I had the same attitude you did toward the Dune "s...

2007-03-22T13:27:00.000-07:00

I had the same attitude you did toward the Dune "sequels." I'm reading the first prequel actually. It reads a lot like the Star Wars prequels.

One of the coolest things about the original works both SW and Dune were the huge backstory that takes place mostly the writer (and viewer's) heads. When the backstory is fleshed out, it doesn't look as cool probably b/c in order for the prequels to be as cool as the original, they'd have to have just as much backstory as well. But they usually don't. So they appear flat. Plus, the prequels don't tell the backstory in quite the same way as I imagined it.

Since the backstory was never totally fleshed out in the original, it probably wasn't even consistently worked out in the author's head. Which is OK b/c it's only mentioned a few times as that "shadowy and cool past" so we only saw it as something cool out of the corners of our eyes.

The effect of the Dune prequel is quite entertaining. There are many laugh out loud moments. These may just be me, I'd like to hear other people's comments. I know many people got a laugh from SW (1-3). "Oh, Ani!"

On the other hand, as Mike had said, people should just be allowed to write what they want for the most part. It's a kind of strange trade to pass down, but I think it's cool in a way.

Think of it. Dune was good, but it's not a sacred text or anything. I'm not ruining the original by reading the prequel except for perhaps my own memory of the original which nobody really cares about anyway. I am being entertained.

Oh, the other bad thing about the Dune prequels is that the characters suck. Also, it is strange to see some some Asimov robot becoming human sub-plot as if Asimov invaded Dune or something.

Shit, I just had an idea of a crazy meta-verse where people from all kinds of books all meet on this world. I guess this has been done in comic books like superman beats up the hulk. Not sure. Also there's a gurps game that does this. Overall, the effect is that if you can do everything then things really get diluted fast and things suck.

Thanks for the "Three Muskateers" recommendation. I've been looking to read a classic that also has some cool history in it as well. I'm not in the mood for a million pages of tedium nor the whole character existential hell right now. Maybe later.

Fred

Enjoyed Your list! I have read and re-read a numbe...

2007-03-07T17:32:00.000-08:00

Enjoyed Your list! I have read and re-read a number of books. It is not crazy, a good book re-read is discovering new facets and quirks in old friends. I entered your blog url as a favorite and will check back to see what is new with you. Hope you are writing every day. Your "stuff" sounds good.

Comments on MichaelCanfield.Net: Book meme

I had the same attitude you did toward the Dune "s...

Enjoyed Your list! I have read and re-read a numbe...