Purists may give me the stink-eye, but when I spotted these in our new acquisitions in the children’s department, I snatched them right up. I aim to read Dune this year, and I figured a graphic novel version might break the ice, so to speak. I’ve done similar with other works: watching a movie version of Sense and Sensibility to get me through the novel, and reading The Aeneid for Boys and Girls before reading the epic poem, listening to an oral version of the Epic of Gilgamesh before reading the text. Because I haven’t read the Real Novel yet, I can’t speak to how faithfully they adapt Herbert’s work. Given that the adapters are Herbert’s son and another novelist who has collaborated with The Son of Herbert on Dune novels, though, my guess is they’re as faithful as fans could desire.
Volume I introduces us to the main story: in some distant star empire, the Emperor has abruptly given the House Atreides, led by Duke Leto, the desert planet Arrakiss. This world barren and hostile to life but contains ‘spice’, which is apparently very valuable. (We learn why as the book develops.) This is not the boon it seems, because the planet was previously under the dominion of Atreides’ rival, the House Harkonnes, and they’re evidently not the Queensbury Rules types. No one from Atreides is excited about leaving their world to live in a desert fortress surrounded by massive sand worms with suitable appetites, and living in a place ridden with booby traps and schemes. To make matters more complicated, there’s a level of anticipation that’s somewhere in the metaphysical realm — there’s talk of prophecy and of a figure referred to as the mahdi or messiah, and some of that anticipation is around the Duke Leto’s own son, Paul. In volume I, we witness Atreides’ assume control of their new realm and begin taking their bearings, but then Harkonnes’ schemes go into effect.
Volume II begins with young Paul and his mother the Lady Jessica trapped in the desert, a place where no human should want to be. Not only is it so inhospitable that humans have to wear special suits so as not to have their body moisture wicked away, but dangerous life-forms are as common as water is not. Betrayed, Paul and Jessica seek help from the “Fremen”, the indigenous humans of Arakkis who have adapted themselves to its hostile climes. Although the Fremen are initially wary, they’re impressed by Paul and Jessica’s cunning survival so far, and the two are able to win the regard of the tribe and earn a place among them. Connected to the mythology of the books, though, there are larger roles to be assumed, and the book ends with quite the cliffhanger.
When I started reading Dune last year, I felt a bit overwhelmed with the odd vocabulary and the fact that I was being dropped into the middle of things without any of that convenient Star Wars type prelude that catches readers up on the taxation of trade routes and such. Here, although those still applied, they were a lot easier to digest — possibly because of visual cues, possibly through repetition. I was pulled into the story easily here, and enjoyed the art style which plays a lot with the lighting and tone. The characters are all sdistiguishable, and in the larger crowd scenes there’s a good bit of variety. The art is most striking in big action scenes, especially during sandworm attacks, does a good job of conveying the vastness and harshness of Arakkis. Although the third and concluding volume of this is coming up in July, I’m going to try tackling the book again before this, and I’m excited about finally getting to see the Dune movie released a few years ago.
Reading Freely 
I really enjoyed the first Dune book many years ago and I love graphic novels, I should really give this one a try! I am curious to see how various things are adapted into a more visual medium: I’m mostly excited to see the sandworms! & I have to say I loved the new Dune movie releases. I once watched the 1984 version and it put me right to sleep so I was happy to discover I was entirely invested during the newer ones lol.
I watched the trailer last night and it did seem exciting! One of my favorite actors is playing the Baron. I won’t like having to root against him, but he does make a good villain..
Stellan Skarsgard? Yeah I think he makes a good villain too, the acting was impressive he really makes you hate him which for an actor that’s probably a great compliment haha!
That’s the one. He was wonderful in “Chernobyl”, and has appeared in other movies like Good Will Hunting.
Oh awesome, I have not seen Chernobyl but I did really enjoy Good Will Hunting! 😀
It’s exceptional drama/horror: superb attention to detail, great acting, chilling music. Visual and audio effects are also on point. The fact that this story actually happened is bone-chilling.
I think that’s what’s stopping me from watching it honestly, the fact that it’s based on reality turns my stomach but it’s part of history so maybe I should give it a chance. I do appreciate great acting and well made movies!
I don’t know what your tolerance for gore is, but just know in a few episodes severe radiation poisoning is depicted and it’s not…pleasant.
Yeah my tolerance for gore is not particularly high especially in relation to real-world stuff; I can handle fantasy violence a lot easier mentally because it goes under the umbrella of ‘not real’.
