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Summary: Truly inspirational
Review: This title I beleive is truly mindblowing. I don't often read but from the moment I started reading Dune I could not put it down. Frank Herbert's universe is so real you often find yourself believing the content as real, only reminding yourself later you are reading "science fiction" in the good old 21st century. The native Fremen of Dune are depicted in such amazing depth with entire historic, spiritual and religious backgrounds. They have they're own language and religion stemming from their native planet, and all explanations of this flow so logically and realistically.All characters, populations, places and events get the same treatment, and as you delve further through the Dune novels only then do you realise how truly epic and powerful Herbert's vision is, from entire population level events to the intricate spirituality within the minds of his characters. This book is not about anything in particular, a friends words were "It's about life." Mind enhancing ..., spritituality, religion, genetic manipulation, technology, love, death are all delved into. You will find yourself asking "what if?", if only a fraction of Herbert's imagination was possible in the future. Read this book. You will only gain insight.
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Summary: I would not read the others, but this book is good.
Review: Dune is an intricate and complex story. I read the book several times, and kept learning about it each time. The only drawbacks that it had to my mind is the overly complex vocabulary and how quickly it leaps into the story without giving the reader enough reference points: you are lost a little bit at the beginning. I would not recommend the other books of the original six. The one exception being Heretics of Dune, which grabbed me by the collar and I could not put it down. Chapterhouse Dune, to me at the time I read it, completely undid everything that Heretics of Dune accomplished. So I truly recommend nothing more by this author, though I add the disclaimer that I was a passionate teenager when I read them, and perhaps if I had read them at a different time in my life, I would not have been so offended. Dune is definitely the most complex of the original books. I have no insight into the Dune books written by Brian Herbert/this is for the original books alone.
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Summary: A Bit Over Dune, Perhaps
Review: A fascinating concept, well executed. I particularly liked the blade fights and the desert culture Herbert created. I defy anyone to read this book without getting thirsty. Only beef: I think the book could have been as good with about 75 fewer pages. Dune is a great book for those who like science fiction. I am not sure if it merits another two-dozen sequels, though. Be sure to catch the newest Dune sequels coming out: "Son of the Cousin of the Messiah from the House of Atreides that Jack Built" AND... "Milking the Dune Pony for Every Freaking Dime" (both also by Herbert)
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Summary: Dune, theres no short plot
Review: This year I read dune. It was the greatest book I had ever read but it was very complicated. When I figured out I had to do a short summary of dune for a book report in front of my class I was mad. I couldn't do a short summary on dune because it was such a complicated and interesting book, and how was I suppose to explain a complicated book like that to my fellow classmates in a short summary. Well I ended up getting a "C." Dune is a great book for people above 18 but not for an 11 year old like me.
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Summary: Amazing and elightning
Review: During this previous summer, I was visiting a friend who was realy into books. I didn't read much at the time, and we were talking about what gets us into a book. I said the book had to grab me from the begining, hold the excitement. He told me that he had just read the whole Dune series, and that I should at least read the first book. So I read it. To say the least, it held me to the last word. This book egnighted a spark in me to read, and to keep reading. I am curently reading book three in the series, and the whole series is wonderful. I've recruted several of my friends and even my father to read this terific book. This has to be one of the greatest science fiction books ever writen.
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Summary: Dune - True Science Fiction Epic
Review: I once saw a list of Year 8 recommended reading materials. I am not on the whole a snob, but when I saw 'Dune' listed on this, I thought someone had made a serious mistake. I know people of eighteen years upwards who wouldn't get past the first few pages of this truly outstanding science fiction epic. Although I wasn't so impressed with the numerous sequels, (and don't even bother to watch the film unless you wan't a major distortion of the actual story), in 'Dune', Herbert has created an incredibe world with its entirely different culture. I have never found a flaw with this book, and it stands alone in my humble opinion, as the greatest science fiction story ever written!
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Summary: This book is the very best modern piece of writing
Review: Arthur C. Clarke was right--Dune is only rivaled by the famous Lord of the Rings by Tolkien. Dune is, in fact, the LotR of science fiction--it has the deep universe, the flawless characters, the conflict, and the connection to our own universe that makes it all mean something. Many reviewers complain about the constant talk about the thoughts of characters, but that is necessary and adds depth. This is not a book for super-light reading, not a 'beach book.' This is a book for the thinking person who is willing to delve into the ultimate world of Science Fiction. If you have seen the films, do not let that deter you from the book--while the films are not horrible, they do the book no justice. This is THE must-read for the sci-fi fanatic.
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Summary: ----------------------------------------<------@
Review: one of the best I have ever read. If you like a well structured, magically realistic starting point for a saga bound to enclose you into reading it all till the end. Then read this. Kindda like "Lord of the rings" but more hmmmmm, well, more real. something that if you would just wake up and know alm,ost nothing could be believable. Im just finishing God Emperor. So I still have to get to the end of it.
Rating:
Summary: Deserving of Its Reputation
Review: This masterpiece was written to stand the test of time. Herbert's avoidance of specific technology makes the story plausible even after 35 years. Aside from its enormously entertaining plot, the creative exploration of alternative cultures, religious fanaticism, war, and political intrigue will tweak you view of the world. In light of recent tragedies, this novel gives a fresh perspective into the mind of Jihad. Perhaps we are finally ready for our own version of the Orange Catholic Bible??? If you would like to contribute to such a project, contact me.
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Summary: A "masterpiece" deserving of the claim
Review: There is no praise that can be sung about this book that has not already been sung. When it was first published in 1965, it burst upon the science fiction scene like a supernova. Nothing had ever been written that was even remotely similar. Reviewers coined new phrases to describe the novel: 'space feudalism', 'feudal-futurism', even 'sand fiction'. Yet, anyone who has read the novel can attest to the poverty of such labels. This is a book that defies pigeonholing. Where shall I start? Firstly, unlike so much in science fiction, even by grand masters like Asimov and Clarke, this book develops characters of exceptional depth. They each have such vibrant inner lives that it is impossible not to identify with them. The writing is absolutely first class. Spare, tight, exquisitely metaphorical, not a word wasted, it's a pleasure to read. The imagery is so effective you can feel the grit of sand in your teeth. Then there is the sheer genius of Herbert's imagination. He borrows from history the religious and feudal societies, but transform them into something unique and original. This is one of the most complete science fiction classics ever written. Whether it is writing skill, plot, themes, setting, characterizations, breadth of imagination or sheer weight of ingenuity, it beggars parallel. I can't think of a single fault, except perhaps that it had to come to an end. The only unfortunate aspect of this work was that it scaled pinnacles of such extraordinary height that Herbert would never attain them again. Each of his sequels fell further and further from the mark set by this novel, and some of his later works were simply embarrassing. Beg, borrow or steal this book. Just don't pass up the chance to read it.
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