Frank Herbert’s novel Dune is a classic by many standards. Despite enjoying the various screen adaptations of the work I have yet to actually sit down to read the original text. Summer seems like the most likely time to read Dune–desert planet, endless stretches of sand–and every summer I add it to my list only to see the heat dissipate on autumn winds without my having cracked open the cover of my 40th Anniversary edition.
Well my friends, this summer is going to be different. This summer I am going to follow the adventures of Paul Atreides on the spice world, thanks entirely to the encouragement of friends.
No more excuses, no more getting distracted by other books jealous to be read and read NOW.
Summer of 2011 will equal success!
We are doing a July group read of Dune, and I would love it if you would join us.
Kailana and Little Red Reviewer and I will be beginning on July 1st.
Dune, the novel, is divided into three sections:
Book 1: Dune
Book 2: Muad’dib
Book 3: The Prophet
Given that summer is busy and no doubt everyone has other reading plans that they are involved in, it seems natural to follow the division of the book in as many weeks. So the schedule will be:
Book 1 Friday July 1st through Thursday July 7th
Book 2 Friday July 8th through Thursday July 14th
Book 3 Friday July 15th through Thursday July 21st
On the Saturday immediately following each section we will each post our thoughts on the book thus far. In order to give some guidance to that discussion each of us will take one week and ask a few questions. I will take Week 1, Little Red Reviewer Week 2 and Kailana will take Week 3. Questions will be submitted no later than the Thursday evening at the end of each section in order to give folks time to draft their responses.
Do you want to join us?
If so, please leave a comment indicating so and you will be included in the weekly list of questions for each session. You do not have to participate in the discussion to read along with us, yet we would love to hear your thoughts on the book.
I am so excited that I am finally going to take the time to read this book, and it is entirely due to the willingness of friends to get on board and help with the motivation. Thank you both, and anyone else who chooses to join us.
While we are discussing group reads, let me take this moment to put the word out about a group read of The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson.
This group read will take place over a 6 week period beginning in August. Deanna (Ibeeeg) will be putting together the structure of this read and more details will be forthcoming.
I hope you will put this one on your calendars as well and consider joining us in reading the first of what looks to be an interesting series.
I could close this post here, but I would like to share a few more items with you that I truly believe you will find of interest.
It is Monday and many of you may be experiencing the post-weekend blues. Allow me to provide you with a couple of distractions.
And since these distractions fit within the science fiction and fantasy theme of the previously announced read-a-longs, I cannot think of a better time to mention them.
Author Patrick Rothfuss, of The Name of the Wind fame, recently posted a list of Science Fiction and Fantasy recommendations in response to a couple of emails from his fans. The list in its entirety can be found here.
This list thrills me for many reasons, not the least of which being that it demonstrates that Patrick Rothfuss is not only a best-selling author but is also a true fan of SFF. It is not uncommon in this world of increased access to authors to find those who have no trouble denigrating either the classics or contemporary fiction. It is not uncommon among SFF fans, for that matter. While I do not agree with all of the books he put on his list (thank God, variety is the spice of life after all), it is refreshing to see this kind of unabashed devotion to both genres.
The list also thrills me because Patrick Rothfuss sets out to list only 40 books and yet cannot resist making even more lists as the post unfolds. Love it! Finally, his rules for why he chose the books are ones that have me thinking that I need to put together a list of my own at some point in the future.
In the meantime, I was made aware of this list because of this post from Little Red Reviewer regarding the well read SFF fan. In it she posits a couple of questions that will stir the passionate list maker to action. As you will see in my comment I could not resist throwing my two cents in. At the same time I think I showed remarkable restraint. There were SO MANY more books I could have added.
I would love to see you visit Little Red Reviewer’s site and share your own opinions over there about which SFF books are MUST READS and what your recommendations for new fans would be.
Happy Monday everyone. Dream of good books and it will all be over soon.
Thank goodness I wasn’t drinking when I saw this post or my laughing would have caused soda to shoot out my nose.
