Dune House Atreides

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Admin
User ID: 7873223 Oct 5th 7:42 PM
Please post your comments and feedback on the new Dune House Atreides novel here.

Jeff Minor
User ID: 0415304 Oct 10th 1:50 PM
How SAD!
This prequel to Dune is written with such bloated prose that I can hardly believe a professional writer is the author. Since when is third person omnicent narration back in style. It reads like something written for kids! Not only that, but there are blatent point of view violations throughout. Was this book professionaly edited? I'd like to know the editors name, so I could send them a copy of this note. This book is a disgrace to the universe which Frank Herbert skillfuly crafted. It's nothing more than fluff, a mercenary use of the name Dune. How very sad.

J.J. Minor

Brock Tucker
User ID: 0401124 Oct 12th 11:24 PM
I'm only about a quarter of the way through the new book, but I have noticed more than a few discrepancies in relation to subjects presented within the Dune Encyclopedia. Both Leto's and Vladimir's father's names are incorrect, and so is Shaddam's wife and her background. To the average reader they might not mean anything, but to someone who considers Herbert's series to be one of the masterpieces of literary fiction it is very disturbing. The tone and style of the new prequel is a troubling departure from the originals. I can only hope that whomever edits the next two novels has read all the originals and has some sense of the continuity and ideas presented within the Dune Encyclopedia.

Jeff Minor
User ID: 0415304 Oct 13th 1:11 PM
Not to beat a dead horse, but, I agree with Brock's observations regarding the inforamtion in the encyclopedia. Is this just a writing style issue with me? Perhaps, because I don't like bad prose (what I consider bad). But there seems to be such an unsophisticated feel to this new book, unrefined, almost as if the scope of the first six books is being ignored on purpose.

Jeff

Dune reader
User ID: 0081374 Oct 16th 12:07 PM
Dune: House Atreides certainly was no masterpiece. However, regarding the comments about The Dune Encyclopedia... While The Dune Encyclopedia is "authorized" I don't believe it can be taken as fact. Herbert, in his intro to the book, gave his approval, but said that he would "hold his own council on some of the issues still to be explored." I would guess that the difference in character names and backgrounds is due to discrepancies between what the authors of The Dune Encyclopedia made up for their entries and what they didn't have access to in Frank Herbert's notes. Therefore, if Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson are using the names and backgrounds from Frank's notes, they are correct. Dune: House Atreides should be seen in the light of the movie, as ancillary to the original books, an attempt to keep Dune in public awareness, not as an attempt to match Frank Herbert's genius. Brian Herbert probably would have done better to put out his once-planned anthology of Dune-related short stories by famous science fiction authors. Readers would have been less critical of it.

Nik Oct 20th 10:01 PM
Well, house Atreides is quite a fine book. Personally I am 4/5 through it and I must say that all you people who are having a whinge about it should just listen. As far as the Dune encyclopedia goes, it was compiled independantly by people who were not really involved with Frank Herbert, so if his son Brian chooses to take another approach, then I think that he is justified in doing so. Many of the elements mentioned in the Dune encyclopedia I had never heard of before (Harq'al'aba for instance), so I think that if Brian wanted to change the names of some characters to make the 3 prequels more flowing and cohesive, then he had every right to.
I think House Atreides is really good. The background and functions of all the previously minor characters (Fenring for example) are presented really well.
My only critisism with this story is that so far Brian has tried to do so much in such a short period of time. Wheras in the original 6 books, the next aspects of the stories were introduced gradually (the Tleilaxu in DM, the whole greenifying of Arrakis in GEOD etc) leaving you time to digest all that came your way. In House Atreides though, we already know all about everything about everybody, so Brian has alot more to work with, and the books pace is very fast.
But anyway, House Atreides is a very good, if not a fantastic introduction to the world of Frank Herbert.

