SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

Biggest sci-fi geek out of anyone I know, and I've never read Dune. Nor seen the movie. I recall being interested in the idea of Sting in leather underwear - but just never got around to it. There were allusions to it in John Varley's Demon/Wizard/Titan series - which I loved - but still, I never read Dune.

Book was written in 1965 - 5 years before I was born. Does it stand the test of time? Here's the question though - should I bother at this point? Is it a classic that Must Not Be Missed, or is it something that one could just easily pass by?

(We were born in the same year, it seems.)

I adored the Dune (the book.) It is an absolute classic, and I would definitely recommend it to any sci-fi fan. (There are several other books that come after it in series, not to mention the prequel series written by Frank Herbert's son, Brian, but the first book simply titled Dune can stand strong alone.)

As for the movies - there were actually two, although I think the second was a television adaptation: The first movie (the David Lynch one, although he himself despises it) was fun, although not exactly true to the book. It teeters somewhere between cheesy and awesome, if you know what I mean. I liked the casting. The second movie version was truer to the book, although not perfect, but I personally didn't like the casting as well.

Whether or not you ever view either movie, read the book first. It's really a special piece of speculative lit. To answer your question: Yes, I think it stands the test of time. It's set in a universe so fully realized that it isn't really rooted in any particular Earth-based time period or culture, and it's pretty egalitarian about things such as, for example, gender, etc.

Yes, read Dune. You don't have to bother with any of the others, especially the ones in which his son plunders his literary corpus.

Definitely read the book. It remains an excellent read to this very day, an engrossing classic.

RE: the sequels - I have never read the books, but the 'Children of Dune' miniseries put out by SyFy (then Sci Fi) a few years back was actually pretty good, despite cut-rate effects. So once you've read 'Dune' I'd recommend checking it out.

Yes, you really need to read Dune. I was blown away when I read it for the first time a couple years ago. Just an amazing story set in a very interesting universe.

Dune absolutely stands the test of time. I read Dune every 5 or so years for the past 30 years and still get something new out of it each time. Dune has the most comprehensive universe I've ever read. It has everything: politics, economics, religion, ecology, sociology, etc. And I've read a lot of sci-fi/fantasy, nothing compares or even comes close the all-encompassing Duniverse.
I've read every Dune novel and have enjoyed them all for various reasons, some more than others. And I still can't get enough. As long as they write them, I'll read them.

Dune has literally changed the face of sci-fi. Herbert's Dune was turned down by more than a dozen publishers because it was considered 'too epic'. Up til then, most scifi was short stories mostly published in magazines and novels but nothing with the scope of Dune. And Dune is still the most purchased scifi novel of all time. It'd be worth your while to read it if you're a scifi fan. You won't be disappointed.

Don't bother with the movies, they sucked in comparison and lacked the subtlety and vision of the books. Or if you feel you have to see the movie, at least wait til after you've read Dune.

I agree with everyone else. Dune is (arguably) the greatest SF ever written. I have read it multiple times and always discover something new. I would suggest you read all of Frank Herbert's Dune series, esp the 1st 3 books. His son's prequels and interquels are lesser books, but if you love the universe, like I, you will enjoy them too. All this talk makes me want to read them all again.

I saw the 1984 movie when it was 1st run and loved it. It got a bad rep for being too confusing, so a couple of other versions were released that gave more explanations, but they really didnt help the uninitiated. The movie is good if you know the book, which I had read 3 or 5 times before the movie came out. Think of it like understanding any Jesus movie or Passion play if you were not familiar with the story and mythologies.

The 2000 and 2003 miniseries (Dune and Children of Dune) are as mentioned more true to the books, more detailed and surprisingly good, but they too contains much that will be missed by the uninitiated.

I would strongly suggest you read (and perhaps reread) the books before seeing the videos. I watch these once a year or so, the movie then both miniseries.

Funny that this is coming up, since I'm just now reading Dune for the first time. I have, however, seen both the movie and the mini-series, so I'm not coming to it fresh. (I also had my boyfriend to explain anything I might have questions about, since he has read the book multiple times.)

(That said, I watched it the first time in college without anyone explaining anything, and I don't remember it being that hard to follow - though I'm sure there's stuff from the books that didn't translate that well, or at all.)

Personally, I'm finding it a bit plodding. It's interesting, and I find some of the political and religious commentary and whatnot interesting, but some of the writing I'm finding a bit jumpy and haphazard.

I would recommend reading it in the sense that it is a classic, but I wouldn't say it's a must-read in the sense of personal enjoyment.

I prefer contemporary books, and I enjoyed Dune. I liked the pace and the story was good. Definitely worth your time to read it.