Carl plans to read Dune!!!. I thought that was some kind of running joke. You know how many times I have heard him say he was planning to read Dune??? 🙂
All kidding aside I hope you enjoy it. I read it myself over twenty five years ago and remember enjoying it at the time. In fact I enjoyed it so much I read the next 5 books after it as well. Some day I need to try the books that his son wrote in collaboration with another author as well.
I will join in on The Way of Kings read as well. I’m not sure how I’m going to read it along with Dance with Dragons at the same time but I will try. I’m not a fast reader by any means.
As for Patrick Rothfuss I’m a huge fan. Love his blog and thought his listing was very interesting. Success really hasn’t gone to his head. You can tell from his blog how much he still so grounded in his geekness.
Great post buddy.
Jeff: I hope you aren’t drinking at work! Shame on you if you are! 🙂
You are very correct sir, as I pointed out in my Good Ol’ Summertime post. Putting Dune on my summer to-read list has been a running joke and I thought it would be again this year when I added it until Kailana suggested it for a July buddy read. As you well know, sometimes I just need a well-aimed kick in the pants, even when it comes to doing something fun.
I hope Rothfuss remains like this. Last night I watched the first of a three part video interview he had posted on his blog (a few weeks back) and I enjoyed what he was saying. I’ll try to catch the rest of it tonight or as the week moves on.
Glad you are joining us for Way of Kings. I’m hoping I can at least read 200-250 pages a week and then I should be able to finish quite easily in the time frame allotted.
You are sooooo ambitious!!! I’m so tempted to join you for Dune because I’ve never gotten around to reading it, but for once, I’m going to be smart and not lay any extra pressure on myself. (Despite how fun the pressure would be.) Hope you enjoy!!!
Debi: You are soooo kind, LOL! Because as Jeff pointed out this has been a reading goal/joke of mine for years. Its that extra push that is finally getting me going. I admire you for not taking on something that you know would add pressure, especially given that it is summer and you already have a very ambitious summer plan you are working on. I’m amazed at what you have accomplished already.
I know the feeling about a book that you want to read so much. It just seems like other things just get the way.
For me it has been my quest each summer to read Lord of the Rings. I am just hoping that I will be able to do it this summer. My wife laughs about it.
One day I will read LOTR as you will accomplish the Dune feat. Best of luck 🙂
Geeky Daddy: Yes, I can feel your pain, and the shame of your wife’s laughter. Ha! I just hope I don’t get abducted by aliens for the whole month of July or I’ll never hear the end of the ridicule of friends. 😉
I wish you all the best in your quest to read Lord of the Rings. It is a book that I love, even though I maintain that it is initially hard to get into. I hope we both end up loving these books when we are finally done with them. It would be sad to have this much self-generated hype about them only to end up being disappointed.
Way of Kings has been on my shelf idly for too long. Perhaps this fall I shall join in this group read. I’ve never done anything like it before.
By the way, the link in the sentence “The list in its entirety can be found here.” doesn’t link over to Pat’s blog, where I assume you were going for. This list was quite exciting, methought.
Enjoy Dune! I’ve only read it and none of its sequels, but it was fun, as I recall.
Logan: It would be great to have you join in. When Deanna gets the details together I’ll make sure you are sent an email.
Thanks for the heads up about the link problem, it has been fixed. I thought of you when I first read the list and figured you would have been all over it already. 🙂
I’ll take it under advisement, friend, and perhaps have room to fit it in.
If either one works out for you it would be fun to have you in on the discussions. 🙂
Both readings are going to be lots of fun! I am looking forward to both!
Yes. It will be fun doing a science fiction buddy read with you. I take it then that you are okay with the schedule and question assignments?
That’s fine. I hadn’t given it a lot of thought, so organization is a good idea. 🙂
Great! Andrea wants to switch weeks with you by the way, she sent and email and I responded to both of you.
Yeah, sorry I missed it before. I replied this morning… I think…
Hurray, Dune! Here’s a tip though: the stuff by Brian Herbert isn’t worth the time. I’d be delighted to join you in a re-read. Although I did a micro bloggy piece a while ago about Dune (http://blog.ejly.net/2009/03/dune.html) I’ve never done a proper write up.
I’ve heard that eljy, although I do know some who have enjoyed it. Given that I still haven’t read Dune and there are so many more Frank Herbert books in the series, I doubt I’ll even have to worry about the son’s work in my lifetime. LOL!
