Publisher: Ace Books
Publication Date: 1965
Genre: Sci-fi, Classic, Space Opera
Adventure Rating: 5 Stars
Set on the desert planet Arrakis, Dune is the story of the boy Paul Atreides, heir to a noble family tasked with ruling an inhospitable world where the only thing of value is the “spice” melange, a drug capable of extending life and enhancing consciousness. Coveted across the known universe, melange is a prize worth killing for…
When House Atreides is betrayed, the destruction of Paul’s family will set the boy on a journey toward a destiny greater than he could ever have imagined. And as he evolves into the mysterious man known as Muad’Dib, he will bring to fruition humankind’s most ancient and unattainable dream.
I am so glad I decided to read Dune. Especially since the new Dune movie is coming out! Like pretty much everyone else, I LOVED it! I am really into sci-fi and fantasy so I can definitely see where this book has influenced so much of what I have read and seen. Different planets, sci-fi weapons, sci-fi monsters, sci-fi tech, and more!
Let’s dig in. I really want to start with Paul. Oh poor Paul. He just wanted a quiet life. *sigh* Of course that would never happen. It’s still humanity after all. He tried so hard to do the right thing to save as many people as possible and avoid a zealot war. He somehow was noble without being boring. For some reason, books now a days have noble characters and they’re super boing. Paul wasn’t. He was like Luke Skywalker. Or maybe Luke was like him, really. Noble without being boring. I think because now in books, noble means, “oh I don’t kill bad guys” Bleh. Paul wasn’t afraid to kill evil. I liked that about him. He was put in a position where it was necessary and he did it. (Side note: Take that stupid Batman. If you would kill the Joker, no one else would friggen die!!!).
Anyways. I also really liked the politics. Which is funny because again, I’m tired of politics in today’s books. It’s too much like America’s. I read books to escape that crap. I don’t read books to read the author’s opinions on AMERICAN politics. Get your head out of your butt. Man I’m spicy today. Anyways again, the intricacies of the politics on THIER world, Dune, was so good! It wasn’t boring, it was really interesting. And Paul navigating it with his mother, Jessica, was so cool!
And the world. Oh my. Talk about world building! It nearly felt real! The many aspects that Herbert fit into book one alone was crazy! He truly built himself and his readers another universe.
Storied Adventures 