Dune

Rating:
Summary: Somewhat tedious but ultimately fascinating classic.
Review: I give Frank Herbert's DUNE five stars not because I belong to any small group of overzealous supporters, but because it is honestly one of the finest science-fiction novels I have ever read.

DUNE combines the best of "golden-age" science fiction. (space opera, emperors, genetic supermen) with the technological believability of the 60's New Wave . Although Herbert's writing is plodding and stilted, the reader is ultimately kept reading to learn more about the byzantine politics of the Imperium and the wonderfully portrayed environment of the desert planet Arrakis.

Another reason the book deserves notice is because it is appealing to all ages, much like the works of Mark Twain. I read DUNE for the first time as a 10-year old and again ten years later, seeing the plot from a different angle but no less impressed with Herbert's world building.

Granted, a lot of people are going to be put off by the prose, but the plot machinations and futuristic-but-feudal society make the book fantastic. And the setting is extremely original. As the reviewer below pointed out, the planet is really the main character.

Rating:
Summary: Breathtaking
Review: This is without a doubt my favorite novel. On this, his single greatest achievement, Frank Herbert weaves an incredible plot filled with the best aspects of science fiction, political intrigue, religious/philosophical exploration, and ecology to create one of the most dynamic and fascinating worlds in literary history. In my experience, the only world so richly imaginative and well described is Tolkiens Middle Earth from "The Lord of the Rings".

This is the story of Paul Muad'Dib Atreides, a young noble born into a bitter feud between warring great houses, and the culmination of generations of breeding to produce a super-being, the Kwisatz Haderach. At the center of the story is the desert planet of Arrakis, harsh and unyielding, it is the only source in the galaxy of the precious melange as well as the home of the Fremen . . . and of course, the magnificent worms.

Herbert combs the depths of psychology and philosophy like no other author before him. He brings into question the as yet untapped vastness of human potential, while always exploring what exactly it means to be human. This mixture of imagination and storytelling is a feast for the mind, and each reading will provide further insight into Herbert's brilliance.

Rating:
Summary: Well crafted
Review: Dune took Herbert a long time to write and it shows in the craftsmanship. I love the vastness of the universe he's created. Dune even though it is a desert planet is still complex in its descriptions and native peoples. My favorite character continues to be Duncan Idaho even though he's not one of the main characters.

Rating:
Summary: Flawless Classic of Science Fiction
Review: Duke Leto Atreides takes control of the desert planet Arrakis when given to him by the Galactic Emperor as a fief. The planet is the galaxy's source of the narcotic spice melange, and the planet's importance is therefore critical. The previous rulers of Arrakis, the Harkonnens, however, refuse to surrender the planet peacefully.

The Duke's 15-year old son, Paul Atreides, has been prepared all his life for the burden of command. Unknown to him, though, he represents the culmination of generations of genetic and religious manipulation. When the Harkonnens attempt to reclaim the planet from his father, he must join the native population and fulfill his destiny as their messianic leader to free them from the Harkonnen's brutal regime.

Though written over 35 years ago, Dune is still considered one of the two or three best science fiction novels ever written, and is de rigeur for all science fiction readers. The characters are both vivid and epic, and the descriptions are lush and rich without being baroque. Though some have difficulty with the jargon (sprinkled throughout the book), most feel that it gives an air of authenticity to the text. There is also an extensive glossary in the appendices.

Though later novels in this series are not as strong as Dune, Herbert's world nonetheless leaves the reader hungry for subsequent installments in the plotline.

No reader's library should be without a copy of Dune.

Rating:
Summary: third times the charm
Review: i must admit that i started to read Dune on three seperate occassions before i was able to finish it completely. its very hard to get through and for most "star wars" type sci-fi fans it will be a chore. but once you've gotten through some of the more drawn out sections you'll be surprised at what you've just read. Dune is one of the most elaborate and realistically written books ever produced in science fiction. if you were to take out all of the science fiction portions you would still be left with a very real political intrigue story. its easy to relate the spice struggle to our present war concerns over oil, but sadly i find this aspect the hardest part to get through. the politics of it may begin to bore you and Herbert at times is rather long winded when explaining certain points. this is one of many hurdles to jump but once you get over them you'll be much better off for having read it.

Rating:
Summary: Kick off the saga with a bang!
Review: Frank Herbert knocks it out of the park in this masterpiece, the first and best novel in his Dune Saga.

