I recently discovered that I'm not the only one who likes Frank Herbert's Dune series. What are your favourite books in the series, and what do you like about it in general?
For me, the completeness of the universe created by Herbert, the epic scope and the intriguing characters make it last in my memory as a weird, tripped out spectacular. Shame about the movie, though.
Agree? Disagree?
Dune
- Candy Kane
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Dune
To err is but human, to forgive divine, and to design is AWESOME! 

Re: Dune
Dune and Children of Dune , after that it got too much into a franchise feeling. The non-Herbert Dune stuff has not piqued my curiosity at all and will remain unread by me.
The story and character developement are what I like the most. Complex enough to keep it interesting and the pages turning.
The story and character developement are what I like the most. Complex enough to keep it interesting and the pages turning.
§Doug§ AC000000 Eamus Catuli!!!!
Audere est Facere
"Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn’t go away." Philip K. Dick
Audere est Facere
"Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn’t go away." Philip K. Dick
- Candy Kane
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Re: Dune
Yeah... the guy who wrote part of the series also wrote the Saga of Seven Suns, which, on occasion, was really too hokey to get into. I read all the books for completion, but I don't think I could read any more of it if he decides to write another sequel.
I liked the characters and set up -- the bad guys were particularly interesting, but the goodies had a bit of depth. The idea of an order of space nuns breeding people and interfering in social development was rather creepy, but very effective because of the implications.
And Baron Harkonnen... *shudder* He reminds me of the excesses of the loopiest Roman emperors.
I liked the characters and set up -- the bad guys were particularly interesting, but the goodies had a bit of depth. The idea of an order of space nuns breeding people and interfering in social development was rather creepy, but very effective because of the implications.
And Baron Harkonnen... *shudder* He reminds me of the excesses of the loopiest Roman emperors.
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Re: Dune
Candy Kane wrote:Yeah... the guy who wrote part of the series also wrote the Saga of Seven Suns, which, on occasion, was really too hokey to get into. I read all the books for completion, but I don't think I could read any more of it if he decides to write another sequel.
I liked the characters and set up -- the bad guys were particularly interesting, but the goodies had a bit of depth. The idea of an order of space nuns breeding people and interfering in social development was rather creepy, but very effective because of the implications.
And Baron Harkonnen... *shudder* He reminds me of the excesses of the loopiest Roman emperors.
Tried the book and the film once - found both to be too bloated and self important for my liking. The book generally reads like the world's most bizarre cheese-dream as well, as I recall.
Very strange how the PC game based on the Dune world, 'Dune II' went on to become one of the most influential games on any platform; but especially the PC. Classic game - can't fault it. It's also the only RTS game that I can recall, or am aware of, that is ballsy enough to include an element whereby your game in progress can be severely hampered/totally trashed at random by circumstances beyond your control. To quote 'Beetlejuice' - "Damn Sandworms - don't you just hate 'em?!"
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- Candy Kane
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Re: Dune
Ha ha! I must confess, I didn't mind the pretension overmuch because it seemed to suit the genre and he was going for an epic feel. He didn't half go overboard sometimes, though. Am I the only one who found Irulan annoying?
To err is but human, to forgive divine, and to design is AWESOME! 

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Re: Dune
Candy Kane wrote:Ha ha! I must confess, I didn't mind the pretension overmuch because it seemed to suit the genre and he was going for an epic feel. He didn't half go overboard sometimes, though. Am I the only one who found Irulan annoying?
You see, I thought Herbert was trying TOO hard for 'Epic', and the entire premise just couldn't back up the pretension.
I have no idea who or what an 'Irulan' is.
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- Candy Kane
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Re: Dune
Ah, my nerdiness comes forth: she's the princess Paul Atreides married to secure his place as emperor. He didn't love her, he already had a concubine called Chani, the love of his life.
To err is but human, to forgive divine, and to design is AWESOME! 

Re: Dune
The Emperor's daughter - one of the few 'humans' you could be sure of, since the Atreides had at least one animal (Harkonnen) ancestor. I loved the first four books but they lost me after "God Emperor".
"He who learns must suffer. And even in our sleep pain that cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart, and in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom to us by the awful grace of God." - Aeschylus
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Re: Dune
Yeah, he was really tripping there, and pretty much lost the plot. I read it up to then for completion, but he ran out of new ideas so I left it after that.
To err is but human, to forgive divine, and to design is AWESOME! 

Re: Dune
Irulan seemed like a throw away character. It is almost as if she was included to appease some standard convention.
§Doug§ AC000000 Eamus Catuli!!!!
Audere est Facere
"Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn’t go away." Philip K. Dick
Audere est Facere
"Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn’t go away." Philip K. Dick
Re: Dune
That's what princesses are pretty much all through - money, land deals and brood mares for dynasties. I always felt a bit sorry for Irulan, though - Paul said he'd allow her lovers, but no children. Candy and Tom are right - she's your basic royal pawn.
"He who learns must suffer. And even in our sleep pain that cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart, and in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom to us by the awful grace of God." - Aeschylus
Avatar courtesy of Candy Kane, Webmistress Extraordinaire and Slayer of Trolls
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Re: Dune
That explains her hardness.
To err is but human, to forgive divine, and to design is AWESOME! 

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