Brock Tucker
User ID: 0401124 Oct 21st 12:31 AM
Having just finished House Atreides, I am still deeply disappointed with it. It certainly had its moments, but altogether too few. It just doesn't compare in any way to the originals. The dialogue in many parts is rather lame and not the least bit reminiscent of FH's style. Not to say the authors needed to plagiarize, BUT AT LEAST THEY COULD HAVE REMAINED TRUE TO THE FEELING OF THE ORIGINALS, FOR CHRISSAKES!! I felt like they really dumbed down the whole book for some reason. If they were trying to appeal to a younger audience they made a big mistake. I read the original when I was 12 years old and didn't feel like it went over my head. Why does this book feel like a major step backward for DUNE? I'm sure it satisfied the cravings of some hardcore Dune fanatics, but not this one. Having read each novel in the original series at least six times, some of them more, I feel qualified to critique the new novel. As I've said before, one of the biggest problems with the novel for me is the lack of continuity with the Encyclopedia. That is one of the reasons I will tell other Dune fans that the new one sucks. Their hack job makes me want to write an unauthorized version that would satisfy some disgruntled fan's appetites. I know I don't have any publishing credits under my belt, but I could always get my eight year old nephew to help me ghost write it.
On a more positive note, I felt like the authors did a good job with Duncan Idaho (even with the errors in continuity), the Harkonnens and Fenring . I am holding out a very small hope that the next novel will improve, but I'm not getting my hopes up too much.

Dune reader
User ID: 0081374 Oct 21st 12:33 PM
I find it very interesting to read the reviews of D:HA on amazon.com. They are mostly either one star or five stars. The release of this book has marked the creation of an adamant "Dune Purist" movement. People either love or hate this book. The people who love it just want moreDunemoreDunemoreDune, while the people who hate it want to leave Frank Herbert's words as gospel, not to be tampered with or continued in any fashion because no one is qualified to carry on The Master's work. I think that Frank Herbert would find this social process quite intriguing. I, for one, can understand both camps. As regards the More Dune movement, if the Dune universe is opened up (hopefully to various other writers in the future) one has a better chance of seeing quality Dune stories appearing. As regards the Dune Purist movement, when the door to the Dune universe is opened up to other authors, the amount of trashy Dune stories will increase, thus cheapening Dune. I would be interested to know if people from the Dune Purist movement liked the movie and play the Dune video games and card games. I think there might be a correlation between those who like Dune in other forms and those who approved of D:HA. This is an interesting time for Dune as a social phenomenon, and we should detach ourselves a bit so that we can see the big picture. It will be fascinating to see what happens when the new Dune miniseries comes out, as well as the following prequels and other projects. Remember, Dune is for a large part about sociology and anthropology. Frank Herbert would have been quite fascinated with the social ecology created by his work.

Brock Tucker
User ID: 0854544 Oct 21st 6:29 PM
I think "dune reader" has made a very interesting insight concerning how people are reacting to the new novel. I guess I would fall into the purist category, but I do enjoy playing Dune 2000 a great deal. I was a little disappointed that there were errors in continuity, but what can you do? I've never played the card game, but I will probably pick up the RPG just to see if it's cool. I don't object to others continuing the tradition (I read the book), I just wish it had been of better quality.

NIK Oct 21st 11:01 PM
Just commenting on the points raised by "dune reader". I myself am a follower of the Dune books more than anything else. Frank Herberts masterpieces are vastly superior to anything that has jumped on the band-wagon. The movie (in its present form) really is quite pathetic, but the games are much better. To me, the only medium is which it is possible to get a full grasp on the Dune universe is in book form. Whether by B or F, the written forms are superior to anything currently devised to deal with Dune.
(I am keeping an open mind about the role playing games though).

Tone' Wallace
User ID: 9551723 Oct 23rd 6:40 PM
In comment to all the static, even in "Real History" what is written or taught from one generation to the next is often differnt from what actually happend.Look at the many versions of Joan of Ark or Cleopatra, even King Arthur. Even Star Wars:Episode one has a few name flaws (Bail Orgona/Bail Antillies) the reason's for names and histories that may seem altered to us are sure to be explained. After all Frank did say that some things were subject to change, not in so many words though. They wrote House Atreides after writting 141 pages of idea's Then Finding Frank's still to be released 7th book of Dune. which they said these three books tie into that book.Please have an open mind, what history tells us, isn't exactly the way it happend. I'm sure once Dune 7 is released lots of people will be eatting there words.

