A review by halberdbooks
Dune by Frank Herbert

adventurous challenging dark slow-paced

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

This is my second time reading the first Dune book, and it is my first time listening to the audiobook. Since I've already read the glossary and index, it is a much less daunting task the second time around. The audiobook helps as well, making the glacial pace of the first third much less noticeable. In fact, aside from the way the epigraphs deliberately kill the tension and mystery at the point where suspicions must be highest, I actually found the first portion quite enjoyable. On the whole, I really did like the book much better this time. The way the pacing fluctuates throughout still bothers me, and I also am frustrated how it is a much better story outlined than a story told. But all things considered, I have a deeper appreciation for this book. Again, though, my opinion cannot possibly matter. Dune's too important and influential of a book to grade it on any scale of like vs. dislike. As a side note, this audiobook was bafflingly done. It had a full cast, but only some of the time. Many chapters had only one person reading. This was especially jarring since his voices for the characters differed wildly from the cast performances. A strange choice. I would have rathered either one narrator or a full cast throughout.