Science Fiction Aficionados discussion
How old were you when you read Dune?
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Joshua
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Sep 08, 2011 10:03AM
I'm 11, and after reading many posts recommending Dune, I'm ready to read it. My mom says I might want to wait. But I think: no way, I've heard too much about it. What do you think? How old were you when you read it?
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Early twenties and even then I didn't get some of the politics. I found that when I re-read it as I get older, I understand it better and can relate to it better because I learn more about the world and politics as I get older.If you want to read it, I think that's great but I would definitely suggest re-reading every 5 or 10 years for comparison, and I can guarantee you will like it better as you get older.
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35 baby! I can't believe that I made it to this age as a sci fi fan without reading it!
I was 15 when i read it, but i read a translated version in my language.
It's an excellent read at any age. I've re-read Dune at least 6 times, probably more. And all the rest at least twice. I get more out of each reading.
Gee... It's been a while. Maybe in my early 20s...Still among my favorites.
I was 12. Read it kid, there's a glossary in the back if you have any questions.
I believe I was about 18, though I might have been a year or two younger.
Joshua, the fact that you're dying to read it means you should read it. I think you would enjoy it. I read it as a kid, so I can't remember exactly when. I like the fact that my parents never censored what I read, and I've read some weird things.
Aloha, was one of them a book delivered by Aliens the translated titled of which was; "To Serve Man"?
How did you guess, Mike? Actually, I was reading about the holocaust, abnormal psychology, and abnormal genetics. And lots of horror magazines depicting serial killers with graphic shooting scenes into crowds, and chopping of mothers.
In other words, normal kid reads????? Are you a graduate of EERIE, Creepy and all the other black and white horror comics? (Today we'd call them graphic novels I suppose LOL.)
That would be me! They were so well-drawn, too. I only read them for the art, you know.
Sure...me to. I read them and Savage Sword of Conan (another black and white title) and a science fiction black and white (often they were what we'd call horror/science fiction) through the 60s and into the 70s when most of them went the way of all flesh.
I was around 15 when I read Dune. It was my first real SF novel and I was hooked from that point on. Like Mike, I had been a read of comics like Savage Sword of Conan, all kinds of Marvel superhero comics, etc.I didn't get everything in Dune the first time, but that was OK, I enjoyed it as a rollicking adventure tale. I re-read it several times and always got something new out of it.
The Savage Sword of Conan books are available in compilations now. I have the first 3 volumes...ahh nostalgia.
I read it in my 30's. I thought it was very overrated. I enjoy a lot of the classic Science Fiction as well as the more contemporary, but Dune just didn't do it for me.
Oh boy. I have no idea. Too long ago! It had to have been between 11-14. Twenty years ago atleast. I loved it! But I'm thinking I should reread it. I agree. If you have a desire to read it go ahead. Atleast try. No harm in that.
Just last week and I am in my 20's. But I am going to reread this again later and I think I would get more out of it. It's a very complex book
I was about 16 (1972-ish) when I ordered it through the Science Fiction Book Club. I tried to read it then, but couldn't get into it. When I was 20, I was taking a Science Fiction course in college, and we were assigned to read it. I must admit, as much of a classic as it is, I plowed through but couldn't really get into it. II do appreciate what an influential book and series it has become, but it just never grabbed me.
However, Frank Herbert came to speak to our Science Fiction class (1976-ish), so of course I brought in my copy for him to sign. I still have the signed book to this day, and have always wished it was something other than just the Book Club edition, and that it hadn't lost its dust jacket.
As a more mature reader now, I probably owe it to myself to pick it up again.
In my early teens. Loved it instantly, and have read it a couple times since then. Like a great classic, it gets better everytime I read it.
I got my copy from Science Fiction Book Club Scott. I actually liked (like) Dune, but never really liked any of the sequels.
I read the Dune series in my 20's and loved it. I've only read the books written by Frank Herbert and not the ones written by his son. Has anyone read the books written by Brian Herbert? and what did you think of them?
I've watched several movies based on the Dune books. If you do watch any of the movies/tv shows, the best one is "Frank Herbert's Dune" a six part mini-series written and directed by John Harrison with William Hurt in it (2002).
Good day to you all. This is my first post, so I suppose i'd better be honest from the outset. I first read Dune at the age of 12. It was a few months after reading Alan Dean Fosters' "Splinter of the Minds Eye", which although an engrossing read for a huge pre-teen Star Wars fan, was so obviously full of plot holes I would later in life refer to it as the 'Star Wars incest book'!Anyway, the point being that I've also watched the DeLaurentis movie at least 6 times over the years. And as good as it is, it'll never replace the sheer depth of understanding I had/have for the book.
I would read one page, then go to the reference pages at the back to comprehend the words I didn't understand. The second read required far less forays to these pages. And the last read, 4 years ago, none!
My 10 year old daughter has shown interest in dads' old Dune book, and when she's ready I know she'll devour it with gusto, as I did.
Excellent read at any age, but as an ealy read for young Sci-Fi fans? an absolute must!!!
I read Dune when I was in my late 30s and I was not overly impressed by it.
