Reviews with content warning for Sexual assault - Dune

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Dune by Frank Herbert

32 reviews

asagecalledq's review against another edition

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dark sad tense

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? It's complicated

5.0

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cupidnono's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Nono Meter:

Spoilers likely ahead!! ⚠️

- Overall Enjoyment: 35/40
I was a little wary going into this book since I had seen the movies before reading. I thought it would hinder my enjoyment since I already knew what would happen. However, the exact opposite happened. A lot of it has to do with the book versions of the characters and Herbert's prose. This book had me enthralled, even in the slow bits of the book. Overall, I LOVED this read, and I'm intrigued to read the rest of the series. I'd also like to add that I'm slightly turned off by sci-fi for some reason, and this book never ever gave me the mysterious sci-fi ick. I seriously enjoyed every word and page in this book.

- Prose: 12/12
Alrighty, another reason I was wary was how many people discussed Frank Herbert's style of writing. Most people say it's a difficult read, mainly because of narration and how the language is outdated. While I did find myself having a hard time starting up the book, I credited it to pacing, not the Prose. I loved Herbert's head hopping, 3rd person omniscient narration. Most say they don't love it because it gets confusing to read. While I can definitely see that, I personally didn't have an issue with this. As for the outdated diction in the book, I honestly thought it was well suited to the book. Plus, the book was published in '65, so what do you expect going into this. There are so many sections of beautiful description, internal dialogue, and regular dialogue. Seriously, my book is marked up with highlights 😭

- Pacing: 8/12
Alright, I will be the first person to admit DUNE IS SLOWWW, I'll always be honest about that bit. This book is slow and will be a fat read. I'm insane, so I dedicated hours of my time to finishing this book quickly. I will say that even in the slow bits of the book, the prose and characters usually make up for it. However, some of this description does contribute to the slow pacing of the book. All I'm going to say is that the pacing is slow. Could some things be cut? Yeah, probably, but honestly, it depends on the person to see if they'll enjoy the slow bits like I did. I felt it added a sense of immersion, not a lot of books have, but that's just me :))

- Plot: 12/12
Craziest revenge, chosen one type plot out there. The time jumps I wish were a bit more obvious 😭 but that's just me...

- Characters and their dynamics: 11/12

Okay, I LOVE these characters. Primarily Paul and Jessica, specifically Jessica in Part 1. Jessica is such a strong, maternal, feminine figure in literature. Seriously, I have so many quotes from her during her time as "Lady Jessica." Also, the argument scene with Hawat is literally so messy🤭. Jessica went off... Also, Leto doesn't get his own section, but his love for Jessica was so heartwarming a painful at the same time. I loved reading Leto's pov, too, btw. He is a very tragic man who almost knows his own fate but does everything he can to prevent it/hope for a better future. A man who can not bear the thought of his Lover being his betrayer. A man who is happy Paul takes after his mother. A man who finds peace knowing his son and wife are saved while he's used like a puppet in his final moments. Big hearts for Leto and Jessica.

I liked Paul in this MORE, than Paul in the movie. I think he has an aura about him that is more controlled or more competent than movie Paul. Honestly, how the movie changed his character and the plot points, it makes sense why he feels so different. No, but Paul embodies a person of power, yet you get glimpses of his youthful pride at times. He's tragic, he's powerful, and he's a 15 year old determined to avenge his father.

Channi was a bummer to read, I'm actually more than happy with how they changed her character in the movie. She's a bit too devoted, but I can appreciate it to an extent. Paul and Channi, being a mirror to the relationship between Leto and Jessica, hurt my heart, but it had to be done. No, but Channi does feel slightly flat in the book, but I still love her. The final line from Jessica to Channi was fire, btw 🔥

The Baron is a villain I truly DISLIKE, so props to Herbert creating a villain I can actually hate. Too many times do I find the benefit of a doubt for villains in media, and I'm so happy I didn't with the Baron. However, one more description of his baby like features would have killed me 😭

Alia is freaky deaky, that's all I have to say. It's not a bad thing, I actually love it.

