Play Book Tag discussion

Dune - Frank Herbert
3***

From the book jacket: The novel that will be forever considered a triumph of the imagination. Set on the desert planet Arrakis, Dune is the story of the boy Paul Atreides, who would become the mysterious man known as Muad’Dib. He would avenge the traitorous plot against his noble family – and would bring to fruition humannkind’s most ancient and unattainable dream.

My reactions:
Okay … science fiction epics are just not my thing. That being said, I do recognize and appreciate what has made this such an enduring classic in the genre. Herbert has created a complex world, with warring factions, political intrigue, and a great main character in Paul Muad’Dib. The action moves the plot forward at a consistent pace, and there are scenes that just stopped me in my tracks (those worms!). But despite all that I was just “meh” about the book. I liked it okay, but it’s not special to me. I think if I had read this when I was in high school or college I would have rated it higher, but it just doesn’t appeal to my reading tastes at this stage of my life.

The audio is probably part of the reason I was lukewarm to the book. It is narrated / performed by a variety of talented voice artists. Simon Vance is the main narrator, with the characters each voiced by a different actor, including Scott Brick, Orlagh Cassidy, Euan Morton, and a full cast. That would probably have been fine, adding drama and making it easier for the listener to identify the many different characters. But the producers also added sound effects and a soundtrack of music that just irritated me no end. I particularly hated the “thrum” of a large engine that was used as background in several scenes; the first time I heard it I thought there was some problem with my car engine!


LINK to my review

Ugh, to this point, I have not found an audio that uses sound effects/music effectively. What a shame too because that is an impressive narrator list!

I still think I should read this one at some point, but isn't it like a bazillion pages?

Nicole R wrote: "Ugh, to this point, I have not found an audio that uses sound effects/music effectively. What a shame too because that is an impressive narrator list!

I still think I should read this one at some..."

So far, A Song for Arbonne is the only audiobook I've read ( and they are many) where the musical renditions met my expectations and completely complemented the story; https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Nicole R wrote: "Ugh, to this point, I have not found an audio that uses sound effects/music effectively. What a shame too because that is an impressive narrator list!

I still think I should read this one at some..."

Actually, that's one of the reasons I've become a little obsessed with the Levar Burton Reads podcast. It's not perfect, but I feel like quite a few of the stories have been enhanced by the sound effects/music. His team seems to be a little better at figuring out how to make it noticeable enough for emotional impact, without jarring you out of the story.

Nicole R wrote: "Ugh, to this point, I have not found an audio that uses sound effects/music effectively. What a shame too because that is an impressive narrator list!

I still think I should read this one at some..."

The hardcover edition I had to accompany the audio was 574 pg. Shorter than an Outlander book ...
It's a pretty fast read, also. I did read several chapters because I knew the audio was due back on Aug 31 and since I'm no longer commuting to work I just don't spend as much time in my car listening as I used to.

I still think I should read this one at some point, but isn't it like a bazillion pages?"

On Amazon, the Kindle version lists 894 pages, but the paperback says 544. When I was in my teens this did not seem long to me. I'd say it's a middling to long book, but hardly a bazillion.

BC, I'm glad you can appreciate it at least and that you gave it a go.

annapi wrote: "I still think I should read this one at some point, but isn't it like a bazillion pages?"

On Amazon, the Kindle version lists 894 pages, but the paperback says 544. When I was in my teens this did..."

It's listed as so long because of the glossary and indexes. The story, itself, though is between 475-600 pages depending on the format.

Fair account of your "meh" reaction. And probably true for most readers who have skipped the read and wondered what they might have missed. We're too used to films for conveying immersion into epic fantasy worlds (though the movie for this sucked). What disappointed me most about Herbert in my youth was that one he impressed me by transporting me in this world and characters, none of the sequels I tried added any new pleasure and his other works I tried were mediocre for me.

Michael I felt exactly the same way after reading Dune! Then the sequels were a disappointment, especially the way the character of Paul changed. But unlike you I did not try any other books of Herbert's anymore.