Joshua wrote: "I'm 11, and after reading many posts recommending Dune, I'm ready to read it. My mom says I might want to wait. But I think: no way, I've heard too much about it. What do you think? How old wer..."If you want to read it, just go ahead, but in order to actually enjoy it you should probably wait a few more years. There is a lot not so straight forward political intrigue in it. Maybe you would want to read it together with your mother so you can discuss it together.
Hello Joshua, I agree with 'Rita'. If you are drawn to the book, read it. And do not be afraid to read it with your mother just to make sure the political intrigue, which is integral to all the plot lines, doesn't cause too much confusion.
I was about 16 when my reading friends said I couldn't be a proper SciFi fan if I hadn't read Dune. I liked it my first time through. I re-read it every 2-3 years.
I was in my teens... scrambled to read it right after seeing the Lynch version.
Mark, did you see the since fiction channel's version of Dune? Uncharacteristically for that channel it was pretty good, better than the theatrical version I thought.
I was 12 when I read it and was my first taste of serious sci fi. I never looked back :p
The funny part was I picked up a copy of Dune from the school library because my science teacher at time look like Frank Herbert's picture on the back of the hardcover edition of God Emperor of Dune.
The dune movie came out in 1984....I remember getting the book soon after. I didnt care for it at the time (I was 11 or 12).I just went back 3-4 years ago and re-read it. Then read the whole series, and all the prequels and sub-series.
Mark wrote: "Hello Joshua, I agree with 'Rita'. If you are drawn to the book, read it. And do not be afraid to read it with your mother just to make sure the political intrigue, which is integral to all the plo..."I also agree with Rita, Joshua. I'm sure if you read 'Dune' now, you'll still enjoy all of the action and adventure (and the sandworms), but may miss out the political and economic themes that Herbert writes so well. It's easier to see the economical impact of the spice when you realize it becomes the oil that runs the universe and how it effects the powers that rule the universe. Of course you could read it now - I think you will because you seem very excited to - and read it again later.
In my early 20s but went through it too slowly to appreciate all the subplots. This is one of those books you have to finish pretty quickly.
I think I was about twelve. I loved it for its in-depth descriptions, intense characters, and blinding action - and I have grown to love it more with every re-reading. At your age I loved Dune but wasn't so keen on the rest of the series; now, I love them all.
15 or 16 - and I loved it. Read it again in my 20's and now the entire series (including new additions) in my 30's and it is amazing how much more I can see in the original series. Layer upon layer... My all-time favorite.
Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "Mark, did you see the since fiction channel's version of Dune? Uncharacteristically for that channel it was pretty good, better than the theatrical version I thought."Oh that was amazing!!! Closer to the feel of the book I thought.
Good question actually. I was in my early twenties when I read the series, and completely chewed through it. I could see it being very interesting to a younger reader, some of the characters themselves are young. But, I think some of the political concepts and vague strategies that play through could pose a little problem. It's not that any of the concepts are presented, it's just that some of the interactions are left without explanations. It may be difficult to fully understand some of the motives. I wouldn't be surprised if this was something you would read early, but completely re-read later.Dune the new YA sci-fi?
Good on you for reading way above your age group! Any serious fledgling reader starts pushing past their reading level at some point. We may not have always fully understood it, but there were things that could always be enjoyed.
I first read Dune when I about 16-17 years old. I've read it a number of times since and all of the succeeding works (I think?).Dune is a favorite that I revisit at least portions of the saga every few years or so during those long winter nights or hot AC only survivable summer afternoons when siesta isn't on the agenda.
People has told me that the first few pages has too many terms, which may turn away the reader.
Kevin wrote: "People has told me that the first few pages has too many terms, which may turn away the reader."Have you read it? I see how it could confuse readers at first. But it is one of the most detailed and beautiful worldbuilding I have read. It's one of those rare genre books that seem so "real".
It has terms that aren't defined, until later in the story... It adds to the mystery of it all. Just keep reading and you will fall in love with it.
I read "Dune" for the first time when I was 20. I grew up in a house that has allllll the books, prequels and sequels (my mom is really into Dune). I'm glad I had her around to explain some of the terms, which otherwise I wouldn't have understood until later in the series.I'm glad I didn't read it until I had a good grounding in ecology and politics, otherwise some of it would have been downright esoteric.
I was 19 or 20. I read the first 3 books in about 2 weeks because I had a really boring summer job, where I sat at a desk and buzzed people through a door when they got off an elevator (temp job between years of college). Full Arrakis immersion! I don't think I would have appreciated it at 11 or 12--I'm very impressed with those kids who understand it at that age!
I was the ripe old age of TWO. Just kidding, I was in early high school or middle school. I wasn't interested in reading it until I had run out of ideas of what to read, honestly. I'd say it's worth a read even if you have heard a lot about it- what you've heard or even if you've seen the movie cannot compare to the longform version of a book most often.
IMO- the first book is the only one worth reading. I skipped on the rest of the series after reading scads of reviews. There are too many books to read to bother with it for myself :).
I really liked the second one but that's all I remember about it.
Science Fiction Aficionados
Books mentioned in this topic
The Land That Time Forgot (other topics)The Land That Time Forgot (other topics)
Dune (other topics)
Authors mentioned in this topic
Edgar Rice Burroughs (other topics)Edgar Rice Burroughs (other topics)
