mtamplen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Third person omniscient POV
cynsworkshop's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Arrakis, Dune, the only place in the galaxy where the worms thrive, producing spice, and he who controls the spice controls the galaxy. Frank Herbert’s Dune follows young Paul Atreides through the desert on a path to save himself from both assassination and the planet from corruption and destruction.
Truly A Classic
I was always intimidated by Dune. It seemed like this larger-than-life story that would take me ages to understand. However, as a fan of classic space operas and the Dune and Children of Dune miniseries, I had to read this novel.
I wish I had read it sooner.
Herbert’s writing is exceptional. The ease of storytelling makes this so incredibly accessible to the reader. The story is complex and intricate, yet Herbert makes it easy for the reader to understand the mechanics of the world. Little by little, the political intrigue and the ebb and flow that goes into building the world give the reader something to be interested in. There are multiple POVs here, but they each highlight something different, something new that adds to the richness of the world
Everything about the novel is engaging. It is easy to understand and builds itself effortlessly.
Strong Characters
Of course, without such captivatingly complex characters, Dune would not be half as engaging.
This is not only a plot-driven novel but a character-driven one as well. These characters are incredibly complex. Paul is the hero of this novel, and his evolution is one to be admired. He goes from a boy and grows into a man, somewhat hardened. He changes throughout Dune, shifting from a duke’s son to the prophet of the Fremen.
It is brilliant to read it as it unfolds.
Lady Jessica, the Baron, and the vast number of characters with point-of-views are given distinct characteristics that drive the plot forward, allowing the story to build upon itself. Some characters are vile, while others are simply morally grey. However, there is no denying the complexities of their personalities.
Final Thoughts
Dune is incredible. Truly a science fiction classic, this is a space opera for the ages.
tonynick's review
adventurous
challenging
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
noralie14's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
mattp3's review against another edition
3.0
This was a difficult one for me. There was too much going on in many ways, but in many others not much really happened. The clear analogies to geopolitical issues can feel a bit ham-fisted in the modern context, but this book was published over 50 years ago... and I won't even begin to go into the confusing, ill-defined processes that the author seems content to just shove under the umbrella of 'mysticism' (especially considering he believed his wife to actually be prescient). Hmm. Maybe a re-read is required.
matt_bush's review
adventurous
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ezbri_zy's review
adventurous
challenging
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
bookishnightowl's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
yikeslou's review
4.0
okay the lore of this FUCKED and all the women are the loves of my life and the last sentence had me fucked up but also mr frank herbert ur sentence structure and ur word choices are... interesting to say the least. how many times can this man say "thing"? someone should count