Dune in Building a SciFi/Fantasy Library

Mar 10, 2009 Beth Tabler rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

It is hard to figure out what kind of book Dune is. First, let’s classify what Dune is not. Dune is not easy; it is not the kind of sci-fi book that tells you about something, or how to feel about the story. Dune shows you what the Sands of Arrakis look like, and it shows you how they feel under your feet, and you can hear the sandworms crashing through the red hot sand if you listen close enough. That is the magic of Herbert’s writing. It isn’t flashy, and you might feel like it is a little bit It is hard to figure out what kind of book Dune is. First, let’s classify what Dune is not. Dune is not easy; it is not the kind of sci-fi book that tells you about something, or how to feel about the story. Dune shows you what the Sands of Arrakis look like, and it shows you how they feel under your feet, and you can hear the sandworms crashing through the red hot sand if you listen close enough. That is the magic of Herbert’s writing. It isn’t flashy, and you might feel like it is a little bit dated — you blasphemer. But, the world building is so good that Dune helped define what epic science fiction is. We are here today in storytelling because of stories like Dune that came before us.

The plot is complicated, but summed up Dune is the story of the rise of Paul as a religious leader and savior of the Planet Arrakis causing the fall of the human emperor of the galaxy 10,000 years into the future. Humans have raced towards all corners of the universe, colonizing habitable planets. Arrakis is a colonized small desert planet plentiful with a valuable drug resource called Melange. Melange is the drug of choice for the rich and elite of the galaxy. The powers that be want the drug and control of the planet. Paul, the son of a powerful family house, seeks refuge with the desert people of the planet. There he discovers his innate powers and matures into the religious leader and figurehead of the Sand people. Plus ecology, how religion affects the masses, and familial drama.

The compelling thing about Dune is not the world-building, which is impressive, or the storyline, which is detailed, it is the social commentary. Maybe some people do not want a dash of social commentary with their sci-fi, but I do. Books that have the extra layer of writing and thought always stay with me as a reader and linger for years. Dune talks about feminism, ecology, power struggles, and family… so much. If you haven’t read it, do it. First, watch the hilarious 1980’s movie, get that out of your system, then go read the book. I highly recommend it. I mean, it’s Dune, what else can I say? ...more

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Jun 30, 2013 Dale Pearl rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: books-worth-rereading, epic, science-fiction, religious, mythology, 2013, first-in-a-series, bbc-top-100-all-time-read, y2013-july

A complex story of family rivalry, greed, and the fulfillment of prophecy. Not sure what I can say that has not already been said about this book, but if you want epic science fiction then this is the place to start.

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Feb 25, 2020 Mariana rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: too-boring-to-finish, read-in-english, science-fiction

This is another one that I really, really wanted to like, but I just couldn't finish it. The pace is too slow. In the beginning of each chapter we get a quotation (as far as I recall, most of them attributed to Princess Irulan) that spoils important plot points (you would have to be pretty dense not to conclude the future role of Paul with the Freemen). Each character's inner thoughts and motivations are throughly explained to the reader every time something is done. The result is a tiresome exp ...more

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