Dune Read-Along, Book 3 Discussion

Credit: Jenni Elyse

Watch out for major spoilers ahead!!

1. What is your reaction to finally learning the identity of Princess Irulan? Do you think that her convention added to the story?
I actually felt pretty sorry for her at the end. It was interesting to try to figure out who she was and why she had written so much about Paul, but I thought she got the short end of the stick there, and wasn't quite sure she deserved it.

2. Were you satisfied with the ending? For those reading for the first time, was it what you expected?
I guess I feel pretty satisfied with the ending, though it obviously leaves a lot of room open for the next books. I wish we'd gotten maybe a bit more about the jihad Paul kept talking about and more Alia and Paul's son Kept too (those events felt kind of incomplete and rushed over). But no cliffhanger, so I can read the next books if and when I want to.

3. On both Arrakis and Salusa Secundus, ecology plays a major role in shaping both characters and the story itself. Was this convincing? Do you think that Paul would have gone through with his threat to destroy the spice, knowing what it would mean for Arrakis?
I thought the idea of a harsh environment giving rise to strong, tough characters was completely realistic! It's kind of a bit like kids who grow up working hard, maybe on a farm, versus those who had everything handed to them. There are definite differences in the strength and abilities of people like that. I think Paul meant his threat, but knew there was no way he would have to follow through. It was a good call for him, but would have made for a pretty crummy end.

4. Both Leto and Paul made their decisions on marriage for political reasons. Do you agree with their choices?
I don't know that I agree necessarily, though as I mentioned, I felt pretty bad for Princess Irulan for her role. I can see how his choice seemed inevitable and could be considered the "right" one, but I wish for more following of heart in all cases :)

5. What was your favorite part in this section of the book?
I'm just glad we finally saw some action! Boy it felt like a long build-up to anything actually happening. It was pretty awesome to see Alia get some action and the fight scenes were pretty good to finally get to see. Also, the worm riding was pretty cool, if somewhat creepy.

6. Herbert used the word “jihad” on a number of occasions. What do you think of Herbert’s message about religion and politics?
Well, to be honest, I wasn't sure what that message was. Paul was definitely worried about his power to inspire people and where it might lead, but also didn't hold back when the manipulation suited him. The Bene Gesserit were a whole different breed of creepy and controlling and doing things for their own purposes. And yet, at the end, they all figured it was inevitable the Fremen who,d be fanatical about their leader. It was cautionary, I guess, but pretty subtly so.

What are your thoughts about the book? For those who adored it, what makes you love it so much and recommend it to people?

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Dune Read-Along, Book 2 Discussion

Credit: Jenni Elyse

Watch for major spoilers!!

1. Was Liet’s identity a surprise? Who do you think he really works for?
Um, yes.  I really didn't suspect Liet was anyone we had met before. As far as who he really works for, I got the impression he worked for the planet, what would be best for it and not just one person or group.

2. What do you think of the Fremen culture? is this a culture you think you’d enjoy spending some time with?
What I really love about them is how complete it feels. Herbert really went all out to create this whole complex society and culture. I love how water really is currency, how what is most important to them is literally worth the most. Everything they do and say is steeped in the knowledge of how much water means to them. I think it would be interesting to spend time with them, but I don't know if I'd survive on Arrakis. It's plenty hot and dry for me here in Arizona!

3. What do you think of Count Fenring’s unusual verbal mannerisms?
Mostly I found them annoying while reading. I had a hard time imagining how it would sound. I did like how he and his wife often weren't afraid of saying exactly what they wanted to. Cunning, but annoying too.

4. This is a far future empire with very little in the way of computerization. Information is often passed down orally, and schools (such as the Mentats and the Bene Gesserit) have formed to train young people in memorization and information processing. What are you thoughts on a scifi story that is very “low-tech”? Does that sound like a feasible future? A ridiculous one?
I actually really like the low-tech details. I think there is just enough advanced tech that matters in the worlds where they exist to be believable. But I really think that our future doesn't have to be as steeped in electronic technology as it is now. It is a nice balance between what is past and what may come. I hope oral history never disappears completely!

5. If you found the beginning of the book tough to get into, do you find that you’re having an easier time with the middle portion, now that all the “set-up” is complete?
I definitely don't feel as confused and annoyed as I did before. I am still having a hard time now and then getting into the story, especially when the really weird trippy things happen, but I don't feel lost or overwhelmed by strange words and phrases.