Bubba
User ID: 7873223 Oct 24th 4:25 PM
Dang, you guys need to chill out. D:HA was *awesome*, if only because it relights a fire that could have gone out completely with the passing of FH. We should be thanking Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson for taking on the project.

I mean, really, how many of you weren't anxiously awaiting October 5th like a 4-year-old on Xmas Eve? I thought the story was great, and I look forward to reading all the rest of them as they become available.

ERIC ELLISON
User ID: 3257544 Oct 26th 8:51 PM
I finished reading House Atreides. I found this book to be very visual. It may not been written with the dark, gloominess, and stillness of the present six dune's books, but it has its place in the dune universe! Dune House Atreides read smoothly and is easily understood, and comprehended. I felt a sense of continuity.

SteveP
User ID: 1516194 Oct 27th 3:46 AM
I'm unimpressed by HA. Actually, enraged might be a better word.

I'm at a loss to find A redeeming quality of it. These are not the characters I met in Dune, regardless of the names BH and KJA call them. I feel that the entire series has been cheapened by this publication of this book. Examples to follow, after an ample spoiler alert.

S
P
O
I
L
E
R

The no-ship nonsense I could have done without. Even assuming the no-technology could somehow be lost, the no-room that is described here is firmly established (in Heretics of Dune) to be created during Leto II's reign. And I won't even touch the scene stolen from Star Trek VI.

Sorry, but there's no way Mohiam would do what she did to the Baron. It's out of character for her, as well as the BG. A BG punishment teaches a lesson, and what does the Baron learn from becoming a bloated, disgusting pig--to lay off the Spice Cookies? Sorry, no. A side effect of this "punishment" would seem to be a change in the Baron's hair color, as it changes from red in HA to black in the real Dune.

There's more continuity issues, but I think my point is made. There is, however, one last thing that pisses me off to no end: KJA and BH's comments about the Dune Encyclopedia. They've said that the DE is to be regarded as happening in an alternate Dune reality, whereas their tripe is canon, gospel Dune. Sorry, kids, but of the two books in question, House Atreides and the Dune Encyclopedia, only one of them was authorized, and that'd be the latter. Your stuff is fan-fic, certainly nothing more, probably much less.

Sorry to rant,

Steve

SteveP
User ID: 1516194 Oct 27th 4:00 AM
I'm not sure if I mentioned it in that last post, but I *really* didn't like House Atreides.

EELLISON
User ID: 0422394 Oct 27th 10:49 AM
Your opinion was well noted in your first article. You, guy, should chill-out, and think your lucky stars because Brian Herbert did dicide to continue Frank Herbert's dune works. We could have ended up with Dune series ending with Chapterhouse Dune.

Bill C
User ID: 9084913 Oct 27th 11:14 AM
I have just finished D:HA and I liked it very much. Is it DUNE...no but it is a credible prequel. I have read the original series more than a dozen times and find something new every time. It seems to me that most here on this board wanted to dislike this book before they even read it because "it's not Frank". My reasoning stems from the number of negative responses given prior to even finishing the novel. I have not read the Dune side books(encyclopedia, etc.) because I can make up my own mind on what I think the story is saying and I have enough imagination to follow the flow of the Dune Universe without outside interference. And besides they aren't Frank either. I congratulate the undertaking that Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson have undertaken. It is a job that is destined to be criticized but it is also a universe that is more than deserving of a revisit.

SteveP
User ID: 1557854 Oct 27th 2:42 PM
EELLISON:

The Dune series *did* end with Chapterhouse. Sure Frank was planning on doing another book, but fate intervened. I'm sorry, but it ended where it ended. No amount of amateur fan fiction is going to change that.

