Herbert, Frank: How do the newer Dune series books compare with the Originals?

[ray gower]

In fairness the new books are going to be different to the originals for two reasons.

New writers. No matter how close the relationship between the writers, each will have their own writing style.

The second and possibly more profound reason is that these new volumes are being written some 30 years after the originals. What is considered good writing has changed significantly over the years (IMHO not for the better) moving towards something long-winded (literary diaorhea). Even if Frank Herbert were writing new Dune novels, it would be likely that he would also have to fall foul of this as it seems to be what publishers require.

It would however be much easier to swallow if the publishers would not try to sell them as extensions to the original, but as novels 'based upon the Dune Series'. It is after all how much of Tom Clancey's ghosted novels are sold?

[The Blackfish]

I've just finished reading the Dune Trilogy for the first time - loved it, but feel like I missed about half of it (so much in there!) so will probably end up reading it again .. and again.
I'm currently working my way through all the posts on Dune, but have a question - are these new books ONLY prequels, or does the story continue after GodEmperor Leto's ascension to the throne as well?

Cheers

[Nesacat]

The classic Dune novels are some of my favourite books of all time and they have been read and re-read time and time again without losing any of their original wonder. Frank Herbert created one of the most complex and detailed worlds in Science Fiction and the books are unique. I came to the books pretty late, only reading them when I was in University, having been given the first as a gift.

I still remember staying up through the night to finish it and then rushing downtown to Waterstones to pick up whatever else I could find. The ones I loved best of all are the first six - Dune; Dune Messiah; Children of Dune; God Emperor of Dune; Heretics of Dune; Chapterhouse: Dune.

I have tried getting into the later ones that Brian Herbert has done but I simply cannot even after having tried to read them several times. I agree with ray_gower that the books might go down better if they were sold as being based upon the original Dune series rather than extensions. That might help remove the preconceptions and expectations of a similar style and attitude to Frank Herbert, which is what I think my main problem is.

[Cloud]

I think there are very, very few SF books that can compare with the original, "Dune." Even the sequels written by Frank.

[Blue Tyson]

About 2 points out of 5 worse, briefly.

[Cozener]

The prequels don't compare to the originals...in much the same way that md 20/20 doesn't compare with chateau lefite rothchild.

[nromanek]

I'm very interested to hear that the later books are worthwhile. I'm just now rereading the original trilogy - and am even more knocked out by them the second time around (although, if I'm honest, I have to admit that "Children Of Dune" feels a little - just a little - messy). I remember "God Emperor of Dune" not quite clicking with me when I first read it years back, but I'm eager to read it again.

I have virtually sworn off all books after "God Emperor", because what makes the books so good is not just the great sci-fi universe and drama, but also the beautiful and poetic interweaving of themes, motifs, characters.

I have been too hasty? "Chapterhouse", "Heretics", etc...here I come!

[Blue Tyson]

Just read Hunters of Dune, gave it a 3.5

[nromanek]

Blue, that 3.5 for "Hunters" is out of 5, I assume?

Or out of 10?

[Blue Tyson]

Yes, out of 5. If you don't like Dune overly to start with you'd likely go lower, I reckon.

[Tarl_Cabot]

I have read all of them and loved them all. The first Dune novel is one of only three books I have ever had to re-buy because I have read and re-read the book to the point it has physically fallen appart.

[Quokka]

*Prequel Spoilers*


I enjoyed the prequels well enough although I havent read the last one or two yet. The writting and storylines were fine though never a patch on Dune, which I didn't really expect, its got to be impossibly hard to write an extension to what really is a classic.

But all through the series there was one thing that really, really bugged me. The prequels took all the major factions in the Dune universe, the Spacing Guild, the AI ban, Bene Besserit, Melange use etc. (Sorry I could be wrong on some of them its been awhile since I read them but hopefully you know what I mean) and had them all develop within the timeframe of a generation or two.

It was all just too convienient, personally I would have preferred it if the books had moved around within a few thousand years prior to the events of Dune and told the story of how these factions developed without needing to have so many historical events happen at the one time.

[Timewalker]

Originally Posted by Quokka

*Prequel Spoilers*

But all through the series there was one thing that really, really bugged me. The prequels took all the major factions in the Dune universe, the Spacing Guild, the AI ban, Bene Besserit, Melange use etc. (Sorry I could be wrong on some of them its been awhile since I read them but hopefully you know what I mean) and had them all develop within the timeframe of a generation or two.

It was all just too convienient, personally I would have preferred it if the books had moved around within a few thousand years prior to the events of Dune and told the story of how these factions developed without needing to have so many historical events happen at the one time.

Agreed. The two things that irritate me most about the Butlerian Jihad trilogy is that A. Past history as established by Frank Herbert himself was ignored in favor of having all of the above happen pretty much at the same time, and B. Norma Cenva seems to have invented everything up to, and possibly including, the proverbial kitchen sink!

Yes, different writers will have a different way of expressing themselves. But it's unforgiveable to ignore established history -- for example, Frank Herbert established that the Bene Gesserit pre-date the start of the Jihad.

[Marvolo]

Originally Posted by Uriel

I just want to start out by saying that I deeply love Frank Herberts Dune series. I've got them all, and I've read all of them atleast two or three times. So when it was announced that his son was going to write new books based on Frank's left over notes I was thrilled.

Of the new books I've read the two first prequals and The Butlerian Jyhad. House Atreides wasn't so bad, even though it was nothing like Frank's books it managed to introduce the world coherently and most characters were interesting. I didn't care much for the plot and it was evident that Brian and Kevin thinks that the more plot you have the better it is. I really liked the original Dune's introspective political and philosophical themes, but in the new books there was little of that.

While reading House Harkonnen I started to actively dislike the plot. The whole artifical spice thing is retarded, especially since there is no mention of it in the Dune books that take place just a few decades after. Most of the other plots are equally retarded and I don't think I will bother reading to read House Corrino.

What can I say about Butlerian Jyhad? I think this sums it up pretty good:
Penny Arcade! - Honesty Time

This books is an insult to Frank Herbert legacy and quite possibly on of the worst sci-fi novels I've ever read.

I believe that House Corrino attempted to take a worm off Arrakis later didn't they? Also, didn't the Bene Tleilax begin to produce massive amounts of spice later on, destroying the monopoly that Arrakian inhabitants had on spice?

What is so out there about it? Other factions attempted to find ways around needing Dune for spice many times.

[DMFW]

I've read and greatly enjoyed all the Frank Herbert originals (thought I thought the first four up to God Emperor of Dune to be the best).

Sorry, but I am not getting on at all well with any of the prequels... I've read The Butlerian Jihad and started House Harkonnen but just stopped about six months ago from lack of interest and feel no desire to continue. I guess my main objection is that the style of the writing is so much shallower than the originals. I feel that all the complex history so lovingly crafted in the orginal books is being recycled into cheap and easy "adventures" where all the philosophical and political sublety is totally lost. The machine culture in the Butlerian Jihad just did not convince me at all!

I don't know if anyone else has read it but for another trip into the Dune universe I actually much prefered the Dune Encyclopdia:-

Dune Encyclopedia

whilst it may not be official "cannon" (and isn't as ambitious as a new story) I think it is truer to the original spirit of Frank Herbert's imagination. Anyone else think the same?