House Harkonnen (Dune: House Trilogy, Book 2) Mass Market Paperback – August 28, 2001

I think I like these prequels to the Dune series better than the original – and that was very good. It seems to me that both the characters and the plots are clearer and easier to understand than those of the original series. Of course, that may partly be due to having already read the originals.The point of this series of books (Dune: House Atreides, Dune: House Harkonnen, and Dune, House Corrino) is, as far as I can tell, to set up the universe of the original series at the time of the first Dune book. To that end, in these books, we are introduced to the stories behind the feuds that fuel the action in the original books and the backstories of the characters of those books.Additionally, some stories that were barely hinted at in the original series are told in much more detail here. For instance, the feud between the Tleilaxu and the Ixians, although it is a force in the original series is not explained in any detail as far as I can remember (it has been a while since I read the original series). But here we see how the Tleilexu were just as oppressive of the Ixians during their occupation of Ix as the Harkonnens were of the populations on the planets they controlled.We also, by the way, get to see the Harkonnens doing their worst to the people of at least three different worlds. And this time we meet what appears to be the only nice member of the Harkonnen family, possibly ever – Baron Vladimir’s younger brother, Abulurd.We witness the further development of characters we met in Dune: House Atreides – Leto Atreides, Rhombur Vernius, Duncan Idaho, Liet Kynes, and C'tair Pilru. We also pick up another fugitive from Harkonnen persecution, Gurney Halleck. No wonder the Atreides retainers are so hostile to Harkonnens by the time Dune opens.And speaking of character development, there are the further adventures of Glossu Rabban, Baron Harkonnen’s nephew. In this book, he has graduated from worm hunting and boy hunting to destroying the environment and economy of his home planet, Lankiveil, and murdering his father, Abulurd. But in the process, he messes up so many things that he even manages to irritate his uncle the Baron and almost gets himself killed in the process.

I've really enjoyed Herbert & Anderson's expansion of the Dune Saga, House Harkonnen is the second book in the trilogy that is a direct Prequel to Dune, It's the story of how and why Baron Harkonnen and Duke Leto have such hatred for each other and why Shaddam IV is so complicit in trying to destroy House Atreides. It's also tells the story of how Gurney Halleck and Duncan Idaho escaped the Harkonnen's and came to have such loyalty to House Atreides.

Originally thought "here's a son who is capitalizing on his father's greatness"; ended up thinking the son did better than the father by quite a bit much~

I, personally, would like this book to have been primarily about House Harkonnen. Instead, Herbert bounces back and forth between Atreides, Harkonnen, Bene Gesserit, the Corrinos, etc, etc. I suppose that's a literary device to keep the reader engaged, but I would prefer more of an in-depth focus.That said, it is an entertaining read, and provides a canon background into many characters' backgrounds.

This book series gives so many insights into the work of Dune. If you enjoy the book or even the movie Dune then these three books and the three that come before theses will explain so many things that exists in the world of Dune. Not only do they explain any things but they are also very entertaining. If you don't have the time to read them you can listen to them. The audio books are very entertaining.

Love the book. Bought the series after watching the film. Great prequel. I read them before reading the original series and the facts line up.

ALL of the "Dune" books, whether the originals written by Frank Herbert, or the prequels written by Brian Herbert....ALL are fascinatingly captivating. The "Dune" universe is unique, multi faceted and unlike any other Sci-Fi universe....There is much to learn from "Dune".

Brand new

goog

I've been reading the dune series chronologically starting with the Butlerian Jihad, then the Schools of Dune and started this trilogy. Every book has been better than the one before. This one is no different. Amazing!

Different from Frank's books, with more actions but less subtle. I loved the original books for their thoughts within thoughts. I appreciate these saga books because they have much more actions.

SIN SPOILERSEl libro tardara lo suyo en llegar,pues viene por correo desde UK.Sobre el libro,es la continuacion de Dune:Casa Atreides.Y,por supuesto,seguira siendo esa novela ficticia que te tendra enganchado a el por largos periodos de tiempo.

Excelente, esta edición tiene la letra un poco pequeña para mi gusto, pero muy buena compra.