I suppose I wouldn't be as angry had Brian teamed up with someone with--how can I put this delicately--even one iota of writing ability. But I digress...

breetah
User ID: 9259363 Oct 27th 4:05 PM
I first want to say that I have a slightly different perspective, I enjoy the Dune series but I'm not in the middle of the fan scene, I also have some experience with KJA's writing. I'm a diehard Star Wars fan so I've been reading KJA's writing for a while now, and it's interesting to see another situation in which a known universe is taken and expanded by an "outside" writer. The Star Wars universe also has to deal with the difference of opinion between "purists" and "bookies". The same arguments that I see above are the same one's that we've been dealing with in SW fandom. Is it canon or not? Not only do I see the same arguments, interestingly enough it's the same person responsible for it! KJA has been writing in the SW universe for quite a few years, and some of the comments above remind me of the criticisms that we've felt about his treatment of the SW universe. First I was VERY surprised that KJA was picked for HA. KJA's writing style isn't even close to FH, does this bother me? Not really, but the same thing happened in the SW universe, KJA didn't seem to have a good grasp of the characterizations or of the universe as a whole. At least with HA, BH was there to defend the integrity of the story, did BH succeed? I don't really know yet. I read HA, enjoyed the story, but wasn't blown away by the prose. KJA has a very... detached way of writing. I have always wondered if he truly enjoyed writing in the SW universe, then I read his x-files books and realized that it wasn't just a SW problem, he just is a simplistic writer. My judgement on HA, really enjoyed the story, but it certainly isn't award winning writing. Would I recommend HA? Sure, but I wouldn't recommend anyone going out and buying a hardback of it, borrow a copy or wait for the paperback. Also there isn't a continuity error in the Bail Antilles/Bail Organa from TPM, Bail is an honorific

tharkun8
User ID: 9607473 Oct 28th 2:18 PM
Before this argument even goes forward... please do not compare Star Wars and the Dune series... The Dune series was the most subtle and imaginative series I've seen in TRUE sci-fi. The Star Wars garbage of Lucas doesn't even qualify as language in comparison. the Force ?? give me a break... With that said, I just finished D:HA and I found that it was better then I expected it to be, but much worse then I had hoped. I was willing to forgive some continuity problems, but what killed it for me was the utter loss of the subtlety that made the original series so good. The dialog in D:HA was like a Dick and Jane book with none of the cleverness and subtlety that made the original series classics. It was like reading a movie instead of watching the events of a different universe unfold. It was almost exactly like a Star Wars book
(yes,I struggled through a couple) where the characters and story are spoon-feeding.... I still haven't really decided if this type of work is good or bad for the Dune universe. I tend to think that the new series , if it stays in the present style, will drag the old series down more then it will help it.

