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Should I read Dune and why?

You should read Dune. After completion, you will be able to read other sci fi and tell the difference between good and bad. While an epic work in and of itself, Dune suffers from an overly complicated plot structure, long-winded speeches by many of the characters, and tons of unnecessary descriptive bells and whistles. Kinda like Lord Of the Rings. It's worth doing once, though. So much is held up to it that you need to learn what the standard is.
 
Definitely read it. Especially if you've seen David Lynch's movie - no one should ever be left with the impression that that is Dune
 
I watched the movie once. Just once. To this day I have to wear orthopaedic supports for my eyes.
 
A related question: If I've seen both of the SCI-FI miniseries, could I just jump into reading "God Emperor of Dune" with only a quick primer on the few things the miniseries left out?

I'm currently trying to get my 22 year old sister to read it. It seems the only way she will is if I read the entire Twilight series in turn.:wtf:

I know what that's like. I tried making a similar deal with one of my friends. I'd read Timothy Zhan's "Star Wars" trilogy and he would watch all of the "Star Trek" movies that he hadn't yet seen (which was all of them except for "Generations" & "Insurrection"). The deal completely broke down when he didn't like "The Wrath of Khan" and I realized that there was absolutely no hope for the poor soul.

Although, from what I've heard, if she's trying to get you to read "Breaking Dawn" as well, you may be the subject of a cruel prank.

She wants me to read all four books. I know the basics of the series, vampires and werewolves and the whole love triangle thing. Beyond that I have no idea about this prank you mention.

I thumbed through the first twenty pages of the first book while trying to make a decision about her offer. Truth be told I found the writing of the main character to be annoying. Teenage angst gives me headaches.

I think I'm going to try to get her to come up with another book instead.
 
The David Lynch movie is boring, compared to the book. It hardly begins to cover it.

Dune is one of my favourite novels, all categories. It blew my mind. Practically the only science fiction I read besides Brave New World.
I'm more of a Louise Erdrich and Jim Harrison fan.

For some fun in the fantasy genre, read Terry Pratchett's Good Omens.
 
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I'm currently trying to get my 22 year old sister to read it. It seems the only way she will is if I read the entire Twilight series in turn.:wtf:

I know what that's like. I tried making a similar deal with one of my friends. I'd read Timothy Zhan's "Star Wars" trilogy and he would watch all of the "Star Trek" movies that he hadn't yet seen (which was all of them except for "Generations" & "Insurrection"). The deal completely broke down when he didn't like "The Wrath of Khan" and I realized that there was absolutely no hope for the poor soul.

Although, from what I've heard, if she's trying to get you to read "Breaking Dawn" as well, you may be the subject of a cruel prank.

She wants me to read all four books. I know the basics of the series, vampires and werewolves and the whole love triangle thing. Beyond that I have no idea about this prank you mention.

I can't say for sure because I've never read any of them but friends of mine who have say that "Breaking Dawn" is bad, really bad, "These Are the Voyages" bad.

A related question: If I've seen both of the SCI-FI miniseries, could I just jump into reading "God Emperor of Dune" with only a quick primer on the few things the miniseries left out?
Possible but not advisable, the adaptations weren't 100% faithful. The real question is; why would you want to?

Since I already know the gist of the stories of the first 3 books thanks to the miniseries & the David Lynch movie, I'm not particularly eager to slog through the stories again in prose form. However, I am interested in how the stories continue, so I kinda want to just pick up where SCI-FI left off with "God Emperor of Dune."
 
I haven't read them since middle school, but I remembering loving the first 3 and hating the last 3. The first was the best, the 2nd was a weird but decent sequel, and the 3rd one was very philosophical and bizarre but still interesting. I think I read the first one like 5 times back in the day.
 
Dune is just a flat-out great book. It's easily one of my favourite Sci-Fi novels ever.

Another favourite of mine (probably number 1) is The Book of the New Sun by Gene Wolfe. It is quite frankly the high point of the entire fantasy/sci-fi genre for me.
 
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