Great to have you joining us! I’ll shoot you an email with a reminder at the end of the week.
Yes! I picked up a used copy last month and it is sitting on my bedside table. Would love to join in.
The timing couldn’t be more perfect, Gavin. Thanks for joining us! 🙂
Count me in! I read it so long ago it will be like reading it for the first time.
Great Reed! Good to have you joining us. I have some experiences like that with re-reads If I wait long enough I forget plenty of the details and get surprised by it all over again. 🙂
I’m super excited about this, thanks for letting me be a part of it Carl!
I first read Dune when I was about 15, and it changed everything I thought a novel could be. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve reread it over the years, although it’s been at least 4 years since the last time.
this is going to be great!
and one of these days, maybe I’ll slog through LOTR. maybe. ehhh, maybe not. 😉
Redhead: Tolkien’s work really is lovely once you get into it. Some of the most amazing world building and historical creation I’ve ever read.
So glad you are joining us in our Dune read/discussion, especially given your attachment to the book.
I tried to read “Children of Dune” last month and fizzled out, but I’m sure I’ll go back to it at some point in the future. I’ll be interested to hear what you think of “Dune.”
John G: Sometimes a person just isn’t in the mood for a certain kind of book. I’ve certainly fizzled out on plenty of books in the past. I make fun of myself for the whole summer promise of reading Dune but the truth is that it is really the only time I feel in the mood for it. Odd how the imagery from the film makes me associate it with summer.
Alright…I totally think I’m going to join along in the Brandon Sanderson read along! The book sounds really good!! Plus I need a new epic series 🙂
Perfect Chris! We need as many of us as possible to get hooked on this series, that way we can all grouse together as we wait for each subsequent volume. 🙂
I am so tempted to join in on DUNE but I am going to have to pass. Although, it is really hurting me to pass on this book because DUNE has continuely been in the back of my mind to read. I have too many other books going for July so I must be realistic. Grrr…I don’t want to be realistic.
I do indeed love the book list by Patrick Rothfuss. I will admit though, I do not have a clue about most. Yep, I have not been engrained in the SFF genre for all that many years so I am pretty much a fledging here. Also, to add to my lack of books read, at the beginning of my fantasy love I tended to read the more fluffier books. Probably it has only been in the last maybe two years that I started reading the weighter books. I would like to become more well read so I think Rothfuss’s list is a good place to start. I will check out Little Red Reviewer to see what other people think are must reads.
The Way of Kings; I look forward to the group read, and have been thinking about the reading schedule and how best to facilitate discussion. I like how you guys set up the schedule for Dune and maybe something like that would work with Way of Kings. Anyway, I think I will email you at some point this week, to pick your brain a bit. 🙂
By the way, I feel I am wavering a bit and want to hit a “Yes” button to participating in your Dune group read.
Ibeeeg: Whatever you do, don’t over commit yourself. If you think you could easily work it in, then great, but please don’t let it interfere with all of the other group and individual reads you have planned for the summer.
I too am looking forward to Way of Kings. It will be fun.
I think Rothfuss’ list is a really good one both for well read SFF readers and for those who are just beginning the journey.
loved, loved, loved the Dune movies but I tried numberous times to read it and I just couldn’t get into it.. but I will love reading the reviews from the read a long..
re Patrick Rothfuss list of books..NUMBER 7 IS THE DRAGONS RIDERS OF PERN!!!.. yep, gotta like that guy!!!!!
Deslily: I am interested to see if I have the same phenomenon with Dune as I do with LOTR–seeing the actors from the David Lynch film and hearing their voices. I think it will be hard not to.
🙂 I thought of you the instant I saw that on his list. Knew you would be pleased.
I still fall into that too! Paul will ALWAYS sound like Kyle MacLachlan. but I’ve seen the newer Scifi channel from about 10 years ago as well, and older Jessica will always sound like the Borg Queen. . . hmm, that’s totally creepy!
btw, I am SUPER excited about this!!
redhead: Oddly enough as soon as I started the book and read that he was 15 my image of Kyle as Paul started to shatter somewhat. Not sure who I am envisioning him as now, but it has changed somewhat.