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Admin User ID: 7873223	Oct 5th 7:42 PM Please post your comments and feedback on the new Dune House Atreides novel here.
Jeff Minor User ID: 0415304	Oct 10th 1:50 PM How SAD! This prequel to Dune is written with such bloated prose that I can hardly believe a professional writer is the author. Since when is third person omnicent narration back in style. It reads like something written for kids! Not only that, but there are blatent point of view violations throughout. Was this book professionaly edited? I'd like to know the editors name, so I could send them a copy of this note. This book is a disgrace to the universe which Frank Herbert skillfuly crafted. It's nothing more than fluff, a mercenary use of the name Dune. How very sad. J.J. Minor
Brock Tucker User ID: 0401124	Oct 12th 11:24 PM I'm only about a quarter of the way through the new book, but I have noticed more than a few discrepancies in relation to subjects presented within the Dune Encyclopedia. Both Leto's and Vladimir's father's names are incorrect, and so is Shaddam's wife and her background. To the average reader they might not mean anything, but to someone who considers Herbert's series to be one of the masterpieces of literary fiction it is very disturbing. The tone and style of the new prequel is a troubling departure from the originals. I can only hope that whomever edits the next two novels has read all the originals and has some sense of the continuity and ideas presented within the Dune Encyclopedia.
Jeff Minor User ID: 0415304	Oct 13th 1:11 PM Not to beat a dead horse, but, I agree with Brock's observations regarding the inforamtion in the encyclopedia. Is this just a writing style issue with me? Perhaps, because I don't like bad prose (what I consider bad). But there seems to be such an unsophisticated feel to this new book, unrefined, almost as if the scope of the first six books is being ignored on purpose. Jeff
Dune reader User ID: 0081374	Oct 16th 12:07 PM Dune: House Atreides certainly was no masterpiece. However, regarding the comments about The Dune Encyclopedia... While The Dune Encyclopedia is "authorized" I don't believe it can be taken as fact. Herbert, in his intro to the book, gave his approval, but said that he would "hold his own council on some of the issues still to be explored." I would guess that the difference in character names and backgrounds is due to discrepancies between what the authors of The Dune Encyclopedia made up for their entries and what they didn't have access to in Frank Herbert's notes. Therefore, if Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson are using the names and backgrounds from Frank's notes, they are correct. Dune: House Atreides should be seen in the light of the movie, as ancillary to the original books, an attempt to keep Dune in public awareness, not as an attempt to match Frank Herbert's genius. Brian Herbert probably would have done better to put out his once-planned anthology of Dune-related short stories by famous science fiction authors. Readers would have been less critical of it.
Nik	Oct 20th 10:01 PM Well, house Atreides is quite a fine book. Personally I am 4/5 through it and I must say that all you people who are having a whinge about it should just listen. As far as the Dune encyclopedia goes, it was compiled independantly by people who were not really involved with Frank Herbert, so if his son Brian chooses to take another approach, then I think that he is justified in doing so. Many of the elements mentioned in the Dune encyclopedia I had never heard of before (Harq'al'aba for instance), so I think that if Brian wanted to change the names of some characters to make the 3 prequels more flowing and cohesive, then he had every right to. I think House Atreides is really good. The background and functions of all the previously minor characters (Fenring for example) are presented really well. My only critisism with this story is that so far Brian has tried to do so much in such a short period of time. Wheras in the original 6 books, the next aspects of the stories were introduced gradually (the Tleilaxu in DM, the whole greenifying of Arrakis in GEOD etc) leaving you time to digest all that came your way. In House Atreides though, we already know all about everything about everybody, so Brian has alot more to work with, and the books pace is very fast. But anyway, House Atreides is a very good, if not a fantastic introduction to the world of Frank Herbert.
Brock Tucker User ID: 0401124	Oct 21st 12:31 AM Having just finished House Atreides, I am still deeply disappointed with it. It certainly had its moments, but altogether too few. It just doesn't compare in any way to the originals. The dialogue in many parts is rather lame and not the least bit reminiscent of FH's style. Not to say the authors needed to plagiarize, BUT AT LEAST THEY COULD HAVE REMAINED TRUE TO THE FEELING OF THE ORIGINALS, FOR CHRISSAKES!! I felt like they really dumbed down the whole book for some reason. If they were trying to appeal to a younger audience they made a big mistake. I read the original when I was 12 years old and didn't feel like it went over my head. Why does this book feel like a major step backward for DUNE? I'm sure it satisfied the cravings of some hardcore Dune fanatics, but not this one. Having read each novel in the original series at least six times, some of them more, I feel qualified to critique the new novel. As I've said before, one of the biggest problems with the novel for me is the lack of continuity with the Encyclopedia. That is one of the reasons I will tell other Dune fans that the new one sucks. Their hack job makes me want to write an unauthorized version that would satisfy some disgruntled fan's appetites. I know I don't have any publishing credits under my belt, but I could always get my eight year old nephew to help me ghost write it. On a more positive note, I felt like the authors did a good job with Duncan Idaho (even with the errors in continuity), the Harkonnens and Fenring . I am holding out a very small hope that the next novel will improve, but I'm not getting my hopes up too much.