Throughout the 1000+ pages, Herbert develops multiple stories and themes, seeding the ensuing series. On the top of the plot, there is the drama of a galatic struggle fighting over Sprice, a precious commodity only found on Dune. Intertwined in this are themes on politics, love, religeon, addiction and family values. Similar to Tolkein, you are still left feeling that there is much unsaid. Perhaps this depth is what marks Dune as a masterpiece instead of escapist fiction.

If you've seen the movie, you will get much more out of it than you did in the movie theater. There's only so much than can be displayed in a few hours. The Hollywood vision will contain plot spoilers, but really misses much of what is going on underneath. (Dune is about much more than action and a fight over a scarce resource)

When I purchased the book, I really didn't know what I was getting myself into. I was doing a lot of flying, and preferred thick books - 1000+ pages or more were best. I was most pleasantly surprised at the experience these pages provided. Much more than just filler for a plane trip.

Rating:
Summary: A classic perhaps, but certainly not a masterpiece
Review: This sci-fi classic tells the story of the planet Arrakis (otherwise known as Dune). It is a barren place, mainly desert, and water is scarce. But in the sand is a precious spice that controls inter-planetary travel, and everyone wants control. The plot concerns two nobel families, the Atreides and Harkonnens, who fight it out for rulership of the planet. But there is a third, unpredictable force in the form of the native Fremen, who have a plan for Dune all of their own.

The story starts quickly, with relationships and loyalties tested as the main characters take sides. There is intrigue, fighting and double-crossing. But after the initial momentum, the plot slows to a crawl. After a narrow escape from death, the main character is exiled, hiding from those out to kill him. He shelters in the desert with the natives, transforming himself into a mystical demi-god to get them on side for the ultimate battle of revenge. There is more talk than action, and the characters spend a lot of time explaining and analysing the planet Dune, and how it determines their own culture and religion. It goes on like this for the next 350 pages.

When the final battle comes, Frank Herbert dodges the responsiblity of actually describing it. The preparation is outlined, but then the action cuts off the very moment the forces rush into enemy headquarters. The very next scene is the surrender, the terms and conditions of which are described in exhaustive detail. At this point, "Dune" abruptly ends in a massive anti-climax.

Dune is a classic, and as such, should probably be read by any sci-fi fan. However, the book never reaches it's full potential. The themes and plot laid out at the beginning are promising, but they quickly drift into nothingness. By the time you reach the end, you may find that you hardly care about what happens to Dune.

Rating:
Summary: A remarkable and intriguing work
Review: Herbert, in a way that so few else have, has crafted a new world full of life and detail. mMore than just a work of science fistion, Dune articulates several resonating stories of humanity intertwined in a single (though complex) plot. The writting is superb and provides a beautiful portrait of Dune and it's characters. Everyone should at least try to read this book, though I understand it may not be for everyone given it's themes and subject matter.

Rating:
Summary: A Science Fiction Masterpiece
Review: If you love stories full of political controversy, treachery, love, action, and survival, you will love this book. It is the story of a Great House, House Atreides, forced to move to rule a desert planet where the native people have to wear suits to reclaim the body's moisture, and are shocked to hear of falling water from the sky and the such. A large group of the natives are Fremen, people who live in the deep desert whose population and culture is unknown to the Imperium. The rival House, House Harkonnen, sets up a betrayal by the Atreides doctor and takes over the planet. The Duke's son and concubine escape to live with the Fremen in the deep deseert, waiting for a chance to reclaim their planet.
I could find absolutely nothing wrong with this book. I am interested to see how the movies do it, since there are so many things in this book that can't be conveyed in images. You must read this book!!!

Rating:
Summary: Fear is the Mind Killer
Review: This is one of the finest works of science fiction ever crafted, containing some of the most memorable phrases ever invented. I will leave it to the reader to enjoy the litany that includes the famous phrase, "Fear is the Mind Killer."

Herbert successfully weaves an epic tale of rebellion and religion. It is the tale of a man who becomes a messiah, and discovers many things about himself, the Empire he lives in, and the world of Dune.

Herbert paints a world in which man can travel between stars, yet no longer uses computers; a place where fencing skills are often more useful than energy weapons; a land of soldiers, assassins, prophets, mystics, nobles, monsters. It is about love, passion, resistance--and the effect that the appearance of a messiah has on a culture.

Sadly, much of Herbert's sequels don't live up to this first book. However, it is an entirely satisfying epic in its own right--if you never read the other books, this one will still live on in your memory forever.