Review XP Dune by Frank Herbert

When I decided to read Dune by Frank Herbert, I didn't realize it was, in fact, a series. Good for me, because despite the slowness, the stilted dialogue and robotic characters (with the exception of Alia), I want to read more.

Being that this book was first published in 1965, I thought I might have a hard time. I knew the book was considered revolutionary for its contribution to modern science fiction. I knew that it was compared to Tolkien (it seems everyone is compared to Tolkien), and that was about all I knew. I'd seen the movie when I was younger, but remembered very little of it other than the vision of the worms and Paul's impossibly blue eyes.

I was intrigued by the idea of the "race consciousness" that invades Paul, giving him his prescience and visions of the future. It aligns with Carl Jung's collective unconscious, especially in its aspect as a historical trove of knowledge. Just think if you and I could tap into that! We wouldn't have to start out as idiots, and spend our lives learning.

The world-building was excellent. I was transported to Arrakis and felt at home among the Fremen (I, too, live in the desert, though not as harsh, and unfortunately, void of sandworms). The political machinations were straight-forward and provided a plot-propelling force of conflict. The characters fell a little flat for me, and the relationship between Jessica and Paul didn't come across as genuine.

One thing that really bothered me was the passage of time. I recognize that time jumps were necessary to the plot, however the execution of those jumps had me fumbling to figure out what had happened. From the ceremony and subsequent orgy where Jessica is confirmed as the new Reverend Mother, two years pass in a few pages. Paul and Chani have a son during this time. Alia is born. Many changes occur on Arrakis leading toward the final showdown between the Baron and Paul (and the Emporer and the Emporer-na). I would have liked to see more transitory statements or blatant backstory, rather than just dropping us two years into the future like nothing. Perhaps the author had written some of this and decided to cut it out. Who knows. All I can say it was a huge disconnect from the narrative, and as a reader it was difficult to continue. But continue I did (I'm usually no quitter).

And I'm very glad I did. The last hundred or so pages I could not put the book down; in fact, I read for two hours straight until it was finished. I needed to know what would happen to Paul. If he would have his revenge or end up dead. I even missed my bedtime on a school night to find out.

Goodreads rating: 3/5 stars

J. L. Dodd

"I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.”
― Paul Atrides, Dune

"Without change something sleeps inside us, and seldom awakens. The sleeper must awaken.”
― Duke Leto Atrides, Dune

"Deep in the human unconscious is a pervasive need for a logical universe that makes sense. But the real universe is always one step beyond logic.”
― Princess Irulan, Dune

Links

https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/3634639-dune

RANDOM AF! The FFF

New books always shed new light on my life, whether changing my perspective, my behavior or most often, expanding my vocabulary. I'm currently reading Dune, and I can't help but draw parallels between my life and the Fremen of Arrakis. While donning my gray plaid poncho over pajamas in addition to a scarf, hat, blanket, and slippers, I decided I will call myself a modern-day Fremen. You know, one that can't fight or ride sand worms but instead hibernates in the desert in 40-degree weather whining, writing, reading, watching Netflix and eating, not spice, but tortillas.

So not really, but my mind went there. And thus, the FFF was born. The Future Fremen Fruitcakes.

You may not understand my obsession with fruitcakes. You don't need to. But if you insist, see here:

Fruitcake backstory

I must admit my fruitcakedness has been lacking of late. My friends and family have figured out how much I love the non-color gray (I really prefer gray to grey, don't ask me why). I can go full winter fruitcake without the intrusion of much color these days, instead having gray layer upon gray layer, with some black or white thrown in for variety. The truth is, in spite of the different patterns (plaid, roses, marled, snowflakes, solids) it often almost matches (the horror!).

Why Future? Because you can't be considered Full Fremen until you ride a maker. An old man of the desert. And there aren't any makers around here that I know of. I'll be searching for a suitable substitution, but in the meantime, me and my FFF Followers (FFFF) may be SOL.

That reminds me. I stumbled across a fellow lover of acronyms on Goodreads, but she takes the art to a new level. I don't know that I share her book preferences, but I like that she's pretty strange. And smart. And funny. See for yourself.

Sarah (former Nefarious Breeder of Murderous Crustaceans)

Enough nonsense for now. Not to worry, though. My nonsense is like Old Faithful. It will keep building until it spews out Hot Ridiculous Steam Drivel (HRSD).

J. L. Dodd

No, I will not change my 5-star Twilight rating!

And the reason is, despite everything that Twilight has mutated into through its fame and popularity and, sadly, come to symbolize (rabid fans, angsty love triangles, and poor acting), and as much as it pains me to say so (it sooo pains me), I owe a lot to Stephanie Meyer.

I suppose everyone has skeletons in their closet they'd rather not be known. This is mine: I loved the Twilight books. And though I don't use it as a conversation starter, I will readily admit it if the topic arises. If you've only seen the movies, don't judge me. Hell, don't fucking judge me regardless. To each her own. Live and let live, people.

It's difficile to pinpoint exactly when my obsession with this series of books began, but it had to be between 2008 when Breaking Dawn was published and 2010 when the first movie debuted. I can't imagine it now, but at the time, I had distanced myself from reading fiction. I was an avid reader in high school but once I graduated, I was busy with college and eventually, children. To my recollection, Twilight was the first book I picked up in 13 years. The book belonged to my cousin Stephanie and came highly recommended from both my sisters. So, I dove in and I LOVED it. I raced through Twilight, Eclipse, New Moon, and Breaking Dawn with a fervor usually reserved for cheese curds, pizza and/or beer on a Friday night and when I finished, I read them again for good measure.

Then the movies came out, fangirls overran theatres and ransacked Hot Topic stores, and all that ridiculous hoopla pretty much ruined everything. (I can't complain about the casting. Robert was the perfect Edward, Taylor the perfect Jacob. Even though she was horrible, Kristen looked the perfect Bella.) But I had to take my Twilight fandom and hide it in the closet with the other skeletons (skull baby).

Seriously. You do you, Blade.

I eventually got over my obsession but I kept reading (I also read The Host by Meyer which was great but also turned into a terrible movie). Not long after, I got my first Kindle and was introduced to the world of self-published books. Not long after that, I decided to start writing myself. So I must thank Mrs. Meyer because if she hadn't written the Twilight series, I never would have become the creatively-frustrated paranoid guilt-ridden xenophobe I am today. Thanks so much.

I do not know why this is so funny. But it is.

I'm sure if I went back and reread the books now I would be appalled and horrified. But back in 2008, I wasn't reading critically, I was reading with my heart. So, yes, fellow citizens of Goodreads and/or the universe. Twilight gets five stars. I won't apologize.

J. L. Dodd

"I actually wasn't much of a book reader at all before the 'Twilight' series. They just draw you in, and people love them. They're terrific books." - Taylor Lautner

Sure Taylor. Whatevs.

"People like to make fun of the fans who camp out but people have renaissance fairs; people do Civil War re-enactments; people do what they like. I'm tired of hearing people rage on the fans. If you don't like 'Twilight,' don't buy a ticket." - Anna Kendrick

"I think any girl would throw me under a bus to be within five feet of Robert Pattinson. I actually think he's an attractive guy. And I watched most of 'Twilight,' and I think he was really intriguing." -  Paul Wesley

"I like the 'Twilight' series. That was fun." - Mitt Romney

Links:

https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/twilight