House Atreides

by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson

Book Overview

Book One of the Epic Prequel to the Classic Novel Dune--Soon to Be a Major Motion Picture Step into the universe of Frank Herbert's Dune, one of the greatest science fiction novels of all time. Before... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0553110616
• ISBN13: 9780553110616
• Release Date: October 1999
• Publisher: Spectra Books
• Length: 624 Pages
• Weight: 2.08 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.6" x 6.6" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Pleasantly Suprised

If I'm correct, then you are reading this because, like me, you are a big fan of Frank Herbert's Dune series and you want to know more about this prelude series. If you thought you would never touch this book, then you are in similar company. It took me about 4 years to have the desire to even investigate "House Atreides" despite favourable reviews from friends.OK, "House Atreides" is no "Dune", but how many novels are? Not even Frank Herbert's follow-ups can match the brilliance of the original. That was the problem for me - would this new series not written by the master harm the franchise? My answer is no - the series has not been harmed."House Atreides" IS faithful to the Dune series by providing a well-written and entertaining storyline which takes nothing away from the original. There is no conflict with characterisation, in fact, I think the characters are perhaps a little too stereotypical. For example, the Atreides are ALL honourable, the Corrinos are ALL malicious, etc, but this is my only gripe. It didn't bother me after a while because the political intrigue really dominates the second half of the book, and this is where the great houses and other factions have to show their true colours (although, I expected more involvement from CHOAM). An indication that "House Atreides" is worthwhile is that I went out and bought "House Harkonnen" the next day. If you are a Dune fan, then you should at least try the prelude series. Like me, you could find it an entertaining read.

This is a Good Book, despite some people's low ratings

I look at some of the other people's reviews of this book and they are embarrasing. Most of the people reading this book seem to be trying so hard to not like this book that they forget that it was made to be enjoyed. Many of the descriptions say how this book is "not as good as the original." Frankly, if all you do is compare books to the original Dune, then you might as well give a one to everything.When I read this book I was blown away. Brian Herbert managed to take a piece of history that was already spoken of in the original and weave it into a masterpiece. I found myself unable to stop reading this book until it was over. Even then you wish you could read more. I have not yet read the sequel, but I have been wanting to ever since I first read this.Another point to note is that it is a very different writing style than the original. It is much more straight-forward and replaces the "baroque mystique" with a more modern attitude. It is very well written and can be read by both educated and common people easily. I finished the six hundred and fifty pages in less than a week. The only way someone can insult this book is if they attempt to compare it with the original Dune, a book which has not yet been equaled.

Good, depending on what your expectations are

Let me get this out of the way right now. As 100 reviewers have said already, this is not the original Dune. Oh well. Nothing like that is ever going to come out again anyway. The thing is, once you get those expectations out of your head and take this book for what it is, you may well be surprised as to how good it really is. There are two expectations I have for any prequel to a series I have read before. 1. It stands alone as an enjoyable read by itself 2. It adds to future readings of the original story. Taking the second one first, it meets that criterion and then some. One reviewer lampooned this book for not leaving as many unanswered questions as Dune. I think this book WAS written as an answer, rather than a question. Dune opened with a precreated universe that was already rich in Herbert's notes, into which we only got glimpses that we could piece together as the series went on. House Atreides serves as a much wider window to the past of the Atreides family and of Arrakis. For those of you who ever wondered how a planetologist could "go native" on a planet as strange as Arrakis, or how the baron could get just THAT fat, this book will tell you. The first time rereading the original after I read this book was filled with "oohs" and "oh, so THAT'S how that happened." In and of itself, that was worth the price of the book. The first criterion is also met, in my opinion. Agreed, the writing is not as dense as the original, and the scene changing is a bit choppier. The universe Herbert created still enthralled me though, as did the plot unfolding in this prequel. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book in its own right, as well as for the insight into the larger world it gave me. My recommendation? If you idolize Frank Herbert so much that you feel anything not by him must be inferior, this may not be the book for you. You'll set your expectations so high you won't notice when it is "merely" great. Otherwise, buy this book and read it, than reread the original series. If you've never had exposure to Herbert before, you might want to try reading the original than picking up this book later on.

it's not Frank Herbert, but it's still quite good

This prequel to _Dune_ is apparently based on Herbert Sr.'s notes and vision for the series, tragically unfulfilled.If you loved Herbert Sr.'s style, I regret to let you know that you won't find it here. There was only one Frank Herbert. After reading _House Atreides_ I'm glad Herbert Jr. and Anderson went ahead and wrote in their own style, which is smooth, enjoyable and interesting._Dune_ fans will like the meatiness and direct relevance of the story to the later books. The majority of characters here are familiar to _Dune_ readers. Portrayals are consistent (of course, we see them all in younger years; the timeframe of the book is roughly that of the accession of Shaddam IV). In fact, I really hadn't anticipated that the portrayals would be as good as they are, so that was one of several pleasant surprises.Heartily recommended to those who want more _Dune_. Devotees of Herbert Sr.'s unique style won't find more of it here, but it's still good SF.

Well read and well placed in the series

I tend to ignore other critiques of novels but I was thoroughly surprised at the uprising on both sides of this book. I have been a Dune fan since the early 70's. I have read and re-read everything (and I do mean everything) that Frank Herbert has ever written and published. For those out there who think that this is the first book that Brian has ever written relating to his Father's work, that is incorrect; he co-authored a book with his father (before Frank Herbert's death) titled "Man Of Two Worlds." It is a gripping and sometimes hilarious science fiction novel. It was during this co-authorship that Brian and Frank began discussing co-writing the Dune Prequels as well as Dune 7 (as yet untitled). Brian Herbert has all of his fathers notes and know precisely where Frank Herbert wanted to go with the story as well as where the Dune Universe should begin (which brings us to Dune: House Atreides). It is precisely where it should be in the series. It is accurate in the extreme as to technology and where the characters in the original Dune Series are supposed to be. I have read, and re-read the series and then gone back and re-read House Atreides. I find the book exciting and well planned (i.e. I can see the ground-work for the next two prequels developing). I hope that everyone will read this novel first and not read the reviews here (including mine). Then come back and see if you agree with what others have written. Enjoy.