[Elessar]

Herbert was in for the unexpected.. The latter books were always just different from what one thought they would be.
I didn't like "Dune II", and "Dune IV" was *very* weird (which is not to say they either was bad), but I really loved the last two of the series, "Heretics" and "Chapterhouse".
As for the movie- if you mean the new one- it sucked, and not only because of the poor actors.. The old movie was better (charismatic actors .. more tension .. etc).


From the prequels, I've only read "House Atreides" so far. I must say that even though I did like it, I found it very hard at times to read on ... Often, I got the book, started to read a few lines and put it away. *shrugs*
I've bought "House Corrino" but've yet to read it ...


-- Elessar

[Valeyard]

I'm really not interested in reading the prequels. I've read 5 Dune books and that is enough for me. Time to move on to something different. Same applies to those new Foundation prequels.

[saintjon]

Man, are you guys kidding? I saw the old Lynch flick and the new mini-series. The mini-series is the reason I started reading the books! I've only read up to Children of Dune though, which I thought was a tremendous book. IMO, Herbert starts with something alien from any other idea and as it evolves throughout the books it just keeps reaching further and further beyond, but at the same time it speaks to me, in the core of my humanity. It's weird, but too important to force you away.
I mentioned this in the TV forum but it seems more appropriate here, you guys notice how Herbert's scientific outlook on things colours his writing? I'm used to passionate, dramatic descriptions of battles, especially ones as important as Muad'dib crushing the Sardaukar on the Arrakeen plain. Herbert seems to impart his battle with a flavour more akin to a math equation, IMO. For a better description of what I'm talking about check the TV/Film forum thread for the Dune Mini-series. I often found myself mentally inserting wild violent imagery from the mini-series in parts Herbert treats in this way.

Not that I don't think the books are amazing though! I just got a little hung up on that quirk as I was reading. Thoughts?