Dune reader User ID: 0081374	Oct 21st 12:33 PM I find it very interesting to read the reviews of D:HA on amazon.com. They are mostly either one star or five stars. The release of this book has marked the creation of an adamant "Dune Purist" movement. People either love or hate this book. The people who love it just want moreDunemoreDunemoreDune, while the people who hate it want to leave Frank Herbert's words as gospel, not to be tampered with or continued in any fashion because no one is qualified to carry on The Master's work. I think that Frank Herbert would find this social process quite intriguing. I, for one, can understand both camps. As regards the More Dune movement, if the Dune universe is opened up (hopefully to various other writers in the future) one has a better chance of seeing quality Dune stories appearing. As regards the Dune Purist movement, when the door to the Dune universe is opened up to other authors, the amount of trashy Dune stories will increase, thus cheapening Dune. I would be interested to know if people from the Dune Purist movement liked the movie and play the Dune video games and card games. I think there might be a correlation between those who like Dune in other forms and those who approved of D:HA. This is an interesting time for Dune as a social phenomenon, and we should detach ourselves a bit so that we can see the big picture. It will be fascinating to see what happens when the new Dune miniseries comes out, as well as the following prequels and other projects. Remember, Dune is for a large part about sociology and anthropology. Frank Herbert would have been quite fascinated with the social ecology created by his work.
Brock Tucker User ID: 0854544	Oct 21st 6:29 PM I think "dune reader" has made a very interesting insight concerning how people are reacting to the new novel. I guess I would fall into the purist category, but I do enjoy playing Dune 2000 a great deal. I was a little disappointed that there were errors in continuity, but what can you do? I've never played the card game, but I will probably pick up the RPG just to see if it's cool. I don't object to others continuing the tradition (I read the book), I just wish it had been of better quality.
NIK	Oct 21st 11:01 PM Just commenting on the points raised by "dune reader". I myself am a follower of the Dune books more than anything else. Frank Herberts masterpieces are vastly superior to anything that has jumped on the band-wagon. The movie (in its present form) really is quite pathetic, but the games are much better. To me, the only medium is which it is possible to get a full grasp on the Dune universe is in book form. Whether by B or F, the written forms are superior to anything currently devised to deal with Dune. (I am keeping an open mind about the role playing games though).
Tone' Wallace User ID: 9551723	Oct 23rd 6:40 PM In comment to all the static, even in "Real History" what is written or taught from one generation to the next is often differnt from what actually happend.Look at the many versions of Joan of Ark or Cleopatra, even King Arthur. Even Star Wars:Episode one has a few name flaws (Bail Orgona/Bail Antillies) the reason's for names and histories that may seem altered to us are sure to be explained. After all Frank did say that some things were subject to change, not in so many words though. They wrote House Atreides after writting 141 pages of idea's Then Finding Frank's still to be released 7th book of Dune. which they said these three books tie into that book.Please have an open mind, what history tells us, isn't exactly the way it happend. I'm sure once Dune 7 is released lots of people will be eatting there words.
Bubba User ID: 7873223	Oct 24th 4:25 PM Dang, you guys need to chill out. D:HA was awesome, if only because it relights a fire that could have gone out completely with the passing of FH. We should be thanking Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson for taking on the project. I mean, really, how many of you weren't anxiously awaiting October 5th like a 4-year-old on Xmas Eve? I thought the story was great, and I look forward to reading all the rest of them as they become available.
ERIC ELLISON User ID: 3257544	Oct 26th 8:51 PM I finished reading House Atreides. I found this book to be very visual. It may not been written with the dark, gloominess, and stillness of the present six dune's books, but it has its place in the dune universe! Dune House Atreides read smoothly and is easily understood, and comprehended. I felt a sense of continuity.
