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Should I re-read Dune sooner or later?

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 (Edited)

I have, for some time, been bad at reading. After devouring literature throughout my childhood, college and/or the internet ruined me, and I've been an inconsistent reader, at best, ever since (although I had no trouble zipping through Kim Stanley Robinson's Mars trilogy). I'm currently working on Undaunted Courage, and finding myself surprised at how good it is, but I'm also considering the next book. I'm actually hoping that having something next on the readlist (I just made that up. Like a playlist?) will encourage me to finish the current tome.

So, here's the thing: Thanks to all the Star Trek threads, I've been thinking about re-reading Dune. I read it ages and ages ago, but don't remember it terribly well. Thanks to getting lost in fan-wikis multiple times and all the hype, I've been thinking about trying out A Song of Ice and Fire. I've never read that.

Opinions?

ROTJ Storyboard Reconstruction Project

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I think you should re-read Dune sooner of later.

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Have you read Dune Messiah and Children of Dune? I actually think that Children of Dune is as good if not better than Dune.

I read The Lord of the Rings as a child, and it felt like reading a translated mythological history of an ancient civilization. However, reading Dune felt like stepping into an actual temple built by the founders of an ancient civilization. Frank Herbert had such reverence and devotion to his own world that I don't think that anyone will ever top his accomplishment.

So yes. I do think that you should re-read Dune sooner or later.

You probably don’t recognize me because of the red arm.
Episode 9 Rewrite, The Starlight Project (Released!) and ANH Technicolor Project (Released!)

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I truly loved Dune.  I wish they would translate it to a good movie at some point before I die.  I enjoy the costumes and atmosphere of Lynch's film, but there was so much I just couldn't get into, from internal monologue to the nature of the Bene Gesserits' abilities.  But what really ruins it for me is the way the Harkonnens, especially the Baron, are portrayed.  As vile and evil as he was, he was truly fascinating in my mind and a formidable enemy, not some floating blob with AIDS-induced vesicles all over his face and a desire to "pull the plug" on effeminate slaves' hearts.  That really ruined it beyond redemption for me, even with various faneditors' attempts to curb other problems, and I simply cannot enjoy the film.  At least the miniseries did far better with the Baron, weak as the series itself was.

Anyway, since this is a Dune book thread, yes, you should reread it.  I am afraid to read beyond it, though, because I've heard so many state that the sequels became progressively weaker, and I don't want the concept tainted in my head.  However, I am open to those willing to talk me into reading them.  In other words, I want to believe I will enjoy the sequels, but I need motivation.

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In my opinion, Dune Messiah isn't particularly great, at least compared to the superlative Dune. However, Children of Dune actually ties all three books together in a way that seems like it was designed as a multi-generational epic. I read God Emperor of Dune, but it takes place thousands of years after Children of Dune, so it really begins a new cycle of the tale. While interesting, I put it down after reading it and wasn't inspired to pick up the next book in the series. So I'd say read through Children of Dune and then stop. It's a perfectly good stopping place, and ties everything up admirably.

You probably don’t recognize me because of the red arm.
Episode 9 Rewrite, The Starlight Project (Released!) and ANH Technicolor Project (Released!)

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Honestly, that is encouraging.  It's probably been about two years since my first reading, so I've forgotten some of the first and would probably need to reread it as a refresher.  I started Dune Messiah and was interested, but ultimately chickened out after the first chapter for the above explained reasons.  Thanks for the recommendations.  I'd love to hear others seconding or 'thirding' the opinion, because I really loved the book that much and was so afraid of losing my adoration of it from weak sequels.  But I so sincerely wanted more as well, and I appreciate you and others talking me into it.

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I have the six Dune books and have not touched them. I've also become terrible at reading.

“Grow up. These are my Disney's movies, not yours.”

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You should at least read the first one.  It really is wonderful.  But you should probably relearn to read before that.