And unless someone can convince me that the other Dune books, written by Frank Herbert’s son are of a completely different quality, my exploration of Dune is at an end. This last novel has the same feel as the previous two books. Mercifully, Frank Herbert ended his series with CHAPTERHOUSE DUNE. The next, HERETICS OF DUNE, advances the plot but leaves much to be desired when it comes to holding my interest which it could have done with more interesting people or with witty dialog (Again the reader is referred to The Baroque Cycle). The idea is there but the execution is lacking. The creepy giant larvae-like emperor, and his entire dialog, seems less then majestic or oppressive, as later recollections will portray his reign. The fourth, GOD EMPEROR OF DUNE, documents the tyrannical reign of human-turned-worm Leto II but does not make good use of the vast scale of a multiple-planet empire.

This third book has some mildly interesting characters and promises a Space Opera scale expansion of the story for the remaining novels. The second book, DUNE MESSIAH, reads like an outline-just advancing the plot so the third, CHILDREN OF DUNE can be told. The balance of the Dune novels are slow plodding-focused too much on fanciful, imagined philosophy. The original DUNE is wonderful and inventive, fresh and new. Sadly, my original estimation was confirmed. I was hopefully expecting a buried treasure. (I had avoided The Baroque Cycle after loving Snowcrash but disliking The Diamond Age) So, in the case of the Dune novels I felt compelled to check off this nagging omission from my bucket list. After all I had been richly rewarded in a similar situation involving the works of Neal Stephenson. But now that they are available on Audio I thought I would give it a try.

I just wasn't motivated enough to undertake reading all six books.

Over the intervening years I kept hearing high praise for the rest of the series. Back in the day I read the original DUNE and then followed with DUNE MESSIAH and CHILDREN OF DUNE, but then I stopped because I didn't like the direction the series was going.

Dune audiobook frank herbert