Dune didn't do a thing for me.

I'm in the same boat (and new here to Goodreads -- first post!). Dune is currently sitting on my to-read shelf. Will report back soon with my findings ;)

I consider it a must read of science fiction, and think it has stood the test of time extremely well as a unique universe. I enjoyed the first two sequels, but got bogged down in God Emperor of Dune - was becoming just too weird. I did enjoy the prequel Butlerian Jihad as the AIs-take-over-the-world (or universe!) theme is a favourite of mine.

I agree with most of the above, read it! The first book is just magnificent, the scope of the story is fully supported by characters you'll love and hate. It really is brilliant, but not in a boring "literary fiction" way. It'll make you think while you're having a great time. And think again and again over time.

As for the sequels, I'd say skip them unless you want to read all of them, including the prequels written by his son, Brian, and Kevin J. Anderson. I did enjoy the way they wrapped the whole thing together and wrapped up Frank Herbert's legacy. But Frank Herbert's books after the first are, well, odd, and they detract from the majesty of the original Dune. So I'd say all or nothing.

My opinion is to skip the movies. But if not, definitely read before viewing; it will allow you to form your own images, some of which are too big or unique to have been captured by the movies well. And I think you'd enjoy the movies more with the full scope of the story in mind.

there's much better work out there now, but it's a great book all the same well worth reading.

Definitely read the first, it's brilliant. Completely worth it. The world and story are amazing and so immersive.

Then decide about the rest, lots of people have stopped at just the first. But don't go past four. 1-4 make an satisfying arc where the quality is still good (i liked god emperor though it is very different.) I honestly don't think 5and6 were needed

And movies after the books or i could imagine they'd be really confusing

I've read Dune a few times, and I'm always blown away by the detail put into it. That said, there are a gazillion books that come after, and I've only managed to make it through I think the next 3 without getting frustrated and bored. In my humble opinion, read Dune, and if you happen to have hours of time on your hands, and no better books to read, then read the sequels.

Irene wrote: "Dune didn't do a thing for me."

Irene it didn't do it for me either.

Minglis wrote: "there's much better work out there now, but it's a great book all the same well worth reading."

Curious. What do you consider much better works?

I think Dune is a book that is worth reading to see if it moves you or not. It did not move me, but so many people like it; it should be read to see if it chimes in with your sensibilities.

I tried to read Dune, but I have to admit got bored and gave up. But then, I feel the same way about LOTR.

There have already been lots of well-balanced ideas about whether you should read it or not (I especially liked Stuart's take: "I think Dune is a book that is worth reading to see if it moves you or not." This is an excellent principle for a lot of literature that is considered "great, or a must-read." But Dune is part of the SF canon, if that helps your decision.

Specifically, I love the world-building in Dune, and I found the characters compelling and mostly believable. My younger brother is still obsessed how cool Gurney Halleck and Duncan Idaho are. And seriously, read the book (I liked the first three, actually) first. The movie and series will make more sense, and you then get a chance to see the the characters for yourself, before a director imposes a version on you.

My vote is to give Dune a try. IMNSHO the series declines after #1, although I'm fond of God Emperor of Dune because it's a bit of a storytelling departure.

I read it when it first came out as a serial in Astounding/Analog but didn't consider it anything special. Never bothered to pick it up in book form.

I was born in the same year as the OP, and read Dune in my teens. I don't think I've re-read it (might need to do that), but I have read almost all of the sequels and prequels and seen most of the movie/tv adaptations.

Having said all that, whether you love it or don't, Dune is definitely worth reading. It is canon, yes, but it was a groundbreaking work for when it was published, and still a monumental work today.

I loved the book, and still go back to it every once in a while. I loved all the world building Herbert did the environment, the politics, the religion, to me are all coherent, well tought and they stand the test of time. I might disagree with some things, but there is no cotnraddiction for me in what he wrote. The book definitely took me to another time and space while reading it, and I often quote chunks of it to comment real life situations. But read the book before trying any of the film versions

Dune is worth reading simply because, as has been mentioned before, it's part of the canon. Personally, I'm in the crowd that didn't enjoy the book, have no intention of ever rereading it, and didn't get excited about the movies. That being said, I'm still glad I read it.

Kernos wrote: "Minglis wrote: "there's much better work out there now, but it's a great book all the same well worth reading."

Curious. What do you consider much better works?"

in terms of similar-ish work; the hyperion cantos, the night's dawn trilogy, a fire upon the deep, startide rising, the vorkosigan series, the gap series. to name a few examples. i always preferred the foundation series over dune too.

a lot of people might feel differently, but the characters, stories and writing just appealed to me far more in those books than dune's did. and i especially love the massive scale and complexity of peter f hamilton's work.

i only read the first dune book though.