I haven’t read the Dune books and I honestly had no clue that there were now graphic novels of them too. I do really want to pick the books up soon though. I’ve seen both of the new movies and loved them. There were groups of characters I found myself longing to know more about though which is part of my desire to pick up the books. Although I am a bit worried that it seems to jump right into the story. Still having seen mixed things I really hope that they’ll work for me. And if I do struggle I can always try checking these out. Although graphic novels are something I haven’t gotten around to trying out yet either.
Graphic novels are a rare thing for me — I just created the label to apply to this post (and four others, retroactively) this week! There’s definitely more detail in the books, of course — I started reading the novel proper and am noticing the way the presentation of information alters from scene to scene.
I tend to worry that I won’t get invested with so few words. But I suppose the artwork is a plus. And I know some series that I’ve enjoyed have graphic novel editions or companions so i probably will try some out eventually.
I hope the novel ends up going well for you then. I’ve heard contradictory things about it but hopefully you’ll get into it.
Oh, I’m not a purist about anything like this [grin] As long as they’re truthful to the story, have at it I say…
Not a *huge* fan of graphic novels though – or as I like to call them ‘comics’. A friend of mine tried to convince me that they were worth my time & money. I remain unconvinced. Give me a novel any time…!
Dune (and the subsequent books) are not ‘easy’ reads and demand attention and effort to get the best out of them. You are indeed ‘dropped into the middle of things’ but you do pick up a lot going through them *if* you’re paying attention. But it looks like the graphic novels have already given you the basics.
Hoping to re-read book 3 (Children of Dune) in the next 6 months or so….
I’ve already noticed that — reading Dune proper I saw a reference to the grandfather-that-could-not-be-named and thought “Hah, I know what THAT means now..” I imagine it gets better with every subsequent re-read!
I was worried that I’d find a re-reading boring – even after a 40 year break – after seeing the 1984 movie countless times but that wasn’t the case. You never really read the same book twice so you not only pick up on bits that might of flown over your heard the first read (as a know nothing 20 year old in my case) but you really get to appreciate the nuance and depth of the novel itself. One of the things I really like about the whole series is what you pick up *between* the lines that isn’t often referenced directly. The universe that Herbert created it deeply fascinating, and gets more so the deeper you get into the series.
You and I use the same approach to taking on challenging reads. I like to read abridged versions or children’s versions or graphic novels first before I tackle books that might be a big tricky.
Yep! Did the same with Hunchback of Notre Dame a few years back for my first CC run.
Hey, no stink eye here… this was a good idea! I went about things in reverse of what I usually do – my family watched and loved the first movie, then I attempted the book with my brother. We made it halfway (~300 pages) and called it quits. The writing just didn’t click with either of us, which is a shame because we both enjoy the story, characters, and themes. I will say, after watching the second movie, I am half-tempted to try it again because there was quite a big cliffhanger and who knows when the next movie will release… I didn’t actually like the second movie very much, but there’s enough to make me curious about what happens next. What can I say, being a newbie Dune fan is a complicated. 😆
Now that I already know what’s happening, I’m finding it much easier to get into. The test will be once I reach part III, “The Prophet” — since that graphic novel won’t be released for a few more weeks!
Where does the first movie end? I assume I’m safe since I’ve “read” two-thirds of the story…
The first movie ends not long after the knife fight between Jamis and Paul.
Okay, great. Thanks! Going to watch it tomorrow night. Had planned for tonight, but — family dinners….
Watched it last night. Beautiful! Would not have recognized Stellan Skarsgard were it not for his voice.
BTW – Just (this minute) had a book delivered that should interest you. I noticed it was going cheap on Amazon (at least on *this* side of the pond) so snapped it up!
It’s ‘The Mammoth Book of Dieselpunk’ edited by Sean Wallace. I’ve heard about this particular sub-genre, but don’t think I’ve ever read any of it – knowingly at least – and I’m always up for extending my Punk reading (more of *that* later).
I had to google (well, interrogate Bard) what Dieselpunk was. Sounds like a fun aesthetic!
I think its like ‘Sky Captain & the World of Tomorrow’ if you’ve seen the movie.
I definitely know the title, but am not sure if I watched it. It has Angelina Jolie and Jude Law in it, though, so it sounds like something I should try just in case..
Some of my friends thought it was pretty bad, but I thought it was excellent. Kind of a ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’, Film Noir with giant robots and ray-guns in the late 1930’s. My review is here without any major spoilers..
https://cyberkittenspot.blogspot.com/2009/06/my-favourite-movies-sky-captain-and.html
It’s $3.00 on Kindle over here!
Just think of me as your dealer… [lol]
Hey, yo, you carrying? XD
Glad you are tackling all things Dune related. I read the first one long ago like in college perhaps and what I remember mostly are the giant sandworms. I’d like to see the Dune 2 movie since I saw the first one.
I watched the first one on Saturday and plan on watching the second once I finish the novel!