What Are You Reading?

[TheEconomist]

And as the first Warcraft game is easily the weakest for me...well, yeah.

What I mean is to say that you're getting in on the lore from the ground floor and will not be confused.

Anyways, since Hawki brought up 2001: A Space Odyssey a few posts back I got the strange need to re-read it since it's such an incredibly short book. I'm also reading Rendezvous with Rama and Blindsight. So, basically, a classical classic, a classic, and a modern classic

[Nissa]

I used to really like Forgotten Realm, but after awhile it just sort of dwindled off into absurdity. The first seven or so books are good, but somehow I ended up reading a story where Drizzt is off smooching some elf chick while his friends the dwarves are battling some great enemy. Drizzt only comes back after the fight is over, right in time to seduce his "best friend's" girl in front of said "friend" and the girl's father. And that was more or less the entire book.

Hey, has anyone read Dune? How good is it?

[Turalyon]

Hey, has anyone read Dune? How good is it?

Depends on how much experience with sci-fi novels in general - the more you have, the less "special" it is. It often feels less sci-fi and more fantastical (there's an in-universe explanation for why it feels that way and it tends to work) in some areas. If you like political intrigue, than the first third will grip you. The remaining two-thirds then becomes your typical (for lack of a better word) hero's journey. I liked it, for what it was.

[TheEconomist]

My thoughts on Dune exactly. I wouldn't say I was hugely disappointed, but I never could understand the hype surviving today. When it was released, I understand, but, now, there's so much better that gets so much less respect.

Like I've said before, basically the science fiction Lord of the Rings, although I've never read Lord of the Rings, but the movie makes it seem like the story's effect would be lost on me in the same way.

[Hawki]

Hey, has anyone read Dune? How good is it?

Not the first time Dune has been discussed, and TE and TU more or less gave the same feedback. For myself, I've only read book 1 of the first novel (per its section divide). That section by itself I give a stamp of "excellent." It's rare for me to like this type of work, but Dune, IMO, is one of the most excellently crafted pieces of worldbuilding there is I've seen, not only in detail, but also in how it's presented - the reader learns about Arakkis at the same rate as the Artides (in other words it's the concept of reader surrogacy), so the process feels natural. I can't say too much about the characters, but, as mentioned, there's a decent amount of political intrigue.

So yeah. Loved book 1 of book 1, which surprised me since, as established, it's rarely the type of material I'm interested in.

[TheEconomist]

For myself, I've only read book 1 of the first novel (per its section divide). That section by itself I give a stamp of "excellent."

That would be the good first-third Turalyon was referring to. I enjoyed that part as well. Then it becomes a retelling of several fantasy stories I've read.

Although, I'm sure that the ones I read got their influence from Dune so that's taking nothing from the author or Dune.

[Jconant]

I only read book one of Dune; enjoyed it greatly. I've liked the film adaptations of Dune as well, but haven't read through the remaining series. If you ever decide to pick up the lord of the rings Economist, I'd suggest taking your time with it. I found it to be a slow, but good read; there's so much background it felt like a history book at intervals.

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I only read book one of Dune; enjoyed it greatly. I've liked the film adaptations of Dune as well, but haven't read through the remaining series. If you ever decide to pick up the lord of the rings Economist, I'd suggest taking your time with it. I found it to be a slow, but good read; there's so much background it felt like a history book at intervals.

[TheEconomist]

I actually got an urge to read it recently. Was in the mood for some classic-style fantasy, but I'm super hesitant to get involved in the Wheel of Time, and I was tired of the others I had read a lot of already. Plus, I'm kind of tired of having to say "I haven't read that book." It's just something that NEEDS to be done.

As for it being slow, since I've read drawn out, massive tomes of text in which each book in a multi-part series is longer than the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy, I doubt I'll have a problem with pacing. I've developed a zen-like patience for these types of things, assuming the book is good.

[Nissa]

Like I've said before, basically the science fiction Lord of the Rings, although I've never read Lord of the Rings, but the movie makes it seem like the story's effect would be lost on me in the same way.

Dude. Bro. Broooo. Seriously, read the books. Those movies were insultingly bad. Peter Jackson has all the subtlety of a falling forklift, and sucks at dialogue too. I mean, even if you don't like the books (the part with Tom Bombadil is pretty darn weird), don't let anything Peter Jackson does scare you off.

[TheEconomist]

Haha, that's good to hear. Like I said before, I do plan to read them, probably fairly soon. Already got the trilogy bought, just need to click play.