Mark wrote: "There have already been lots of well-balanced ideas about whether you should read it or not (I especially liked Stuart's take: "I think Dune is a book that is worth reading to see if it moves you o..."

Thank you for that comment.

Minglis wrote: "in terms of similarish work..."

I agree these series and books you mention are good books and among the best SF. But, I would not consider them "much better works".

Update"

Well, Dear Readers, I am indeed reading Dune.(I purchased, downloaded and started e-reading the day after I posed.)

The verdict? Oh yes. I definitely should have read Dune. It works for me on many different levels.

Cheers to everyone that posted. 300 pages to go!

let us know what you thought of it, when you are finished, please?

as to the rest of the series, it is also worthwhile reading in order to explore all the themes about which Herbert wanted to make a comment. having said that, the first time i read God Emperor, i gave up. but i did go back to it and continued with the rest of the series. each time i re-read it, i find some new element that seems even more pertinent now. that, to me, is a sign of a timelessness of a great book, and an amazing author.

I'm probably the only person in this group who actually didn't care for Dune. Sigh. To me it was too much like reading a history book. I felt like I was reading about events that had taken place centuries ago involving people I didn't know or care about. I guess I need a bit more immediacy in my novels.

having said that, the first time i read God Emperor, i gave up. but i did go back to it and continued ..."

I found God Emperor boring in the extreme and put it down. This was well over 20 years ago now. I've been thinking of reading it again, motivated by my teenage son having read Dune twice and stealing my copies of Dune Messiah and Children of Dune.

Anna wrote: "Biggest sci-fi geek out of anyone I know, and I've never read Dune. Nor seen the movie. I recall being interested in the idea of Sting in leather underwear - but just never got around to it. The..."

I loved it when I was in High School and many consider it a classic. However, imo, it doesn't stand the test of time. I couldn't make it work for me as an adult.

Dune is one of my favorite scifi books, so i think you should read it.
It's good you have not seen the movies or tv shows, because that's of course a major spoiler to the story. I read it 6 years ago and i am still blown away by how good the book was.

I second that. Dune is my favorite SciFi book. I like the unique concepts.

Dune didn't do anything for me. I didn't exactly have trouble finishing it, but it didn't make any lasting impression on me and I felt no desire to read any of the other books in the series. For me, it doesn't hold up to other classics of the genre.

I'm with the majority in this case. Be warned, though. The first two times I read it I had trouble getting past the first 30 pages. The third time I read the entire thing in one sitting, went to bed, got up the next morning and read it again.

It is intelligent, with great characters and with intricate Byzantine politics. But buried within this Machiavellian society are people who love and care for each other deeply, and in a very believable way. It is one of the first SF books where ecology is a key factor, and was much more in depth than anything else from that time. It is also fascinating trying to figure out how their society evolved from ours, and Herbert is great at telling you just enough to speculate, without giving too much away.

With respect to the series, I liked the first best, and Dune Messiah and Children of Dune round out things nicely. My second favourite of the series was God Emperor of Dune.

Well said, Rexton.

I too have never read Dune, I have been watching this thread, and almost purchased the book today. So, that means it is now in my head I need to read it. When I do, I'll comment here. I have many to read before I get to it.

Anna wrote: "Update"

Well, Dear Readers, I am indeed reading Dune.(I purchased, downloaded and started e-reading the day after I posed.)

The verdict? Oh yes. I definitely should have read Dune. It works fo..."
So, why only 3 stars?:)

I'm in the "read it" camp, but unless you're enthralled, the sequels don't live up to the original.

While I love Dune, I had a hard time getting through Dune Messiah. The pace was too slow for me.

Depends on your levels of stamina!

So, Anna, did you read it yet?

I first read Dune about 25 years ago and, surprisingly, can still remember the awe at these idea's. I've re-read the book several times since and am still enthralled by it. This is an absolute classic of science fiction and you must read it, preferably before you see any of the TV series or films.

Dune is one of my favorite books. It's one of the few books I can read over and over again and not get bored with it. I do find the each book after Dune gets harder and harder to read.

A lot of people I know could not get pass how complex the first few pages were.

Maybe it's because I'm into eastern philosophy, but I find the ideas of Dune easy to understand. Herbert used a lot of the eastern idea of mind over matter.

Dune is absolutely worth reading, if only for the beauty with which the world and culture are created in the story. It is just a great and memorable story. Don't bother with the follow-on books :(