert’s rich Universe often takes repeated readings to grasp the more esoteric allegory in the tale.
My favourite of the original six book series is “Children of Dune”, “Heretics of Dune” and “Chapterhouse: Dune”.
I’ve adopted the Litany Against Fear as a personal call to courage.
Well worth the reading. All the books are amazing. 6 years ago
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When I first read Dune there were only 3 books. Now, well I have lost count but there are at least 12!
Anyway, I must find time to finish reading the ‘Legends Of Dune’ series. So far I am 1/4 way through the 2nd in the series—yes I know, not a very good place to start but what the hell. This depth of story needs to be re-read several times anyway :) 6 years ago
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