Dune by Frank Herbert
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Web ID: 14388809fav book of all time
read it please!!
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
very good
my new favorite book
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
worth reading
Beautiful character and plot craftsmanship! I love the detail and depth, and how the timeline is realistic. This was my first science fiction novel and I have no regrets choosing it!
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Visionary and thought provoking
Before I even opened the book, I took a moment to really understand what the title "Dune" really meant. Dunes as we come to see are obviously a part of this book's setting, and are associated with the planet of Arrakis, but really we can also think about what specifically they are. They're just nature's way of designing the vast desert. Dunes are buildups of sand where the wind deposits it, and they are a natural protection from the harsh conditions of the desert. I think that Herbert made a great choice with this novel, using the irony that dunes safeguard people from the inhospitable wilderness and its dangerous creatures, but that they fail to save us from the intangible threats of political discord and power corruption. The story follows Paul Atreides and his journey through Arrakis as he adjusts and rebuilds his place after his family is taken down in a treacherous power struggle. Along the way, he finds out what true power really can be and what it is for him. He finds what makes him different, and what will lead him to success in the society of the desert planet. This book definitely stood out to me in how much of its storyline and inspiration was unexpected in a good way. Dune embodies the idea that a book doesn’t need to hyperfocus on the laser blasters and high tech spaceships of the future in order to be science fiction; because it still allows us to question our future, and wonder if the science of humanity can lead us down this path. I think that uniqueness of this novel is something that I definitely took away, and it really makes it a standout across the expansive science fiction genre. Even with this different system, inspired by rugged desert and Arab culture influence, this book has a world building that really allows you to know that it is different in the best way possible. It gives us a well developed environment with strong characters who we remember for what they do: the success of the Atreides family arriving on Arrakis only to be dismantled, the twisted manipulation and Machiavellian cunning of Harkonnen, and so many more characters. These qualities in the storytelling and world expansion are why I could keep reading through every page and really think: not just about what it meant for Herbert back in 1965, but what it could mean for us today. And with that, there are many key messages that I think could be (or have been) taken away into our lives today. This book deals a lot with the idea of power. Maybe it’s mystical superhero-like powers given to us by special substances, or maybe it’s our ideas and contributions to society. This book shows that power is held by many people in many different ways, and it puts us at given statuses in society. A heavily focused theme is the idea that power corrupts and directs us to more and more of it, making us struggle and fight and kill for it, but we get it with all the consequences too. Dune relates to our society today in that it exemplifies the human pursuit of influence, to fuel our egos and a constant support for it. Throughout history we see revolutions and wars fought over power disparities, and especially with the Middle East with conflicts like the Syrian War and even the continuing Gaza war. All sides had and have a reason to fight, and that’s exactly what Herbert saw coming. People wanted power, and especially when it came to that idea of influencing others. Overall I think that this read was very enjoyable and it really was an eye opener for me to the world that we live in today and the prescient reflections seen in this genre. I definitely learned a lot more about Arab linguistics and a great storyline; I thought a lot more about human conflict and the history and potential future of our actions. Judging from other reviews, I would strongly assume that I’m not alone in finding this as an enjoyable reading experience and a great starting point for science fiction.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
I love this book
Wonderful
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Very good book
Read it its pretty good
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Can appreciate it but did not enjoy....
There’s a decent plot, that is somewhat interesting albeit a little confusing and muddied with what felt like ecology/science lessons along with drug induced experiences that left me wondering what exactly was going on at certain times while reading. The struggle for me truly came down to the characters themselves which, for me, fell very flat and underdeveloped. I love a character-driven story and the writing left me so disconnected from our main characters who I SHOULD be rooting for/caring about - especially Paul, Lady Jessica, and Chani that I had a really hard time taking them seriously or caring about the plot & what was happening to them. To me, no one felt genuine in their character. Also, it felt like the story jumped around and moved too quickly toward the end while also feeling like it was going on forever and wondering when it would end (and whether I cared). I didn’t like the fat-shaming of the Baron’s character or the miscommunications that I felt were ridiculous and were used as plot devices when that seemed too easy of a way to move the book along that wasn’t believable. I won’t be continuing with the series. I can appreciate and respect the book for its place in science fiction when it came out but this was not for me.
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Simply fantastic!
This book lives up to the hype! Dune is truly a classic, and it's easy to see why. There's not much I can say that hasn't already been said, so I'll keep it brief. This book really is amazing in a lot of ways. The characters are broadly written, the world is developed to a T, and the story is long but very well executed. The multiple protagonists we follow are very likable, and there's some surprising action in certain parts. The only nitpick I have is that some of its world-building--notably the fact that it's set thousands of years in the future--doesn't really hold up when you think about it (like, they still have coffee that far in the future?), but this thankfully does not compromise the book as a whole. Overall, a must-read even if you're not much of a sci fi fan!
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com