I've only read up to Children of Dune. I'd like to read them all, but I prefer to buy the older hard cover books, which are ridiculously over inflated in price at the moment.
As for my impression, the first 3 books are well worth a read. A relatively minor, if largely impacting spoiler, but the first book is turned on its head. Herbert wanted to warn about messianic savior figures in the Dune saga, like Paul Muad'dib Atreides in the first book. The first book can be appreciated by itself as a classic hero's journey and revenge tail set in a great scifi universe. The Dune saga, however, explores the consequences of that, and of messianic figures in general.
To be vague, and yet clear enough to make the point, Paul's actions lead to horrific atrocities. Paul sees a far flung future problem which he sees no way to avoid, or chooses not to follow the path to avoid it. His children do, however, which affects all the subsequent books, which go much further in time than one would normally expect, and from what I've heard, get rather weird. I've also heard that Herbert intended to write one or two more books, but he knew his time was short (health problems), and wrote fairly strange final chapter, with himself and his wife inserted into the story, as ordinary yet godlike figures looking down upon the galactic story Herbert was telling, but it's really just a thinly veiled final address to his readers and fans, to thank them.
It's obvious, even in book 1, especially in Paul's spice visions, how esoteric Herbert can be. He also makes philosophical commentary throughout subsequent books, which you may or may not like. I appreciate what he's saying, but as I'm inclined that way, I noticed that he contradicts himself in some areas (philosophically), which I venture most people would miss. In any case, it doesn't affect much, because Herbert is very good at his world building, even if it's a bit unique compared to other authors, and the messages he's conveying are genuine. Some chapters/sections get quite abstract and cerebral, which can be tough to read, but overall I definitely recommend the books.
I've only read up to Children of Dune. I'd like to read them all, but I prefer to buy the older hard cover books, which are ridiculously over inflated in price at the moment.
As for my impression, the first 3 books are well worth a read. A relatively minor, if largely impacting spoiler, but the first book is turned on its head. Herbert wanted to warn about messianic savior figures in the Dune saga, like Paul Muad'dib Atreides in the first book. The first book can be appreciated by itself as a classic hero's journey and revenge tail set in a great scifi universe. The Dune saga, however, explores the consequences of that, and of messianic figures in general.
To be vague, and yet clear enough to make the point, Paul's actions lead to horrific atrocities. Paul sees a far flung future problem which he sees no way to avoid, or chooses not to follow the path to avoid it. His children do, however, which affects all the subsequent books, which go much further in time than one would normally expect, and from what I've heard, get rather weird. I've also heard that Herbert intended to write one or two more books, but he knew his time was short (health problems), and wrote fairly strange final chapter, with himself and his wife inserted into the story, as ordinary yet godlike figures looking down upon the galactic story Herbert was telling, but it's really just a thinly veiled final address to his readers and fans, to thank them.
It's obvious, even in book 1, especially in Paul's spice visions, how esoteric Herbert can be. He also makes philosophical commentary throughout subsequent books, which you may or may not like. I appreciate what he's saying, but as I'm inclined that way, I noticed that he contradicts himself in some areas (philosophically), which I venture most people would miss. In any case, it doesn't affect much, because Herbert is very good at his world building, even if it's a bit unique compared to other authors, and the messages he's conveying are genuine. Some chapters/sections get quite abstract and cerebral, which can be tough to read, but overall I definitely recommend the books.