BGGWW Books discussion

Use this thread to discuss initial impressions of Dune.

The reading is very slow going for me. But so far, so good. You gets lots of information thrown at you in the first few chapters. Lots of names, places, religious stuff, titles, etc. When the scenes are not filling in backstory and fleshing out the settings they are easier to follow and they are fantastic. The test the old lady put Paul through was cool. I'm thinking we will see again that nerve zapping technology that was in the box he had to put his hand in.

So far, thus seems like a great book for us. Those is us first timers get to experience this must-read book and it has a lot going on so anyone reading it a 2nd time will probably get a Fuller experience. I am sure there is a lot going on in the beginning here that is way over the head of the 1st timer. Reading through again would probably make much more sense of everything.

Initial impressions are exciting. Rest of the family has fallen asleep early, so Goo is hunkering down for a few more chaps.

The scene with the box just reminds me of the scene with the tree trunk in Flash Gordon(?) There is definitely a lot of setting up, but fortunately there's also a lot of early repetition, blatant foreshadowing (aka "Dr. Yueh will betray you"), and exposition -- like the first time you meet Baron Harkonnen, the character description is almost nil (at least until the last paragraph), but you pretty much get the intended plot for the first part of the book. This repetition and exposition is what makes the beginning understandable.

I pulled out my copy and had a chuckle when I saw it was the 25th anniversary. I see that they're selling the 40th anniversary edition these days so it's probably been about 15 years since I read this one.

But, I did read the first scene with the box and have to agree that this book will suck me in.

"The other is, and hopefully this will end up being subverted or played with, but currently it looks like the setup is for a "Male messiah figure comes in and does what generations of women couldn't," which bugs me from a feminist perspective. "

As opposed to the Bene Gesserit directly, if subtly, guiding entire Imperial Families? The Reverend Mother herself is probably the most patriarchal character in the book. Almost everyone in the book is caught up in events beyond their control.

That said, there will probably be a few other sections that might affect you negatively. And there are several powerful women to be met. Princess Irulan, for one, you may have noted in the intros.

Fair point, but as you read, ask yourself if the novel would be vastly different if the Paul was female and the Bene Gesserit were a male order.

The Imperial Houses are definitely patriarchal, but they are literally a throwback to the feudal age. Lady Jessica as Leto's concubine, and not wife, is a twist I don't really understand, but definitely adds to her being a weaker (though I believe Leto claims "more independent") character.'

You will definitely find AGoT very interesting. The spectrum of women in that series goes from sniveling, whiny wimps to world makers and breakers. As do the men.

I'd just like to say I thank Mother Nature for kindly providing me with a ready-made dune-like snowscape out my window. I will never understand how you could walk with a rhythm on a sanddune or snow drift, anyway.

Role Call!

Who all is reading along?

I have still only read the first 50 pages. I was so excited I started it, but I'm a one book at a time kind of guy. I am striking distance from finishing The Three Musketeers. I should be into Dune full force by tomorrow.

I only just got my copy back from my ex-roommate, so I have only had time to get 50 pages or so into it. But I've read it before, so I am pretty well set.

One thing that always strikes me on re-reading this is how straightforwardly everything is laid out in the first few chapters. For a book that is all about intrigue, everyone is remarkably open and expository about their goals.

I'm at about 100, after B&N finally got my order worked out. I was able to read some of it when hiking near Palm Springs yesterday.

So maybe that is a good thing.

I think that the little intros might say too much.

The book is definitely not about the big revelations (the really huge ones in the second and last section are mentioned almost parenthetically, as if Hebert assumes you already knew... and those in the first part are of a "Who shot JR?" level*. I mean, who doesn't know who the traitor is before he acts?)

It really is composed almost as a historical novel, with the assumption that you already know the big picture. I'm not entirely sure the book would be very readable without the intros -- it would be like trying to follow an old hiking trail without blazes on the trees.

The book seems to be an analysis of three intertwined themes -- House Politics, Natural Ecology (Arrakis and the Spice), and Bene Gesserit mysticism.

* Disclaimer: I don't know who shot JR. And some of you might not even know the question.

I've reached the last 80 pages or so, when the climax occurs when ********** goes to ****** and ******s.

Also, why does Gurney Halleck hate the Beast Rabban? I think it has something to do with slave pits and his scar, but what's the specific cause? I'm pretty sure it was early on...

In Gurney's first chapter it is mentioned that he got a scar from Rabban in the slave pits (that sounds like a Clue accusation) but no more detail than that yet.

Thanks. I think that is about all he mentions of it.

I find it funny that I am struggling with patience for epic scope. I mean, when I was younger, I would just disappear into other worlds and other lives via reading. Now, it's like a big ordeal to me. Life is busy, I guess. The idea of a huge world to understand or huge epic storyline or generations of characters, I just find well, long and drawn out.

I think it's why books like Dune sat on my shelf for years. It's such a huge imagination commitment.

I enjoy it, but I don't see how you guys can go from world to world, to future, to fantasy, to space, to alternate reality with these epically long and involved books.

I don't know how to explain it. Jumping from Gogol, to Remains of the Day, to Age of Innocence, to DeLillo, to Faulkner, etc. is seamless to me. To think about finishing Dune then diving into A Game of Thrones exhausts me. I think, it's like coming back from a long trip only to get back on a plane again.

Funny that. Makes me feel stupid.