Topic: Brian Herbert v Christopher Tolkien: Who's worse? (Read 4952 times)

Joe Sixpack · « **on:** November 13, 2009, 01:48:50 PM »

I'm as big of an LOTR fan as the next dork, and while I don't think the entirety of Frank Herbert's Dune novels are as good as J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle Earth novels, I would say that I probably like the first Dune book better than any of the LOTR books on their own.

Both J.R.R. Tolkien and Frank Herbert are dead, and their sons have chosen to carry on their IP, for lack of a better word.

Brian Herbert (with another hack, Kevin J. Anderson) have written new novels in the Dune universe, carrying on the story, expanding on the background, etc. To me they completely lack the philosophy, the overarching themes, the thoughtfulness of Frank Herbert's Dune books. So while I think it's shallow hackery, at least something new has been created, and I can appreciate that even if I'm not a fan.

Christopher Tolkien has taken all of his father's notes, which by all accounts were copious, made sense of them, edited them, made a true scholarly endeavor to understand and disseminate his father's work. He hasn't really created anything or contributed to the IP himself, just releasing reworks of notes and manuscripts, sort of how Jimi or Tupac have more posthumous releases than they did when they were alive. What's more, he comes across to me as a bit overly litigious, considering he didn't actually create any of the things he sues over.

So who's more of a whore trying to milk their father's legacy for all it's worth? The low quality original contributor, or the high quality regurgitator?

ivan · « **Reply #1 on:** November 13, 2009, 02:07:16 PM »

I like a lot of what Heinlien wrote.

ivan · « **Reply #2 on:** November 13, 2009, 02:10:32 PM »

And not having read either of the offsprings' efforts, I would say that by generating original copy Brian is clearly capitalizing on the Dune brand, while Chris can be seen as preserving his father's legacy. So I vote Brian as the bigger whore.

Demosthenes · « **Reply #3 on:** November 13, 2009, 02:11:40 PM »

As an amateur Tolkien scholar, I have grown to appreciate Christopher's efforts and thoroughness in his approach toward his father's life's work. I guess I don't really care about how litigious he is or isn't. That said, there comes a certain point when someone has to acknowledge the Public Domain, and when you're talking about works that old, it's better to let them go there gracefully than to do some of the stupid shit Disney has done over the years.

I haven't read any of Brian Herbert's stuff, but the wife is currently readening The Butlerian Jihad, and while she has acknowledged that it's very different from Frank's style, she's enjoying it so far.

She's the most enthusiastic Frank Herbert fan I've ever known, so I like to think that bodes well for at least that particular novel.

ivan · « **Reply #4 on:** November 13, 2009, 02:14:57 PM »

Dudes.

ivan · « **Reply #5 on:** November 13, 2009, 02:24:52 PM »

Joe Sixpack · « **Reply #6 on:** November 13, 2009, 02:52:23 PM »

Is she enjoying it on its own merits or just because she's a Dune fan and she'd rather read bad Dune than most other stuff?
I didn't make it that far, I read Dune: House (X), I can't remember which ones, and didn't care for it.

Demosthenes · « **Reply #7 on:** November 13, 2009, 03:38:20 PM »

Quote from: Joe Sixpack on November 13, 2009, 02:52:23 PM

Is she enjoying it on its own merits or just because she's a Dune fan and she'd rather read bad Dune than most other stuff?
I didn't make it that far, I read Dune: House (X), I can't remember which ones, and didn't care for it.

From what she's said about it, she's enjoying it on its own merits, though she's admitted she likes Frank's original works far better.

jeee · « **Reply #8 on:** November 14, 2009, 04:33:53 PM »

I read the "children of Hurin" with a pleasure. I can even reccomend it.

ivan · « **Reply #9 on:** November 14, 2009, 06:23:24 PM »

So nobody's going to edit this thread and fix poor JRR's name? Is this like some sort of protest against the tyranny of having to spell people's names right all the time?

Because if it is, I want in!

ivan · « **Reply #10 on:** November 14, 2009, 06:24:25 PM »

Quote from: ivan on November 13, 2009, 02:07:16 PM

I like a lot of what Heinlien wrote.

See? I already started!

12AX7 · « **Reply #11 on:** November 14, 2009, 08:15:49 PM »

Quote from: ivan on November 13, 2009, 02:14:57 PM

Dudes.

Quote from: ivan on November 13, 2009, 02:24:52 PM

ie

Quote from: ivan on November 14, 2009, 06:23:24 PM

So nobody's going to edit this thread and fix poor JRR's name? Is this like some sort of protest against the tyranny of having to spell people's names right all the time?

I can support that. Done.

Clear_Runway · « **Reply #12 on:** November 14, 2009, 08:17:43 PM »

Brian. I did read the original Dune trilogy and found it kind of, well, boring, but still appreciable. I'm sure I missed the philosophy. then I tried to read the new ones (which I hadn't even heard of for a long time) and found them just as painful but without the originality, which was why I liked the books in the first place.

ivan · « **Reply #13 on:** November 15, 2009, 03:58:12 AM »

Quote from: 12AX7 on November 14, 2009, 08:15:49 PM

I can support that. Done.

You are a scholar and a gentleman.

Joe Sixpack · « **Reply #14 on:** November 16, 2009, 11:05:07 AM »

It's not my fault he spells his name wrong.

ivan · « **Reply #15 on:** November 16, 2009, 12:49:57 PM »

Even people who knew him personally misspelled his name.

Demosthenes · « **Reply #16 on:** November 17, 2009, 11:33:35 AM »

Quote from: ivan on November 16, 2009, 12:49:57 PM

Even people who knew him personally misspelled his name.

In that case, I don't feel so bad.

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Author Topic: Brian Herbert v Christopher Tolkien: Who's worse? (Read 4952 times)

12AX7