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Book Summary InformationAuthor: Brian Herbert, Frank Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson Illustrator: Stephen Youll Edition: Hardcover Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published) Published: 2005-09-01 ISBN: 0765312956 Number of pages: 496 Publisher: Tor Books
Book Reviews of The Road to DuneBook Review: Road to Dune Summary: 4 Stars
My main excuse for buying Road to Dune was the roughly 150 pages of deleted scenes, from Dune and Dune Messiah. The cut chapters were interesting, but they were frequently incosistent with the canon material--the original Dune trilogy, and the prequels by Brian and Kevin. Examples:
-Road to Dune has it that the spice was found by men working for Dr. Kynes' father. But, in Dune: House Atreides, Pardot Kynes leaves for Arrakis AFTER spice has already been found and is being spread by merchants througout the galaxy.
-Road to Dune puts Paul's age at his departure to Arrakis at "almost twelve", even though in the first few sentences of the final publication of Dune is age is set as fifteen.
-IRULAN DIES....this is a very unclear chapter, complete with an odd final note by Frank Herbert.
There are other problems, too, which might be confusing, but that's why these scenes weren't published with the original novel. Still, this portion of the book is worth reading, and sheds a small amount of light on the Duneiverse as well (why Paul was inspired by the desert mouse, why the Guild controls the stars without competition). But, it isn't enough to justify spending 25 dollars.
The short stories, written by Brian and Kevin, are adventuresome and worth a look. The first story is set during Dune, but the three that follow are set in the Legends of Dune era. "Hunting Harkonenns" is set before The Butlerian Jihad; "Whipping Mek" is set before The Machine Crusade; and "Faces of a Martyr" is set before The Battle of Corrin.
But, there's a flaw here too. "Whisper of Caladan Seas" has appeared in two other places, and get this: YOU CAN READ THE LEGENDS OF DUNE SHORT STORIES FOR FREE ON DUNENOVELS.COM. No need to spend money on free material.
The novel "Spice Planet" is like a parody of Dune but serious. This was a design for the novel Dune that was abandoned, and features alternate names, and events both vaguely familiar and totally unlike the final publication. It's not all that great, and is certain to confuse the fans. Still, it is interesting.
There are also several letters and articles in here about Frank Herbert's journey to get Dune published. Ironic, that the Supreme Masterpiece (and bestselling novel) of Science Fiction was published by some company that did auto repair manuals.
All in all, the Road to Dune only has something to offer for those of you that have already explored the Dune Universe and still want more. It's not a bad installment, but there are so many actual novels out there...
Summary of The Road to DuneIncluding never-before-published chapters from Dune and Dune Messiah, original stories, and a new short novel by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson
Frank Herbert's Dune is widely known as the science fiction equivalent of The Lord of the Rings, and The Road to Dune is a companion work comparable to The Silmarillion, shedding light on and following the remarkable development of the bestselling science fiction novel of all time.
Herein, the world's millions of Dune fans can now read---at long last---the unpublished chapters and scenes from Dune and Dune Messiah. The Road to Dune also includes the original correspondence between Frank Herbert and famed editor John W. Campbell, Jr.; excerpts from Herbert's correspondence during his years-long struggle to get his innovative work published; and the article "They Stopped the Moving Sands," Herbert's original inspiration for Dune.
The Road to Dune features newly discovered papers and manuscripts of Frank Herbert, and also "Spice Planet," an original sixty-thousand-word short novel by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson, based on a detailed outline left by Frank Herbert.
The Road to Dune is a treasure trove of essays, articles, and fiction that every reader of Dune will want to add to their shelf.
Literature & Fiction Books
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Heretics of Dune (Dune Chronicles)by Frank Herbert Ace Hardcover; Published: 2009-02-03; Hardcover; BookBest price: $13.60Price in other shops: $25.95
Sandworms of Duneby Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson Tor Books; Published: 2007-08-07; Hardcover; BookBest price: $4.25Price in other shops: $27.95
The Butlerian Jihad (Legends of Dune #1)by Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson Tor Books; Published: 2002-10-03; Hardcover; BookBest price: $4.99Price in other shops: $27.95
The Machine Crusade (Legends of Dune, Book 2)by Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson Tor Books; Published: 2003-09-16; Hardcover; BookBest price: $4.49Price in other shops: $27.95
The Battle of Corrin (Legends of Dune, Book 3)by Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson Tor Books; Published: 2004-08-17; Hardcover; BookBest price: $4.36Price in other shops: $27.95
Hunters of Duneby Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson Tor Books; Published: 2006-08-22; Hardcover; BookBest price: $10.56Price in other shops: $27.95
Paul of Duneby Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson Tor Books; Published: 2008-09-16; Hardcover; BookBest price: $4.54Price in other shops: $27.95
Sandworms of Duneby Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson Tor Books; Published: 2007-08-07; Hardcover; BookBest price: $7.44Price in other shops: $27.95
Sisterhood of Duneby Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson Tor Books; Published: 2012-01-03; Hardcover; BookBest price: $14.05Price in other shops: $27.99
The Winds of Dune (Heroes of Dune #2)by Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson Tor Books; Published: 2009-08-04; Hardcover; BookBest price: $6.45Price in other shops: $27.99
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