Hi Carl. The timing couldn’t be more perfect. I just picked up a copy of Dune. I’m not sure how I’ve gone this long without reading this work since everyone tells me it is THE best science fiction novel. Count me in!
TBM: There seems to be a theme developing here! Wonderful to have you joining in. I went and pulled my copy up from the basement yesterday so I’m all ready to roll!
When I first saw the post I thought you had read it, and I was pumped. Then I realized you were only saying you were going to do so. Sigh.
This is going to be another of those chicken or egg things. Naturally, I read the book first, as originally serialized in Analog then in print, twice. Much later I saw the film and REALLY HATED IT. There is not one single redeeming thing about it. Nothing. If you can erase it completely from your mind, it would be a pity to have it’s imagery eclipse the words of the author. I cannot imagine what deslily saw in them that she could “love, love, love” but it escapes me completely. I’m not kidding on this one, Carl, take the book on it’s own merits, forget the film. Also, DUNE stands alone. The rest of the books were written only after it’s success enabled Herbert to expand his concepts and each gets farther away from the book. BTW, the films took things from the first three books, much to it’s detriment. Bah.
Put the film from your mind!!!
RkR: I had gotten the idea that Dune was indeed a stand alone book and I’m glad to have that confirmed as I am certainly not in the mood for a series. I’m glad there are more books there if I find myself wanting to explore the universe more, but am also happy that I can just read Dune and feel a sense of completion/accomplishment about it.
I saw Dune in the theater when it was released and did not like it at all. But I was a young teen and was looking for more Star Wars and didn’t understand this at all.
Years later (be prepared to be disappointed) I watched the film again and found that I actually liked it. I could follow the story better and was entertained. I am not averse to its problems, it certainly isn’t the best edited film ever for one thing, but I would count myself a fan.
I know MANY who hate it and I certainly respect that, especially after talking to a good friend about how terribly misrepresented the Harkonnen are. I won’t mind seeing the characters in the book and I suspect I’ll enjoy the book much more than the film. The family all sat down to re-watch Dune a couple of months back because I had snagged a cheap copy on HD DVD and I know for a fact that I’ll have the soundtrack music in my head was I read. Ha, I can hear it now as I type this! 🙂
Hope you’ll join in on our 3 part (at least) conversation as we make our way through the sections of the novel. I want to hear from people who’ve read it as well as the thoughts of those of us who will be experiencing it for the very first time.
I thought about it, but had already started HEX. Then I found out it’s something like the 6th book in the Coyote series, a first trilogy, a second pair plus other spin-offs, and bailed. So I could re-read DUNE, you say? Well, no, because then I started LEVIATHAN WAKES… plus another Nero Wolfe, plus the essay collection I’m not finished with, and there’s DAMNED BUSTERS sitting here. Well you get the idea. Swamped. Rest assured I’ll be watching, however, and may insert a comment here and there.
I wasn’t suggesting you re-read Dune. If you look at the comment I was suggesting you “join in our 3 part…conversation”.
Hoping Leviathan Wakes comes for me at the library sometime in the next week.
By the way, my hardcover has the 2nd of the two covers you show.
That’s cool! I’d love to track down an old paperback that has the first cover I have in the post.
I have to join Richard in my dislike of the movie version of Dune that came out with Sting in it. I had read Dune several years before the movie came out and liked the novel quite a lot at the time. I can still remember going to see it with friends in the theater who had not read the book and having to “explain” the movie to them. I just thought the storytelling was poor and the special effects subpar. Even now years later I still don’t like the movie version even though my displeasure with it has lessened. I enjoyed the recent SyFy movie channel versions but they still pale in comparison to the book.
I will add though my love of Dune has lessened over years and I have no desire to reread it. I’m not a big fan of rereading though so that charge doesn’t mean much coming from me. I still find Dune a classic but now hold Scifi works by Asimov, Heinlein, Goodwin, Scalzi and GRRM in higher regard than Herbert’s Dune.
Enjoy the spice my friend.
