Dune

Title: Dune

Author: Frank Herbert

Pages: 19 discs

Genre: Science Fiction

Grade: A-

Synopsis: The Atreides family accepts control of the planet Arrakis, during a time far in the future when noble houses have planetary empires as sanctioned by the interstellar emperor.  Arrakis is a very important planet as it is the only place in the universe where spice can be mined, albeit dangerously.  Spice is the most precious and important substance in the universe as it allows the interstellar trading and trafficking that they emperor relies upon.  Paul Atreides is the heir apparent but must go into hiding once his father's house is attacked as others try to regain control of Arrakis.

My Review: This story is fantastical and complex enough that it is hard to summarize in a short paragraph, but I have found myself over the last few weeks thinking back to the story as it really caught my interest.  I listened to the audiobook version and it was excellent, using a full cast of characters for all of the many different parts.  I have the Dune movie from the early 1980's saved on my DVR at home, I'm interested to watch it, but the few minutes that I watched earlier don't leave me with high hopes.

The Other

Title: The Other

Author: David Guterson

Pages: 9 discs?

Genre: Fiction

Grade: B

Synopsis: John William Barry was born into one of the richest families in the Seattle area.  Neil Countryman comes from a regular blue-collar Irish family, but when the two boys meet at 16 at a track meet they become fast friends with their shared passion for all things outdoors.  After college Neil becomes a high-school English teacher and John decides that the only way to live without hypocrisy is as a hermit living off the land.  Barry excavates a cave for himself on the west side of the Olympic Peninsula and Countryman visits him as often as he can packing in as much food and supplies as he can carry.

My Review: This was a good slow-paced read, a novel with a unique plot and story.  It was one of those books where after you're done you've got to double-check whether or not the book was based on a true story or not.

Red Rabbit

Title: Red Rabbit

Author: Tom Clancy

Pages: 13 discs?

Genre: Fiction, Thriller

Grade: B

Synopsis: This book takes place early in Jack Ryan's career.  At the time, he isn't yet an analyst for the CIA, but he has been offered a position as a freelance analyst in London to work as sort of a liaison between the CIA and the British Intelligence Agency.  The main plot of the story surrounds a Soviet KGB communications officer that learns of a top-secret plan to assassinate newly elected Polish Pope John Paul II.  The Russian defector (or "red rabbit") approaches a known CIA officer asking for help getting safely to the west in exchange for information about the assassination plot.

My Review: This was a fairly typical Clancy cold war spy thriller.  The plot was unique and full of the twists and turns that you would expect.