I haven’t read the full series but the first book isn’t terrible. But I did have to listen to it on audiobook to finish it.
It’s very weird because Herbert is genius at world building but real bad at actual storytelling and pacing. The political landscape of the world and how everything ties in together is so fascinating. But saying at the beginning “hey this guy is gonna betray everyone!!!” And waiting 10 chapters to get there kinda falls flat for me.
And the theme of ‘beware charismatic leaders’ doesn’t work for me when I read about this teenager whose father (a good man from what we are told) is murdered in a game of politics, has prescience, and struggles with what his actions should be and what their consequences might be.
Herbert should’ve refrained from giving him the ability to see the future.
I enjoyed the first book a lot it went very quickly downhill from there, and I stopped after “God Emperor”, though I have the next book and some people telling me it gets better.
Yup. I started the next book once (Heretics?), but even from the start it just felt like Frank Herbert had locked himself in with these characters and this universe, and no longer had any idea what he wanted to do with it, the story just had to go on regardless.
I think a lot of what makes the first book so good is that there’s this whole new and mysterious universe, and he keeps it rather mysterious throughout. You don’t really know what the Bene Geserit are, what a Mentat is, or even really understand what spice is. You’re stuck on a strange planet in a strange universe, learning how things work as you go. That puts you in Paul’s shoes, and makes the book great.
Once all these concepts are established and have lost their novelty, I honestly don’t feel like there’s much appeal to the storytelling. Throughout God Emperor and the first chapters of Heretics it started feeling like a slog, just based on the same established concepts and characters, with very little real development.
I think you’re right but I did care about at least the main story of every book even if the story itself wasn’t told the best way (I’m looking at you sex ninja/sorcerers) Taken as a whole I like the story though and enjoyed it while reading it.
The Dune literary phenomenon offers fascinating insight into human psychology because the book series is such absolute unadulterated slop.
I haven’t read the full series but the first book isn’t terrible. But I did have to listen to it on audiobook to finish it.
It’s very weird because Herbert is genius at world building but real bad at actual storytelling and pacing. The political landscape of the world and how everything ties in together is so fascinating. But saying at the beginning “hey this guy is gonna betray everyone!!!” And waiting 10 chapters to get there kinda falls flat for me.
And the theme of ‘beware charismatic leaders’ doesn’t work for me when I read about this teenager whose father (a good man from what we are told) is murdered in a game of politics, has prescience, and struggles with what his actions should be and what their consequences might be.
Herbert should’ve refrained from giving him the ability to see the future.
Really? I enjoyed them quite a bit and im very picky
Feels like ragebait honestly
I enjoyed the first book a lot it went very quickly downhill from there, and I stopped after “God Emperor”, though I have the next book and some people telling me it gets better.
Idk I quit after God Emperor, too, that kind of felt like the end of things to me. The book after just wasn’t interesting anymore
Yup. I started the next book once (Heretics?), but even from the start it just felt like Frank Herbert had locked himself in with these characters and this universe, and no longer had any idea what he wanted to do with it, the story just had to go on regardless.
I think a lot of what makes the first book so good is that there’s this whole new and mysterious universe, and he keeps it rather mysterious throughout. You don’t really know what the Bene Geserit are, what a Mentat is, or even really understand what spice is. You’re stuck on a strange planet in a strange universe, learning how things work as you go. That puts you in Paul’s shoes, and makes the book great.
Once all these concepts are established and have lost their novelty, I honestly don’t feel like there’s much appeal to the storytelling. Throughout God Emperor and the first chapters of Heretics it started feeling like a slog, just based on the same established concepts and characters, with very little real development.
This is like saying you’re a picky eater who enjoys cat food.
It depends on how you prepare it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8H9tV2eyWk
You could try arguing your point instead of throwing insults around.
No. I don’t think they can actually.
It’s like clan of the cave bear. Cool ideas at first and diminishing returns with each successive book.
I think you’re right but I did care about at least the main story of every book even if the story itself wasn’t told the best way (I’m looking at you sex ninja/sorcerers) Taken as a whole I like the story though and enjoyed it while reading it.