Reviews

The Road to Dune by Brian Herbert, Frank Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson

jdemster's review against another edition

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5.0

I am a huge fan of the Dune universe as a whole, and I think elder Herbert's ability to weave intricate yet far reaching plots. I saw this book as an opportunity to explore the development of his thinking as he created his worlds. For my own curiosity I was not disappointed. I relish any chance to revisit Arrakis. Each of the short stories, which had the feeling of b-roll or ideas being worked out for the final book, gave more insight into the larger tale I was already so familiar with. I recognize that my enthusiasm for the work of the author and this series as a whole can certainly be a major factor in my enjoyment of this book, and for that reason recommend it not be picked up for an introduction to the world. But it is a must read for fans.

naleagdeco's review against another edition

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5.0

If you are a Dune nerd, you will enjoy this book.

It gives you
1) A first draft of Dune, significantly different from the final product and about 50% smaller in content and themes.
2) A set of letters between Herbert, his agent and Joseph Campbell (the science fiction giant) giving some insight into how a story that seemed to have mostly began with an ecological bent turns into this sprawling epic with political and religious and metaphysical implications.
3) A set of out-takes from the Dune and Dune Messiah books, the latter outtakes suggesting a very different path than the one we saw.
4) A set of short stories written not by Frank Herbert but his son, Brian ... these will form various bridges to the sequels and prequels that Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson have undertaken ... and have left me wanting. I did not read them because I have not really paid attention to post-Frank books.

Frank Herbert's dune universe is of such import to me it's hard to say why you should read this book ... you already know that you will, or you won't.

It is a really interesting thing to read the short draft, to see the basic form of Dune that is so etched into my mind start off as this relatively mundane tale of ecology and economy, where the spice is not yet imbued with its mystical essence, where the Fremen have not of the deep Islam-steeped culture they would eventually get, or to see a Lady Jessica spelled out the way she reads in my heart but is, in the actual Dune universe, written far more obtusely (as generally everyone in the book is ... it's incredibly odd reading a draft that is brisk and with characters who don't feel opaque and mysterious)

scheu's review against another edition

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3.0

I have to rate this book by halves.

The first half, Herbert's proto-Dune novel 'Spice Planet' (which I keep calling 'Spice World'), has some novelty because you can see glimpses of the later work, but as a whole is really terrible, and I could only make it through the first 60 pages or so. 1 star for that half.

The second half covers some of the writing process for Dune as well as cut chapters and excised passages from the first few novels, and this is my reason for buying the book. It may be apocryphal, but it's insightful and interesting reading. Mohiam comes off as almost sympathetic at times - I'd never expected that! 5 stars for the second half.

wincher2031's review against another edition

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3.0

The deleted scenes from Dune and Dune Messiah included here are interesting enough, though it's easy to see why they were axed from the final versions. Aside from an alternate ending to Dune Messiah which completely changes the meaning of the story, the rest is exposition which will only draw the interest of the most die hard Dune fans.

Frank's material is in short supply here, with Spice Planet being a "what if" version of the original Dune manuscript written by Brian and Kevin rather than the early draft pages of the original novel for which I was hoping. That being said it still makes for decent entertainment while it lasts. Unfortunately the short stories included here are rendered obsolete by Tales of Dune, which contains them in expanded form with other stories.

Overall, The Road to Dune has some nice fan service for any hardcore Dune fans (especially of the first two books) but doesn't offer much outside of that.

maxpatiiuk's review against another edition

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4.0

4+

catsflipped's review against another edition

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3.0

This is a very difficult book to rate. Some parts I loved and others had to skip over.

First I would say if you are intending to read the Dune books in order, as I have chosen to do, leave this one until after you have read all of Franks books, or at least until after you have read Dune Messiah. The list I had placed this book after Paul of Dune but it just doesn't belong there. The different charcater, extra chanpetrs and alternative ending are somethign to enjoy after you have finished the originals.

After the preface you have an alternative dune novel names Spice Planet. It was basically like reading about a parallel universe where name were different but roles remained mostly the same.

Part One followed the original Dune storyline quite closely but there was enough different to amke it a good read. Some interesting fact around the great worms surfaced, whether they are true of the on Arakis I cannot tell.

Part Two had a storyline that strayed from the one in Dune (or was it Dune strayed from tis story as I believe Spice Planet was one of the original drafts) A very clever way to deal with the worms is developed that I almost wish had made it to the final cut.

I really enjoyed this alternative story even though it lacked some of the depth of the final version, although having read every book up until Dune maybe I just had the benefit of a deeper understanding of those characters. If Spice Planet were released as a short story unrelated to Dune I would probably give it 4 stars.

After this fairly short novel we move on to communications and explanation of how Dune came to be - this part did not interest me at all and I found myself scanning over it but mostly not reading it.

Then we have a section containing unpublished scenes and chapters. Many of these I enjoyed and others I am glad they were left out. There is no running story, just snippets from the book so for a lot of the time you are trying to re-orientate yourself as to what is happening in this particular scene.

The section of short stories at the end contains some but not all of the short stories that often sit between the main books. As I have already read them all I did not read them again. Each one has been rated individually as I finished them and most gained a 4 or 5 stars for their fast and fun content.

This books is definitely a book to be read after you have enjoyed the originals. It is not part of the storyline at all and if you are to read it I would recommend you leave it until last.

widgets_reading's review against another edition

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1.0

What a disappointment. Save yourself the time and just read the original book.

bobbitthehobbit111's review

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adventurous funny informative lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

solidbrix's review

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adventurous emotional funny mysterious reflective medium-paced

4.5

jamiely's review

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3.0

I read Spice Planet, which was an alternative Dune novel, that features different names and events. I skipped the unpublished scenes included in the book--maybe I'll read them if I ever re-read Dune.