From the Bookshelf of Reading List Completists…

Dune (Dune #1)

Frank Herbert

Start date: March 1, 2016

Finish date: March 31, 2016

Discussion: Group Reads

Why we're reading this: Winner - March 2016 - Another Second Chance Poll
[close] Winner - March 2016 - Another Second Chance Poll

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 98 topics — 1,581 comments total

Group Reads

All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
By Matthew , Assistant List Master · 4 posts · 18 views

last updated Sep 18, 2022 11:34AM

Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy
By Matthew , Assistant List Master · 7 posts · 22 views

last updated Aug 31, 2022 01:49PM

showing 3 of 3 topics view all »

What Members Thought

Mar 27, 2021 Deborah rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I finally read this classic science fiction novel published in 1965. The Duke of Leto arrives in Arrakis accompanied by his son, Paul, and concubine, Jessica, who is Paul’s mother and a Bene Gesserit Lady (trained in the school’s special ways.) The locals, the Fremen, believe Paul may according to legend be their messiah, their savior, known as Muad’Dib. Paul will be tested. Dune is a waterless, desolate planet full of deceit, death, and betrayal. Dune is coveted because of the Spice produced th ...more

10 likes · Like · see review

Aug 17, 2017 Jason rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: own

To get a brief (and utterly incomplete) taste of the style and some of it's themes, how about a smattering of quotes:

I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.

Militant missionary religions can share this illusion of the "proud past," but To get a brief (and utterly incomplete) taste of the style and some of it's themes, how about a smattering of quotes:

I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.

Militant missionary religions can share this illusion of the "proud past," but
few understand the ultimate peril to humankind-that false sense of freedom from
responsibility for your own actions.

Anything outside yourself, this you can see and apply your logic to it. But it’s a human trait that when we encounter personal problems, these things most deeply personal are the most difficult to bring out for our logic to scan. We tend to flounder around, blaming everything but the actual, deep-seated thing that’s really chewing on us.

The mystery of life isn't a problem to solve, but a reality to experience.

This, to many, is the preeminent high-octane, complex world-building, philosophically laced science fiction book and I am not going to argue with these people. This is one heck of a book, it does all of these aforementioned things well. This book has innumerable spectacular nuggets -quotes- to choose from and develops a unique universe with great depth. The action is excellent and often full of delightful twists. The antagonists are deliciously horrid and many of the protagonists enjoyably grey.

After having finished this book I am filled with a sense of a thin layer of controlled calmness overlaying constant peril (constant). This book is jam-packed with philosophy and dense world building that is tons of fun, and while at times stilted, the writing is still enjoyable - but for this reader all was a bit exhausting. Please do not get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed most of the book, and I feel like if I take it apart it's pieces are spectacular, but as a whole it was too adrenaline laden and, dare I say, rushed. This was a book that simultaneously seemed both too long and too short. It is part of a series and as the book ended I feel compelled to read on, but not at this time - I need to leave the people of Arrakis where they are, in constant peril and high on both spice and demi-god/leader worship.

Much to love in this book, but like Asimov's Foundation trilogy, this sci-fi masterpiece didn't quite hit the sweet spot (or cinnamon-y, dry-mouthed spot, as it were) for this humble reader.

...more

7 likes · Like · see review

Oct 15, 2013 MK rated it really liked it

Shelves: z02-contemporary-classic-selections, z0h-pre-join-contemporary-classic, 17a-same-series

Read the whole series back when I was in hs, or maybe it was early college. Remember liking the series, but not loving it.

Edit - scratch that. I read the original trilogy, but not books #4, #5, or #6.

7 likes · Like · see review

Oct 19, 2016 Valerie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: audiolibary, sf-f-bookclub, readinglistbookclub, z-2016sffchallenge

Lately, I've felt like I've been in a slump. I've been reading books that I think I should like, only to be disappointed. I was worried that maybe it was just me. Maybe I was burnt out on reading. Is such a thing even possible.

Then I started Dune and it was like the sunshine breaking through the clouds for the gorgeous day of Spring after a long cold winter. Why did I wait so long to read this? It was absolutely brilliant and reminded me why I love reading so much.

I do want to note that while th ...more

5 likes · Like · see review