6 ms·
For science fiction, Dune is a must, and Children of Time is probably the most mind-bending sci-fi I've read since. Both create imaginary worlds that are so det
by jgwil2 6y ago
For science fiction, Dune is a must, and Children of Time is probably the most mind-bending sci-fi I've read since. Both create imaginary worlds that are so detailed and plausible that they make you see our world in a new light.
- Cthulhu_ 6y agoBut take Dune with a grain of salt; I read them, but the books after the first get a bit, I dunno, wishy-washy? Vague? Philosophical? I wanted to like it because the universe it describes is compelling, but the stories themselves lose a lot of luster. Interesting to see what they'll do in the upcoming movie / series, whichever it was though. It's great in terms of worldbuilding, and it's influenced a lot of other stuff (like Warhammer 50K).
- pjc50 6y agoDon't bother with the books past the first and maybe the second. Dune itself should be treated as a standalone masterpiece of worldbuilding.
- karatestomp 6y agoMessiah and Children are sometimes published in one volume since Messiah's so short, so you may as well read both if you're going past the first book. And if you've done that you may as well finish the arc with God Emperor. Reading past that is, truly, not worth it. Story's over, stop reading.
- carapace 6y agoThis. Dune is a self-contained masterwork. The rest... not so much.
- mgbmtl 6y agoI agree that books 3-4 are pretty slow and uninteresting, but one of the major aspects of Dune is the rise and fall of tyrants, and our obsession for saviours, which only really shines in the Heretics/Chapterhouse books, where the empire really falls. It's difficult not to see modern politics in that light afterwards, with its cult around personalities rather than ideas.
- sanderjd 6y agoI liked some of the ones after the second more than the second. But I honestly wish I'd stopped at the first. It is such an amazing story that gives life to an incredibly interesting and well built universe. Then, having built that wonderful universe, the follow-on books got bored with it and decided to focus on ... fancy sounding bullshit, for lack of any better description. Going back to the first book, I see that the flaws were there already, but they were in service of building the world, while that relationship flipped afterward.
- breakattn 6y agoIt is best just to read the first book. It is complete in itself. And then there is Whipping Star, which is best skimmed through so that you can get to The Dosadi Experiment. In fairness, Whipping Star is a fabulous take on what it would be like to attempt to communicate with an alien species that does not share our basic assumptions. Dosadi Experiment is filled with fascinating ideas. Little gems like: “Does a population have informed consent when that population is not taught the inner workings of its monetary system, and then is drawn, all unknowing, into economic adventures?”
- dunefox 6y agoNah, it's best to read all 6 books by Frank Herbert. They're incredibly good.
- jononomo 6y agoThere is Dune and then there are the books that came after Dune. I tried reading the follow-ups and they were merely average. But Dune ranks as one of the best novels ever written.
- eterps 6y ago+1 for Children of Time
- Bandrsnatch 6y agoI picked up a copy of Dune at the Harvard Coop as a teenager and I was amazed. I learned to develop an inner dialog of reasoning. It also started me thinking in terms of systems and the importance of efficiency. Loved it.