Book of the
month.
Dune
by
Frank Herbert
c1965
Dune has been around for
a while. It is perhaps one of the biggest sci fi works of all time. It chronicles
the events that take place on the planet Dune or Arrakis. A desert planet where
water is in limited quantities, but where the only source of the spice for youth
is found. Understandable this spice is very important product for humans. At the
start of the book the planet is being taken over by a new governor, the duke
Leto Atreides. The take over is rich with intrigue. It is the Galactic emperors
wish that the house of Atreides should not become too powerful. Deals are struck
which will ensure his death and the house's fall.
The story does continue
however, with a magnificently written thrilling action packed adventure. It has
everything one wants in a sci fi story. I have reread it and each time I find
myself not being able to put it down. The book has inspired many to copy aspects
from it, including using the worms in other books. However, it has also
generated one sorry movie and one mini series for the sci fi channel. Nothing I
can say can tell you how bad the movie is. From the poor acting to the poor
design and costuming of the cast. I have NOT been able to sit through the whole
thing. I get too disgusted with it bare watching it. I do agree with most people
thought that Sting's portal of Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen was excellent. As for the TV
version I must say it did follow the book more closely. Thought it did omit many
parts and added a few. The death of Duncan Idaho, who plays such an important
role in all the following books, was not the heroic one he had in the book.
Overall, except for the extremely poor casting (not to mention acting), the TV
version is worth watching more so for those of you that have not read the book.