Its Kralizec B*tches
"There is no reality---only our own order imposed on everything." - Basic Bene Gesserit Dictum
Something amazing happenned to me this week. Strolling through Barnes & Noble on Sunday revealed to me that a new Dune book was released. The infamous Dune 7. I didn't even expect it, I'd heard rumors they were considering it, but apparently the son of Frank Herbert had mentat machinations to release it for years. Needless to say, Frank Herbert was a man of genius. Composing a universe in an imagination of society and culture that no other fiction writers can touch. J.K. Rowling can eat it at the base of Herbert's tombstone.
"The surest way to keep a secret is to make people believe they already know the answer." - Ancient Fremen Wisdom
Coming back like Tupac, after the passing of Mr. Herbert his son Brian discovered that locked away in two safe deposit boxes were precise notes and outlines of the planned Dune 7 book. This information was so concise and detailed, far beyond the dreams of Star Wars or Star Trek fans, that the final publication of all the material would make for a book of 1,300+ pages. They have decided to split up the book into two final novels, the first being Hunters of Dune and the last being Sandworms of Dune. This will be released a year from now in September of 2007.
"Nothing surpasses the complexity of the human mind." - Leto II: Dar-es-Balat Records
This story continues exactly where Heretics of Dune and Chapterhouse Dune
stop with a cliffhanger. Post famine times following the death of the Tyrant Worm Emperor Leto II and the scattering humans are coming back from the fringe worlds into the Old Empire. An unknown enemy is pushing them back. The Bene Gesserit are being crushed by a new power group from the Scattering known as Honored Matres. In the fight for supremacy these two groups of women joined together to form a New Sisterhood, but not after the Honored Matres destroyed the source of Spice itself. Arrakis is gone."The best art imitates life in a compelling way. If it imitates a dream, it must be a dream of life. Otherwise, there is no place where we can connect. Our plugs don't fit." - Darwi Odrade
Beyond this general description all of the great characters that were were left with, such as the Bashar Miles Teg and the umpteenth ghola Duncan Idaho, they continue on the run from "the enemy" after splitting from the New Sisterhood.
Without giving too much away, this is the greatest Dune book ever. I really mean this when I say it: ALL YOUR WILDEST DREAMS WILL COME TRUE. CHOAM, The Guild, Tleilaxu, Atreides, Harkonnen, Face Dancers, Cloning, UW Football team, all have a vital and surprising role to this finale. Hunters of Dune finally reveals the true players and plotlines that are driving for the battle at the end of the universe: Kralizec. Will we see Sting again in Book 8? I hope so.
posted by theDUKE at 10:28 AM
16 Comments:
The first three in the Dune series were classic. After that... not so much. J.K. Rowling at least didn't nose dive... they've stayed consistent.
But as far as best sci-fi writer ever? Modern day? I might lean towards Robert Jordan. Ever? Umm... Tolkien. Ya, I thought so.
I can't even hint at what Dune 7 brings you. I remain absolutely adamantium pure that this is the best Dune storyline ever. It brings into full circle all you have ever read about Dune.
The first 3 Dunes were great? You didn't read Chapterhouse very well did you?
it's on...
Tolkien is best known for his fantasy books. Herbert focused his efforts on issues like cloning, space exploration, evolution, politics, and ecology. Tolkien really liked midgets and elves. hmmm.... twisted pleasures.
It Tolkien isn't considered Sci-Fi than I'd have to choose Philip K Dick for the nomination. It's take him over Herbert any day.
hmmmm...... Blade Runner, tough choice. I stand with my Atreides though. As for other authors who I feel are also visionary I put William Gibson at the top of my list as well. The idea content he presents is vastly interesting.
Oh its definately on......
Im a big fan of the Neverending Story...well because it Never Ends
As part of their book signing tour Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson will be in Seattle at the end of this month.
I love a Wrinkle in Time I guess I'd vote for that or The Indian in the Cupboard....
This is what the Lodge is about: Geek Diversity. Whether it be sci-fi, sports, or pop culture. This is where we thrive... and Dutching it.
I'm 100% with you train. Madeline L'Engle was a definite fun for me and nobody realized in elementary they were scifi. I wonder what kind of stuff C.S. Lewis would have written if he was in the same vein as L'Engle with Christian/SciFi.
Sorry I'm late to the party....
What is considered "Sci-Fi"? ....is that a generally accepted term? Is there a distinction between Sci-Fi and Fantasy?
I like a few of Arthur C. Clarke's books....Ray Bradbury and Robert Heinlein don't suck either.
If magic is involved its Fantasy. If technology is involved its Sci-Fi... hence "Science - Ficition" because it is somewhat based on possibilities. Fantasy is not, unless you really think that when you play Magic cards you believe a real battle is going on in through a magic invisible portal. (In Sci-Fi this would be referenced as parallel universe, based on realworld Quantum Mechanics)
Hi, TheDuke. I just finished Chapterhouse and must agree with you. It is the best one.
Duke...good explanation of the difference between sci-fi and fantasy. To put it differently: astrology is to fantasy what astronomy is to sci-fi. That psychic lady that charges 2.99 a minute to tell you if that barista you think is hot likes you- she's into fantasy. You get the point. I think people that say the first three were great (Dune novels), but then say the series "nose dives", haven't done a thorough reading of the entire series. The series doesn't nose dive at all, it does get more complex, and therefore not as easy to follow. But don't call your inability as a reader to follow a complex plot a nose dive on the part of the author. It's the author's responsibility to challenge us as readers, not hold our hands and keep it simple. I do think you're (Duke) being a little hasty in calling the latest installment to the Dune Universe (Dune 7) the best yet. It was a great book, largely in part to the extensive notes of Frank Herbert. But if you read the Dune prequels by BH and KJA you will quickly come to the conclusion that they can't write a tenth as well as Senior Herbert. They were fortunate enough to have great notes and a detailed outline of Dune 7, hence it's ability to broach greatness. I still say the original Dune, and Dune Messiah are the best of the series. They're all great though- and much better than JK Rowling and Tolkien. Dick's novels are great, but are much more hard sci-fi than Frank Herbert intended his "Dune" universe to be. Dune is more philosophical and much more elaborate than anything Dick put together.
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