fabio wrote:

I think its popularity has a lot to do with being kind of a sci-fi nerd's introduction to conversational subtext. The thought narration underlines what is some smartly and subtlety veiled dialog as characters steer innocent conversation around deadly points. Take the scene with Paul's family trying to out Harkonnen agents during dinner.

Game of Thrones often tries this. What you get there is two characters figuratively eyeing the throne, literally eyeing the throne, warily eyeing each other, having the following conversation:

"Many have died to sit on that throne."

"Hmmm yes it is a very dangerous game to be playing one should be careful!"


It's like a night and day case study for good vs awful writing, and I just read the perfect summary for the GoT series: not exciting enough to be adventure, not complex or interesting enough to be intrigue.