SteveP User ID: 1516194	Oct 27th 3:46 AM I'm unimpressed by HA. Actually, enraged might be a better word. I'm at a loss to find A redeeming quality of it. These are not the characters I met in Dune, regardless of the names BH and KJA call them. I feel that the entire series has been cheapened by this publication of this book. Examples to follow, after an ample spoiler alert. S P O I L E R The no-ship nonsense I could have done without. Even assuming the no-technology could somehow be lost, the no-room that is described here is firmly established (in Heretics of Dune) to be created during Leto II's reign. And I won't even touch the scene stolen from Star Trek VI. Sorry, but there's no way Mohiam would do what she did to the Baron. It's out of character for her, as well as the BG. A BG punishment teaches a lesson, and what does the Baron learn from becoming a bloated, disgusting pig--to lay off the Spice Cookies? Sorry, no. A side effect of this "punishment" would seem to be a change in the Baron's hair color, as it changes from red in HA to black in the real Dune. There's more continuity issues, but I think my point is made. There is, however, one last thing that pisses me off to no end: KJA and BH's comments about the Dune Encyclopedia. They've said that the DE is to be regarded as happening in an alternate Dune reality, whereas their tripe is canon, gospel Dune. Sorry, kids, but of the two books in question, House Atreides and the Dune Encyclopedia, only one of them was authorized, and that'd be the latter. Your stuff is fan-fic, certainly nothing more, probably much less. Sorry to rant, Steve
SteveP User ID: 1516194	Oct 27th 4:00 AM *I'm not sure if I mentioned it in that last post, but I really* didn't like House Atreides.**
EELLISON User ID: 0422394	Oct 27th 10:49 AM Your opinion was well noted in your first article. You, guy, should chill-out, and think your lucky stars because Brian Herbert did dicide to continue Frank Herbert's dune works. We could have ended up with Dune series ending with Chapterhouse Dune.
Bill C User ID: 9084913	Oct 27th 11:14 AM I have just finished D:HA and I liked it very much. Is it DUNE...no but it is a credible prequel. I have read the original series more than a dozen times and find something new every time. It seems to me that most here on this board wanted to dislike this book before they even read it because "it's not Frank". My reasoning stems from the number of negative responses given prior to even finishing the novel. I have not read the Dune side books(encyclopedia, etc.) because I can make up my own mind on what I think the story is saying and I have enough imagination to follow the flow of the Dune Universe without outside interference. And besides they aren't Frank either. I congratulate the undertaking that Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson have undertaken. It is a job that is destined to be criticized but it is also a universe that is more than deserving of a revisit.
SteveP User ID: 1557854	Oct 27th 2:42 PM EELLISON: The Dune series did end with Chapterhouse. Sure Frank was planning on doing another book, but fate intervened. I'm sorry, but it ended where it ended. No amount of amateur fan fiction is going to change that. I suppose I wouldn't be as angry had Brian teamed up with someone with--how can I put this delicately--even one iota of writing ability. But I digress...
breetah User ID: 9259363	Oct 27th 4:05 PM I first want to say that I have a slightly different perspective, I enjoy the Dune series but I'm not in the middle of the fan scene, I also have some experience with KJA's writing. I'm a diehard Star Wars fan so I've been reading KJA's writing for a while now, and it's interesting to see another situation in which a known universe is taken and expanded by an "outside" writer. The Star Wars universe also has to deal with the difference of opinion between "purists" and "bookies". The same arguments that I see above are the same one's that we've been dealing with in SW fandom. Is it canon or not? Not only do I see the same arguments, interestingly enough it's the same person responsible for it! KJA has been writing in the SW universe for quite a few years, and some of the comments above remind me of the criticisms that we've felt about his treatment of the SW universe. First I was VERY surprised that KJA was picked for HA. KJA's writing style isn't even close to FH, does this bother me? Not really, but the same thing happened in the SW universe, KJA didn't seem to have a good grasp of the characterizations or of the universe as a whole. At least with HA, BH was there to defend the integrity of the story, did BH succeed? I don't really know yet. I read HA, enjoyed the story, but wasn't blown away by the prose. KJA has a very... detached way of writing. I have always wondered if he truly enjoyed writing in the SW universe, then I read his x-files books and realized that it wasn't just a SW problem, he just is a simplistic writer. My judgement on HA, really enjoyed the story, but it certainly isn't award winning writing. Would I recommend HA? Sure, but I wouldn't recommend anyone going out and buying a hardback of it, borrow a copy or wait for the paperback. Also there isn't a continuity error in the Bail Antilles/Bail Organa from TPM, Bail is an honorific
tharkun8 User ID: 9607473	Oct 28th 2:18 PM Before this argument even goes forward... please do not compare Star Wars and the Dune series... The Dune series was the most subtle and imaginative series I've seen in TRUE sci-fi. The Star Wars garbage of Lucas doesn't even qualify as language in comparison. the Force ?? give me a break... With that said, I just finished D:HA and I found that it was better then I expected it to be, but much worse then I had hoped. I was willing to forgive some continuity problems, but what killed it for me was the utter loss of the subtlety that made the original series so good. The dialog in D:HA was like a Dick and Jane book with none of the cleverness and subtlety that made the original series classics. It was like reading a movie instead of watching the events of a different universe unfold. It was almost exactly like a Star Wars book (yes,I struggled through a couple) where the characters and story are spoon-feeding.... I still haven't really decided if this type of work is good or bad for the Dune universe. I tend to think that the new series , if it stays in the present style, will drag the old series down more then it will help it.