- World Building or Immersion: 12/12
Honestly, the dialogue is what hammered in the Immersion for me. I loved the dialogue in this novel. It was usually the fast-paced parts of the book, but it flowed so well. The characters truly reflected their personalities and backgrounds in their speech. It's what made them feel REAL. Also, Herbert's Prose is the real foundation to this!

Nono Meter total = 90%
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

- Does Nono recommend this?
Yes! Read it!!!!

Who does Nono Recommend this to?
For seasoned readers and sci-fi readers? YES
For new readers? NO
Fast-paced readers? no
Readers who loved in world fictional politics? YES
People who live the drama/serious themes of starwars? YES
People who love the movies and crave more? YES

Themes/Tropes:
Chosen One, Fate, Revenge, political corruption, resistance, oppression, betrayal, dangers of religion, power of religion/faith, duty over love, and probably more I can't think of.

Content Warnings:
Implied S/A and pedophilia.
Violence, but compared to some other things I've read, it's not SUPER graphic 👍

Ps: When I was 15, I was not falling into fate's hands as an all-powerful being with unfathomable power. Nor was I building my religious following alongside my mother. Or even avenging my father, no, instead, I was sitting inside during quarantine eating quesadillas.

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originalstm's review against another edition

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challenging hopeful tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

I watched the movies so I knew most of what was going to happen and that honestly made this book drag A LOT and take me months to finish. I expect this to be more enjoyable to someone who hasn't wafchrd the movies before. The world is very interesting and I expect the following books to be better, not knowing what happens.

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ambert's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional inspiring reflective tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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randirush's review against another edition

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adventurous 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

4.0

i did appreciate having seen the movie before reading this, as the book heavily focused on the world building and political aspects of the story rather than a lot of the action — the movie was a great introduction to the tale, whereas the book just gave everything more depth. none of that is necessarily a bad thing, however, part of me thinks the book could’ve been a bit more condensed in some areas. that being said, i still really enjoyed it and it was nice to get some of those more in-depth details! this book was obviously revolutionary within the sci-fi genre and i can definitely see why. anddd i just love jessica — a reverend MOTHER

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crimsonash606's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book is such a beautiful blend of cultures and the in depth ecology of a planet that continually shocks you with the life within it. There's so much political intrigue and pondering human nature and how to do the most good, and it's one of the most complex and incredible things I've ever read. I highly recommend this to anyone with a stomach for a challenge.

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gvstyris's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

When religion and politics travel in the same cart, the riders believe nothing can stand in their way. Their movements become headlong - faster and faster and faster. They put aside all thoughts of obstacles and forget the precipice does not show itself to the man in a blind rush until it's too late.

It goes without saying that Dune is a masterclass in science-fiction. Herbert's rich world-building truly makes this book, and encouraged me to persevere despite his often inconsistent pacing and flat characters. The conlangs, historical references and various excerpts 'provided' by Princess Irulan...I aspire to have a fraction of Herbert's imagination. I also very much looked forward to the Harkonnens' chapters and was fascinated by the complexities of Lady Jessica's character.

That being said, this book is far from accessible. My reading experience was very much enhanced by my pre-existing interest in the recent adaptations, and I would honestly argue that both films do a better job than the novel of explaining whatever the hell is going on. I'm glad to have finally read Dune in its original form and will likely try my hand at the sequel, but will definitely be primarily recommending Villeneuve's films going forward. I'm not much of a science-fiction reader, though, which definitely played a role in my disinterest.

I think it's also worth pointing out where Dune ages poorly. Namely, the primary antagonist being a fat, gay pedophile (:sob:) and the pervasive misogyny in Herbert's social structures. This is where the movie again finds more success, given how Chani is both influential and an outspoken critic of Paul.

This review has turned out to be more critical than I'd originally intended, but I am very proud to have conquered something so far out of my reading comfort zone. I suppose Lord of the Rings is next...

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