The Dune Audio Collection

Rating:
Summary: A Beautiful Work of Mythology
Review: Frank Herbert's DUNE presents a society and universe created entirely by the author. The story was very complex, and written wonderfully with just the right amount of discription. Herbert made up his own religions and forms of politics which are absolutely enchanting. One of the story's components was the classic "coming of age" tale. Paul, heir to a Dukedom, moves to the world Arrakis, aka Dune, where his father has taken control. However, a rival family isn't too happy about the situation. Thus unfolds a tale of conspiricy and wonder, and Paul is suddenly revealed as a legendary man foretold. I especially enjoyed the psychological accounts of Paul's metamorphis. However, I really didn't like the person he became, but I prefer this change. The book was a tad more political than sci-fi, and the story becomes rather entangled in itself. I was very impressed by the complete world Herbert created, but I found myself not as absorbed as I perhaps should be. The ending, the last couple pages, were rather disappointing, compared with other highlighs of the novel. There are many thought-provoking one-liners and symbolism in the book. However, I am still not absolutely enthralled with it. Still, I recommend this to any who enjoy fantasy worlds.

Rating:
Summary: great
Review: As a huge sci-fi/fantasy reader, it's astonishing how many other books of this "genre" (not that Dune should be placed in a genre; since it practically created one) attempt to duplicate aspects of this masterpiece. As I was reading, I almost laughed out loud, having read many more recent books who have tried to duplicate the plot and philosophical views of Dune, but just don't succeed compared to this! I can see how it set the standard for modern sci-fi. In many ways, the Hyperion series by Dan Simmons is very similar to it (Hyperion also won the Hugo award). That is a good series by the way. And other popular series' have similar themes...on reading Dune it becomes obvious where these authors got their ideas. All I can say is: I bow to the master!

Rating:
Summary: The Rune of Dune
Review: I am an Asimov fan, but a friend recommended this book to me. I read it and found myself going back and forth from the library until I was done with the sixth book, CHAPTERHOUSE: DUNE. DUNE is action packed and opens up another scifi universe that is equally complex and eye opening...a book that will keep you up until 3 am on the weekend finishing it.

Rating:
Summary: The Rune of Dune
Review: I am an Asimov fan but I was reccommended this book. I tried reading it and found myself going back and forth from the liabrary untill I was done with Chapterhouse: Dune, the sixth book. It is action packed and opens up another scifi universe that is equally complex and eye opening...a book that will keep you up untill 3 am on the weekend finishing

Rating:
Summary: The best work of literature, bar none.
Review: As with the other reviewers, I feel obliged to pay Herbert my homage. I read this book 15 years ago, after hesitating over the atrocious book cover illustrated with scenes from the movie. Beware, this work is addictive! I've read the entire series over ten times, and I still find something provoking every time I go back. I'm not religious, so this is probably the closest I'll come to having a bible. The story grabs you, but you go back for the pearls of wisdom, which can and will change your understanding of life. I highly recommend that you read the entire series, the later books will clarify the philosophical assumptions that permeate the entire work.

Rating:
Summary: Dune is the greatest book ever!
Review: I thought Dune was a masterpiece. No other books can compare with it. I have read as much of the series as is currently out. All of the books are great and if you haven't read them yet, DO IT NOW! You will not be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: A Study in Religion, Ecology, Politics and Human Nature
Review: "Dune" is an illustration of what normal people are capable of when faced with extraordinary danger and hardship. When I first read it seventeen years ago as a teenager, it changed my life. In my safe, comfortable bedroom in the suburbs of Canton, Ohio, I was shoved outside of my comfort zone, really challenged, for the first time by a book. Last month, I read it again for the second time at the age of 32, and I'm happy to report that the book is one of the few things from my teens to remain significant and moving to me as an adult. Another reviewer commented on how it was disappointing that Paul seemed to "become a different person" in the second half of the book. Of course he did. Just as iron becomes steel, or coal becomes diamond; so do we change down to our roots when we feel extradinary heat and pressure; the superfluous parts of us are burned away, and the core of ourselves is revealed. This isn't always a pretty process, but the core isn't a bad thing; it is the best part of us, like the heartwood of a tree. It just isn't something we're used to seeing. For me, Dune is about the contrast between the ethos of people who live in peace and security, vs. the ethos of people who live in constant danger and hardship. The value of Dune, in my opinion, is that it is a good start in any attempt to begin to train the mind, to focus one's inner power, to be human intentionally and not just by accident. And Heather B., if you are out there somewhere, thank you for introducing me to this wonderful book so many years ago. God Bless you, wherever you are. Jefferson

Rating:
Summary: Arthur C. Clarke was right.
Review: The only comparable thing to this book is the Lord of the Rings. All that makes them better is that they were consistently good. Dune is awesome, but the sequels had no hope of surpassing its genious. The book itself is exceedingly difficult to read at first, but your mind adjusts to the jargon eventually. The plot is complicated, intricate, and mildly esoteric, yet is very entertaining. Nothing in this book can be explained. Read it for yourself. Your life will be changed after reading this book. Oh, don't go watch the movie first. It's awful. Read the book, then watch the movie, proceed to ridicule the attempt to move this masterpiece to film. There was simply too much for a movie to relay effectively.

Rating:
Summary: Dune
Review: I must admit, I was hesitant to read James Herbert's opus, "Dune". I had a misguided (and somewhat negative) idea of what to expect. You see, my first encounter with the world of Arrakis was the less than memorable motion picture. Luckily, however, I took the plunge and was rewarded with a beautiful and enthralling reading experience. I have not encountered such a detailed and thoughtfull piece of fiction since my childhood when I read the Middle-Earth stories by Tolkein. The characters of "Dune" are engaging, seductive, tragic, and occasionally humorous (just like us "real" people). There were times, while captured by the pages of this masterpiece, when I lost track of the outside world and could actually feel the hot desert sand on my face and hear the tell-tell approach of a "maker". With a complex storyline and superbly realized characters, this epic of science-fiction would be a grand read for a fanatic of the genre or someone who has never even heard of the late, great James Herbert. Brilliant!

Rating:
Summary: OK, but a bit too drawn out
Review: Although I happen to love SF, I cannot understand why Dune is considered one of the greatest of all times. The first half was great, but the last part was totally different. It seemed as though Paul transformed into a completely different person with different morals. In addition, the plot was way too complex. After all, a few twists add to the plot, but an entire book full of them merely confuse. Despite all of the praise, I found it to be confusing and boring.