When is a blog not a blog?

When it's a "blog" on the Dune Novels website.

Opinions differ, of course, but my definition of a real blog includes allowing people to comment on what they have read. That didn't happen on the old Hunters Blog, and it doesn't look like it will be on the new "Sandworms of Dune Blog", either. (And since no one seems able to coax Brian into the 21st Century, this one will also most likely be written almost entirely by Kevin. I don't really have anything against Kevin other than the things I've mentioned in public, but let's face it, he's not a Herbert. I'd like to hear more from Brian, you know?) There are also no RSS or Atom feeds, another blog sine qua non, IMO.

Since I can't comment there, I'll do it here:

Kevin, this time, please stay on topic: Sandworms and Duniverse-related stuff. There's nothing wrong with you publicizing your own works, but you've got your own website and your MySpace area now...shouldn't they be enough for the non-Dune stuff?

Re the dust-jacket copy for the US edition of Sandworms:

Hunters of Dune and the concluding volume, Sandworms of Dune, bring together the great story lines and beloved characters in Frank Herbert's classic Dune universe, ranging from the time of the Butlerian Jihad to the original Dune series and beyond. Based directly on Frank Herbert's final outline, which lay hidden in a safe-deposit box for a decade, these two volumes will finally answer the urgent questions Dune fans have been debating for two decades.

Um...Frank Herbert didn't write anything about any characters of the Butlerian Jihad. And no, far from answering questions, the new books have only given rise to more. But speaking of that outline, once Sandworms is published, it's of no further value, right? Why not publish it?

At the end of Frank Herbert's final novel Chapterhouse: Dune, a ship carrying a crew of refugees escapes into the uncharted galaxy, fleeing from a terrifying, mysterious Enemy. The fugitives used genetic technology to revive key figures from Dune's past -- including Paul Muad'Dib and Lady Jessica -- to strengthen their chances of survival by using their special special talents to meet the incredible challenges of the journey.

Uncharted galaxy? I thought they ended up in a "strange, unknown universe". And were the ghola babies the result of such a well-thought out plan? I got the impression it was something more like, "Oooh, null-entropy tube! Ooh, let's make gholas galore!"

Sandworms of Dune will reveal the origin of the Honored Matres, the tantalizing future of the planet Arrakis, the final revelation of the Kwisatz Haderach, and the resolution to the war between man and machine. This breathtaking new novel in Frank Herbert's Dune series has surprises and plot twists galore -- enough to please even the most demanding reader.

Um...didn't you already reveal the origin of the Honored Matres in Hunters? (Psssst! Pissed off former Tleilaxu tank ladies! Pssst! It feels like an FH idea, but the exposition leaves much to be desired! Like...was the memory block the result of hysterical amnesia born of feminist solidarity?) The future of Arrakis? Isn't it a radioactive wasteland of blasted sandglass? Gonna terraform...er, I mean, re-arreoform it? (Are there still sandplankton alive on Arrakis? As yet unsuspected and undiscovered new worms? Is that the secret treasure in Treasure in the Sand? "Obliterator" irradiated mutant worms that can survive in water?! Some connection with that beautiful but daft cover illustration?!) The Kwisatz Haderach? That means there's only ONE, right? (Thank Dur for small mercies!) The SECOND resolution of the war, you mean?

And breathtaking? Fortunately I've learned to breathe through my mouth again; frees up the one hand from having to hold my nose. (Have found no solution yet, though, for the incidents of projectile vomiting.)

I've already pre-ordered my copy on Amazon. Can't wait.

(Note: I'm in a particularly bitchy mood today. I may reconsider and come back and edit this. ... Nah.)