What is so Neat About Dune?

Pippin Skywalker · 10-03-2001, 06:25 PM

I've heard about it....but I am wondering what all the fuss is about...

Can you fill me on the details? The plot? Why it is popular?

XRogue · 10-08-2001, 11:39 AM

Well, I won't go into the plot much because of spoilage. The original Dune novel concerns Paul Atreides, the young heir to a royal Duke and his Bene Gesserit concubine, who gets shipped with his parents to help rule a desert planet that is sole source of the most precious substance in the universe. Along the way, Paul loses his father to treachery, becoming the Duke, the leader of an outcast desert people, and the superbeing/Messiah of the universe. The plot is intricate and detailed, and a fascinating study of humanity.

ringbearer · 10-09-2001, 10:57 PM

Dune is one of those novels that you will either love or not be able to finish because of boredom, regretably, I fall into the latter category.

afro-elf · 01-04-2002, 04:28 PM

The Dune books are quite cerebral so if you like books that make you think this is the way to go.

sbpollo1 · 01-18-2002, 07:49 PM

I agree about being cerebral. Any thoughts about the gardeners in Chapterhouse? I think Herbert had planned further books.

Mark of Cenla · 01-23-2002, 07:07 PM

I read the Dune books long ago, and I loved them. The beginning of the first book is very trying, but is worth the effort. I am thinking about reading them again. Peace.

Foul_Dwimmerlaik · 01-24-2002, 04:38 PM

MINOR SPOILERS

Dune is essentially a messiah story...it takes place in the future where, due to ban on computers, spacefaring is only possible with the aid of a consciousness-enhancing drug called melange or spice. The only place in the galaxy where melange can be found is on the planet Arrakis, a.k.a. Dune. Our hero, Paul Atreides, is the heir to the throne of House Atreides, one of a handful of Royal Houses that, along with a Galactic Emperor, govern the galaxy (sort of like a senate-president thing). The governorship of Dune rotates among the Houses, with whatever house is in control gaining considerable power. Paul's dad gets the governorship, they head to Arrakis, and all hell breaks loose. Oh...there is also an order of strange women/witches that runs around the galaxy trying to manipulate the royal bloodlines.

markedel · 01-26-2002, 08:27 PM

I enjoyed Dune, it was compelling, with interesting characters. The world is complex and I never got to the sequels.

mirrille · 01-26-2002, 08:41 PM

You could give them a try.

But be warned, it gets VERY WEIRD as it goes on.

Thrain of the Shire · 01-26-2002, 09:04 PM

It's a great read -- all the character and complexity but in a slightly more technological setting.

Told from many viewpoints, so it can be a bit hard to get into, but once you get to grips with the characters the complexity really grabs you.

My only feeling is that the books lose their way by number three -- either he lost his track or he had so much to say that he didn't know how to fit it all in. I found I was really losing interest by the end of book 3....but the first book has some good reading in it, IMHO

10-03-2001, 06:25 PM	#1
Pippin Skywalker Enting Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 93	What is so Neat About Dune? I've heard about it....but I am wondering what all the fuss is about... Can you fill me on the details? The plot? Why it is popular?

10-09-2001, 10:57 PM	#3
ringbearer Elf Lord Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: St. Louis, Mo. USA Posts: 561	Dune is one of those novels that you will either love or not be able to finish because of boredom, regretably, I fall into the latter category. __________________ Ringbearer Hide Witch, hide! The Good Folks come to burn thee! Their keen enjoyment hid behind A Gothic mask of duty!

01-04-2002, 04:28 PM	#4
afro-elf Hoplite Nomad Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 3,931	The Dune books are quite cerebral so if you like books that make you think this is the way to go. __________________ About Eowyn, Does anyone know what her alias Dernhelm means? She was kown as dernhelm because of her exclaimation when she realized that the rider's headgear was heavy and obscured her sight. 'Dern Helm" Culled from Entmoot From Kirinski 57 and Wayfarer.

01-23-2002, 07:07 PM	#6
Mark of Cenla Elven Warrior Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: central Louisiana Posts: 105	What is so Neat About Dune? I read the Dune books long ago, and I loved them. The beginning of the first book is very trying, but is worth the effort. I am thinking about reading them again. Peace. __________________ Mark Wellman ><>

01-24-2002, 04:38 PM	#7
Foul_Dwimmerlaik Enting Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Chicago Posts: 76	MINOR SPOILERS Dune is essentially a messiah story...it takes place in the future where, due to ban on computers, spacefaring is only possible with the aid of a consciousness-enhancing drug called melange or spice. The only place in the galaxy where melange can be found is on the planet Arrakis, a.k.a. Dune. Our hero, Paul Atreides, is the heir to the throne of House Atreides, one of a handful of Royal Houses that, along with a Galactic Emperor, govern the galaxy (sort of like a senate-president thing). The governorship of Dune rotates among the Houses, with whatever house is in control gaining considerable power. Paul's dad gets the governorship, they head to Arrakis, and all hell breaks loose. Oh...there is also an order of strange women/witches that runs around the galaxy trying to manipulate the royal bloodlines. __________________ Come not between the Nazgul and his prey! Or he will not slay thee in thy turn. He will bear thee away to the houses of lamentation, beyond all darkness, where thy flesh shall be devoured, and thy shrivelled mind be left naked to the lidless eye.

10-08-2001, 11:39 AM	#2
XRogue Elven Warrior Join Date: May 2000 Location: D/FW Texas, USA Posts: 345	Well, I won't go into the plot much because of spoilage. The original Dune novel concerns Paul Atreides, the young heir to a royal Duke and his Bene Gesserit concubine, who gets shipped with his parents to help rule a desert planet that is sole source of the most precious substance in the universe. Along the way, Paul loses his father to treachery, becoming the Duke, the leader of an outcast desert people, and the superbeing/Messiah of the universe. The plot is intricate and detailed, and a fascinating study of humanity.

01-18-2002, 07:49 PM	#5
sbpollo1 Sapling Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 10	I agree about being cerebral. Any thoughts about the gardeners in Chapterhouse? I think Herbert had planned further books.

01-26-2002, 08:27 PM	#8
markedel 'Sober' Mullet Frosh Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Queen's Posts: 1,245	I enjoyed Dune, it was compelling, with interesting characters. The world is complex and I never got to the sequels. __________________ "Earnur was a man like his father in valour, but not in wisdom"

01-26-2002, 08:41 PM	#9
mirrille Elven Warrior Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Canada Posts: 479	You could give them a try. But be warned, it gets VERY WEIRD as it goes on.

01-26-2002, 09:04 PM	#10
Thrain of the Shire Hobbit Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Oxford -- (one) home of the man himself Posts: 28	It is a good read but... It's a great read -- all the character and complexity but in a slightly more technological setting. Told from many viewpoints, so it can be a bit hard to get into, but once you get to grips with the characters the complexity really grabs you. My only feeling is that the books lose their way by number three -- either he lost his track or he had so much to say that he didn't know how to fit it all in. I found I was really losing interest by the end of book 3....but the first book has some good reading in it, IMHO

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