Discussion Should I buy the Dune novels?

Been looking at picking up the Dune series since I've heard nothing but good things about it. Only issue is that even the e-book versions are pricey. To anyone who has read em are they worth the price?

 

Try the library and/or find a sample of the book to read to give it a try. I know the library has some of the book as it's rather old and well-known sci-fi book. It's a rather complicated book to read (more tune toward adult with university or higher writing). I've played the game, and watch the movies, and than I tried the book. Oh man, oh man. I've given up after maybe 5-10 pages as the writing was beyond me at the time (I was a high school senior and toward university age at the time). And I haven't gotten the time or commitment to try again.

If you're really into the old-style sci-fi, than its probably worth it but I would seriously suggest giving it a try first before committing to it. It's a long series.

 

My local library is closed due to the virus....

 

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/352036/dune-by-frank-herbert/9780441013593/excerpt

chapter 1 excerpt. They are of course easier (and illegal) method to find the book chapters, but if you rather to commit to the universe and to reading it, than I suggest giving it a try before any purchase.

Personally from what I tried just now and what I remember, it's a rather dry read. Nothing exciting really happen.

 

https://archive.org/details/DuneSeriesPDF/page/n3/mode/2up
Here it is. It’s a 50 year old series, just read it for free.

 

Maybe see if its available in digital edition in your local library. I have only read the first book and it was pretty good. As for the rest, I plan to read them sometime in the future

 

The first book is cheap on kindle last time I checked (I think it is $2 in Canada, not sure about other countries). It should be worth a purchase at least.

If I recall, 50 years does not end the copyright. works outside the copyright can be downloaded for free legally, otherwise it is criminal.

 

I also heard plenty of good things about it, though was never interested enough to read it. My only concern is that even if I was into that genre, after reading so many (both good and bad) novels would those “classics” still interest me? Like I remember I used to love Call of the Wild, but if I were to read it for the first time now? I doubt I’d have the same “wonderful” feeling about it today as I did before. Oh now I want to re-read it.

 

I read it when I think I was 12? I remember enjoying it. I read a couple of the sequels, but I didn’t enjoy them as much, or perhaps it was because I waited too long to read them after the first, so with distance I became less invested in the universe.

 

Gotta get that spice.

 

Unless it's very remote and shipping costs a lot, you could probably get most of the books for less than 10 € each I believe, though i'm not necessarily sure.

It's been a while since I did read them, but from what I can remember (only seen the movie, might get into the TV series for the sequel books later) there are some differences like there always is between books made to movies, but I couldn't tell if you would like it or not really.

 

Only the first book is good, the second went downhill and I never finished the third.

 

The first one is a masterpiece, the rest are entertaining but not so good but I would give them a try. I can't comment about the ones written by the son.

 

I bought the first book and disliked it. I couldn't get past the first one hundred pages.

 

I usually love sci fi and fantasy and world building that borders on convuluted, but while i read and understood everything and did not dislike it, i found the first dune book lackluster and it did not inspire me to read the others. I do like the 80s movie for its epic cheesiness that is centerpiece to all the cult classic b movies. Overall i would say its a great set of stories when read in a comprehensive summary like wiki but just a little weak in the knees in the actual novelization.

 

I love the first book so much, the next volumes are alright and it all wraps up nicely in the end. It's satisfying in the long run but you have to go through a lot of hurdles.

 

Yes.

 

Just the first one will do. A bit downhill from there

 

Isn't it a very depressing series that depicts their struggles when they, in fact, have no hope? The setting is kinda interesting but the characters are what killed it for a lot of people from what I understand?

 

As much as I like Muad'dib, I would recommend against buying it until you have at least done a "pre-read" from your library. It really is a "not for everyone" series.