6. The center portion of the book is still pretty dialog heavy, but what I’ve noticed is the subtlety of the dialog. Things left unsaid are often more important than things that are said. What do you think of that as a stylistic choice? does it make the dialog more interesting? less interesting?
There is a lot of double meaning and things unspoken but implied in the dialog. I find it requires me to pay more attention to what I said and focus more. Sometimes it works and sometimes I just don't catch the other meanings. I am not sure it is more or less interesting, but just more subtle.

7. Dune was written in the 60′s. Does it feel dated to you? How does it compare, writing style-wise, to more contemporary science fiction you’ve read?
Actually it doesn't feel really dated, though occasionally I will think a tech detail sounds odd. I'm not sure I read enough true sci-fi to compare it with contemporary stuff. I do find myself slightly annoyed with some of the writing style choices, but I don't think it's because of when it was written so much as how it was written. Amazing how well this one holds up, perhaps because it is light on technology.

8. If you’ve never read this book before, where do you think the storyline is headed?
You know, I'm really not 100% sure, but I think it will follow Paul to the point where he becomes the prophet or leader or savior or whatever they think he will be among the Fremen. His rise to power and struggle with that future he sees but doesn't want too.

What are your thoughts on these questions?

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Discussion Questions for Dune Read-Along, Part II

Credit: Jenni Elyse

Can you believe it's week two?  I'm behind in my reading already :)  Here are the questions (again, courtesy of Carl from Stainless Steel Droppings) for this week's reading.  Post your answers on Saturday, July 21st, or before/after as you prefer.  I will have the linky for your posts up on Saturday. And if you have no idea what I'm talking about, check out the Dune Read-Along intro post. Warning: the question might contain spoilers if you haven't read the book!

1. Was Liet’s identity a surprise? who do you think he really works for?

2. What do you think of the Fremen culture? is this a culture you think you’d enjoy spending some time with?

3. What do you think of Count Fenring’s unusual verbal mannerisms?

4. This is a far future empire with very little in the way of computerization. Information is often passed down orally, and schools (such as the Mentats and the Bene Gesserit) have formed to train young people in memorization and information processing. What are you thoughts on a scifi story that is very “low-tech”? Does that sound like a feasible future? a ridiculous one?

5. If you found the beginning of the book tough to get into, do you find that you’re having an easier time with the middle portion, now that all the “set-up” is complete?

6. The center portion of the book is still pretty dialog heavy, but what I’ve noticed is the subtlety of the dialog. Things left unsaid are often more important than things that are said. What do you think of that as a stylistic choice? does it make the dialog more interesting? less interesting?

7. Dune was written in the 60′s. Does it feel dated to you? How does it compare, writing style-wise, to more contemporary science fiction you’ve read?

8. If you’ve never read this book before, where do you think the storyline is headed?

How are you doing in the read-along?  Making any progress?

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Dune Read-Along, Book 1 Discussion

Credit: Jenni Elyse

Yeah!  We made it to the first discussion questions!  Hopefully you all managed to read Book 1 of Dune and answer the following questions.  Feel free to discuss these and other things in the comments.  Beware that there are spoilers for Book 1, but please avoid spoiling anything beyond that as many of us have never read Dune before.  Leave your links for Dune discussions and any other Dune-y posts you so desire below too. If you fall behind, no worries, keep reading at your pace and posting answers when you can.

1. What, if any, preconceived ideas did you have before you started reading Dune and how has the first section measured up to those preconceptions?
Well, I didn't have many ideas of what this book would be like except long and complicated, as many sci-fi sagas tend to be.  So far, it is living up to both of those expectations.  It was a bit hard to adjust myself to the new world and new terminology, but I think after about 40-50 pages I was immersed.

2. What did you think about the plot device of the early revelation that Yueh was to be the traitor?
I was surprised at first, but after seeing it over and over, I was a bit tired of it.  I mostly just wanted to get that traitor stuff over with and see what happened after.  An interesting way to go about telling a story, spoiling part of it so early, but I still had plenty of mysterious stuff to keep me guessing.

3. What was your favorite part of this first section? Which character(s) do you find most interesting and why?
I loved the first interaction they had with a worm - not something one can easily forget, an experience with a giant worm.  I really love Jessica and Paul the most.  I think they are both so much more than they appear and I love seeing their thoughts and what they can see in people without having those people even know.  Extra perceptions always intrigue me and these two have them in abundance.

