I'm about to read Dune for the first time ever, and as a sci-fi/fantasy fan, I've noticed it's sometimes very helpful to read maps and appendices before the story. It can also be useless without context. I noticed my copy of Dune has a lot of Appendix material (70+ pages). Should I read all, some, or none of it before the story?

I've always wished I could give new readers advice on how to read series I've loved, so if anyone has any advice on appendices or anything else, I'd welcome it. Thanks in advance!

if you know the story, I would suggest watching the David Lynch movie first, THEN reading the book.
The movie got so much wrong, but it at least is a quick introduction to the universe, the houses, and major players.
Then read the book for the real story.

But to answer your question.
No you do not have to read them in advance. A lot will not make sense without the context of the read material.

Enjoy it. THe books kind of go downhill in quality from there.
THe first 4 are definitely worth reading, but there is declining enjoyment as you read the sequels.
Also, remember this rule.

THERE ARE NO DUNE BOOKS AFTER "God Emperor". anything else is 'fan fiction'.

Wait...I have to study before I read that? Pfffffftt.

The suggest of watching the movie first is a good idea. You could probably get away with just watching the first 30 mins or so of the 3 hour version.

If you can find the longer "directors cut" of Dune watch that. not the theatrical version. But I agree with Mr. Duncan Idaho that only watch it till they get to Arrakis and start interacting. then read the book. At least you get the picture of Patrick Stewart as Gurney Halleck which is the correct way to see him. Hell I want Patrick Stewart to play Gurney in the NEW one coming out in a few years.

YouTube search for "dune prologue extended edition"

You want the 7+ minute version

The movie did get a lot wrong (the weirding way) but it did get a lot right. The still suits, the navigators (not so much folding space) the houses (particularly house harkonnen)

The Syfy series was the better seires but I loved the lynch version

Thanks! I plan to watch the prologue and start reading tomorrow morning with my coffee on the back porch after I set the sprinklers. Teacher summers are the best!

Dune is a great book, and like any great book it does not require extra context to jump right in and enjoy/understand.

Quote:

---

THERE ARE NO DUNE BOOKS AFTER "God Emperor". anything else is 'fan fiction'.

---

Not true.

Herbert's son, Brian, and Kevin J. Anderson wrote a few books and they're damn good and a lot more coherent than Herbert's latter books.

And the film is truly spectacular but to fit it in one movie some tragic changes and exclusions were made.

This is Star Wars for grown ups with deep characters, "plans within plans", and watching ahead of time might help keeping the major houses straight as well as the spice guild, the bene gesserit, the Landsraad, The Choam Company, the Mentat...

You know what, you're college educated, just have fun with it.

AlphaCharlieUniformAggie said:

---

Quote:

---

THERE ARE NO DUNE BOOKS AFTER "God Emperor". anything else is 'fan fiction'.

---

Not true.

Herbert's son, Brian, and Kevin J. Anderson wrote a few books and they're damn good and a lot more coherent than Herbert's latter books.

---

my comment was tongue in cheek, but I found a lot of those books.... meh-ish.

Fair enough.

So envious of you, getting to read it for the first time. Take your time with it and refer to the glossary often.

I disagree about watching any of the movie first. I'd go in cold.

Just read it cold. I wouldn't bother with the movie at all.

I leave the appendix untouched. After you finish the novel, read the appendix. It might clear up some things and will be great reminder of things in the book.

I guess I'm in the minority, but I love the movie. Maybe because I saw it when I was 12 and it was the most awesome thing I'd ever seen...Besides the last scene of Woman In Red.

I would just read it cold and use the appendices along the way as necessary. If you are a veteran sci-fi / fantasy reader it's no more complex than many other series out there.

And compared to many others....much less so. If you've read WoT or GoT you are well conditioned for this kind of reading.

I ended up watching the 7 min intro last night, but it only gave a brief history of how we got here and what the current political situation is - no spoilers that I could recognize, just context.

I have read WoT, ASOIAF, Mistborn, Stormlight, LotR, Ender Series, Dark Tower, Foundation, The Robot Novels, and more, so I'll be ok. I'm just experienced enough now to value others' opinions. Thanks for all the advice!

I always recommend people to read the first four books (Dune, Dune Messiah, Children of Dune, and God Emperor of Dune) to fully understand The Golden Path and other things hinted at in the first book. The next two Frank books (Heretics of Dune and Chapterhouse: Dune) are good, but I view them as a different story and people. I've never read any of the Brian books because I've not heard good things. I did read the Wikipedia plot summaries to see where the story went, and that was good enough for me.

Everyone's wrong.

Play Dune 2 first, and then read the books.


Kidding aside, some good advice here. I'd say just read along, and as they mention something, like CHOAM, read the appendix for that item.

I'm listening to it right now on Audible, and it's well narrated with some background music (which I appreciate, but don't like as it sounds a bit wonky sped up) and and a large voice cast.

AlphaCharlieUniformAggie said:

---

Quote:

---

THERE ARE NO DUNE BOOKS AFTER "God Emperor". anything else is 'fan fiction'.

---

Not true.

Herbert's son, Brian, and Kevin J. Anderson wrote a few books and they're damn good and a lot more coherent than Herbert's latter books.

---

Fake news. The kid's books had the same problem as the star wars prequels. They needlessly tried to explain stuff they didn't need explaining.

SeattleAgJr said:

---

if you know the story, I would suggest watching the David Lynch movie first, THEN reading the book.
The movie got so much wrong, but it at least is a quick introduction to the universe, the houses, and major players.
Then read the book for the real story.

But to answer your question.
No you do not have to read them in advance. A lot will not make sense without the context of the read material.

Enjoy it. THe books kind of go downhill in quality from there.
THe first 4 are definitely worth reading, but there is declining enjoyment as you read the sequels.
Also, remember this rule.

THERE ARE NO DUNE BOOKS AFTER "God Emperor". anything else is 'fan fiction'.

---

I would suggest NOT watching the movie ever. Read the book and let your imagination do the work, the movie won't compete with it

israeliag said:

---

Everyone's wrong.

Play Dune 2 first, and then read the books.


Kidding aside, some good advice here. I'd say just read along, and as they mention something, like CHOAM, read the appendix for that item.

I'm listening to it right now on Audible, and it's well narrated with some background music (which I appreciate, but don't like as it sounds a bit wonky sped up) and and a large voice cast.

---

I was just about to post this.

The games are awesome.

My favorite was Dune Emperor and you cant find it anymore.

It's got 3d rendering and units can prestige and unlock abilities.

There's a Dune Red Alert game??

Would recommend the Sci Fi mini series l over the movie.

Dude, Dune 2 essentially invented the real-time strategy game. Created by the same company that went to create C&C, that went to create Red Alert.

Also: https://classicreload.com/dune-ii-the-building-of-a-dynasty.html

Don't watch the movie first, and don't read the appendices first. Just open the book and start at page 1. You'll be fine. Once you've read through it once, then read everything else you can/want to as far as commentary goes, but read the book first.