Please include me on your Dune email list though as I’m curious what you and others think of it. It will also be nice to reflect back on it. I still remember my favorite character ( NOT Paul ) and I’m curious what others think of that character.
hm, I am finally reading GRRM, but I still haven’t read Asimov, Heinlein, and I don’t know for sure who Goodwin is… I have only read the one book by Scalzi and have yet to read on despite really enjoying it! So, apparently I need to get to Asimov and Heinlein finally this year! From reading your comments on Carl’s blog over the years, I trust your judgment. 🙂
Sorry, hijacking the comments. 🙂
Kailana: Trusting Jeff is a slippery slope! 😉 Just kidding, just kidding. He’s turned me on to good reads over the years. GRRM being one of them. You definitely have some good reading ahead not just with GRRM but also the Heinlein juveniles.
Hijack away Kailana. 🙂
Goodwin is not as big as the others. The authors name is Tom Goodwin and there is one short story of his that Carl and both really dig titled ” Cold Equations “. I believe you can find it free to read on the internet.
As for Heinlein I should preface my love his works as being his juvenile novels. I believe they are all dated from the mid-sixties and earlier. I have only read one of his later novels. I have heard many mixed reviews of his later works. I enjoy his early works as they seem to focus on a young adults love of space and adventure. Admitly they are often young male centered as they were written for magazines that target young male readers.
Asimov on the other hand is great in a different way. His stories I would say have more science and philsophy in them and are written I believe with an adult audience in mind. My favorite series of his is the Foundation series. I have just read the original 3 books which is all you need to read but he did expand the series later on. Carl has reviewed them on his blog along with another series of his that people usually refer to as his Robot books. I haven’t read them but hope to one. Carl has read those as well and I believe really gives them high marks as well.
Scalzi is a modern day treasure that I know Carl and I over hype most likely but honestly we just really connect with him. It’s hard to put a finger on one’s favorite authors some times but Scalzi sure is one for us.
It’s hard to believe many of us have commented for years on it Carl’s blog. I have enjoyed and value your comments as well.
Jeff: Gotta admit, you had me confused to with that extra “o” in “Godwin”. 🙂
His juveniles are great, and while most are indeed male centered, there are some with female protagonists, like Menace from Earth and Podkayne of Mars. There is also a strong teenage female character in Star Beast and Starman Jones. They are such fun books. I’m glad I still have a few yet to read for the very first time.
Yep, love I, Robot and his other Robot short stories. And of course really love Scalzi’s work.
I’m a big Heinlein fan up until he went full bore on his political/social-engineering agenda. Some of his adult works from the 60’s and 70’s were outstanding.
I’d put Stranger in a Strange Land near the top of any Science Fiction top or must read list. It was right in there with Kerouac’s On The Road and Tolkiens’s trilogy in reflecting and/or shaping the thinking that was to come to be known as the 60’s.
Time enough for love was good, too, but from then on his writing started getting as tired and strident as RA must have been in real life.
As has been said earlier, his youth fiction from the 40’s and 50’s are very enjoyable and can take at least some of the credit for man’s trips to the moon and beyond.
Reed: I know I should read Stranger in a Strange Land. Despite considering myself a fan of RAH, this is one book that I seem to want to avoid, I think largely because every time I hear it described or read a synopsis it sounds like a product of the 70’s and the hippie culture and that just doesn’t interest me at all. I did enjoy Time Enough for Love and Friday, his only two ‘later’ novels that I’ve read.
Time Enough was more a product of that culture whereas Stranger was more of a progenitor to a way of perceiving the world that became part of the hippy generation. It’s much better than Time Enough for Love as a Science Fiction novel. You’ll see themes that get replayed by numerous SF and Horror up to this day and learn the origin of the verb ‘Grok.’
I’m sure a big part of my reticence with Stranger is the way it is often…marketed?…probably not the right word, but I do often get a hippie vibe from it. I know I need to get over that and read it. Perhaps that can be one of my future group reads like Dune is now so that I’ll finally actually read it! 🙂
Thanks, Jeff! I now have many books to look up… That’s both a good and a bad thing! lol Most of what you talk about I have heard of before, but just haven’t got around to actually reading yet. I will have to try harder to get to some of them this year.