4. Did the revelation about the Harkonnen surprise you?
Big time! I did not see that one coming! (I'm referring to the surprise regarding Jessica.) So not what I would have suspected and I am not exactly sure where it will go next, which is how I like my stories :)

5. Finally, please share some overall thoughts on this first section of the book. Are you finding it difficult to follow? Easy to understand? Engaging? Boring? Just share what you are thinking thus far.
Well, as I mentioned a little, I was completely thrown off for the first 40-50 pages, totally lost with all the weird names and phrases tossed about like I should know what was going on.  After I finally got it together enough and having some explanations given, I felt like I was joining the world, not just looking in from outside.  The story was slow to start too, but I feel like it's picking up and the momentum is beginning to build.  Definitely I can see how this book has made such an impact and has such a huge following.

What are your thoughts so far?

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Discussion Questions for Dune Read-Along, Part 1

Credit: Jenni Elyse

Here are the questions (courtesy of Carl from Stainless Steel Droppings) for this week's reading.  We are posting our answers on Saturday, July 14th, but you are welcome to do it before if you want.  I will have the linky for your posts up on Saturday. And if you have no idea what I'm talking about, check out the Dune Read-Along intro post.  I'm posting them now so you can kind of keep these in mind while you're reading:

1. What, if any, preconceived ideas did you have before you started reading Dune and how has the first section measured up to those preconceptions?
(Alternate Question for those who’ve read the book: Did you see anything in this first section of the book that either you hadn’t seen before or that you had forgotten about, anything that stood out to you?

2. What did you think about the plot device of the early revelation that Yueh was to be the traitor?

3. What was your favorite part of this first section? Which character(s) do you find most interesting and why?

4. Did the revelation about the Harkonnen surprise you?

5. Finally, please share some overall thoughts on this first section of the book. Are you finding it difficult to follow? Easy to understand? Engaging? Boring? Just share what you are thinking thus far.

Can't wait to discuss all this on Saturday (um, I better get reading, though, as I'm only about 50 pages in).

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AND Go! Dune Read-Along Starts...Yesterday

Credit: Jenni Elyse

Hey!  I'm starting to see a pattern of lateness here in my blogging.  Ah, well.  I'm posting a day late (and probably a dollar short too, but that's another story).  Yesterday was the official start of the Dune Read-along!  We are reading Book 1 this first week and posting answers to the discussion questions (which, I will get up probably around Wednesday this week) on Saturday.  For more information and the schedule, check out this Dune Read-along post.  If you're joining in (or just want to follow along) get yourself geared up for the world of Dune!  I'll have a linky up soon where you can drop any Dune-related posts you put up this week - I promise!

And thanks to Jenni Elyse for the fantastic button. 

Dune forward folks!

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July Dune Read-Along

Remember way back when I mentioned doing a Dune Read-Along?  Yeah, I didn't forget.  I think I've worked out the details enough to get this party rolling for July.  Here's what I have so far, utilizing the fabulous structure and questions from Carl of Stainless Steel Droppings' July 2011 read-along.

Since the book is split into three sections, we will read one section per week in July (starting the second week, for my own convenience sake - I'm on vacation that first week :).  Then at the end of that week, we'll each post answers to some or all of the questions or any other discussion thoughts we might have about it.  Anyone who's read Dune in the past is more than welcome to post answers to the questions or join in the discussions. 

July 8-14: Book 1, discussion questions posted on July 14th
July 15-21: Book 2, discussion questions posted on July 21st
July 22-28: Book 3, discussion questions posted on July 28th

If you are interested, leave a comment and maybe post about your intentions on your blog, spread the word, whatever you feel like, and prepare to start the read-along!  Thanks for your participation.

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A Dune Read-Along - Who's With Me?

So, in the category of Epic Sci-Fi, I think this series wins an award.  I've been hearing good stuff about Dune by Frank Herbert for a long, long time.  And yet, despite my occasional lust for the big and epic stuff, I've never picked it up.  I've looked for it at library book sales and used book stores sporadically and never found a copy (possibly a testament to owners' love).  But I'm determined this summer will end my Dune-fast and I'll finally start feasting on the series. 

AND, I think it will be funner to read it with some company.  So, I'm hoping to make it a read-along.  I've never done one, but I think this is a great opportunity to start.  (That's kind of a hint to drop me some tips, assuming anyone wants to join in.)  Let me know if you're up for a read or reread (or rerereread).  I'm thinking July will be a fabulous month for it, since I'll probably need a whole month to get that first book finished.  Any takers?

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