BGGWW Books discussion

One of the classics for Science Fiction (and a perennial favorite for werewolf). House Atreides and Harkonnen struggle against each other politically in the Emperor's favor. Their battleground is the planet Dune, the only source for the valuable spice. But the Fremen of the planet tire of Imperial domination, and the great sandworms make collecting it difficult...

A Hugo and Nebula Award Winner.

I'm hoping I'll like it better upon re-read then I remember liking it the first time.. which admittedly was more than 25 years ago when I was in high school.

Kudos to Jeff for the forum organization and starting the threads.

I intend to begin Dune this weekend. I am very excited about it.

Dr. Ben wrote: "Can't say I'm totally pumped about this choice, only because my sole experience with the book is being bored stiff by the Sting movie version back when I was like 12 (which I admit is not a fair cr..."

That movie pretty much worked on a script made from only the even numbered pages of the book. The actual book is far less disjointed. Convoluted, yes. Impenetrable, no. SciFi did a far more faithful if garish version a few years back.

Here's a question for those who have read the book before: should the appendices to Dune be read before the main body of the book, or after? Or in bits and pieces back and forth?

I'm torn on this answer...on the one hand I feel like the appendices can give away a lot of the mystery of the story, but on the other if you wait until the end to read them, they can feel superfluous.

I generally say after, but then again, I've been surprised to find to my chagrin that there was a helpful glossary after stumbling through a few books (the Mistborn series comes to mind..).

I'd say go to it if something comes up that you're hazy on. I don't remember how spoiling Dune's app. were though.

I didn't read the appendices while reading the book, and didn't have a problem understanding everything - important thing is remembering who everyone is and how they relate to one another. I don't think the apx give anything away, though.

I was hoping to start on this yesterday. Looks like it'll be tomorrow. How is it we want to do the actual discussing part?

Dune is actually convenient for this. I believe the book is already split into 3 sections (Dune, Muad'dib, The Prophet). I suggest we go with what Ben says, and perhaps add in a first impressions thread for immediate discussion from the first few chapters... The First Impressions thread could also help out folks trying to decide whether or not to jump in and read the book if there are competing novels up.

Guess what I found at the library? A first edition copy of Dune!! Wow!

I can't recall right now but I've been trying to remember what books I've read... Although, I should make note of them here as I remember... anyways, I may have read some of Dune or tried to. I really hope it was just a mood thing for not finishing instead of it being hard to read.

after staring dune up again, I now marvel at how dense the first two chapters are. It definitely clears up a bit as the rate of neologism decreases.

It's certainly not the breezy opening of most Sci Fi these days.

Terri wrote: "Guess what I found at the library? A first edition copy of Dune!! Wow!

I can't recall right now but I've been trying to remember what books I've read... Although, I should make note of them here..."

I'm glad you mention that. I started Dune a few years ago and gave up after a few pages. I just kept thinking, I must not be in the mood for this. I'll try it later. Lots of names, lots of wtf is that, etc.

Just trying to finish up the Scarlet Letter and The Three Musketeers so I can get started. I hate reading 2 books at a time (kind of like WW games), but I picked up Scarlet Letter again because my wife is teaching it (high school advanced composition and novel teacher) and I hadn't read it since I was in high school. Anyway, I should finish that up tonight, then work on finishing Musketeers. It is very enjoyable, but you can tell those stories that were magazine installments where the author was paid by the word. It would be so much better if it were <500pp.

In fact almost no book needs to be more than 500pp. 350-400 is perfect. 500 if you've really got something going. But even books like Karamozov or Gravity's Rainbow which I love, it's like, c'mon already.

And while I'm babbling, I think I'm not a big fan of series of books for the same reason I'm not a fan of game expansions. Sometimes, an expansion extends the life of a played out game by adding variety or new elements (Dominion) or fixes a dull or broken game (Carcassonne) but mostly I think, why not just play another game. Do I need 5 more Power Grid maps? Do I even want Kingsburg to be bigger and longer with its expansion? No. So, for the most part, I want my games and books to be singular experiences. If it's really good and sequels or expansions actually do improve or prolong the experience in a good way, then okay. But really, I'd rather just read something new or play another game.

Funny you mention sequels when discussing Dune. But if you like Power Grid at all, you NEED the new Russia/Japan map. Both sides are a blast to play, and really breath new life into the game.

I think that sequels and series are popular for the same reason game expansions are - they revisit a familiar and warm memory. It's like checking in on a long-lost friend on facebook - you don't want to have daily phone calls, but it's nice to see where that person is now. It's comforatable, it's familiar... it's this reason that I won't read straight through a series. If there's value to be had in the series at all, it's likely best appreciated with a time gap between the books.

I do need 5 more power grid maps.. I'm pretty sure. And I love series. If finishing a book is like taking a child out in the back yard and shooting it [which is a quote but I don't remeber from whom].. having a sequel to read is like you didn't. There's more and you get to watch the kid continue to grow. Yes they are pretend journeys, but it's like Celion sings- your heart goes on. :)