Audio Prequel Sets Insightful Launch for Complex ‘Dune’ Series

Fans of Frank Herbert’s complex science-fiction series “Dune” may have thought the saga ended with the author’s death. However, the author’s son, Brian Herbert, and award-winning science-fiction writer Kevin J. Anderson collaborated on “Dune: House Atreides,” a prequel to Frank Herbert’s six “Dune” novels. (Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio; abridged fiction; six cassettes; nine hours; $27.50; read by Tim Curry.)

Using thousands of pages of recently discovered notes left by Frank Herbert, the authors create a story that occurs decades before the first fictional winds blew through the planet Dune. They synthesize back stories for characters who appear later in the series and reveal new insights by unraveling some of the complex secrets unanswered by Herbert senior.

The futuristic story consists of several tales that weave in and out of one another. There is a quest for the hallucinogenic spice traded among the planets and mined only on the planet Arrakis, known to its inhabitants as Dune. Treason, genetic manipulation, royal killings and interstellar wars figure into a story peopled with quasi-religious figures, archetypal heroes and scientists who spout philosophy. Fans of the series will delight in learning of the events leading to the feud between House Atreides and the royal house of Harkonnen.

Narrator Tim Curry takes a theatrical approach to the material. His voice is deep, raspy, a little sexy and quite distinctive. He uses it to create different vocal personalities for each character, although the effect is sometimes rather campy. He displays much vitality, and obviously had such fun with the material that one cannot help but enjoy the ride. For instance, one character is said to make a distinctive and annoying noise when he speaks. Curry consistently makes that noise. Yes, it is a little grating, but it is humorous as well.

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The production values are high in this audio, as music and sound effects enhance the story’s drama. We hear wind whistling in the background as characters walk through the harsh sand dunes of Arrakis. True, some of the music resembles badly generated church music, but it suits Curry’s theatrics and the story’s grand scope.

Listeners who have never heard the “Dune” books or missed the confusing 1984 movie should have no trouble following the plot. This is rather surprising, because the novel withstood a severe abridgment for audio. Because more than half of the text was removed during abridgment, some depth and detail obviously went with it. However, if you do not leaf through the original material to compare the two (as I did), you should find the audio version a satisfying listen.

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Sci-fi fans tend to take the genre seriously, but sometimes you’re in the mood for a bit of a futuristic giggle.

Eric Idle has joined the ranks of such fellow Brits as Douglas Adams and Idle’s fellow Monty Python alumnus, Terry Jones, by penning “The Road to Mars,” a witty, silly science-fiction adventure set in the distant future. (Soundelux Audio; abridged fiction; two cassettes; three hours; $17.95; read by the author.)

The story is told by Professor William Reynolds, a duplicitous academic who is studying (and trying to steal) the theories of levity expounded by Carlton, an artificial being of the late 20th century. Carlton, a Bowie 4.5-model android with handsome features and a surprising amount of curiosity, wrote his thesis while under the employ of two rather hapless comedians, Lewis and Alex.

The comedy duo landed on the Road to Mars, an interplanetary vaudevillian trail, after killing their career. The pair insulted a fabulously untalented and egotistic star aboard the Princes Di, a solar cruise ship. Along the way to show biz fame, they become embroiled in a terrorist plot against Mars and discover the true meaning of love.

Idle’s audio is a pleasing diversion, though not quite as weirdly delightful as last year’s release of “The Starship Titanic” by Douglas Adams and Terry Jones. Idle’s writing is a bit precious, especially when he refers to John Cleese and the Monty Python troupe. He goes off on the occasional rant that is sometimes out of place with the story. But his dialogue is often witty enough to make you chuckle out loud, engaging the listener from beginning to end.

An upbeat and lively narrator, Idle displays energy along with perfect comedic timing. His voice is a bit high, but Idle has a lovely British lilt that he ably twists with indignation and humorous outrage. His delivery is rat-a-tat fast, but as his enunciation is crystal clear, it’s easy to following him.

The printed version of the novel is only 308 pages long and is driven more by dialogue than plot. The abridgment contains the best lines and most of that plot, so there is no need to feel cheated by the truncation.

Rochelle O’Gorman reviews audio books every other week. Next week: Margo Kaufman on mystery books.