Let's be frank about these prequels... -- DUNE Novels Discussion Board

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10/27/25 03:44:51 [ Login ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, [2], 3, 4 ]

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Date Posted: 16:17:13 09/30/03 Tue
Author: IDAHO
Subject: Let's be frank about these prequels...

I have just ordered the Machine Crusade through amazon, but have not read it. But even moreso than the characters of the House books, the characters in this trilogy aren't why I am reading these books. The only reason I am reading these books is because any hint of of the overall tapestry of Dune gives me clues as to what will happen in Dune 7. That's all I really care about.

I couldn't give a crap about Xavier Harkonnen and Vorian Atreides although it is interesting to see how and why the Harkonnens will end up betraying everyone and causing the vendetta between the Atreides and Harkonnen.

A small digression, here's my theory (keep in mind I haven't read the Machine Crusade): Xavier Harkonnen while a noble man and affectionate with his new wife Octa Butler, has always been in love with Serena Butler. Whenn he marries because he thinks Serena is dead and allows Vorian Atreides to become her husband, Xavier is torn with jealousy and thoughts of what might have been, but there is little he can do to change the situation. Octa has always been fragile and cowardly and Xavier's offspring with her are also not as hearty as their cousins from the Serena and Vorian Atreides' line. The cousins have a sort of filial rivalry, where the Atreides are always on top because they are physically superior. Add that to the fact that the Harkonnen patriarch Xavier has never trusted the spawn of Agammenon and you already get a tenuous relationship between Xavier's kids and Vorian's kids. So of course the weak willed son of Octa and Xavier tries to sabotage his own cousin the strong willed son of Vorian at the Battle of Corrin, causing the Noble Harkonnen family named to be tarnished for an eternity with the brand of coward placed on them. The HArkonnens, while still of Noble blood and related to the Butler family, will always be considered a "second class" House despite what wealth they amass. Put that second class stamp on every generation of House Harkonnen for hundreds of years, and you'd want to stick it to the stupid Atreides any way you could. But that's what I think they mean by saying these books are sort of obvious. When Frank wrote something, it was always like, what the hell is going to happen!? But with these guys I can see how they are going to do this vendetta thing from a mile away!

Anyway, the point is, these books are only viable because of the fact that they will directly affect Dune 7. That's the story I care about.

-IDAHO-

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Replies:

I think we've established that the only one who can be frank... is Frank. (NT) -- the cannabist, 08:48:32 10/04/03 Sat
You forget one important detail. -- theButterfly, 20:51:54 10/05/03 Sun