dune meshuggeneh

Strangely, I seem to have squeezed time aside from instensive Rachael studies to read another book in the Dune series, book 2, Dune Messiah.

Why am I reading these books? I wondered constantly while reading this one. Clearly a transitional episode, much like Star Wars, Empire Strikes Back is transitional -- like years have passed and things are ugly in the Empire (both in Dune and Star Wars). I mentioned earilier how in debt I felt most sci fi is to Dune. And you can see Lucas borrowing heavily from Dune everywhere, even I realized in the hated Jar Jar character which has its parallels in the sort of ridiculous Bijaz character in Messiah. This book had a few good details about the Guild, and I can now see where Lynch got the horrible fish-like creature idea he used in his film, but mostly a novel of thinking and talking, intense seeing which after a while does not make for compelling reading. I did want to know what happened however, so in my compulsive way I finished it. I do have a copy of book 3, Children of Dune and hav cracked it briefly. Seems better right off the bat, esp. without Paul, who I realized was a gigantic DOWNER in Messiah, and I, for one, am not sad to see him go. Everybody else in the book was far more interesting -- Alia, Stilgar, Irulan. Interesting note about Irulan. Just saw the film, Sideways yesterday and was wondering where I may have seen Virginia Madsen before. Not that I recalled this but IMDB sez she was Irulan in both Lynch's Dune and the Dune made by the Sci-Fi Channel. Will be interesting to see her when I view the Lynch film again. She was great of course in Sideways, as was everyone. Her best quality was her voice of course, peppery, a little gruff, (ah, like a fine wine... ) but attractive in its way. Didn't hurt that she liked the shlub-like Paul Giacometti, giving her an angel of mercy aspect. I know there's tons written out there about Sideways, I have yet to read even one review. I will say it resisted so many Hollywood cliches, and that was so refreshing, yet it still remained uplifting, funny and hopeful. Just great acting by its four principals. Made me want to drink some wine of course, some Pinot understandably, a variety I've never tried. Kind of been on a Zin kick lately (red of course, most wine snobs don't even consider "white zin" to be true wine!). My dad originally turned us on to the red zin. I finally felt I found a wine that spoke to me. Have had some bad ones though. I don't spend a ton of money on wine, usually saving my money for the tequila. But I was fortunate enough a few weeks ago to get some Rosenblum Zin for under $10. I should've bought all my bank account would allowed, it was so freakin' good. Has not be equalled yet in the under $10 catagory. What the fuck am I doing writing about wine? yeesh. Shoot me if that happens again.

So Dune. We will press on with book 3, and if that one sucks that will have to be it. I also picked up Confessions of Max Tivoli as kind of a palate-cleanser from the Dune. May read that instead of Children if things get dicey. Will let you know.