Jeff is such a pain in the butt! I went book shopping with him this weekend and came home with 3 books plus a loaner book from him. He bought nothing! 😉
Jeff S: Will do, my friend. The movie does have problems, many of them, but it will always be one of those “cult classic” type films for me, one I can rewatch every two or three years and enjoy despite its age and its psychedelic bent.
Carl, DUNE is the most amazing SF novel I have read (and I have read many). I first read it in my early 20’s, re-read it in my 30’s and again in my 40’s. I have read most of the subsequent novels which return to the universe as prequels (Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson). Not bad but not as good as the original Frank Herbert novel. Don’t forget to read the extra material included as appendices. Enjoy!
Ian: So its not the greatest then? LOL! Just kidding! I will definitely read the entirety of the book, including any extra material in it. I’m also interested in reading the book about Dune that I recently discovered exists, something that the person showing it to me compared to Christopher Tolkien’s histories.
I am so tempted to join in, but I’m reading Mervyn Peake’s Gormenghast trilogy in July as well as other books and realistically I know Dune would be too much. I first read it in the late 1970s and absolutely loved all the Dune books. I couldn’t take to the films though, so it’ll be interesting to see what you make of it, reading it after seeing the films. My copy is a 1978 paperback reprint with a different cover from the ones you’ve posted.
I understand Margaret, and I thank you for at least considering joining us. Since you’ve read the book I do hope you will drop in on the discussion and share your thoughts.
Sign me up for the Dune read. It has been a long time since I last read it so I was thinking about re-reading it this summer. It will be interesting to read it along with other people.
My first copy had the cover you show at the start of your article. It was passed on to someone else and never returned. The copy I have now has the second cover you show. It is a first edition from the Science Fiction Book Club. I picked it, and the same version of Dune Messiah, up at the local library when they were getting rid of their extra books.
Best of luck to everyone. This is one of my favorites.
Awesome Jim!
Don’t you just love it when that happens when you loan people books? I generally only do that now with a couple of close friends and anyone else that really wants to borrow a book usually gets a gift of that book instead. LOL! Will be great to have you join in the conversation.
I’m really looking forward to our WAY OF KINGS group read! I got the book the other day and am itching to start it.
I sort of want to join in on DUNE, too, but it’s my every-ten-years book. I’m not due a reread for another six years. 🙂
Memory: Totally understand about Dune. And I too am looking forward to Way of Kings. Was just discussing it in an email to Ibeeeg. Glad several of us will be sharing that experience together.
This is a great idea. I read Among Others after having read Gavin’s review and thought I really need to read some Sci-Fi novels. I happen to have Dune here, I happen to be off work for a week.
I simply love the idea of it all and will join.
Caroline: Wasn’t Among Others wonderful? That has been one of my favorites this year. Read it twice! Thanks for joining us in the Dune read, and enjoy that week off!!!
I am thinking of joining “The Way of Kings” group. I am not exactly sure what my schedule will be since it still suffers unexpected changes, but hopefully I will be able to fit within the six weeks of reading. Hopefully 🙂
Mihai: That would be great! Deanna is working on the schedule/plan right now. I hope it works out for you to join us.
I have not been successful with readalongs of late, but I will just declare my interest and hopes of joining. I have read Dune before, would like to reread it before reading others of the series. It’s such a strange book because I didn’t love it, but much of it stays with me and I think about it often. So I’m crossing my fingers that I will be able to do this!
Shelley: Glad to hear that you are going to try to read along with us. No pressure if it doesn’t work out, but it would be lovely to have you.
I’m in for the Dune reading. =D
Wonderful Grace! I’ll add your email to the contact list. 🙂
I don’t know if I’m going to join you in reading Dune but just thinking about the book reminds me how much my daddy loves it. 🙂 Happy reading.
That’s okay, Vasilly. Hope the conversations we have about it bring up more pleasant memories about your Dad. Cool to have a dad who loves science fiction, by the way!
I’m a bit late to the party, but sign me up. It’s been several years since I read Dune, so it’s about time I revisited it.
Great! We are reading the first section this week, Shaz. I’ll add your email to the list for updates. The first set of questions will be going out Thursday morning at the latest.