Jay Emmerich’s Reviews > Dune > Status Update

This is literally the event that I've been waiting for, maybe for a hundred pages at this point. I'm surprised as to how much I enjoy every character more than Paul Atredies. Maybe I'll actually read this quicker? Idk school is busy

Getting far enough into the narrative to realize that the movie choosing to have Paul be the main character is odd, because I feel that the book has spent more time with the mother. She feels like a stronger character.

I think this entire "chapter" isn't in the movie so I'm confused a bit about the progression through the narrative but I'm still enjoying it

Taking me way too long to get through this but I just need to get back into the groove of things. There's an exchange here about how facts can become myths and I really liked it.

I think it took me this long to realize the difference between Lisan Al Gaib and the Kwisatz Haderach. I just assumed they may be part of the same prophecy but that is not the case. I'm getting to the point where I'm utilizing the glossary in the back of the book, which I feel... mixed about to say the least. But I'll keep plugging along. Probably need to pull the movie up at some point soon.

The plot actually seems to be going somewhere at this point. I can't help but call attention to the fact that with the increase in video games, this kind of sprawling narrative with rich world building doesn't seem to be happening in text as much. Or at least, it's not as popular in text. But it's interesting. There's been touches here and there that make me think that this world has been fully realized. I like it.

Who was gonna tell me there was a straight up slur in here? Herbert isn't even British so that feels more out of place. But aside from that, the Lisan Al Gaib feels like it is the main plot of the narrative, so I'm glad we're getting to it. But maybe that assessment is wrong and I misunderstand the whole story. Only time will tell.

The best character has entered the picture (Stilgar). I like how Leto is shown to be a good leader with his interactions, though some of this dialogue feels like impenetrable politics that I have no bearing on. Some of that is due to the sci-fi lore words being used, but some of it is due to usage of percentage terms and an older style of speaking. I am becoming more invested though.

I'm liking the structure of how we're introducing characters into events, where we see a small scene focused on them, and then we see how they are actually involved with the larger story. I question if I hadn't seen the films if I would be enjoying this like I am given that some of it just feels like a bunch of text that means.... very little to me.

I find it interesting how Herbert writes Paul. He seems equal parts android like superbeing, while also very human. More touches here that I'm enjoying, that children in the royal families are trained what Assassin droids look like early in life, and that the Bene Gesserit apparently train their students to lock pick. I feel like something's going on in the background of what I just read but I can't tell yet.