Dune (Dune #1) in Pick-a-Shelf

Dec 21, 2020 Kerri rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: left-a-special-indent-in-my-brain, science-fiction, 4-star, journey, reviewed-or-wrote-notes, attractive-covers

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Notes to myself: A pivotal book in my life, as it is getting me back into reading. Completed electronically in 4 nonconsecutive days. Felt compelled to purchase the beautiful deluxe hardcopy edition. Economy, ecology, politics, and sandworms. Imperialism, institutions of power, I felt immersed in this book, its setting, the interpersonal tensions. It is the right time for me to read this book, since I have recently reflected on the impact of imperialism and organized religion. 3 years ago sampli Notes to myself: A pivotal book in my life, as it is getting me back into reading. Completed electronically in 4 nonconsecutive days. Felt compelled to purchase the beautiful deluxe hardcopy edition. Economy, ecology, politics, and sandworms. Imperialism, institutions of power, I felt immersed in this book, its setting, the interpersonal tensions. It is the right time for me to read this book, since I have recently reflected on the impact of imperialism and organized religion. 3 years ago sampling the audiobook, I was uncertain about my likelihood of finishing this book. The audiobook didn't draw me in, and I didn't feel like reading about a genius Chosen One at the time. I came back because of a discussion regarding the use of jihad vs crusade in book vs movie and vs popular western perception. Now I also understand that the Chosen One narrative is contrived and engineered in-universe as a method of control. Dune is not celebratory of its main character's hero status (given to him by others perhaps, and which comes with many harsh consequences that are perhaps better explored in the sequel). It does not endorse imperialism. It tells me quite a bit about how Frank Herbert might have viewed American involvement in the Middle East at the time. But the significance is that it doesn't only say "emperor evil, oppression bad, must overthrow" but also elaborates on the machinations of those in power to manipulate those in developing worlds, and their arrogance and blindness while doing so. Further, protagonist arguably benefits from imperialism and would not have his Kwisatz Haderach role without it.

This is a world with a fragile balance, reliant on substance addiction and spice production, which is in turn reliant on the particular balance of an ecosystem. I'd be interested in further exploration on the substance addiction element.

The fact that Frank Herbert was inspired by the sand dunes of Florence, Oregon, is another thing that makes this book special.

"The bottom line of the Dune trilogy is: beware of heroes. Much better [to] rely on your own judgment, and your own mistakes."

Frank Herbert, 1979 ...more

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