Dune

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Summary: Dune - enter the mind of a master.
Review: Most people interested in sci-fi has heard of Frank Herbert's Dune series, not as many has acctualy read it. This is a sad mistake on their part. The main thing about Dune though is that you don't have to be "in to sci-fi" to enjoy it. What makes it such a excellent work is not the sci-fi part but F Herbert's eye for details. The way he tells his stories has many times been compared to Tolkien and many other great authors, mainly for this reason. The reader is taken on a journey filled with legends, side stories and plots, told in unique way - the Frank Herbert way.

One should however not ignore the sci-fi aspect of this work to easliy. Instead it should be seen as something that takes Dune to even greater heights - the heights that won it both the HUGO and the NEBULA award.

Dune lets us follow the young to-be-Duke Paul of the house Atreides to the planet Arrakis (Dune) as his father, the Duke, is given the govering rights of the planet. Arakkis is however not just any planet - it is the only planet that has the melange - the spice. "He who controlls the spice controlls space travels". As such it is a great source of power, and thus the house of Atreides will not go unchallenged. What will happen to the young duke, to the planet Dune and to the original inhabitans of the world. There is only one way to find out, and it involves a lot of reading - time to considered well spent.

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Summary: interesting
Review: This book introduced me to a whole new universe. It's quite starnge that it was this book that introduced me to the sci-fi genre, I originally intended on buying a different book, but eventually ended up with Dune. I loved every word of it, the scene is intense and captures your attention. It might not be the easiest of books, but it is one of the best books. It has multiple layers, each time I've read it, I've come across a new layer, each layer has it's own truth. The characters are interesting and even though they act like demi-gods they remain human beings with their own problems they must solve in the bigger hole of their lives. An excelent book, you can clearly feel the level of inteligence behind it, as can you can almost sense the universe in which it occurs.

A must read for all.

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Summary: What can I say?
Review: There isn't much I can say about this book that hasn't been said already. It has everything: suspsnse, political intrigue, even a little romance thown in. Herbert is simply amazing.

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Summary: Dune: Metaphors within metaphors
Review: Dune is astounding. I read it at age 15 from cover to cover. I'm now 21, and have just begun reading it for a second time. Set in science fiction--but with enough H20 molecule-sized, real-life metaphors to fill an empty glass--Dune is an almost unbelievable marvel in literature. The manifold italicized character thought-processes nestled within allowed me to truly feel as one with the characters, to actually understand them, and to almost feel as though it is the year 10,191. To say this novel has outstanding character development is like saying the human body has only 1/3 water. I look forward to re-reading this novel and may post more reviews in the future.

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Summary: Still a great book
Review: I first read this book in middle school and I loved it even though I completely missed that point about how Paul was afraid of a holy war being fought in his name until the second book. Reading it again I come to a realization of how deep and rich this entire book is.

Paul Atriedes unknowingly is the product of generations of genetic planning by the bene gesserit, an order of women with almost supernatural powers of mind. He is thrust into the political machinations of his Duke father at an early age and then fate conspires to make him into a holy man with fanatical followers. What is interesting in this book is that the main character is ambiguous about his purpose in the universe and his role. He is the most powerful man in the universe and yet he is a puppet to the hands of fate. In many places in the book he is on the verge of suicide in order to postpone the inevitable. It's a beautiful balance the contrast between the adulation of others for the main character (including the chapter titles all narrated by the books of Princess Irulan - who would be one of the most minor characters in the book without those quotes) and the main character's sense of personal confusion.

With this book Science Fiction became truly an epic adventure. This book is a classic in any genre and no longer can a person dismiss Science Fiction as bug eyed monster pulp.

Read it many times. It's a great one.

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Summary: You don't have to love sci-fi to love this!
Review: I was never a big fan of books that were part of a series. I always associated them with star trek type of books that could only be appreciated by people who devote their entire lives to the storyline. What enticed me about this book (besides the attractive cover) was that I heard from a friend that it was suppose to be one of the best sci-fi books ever written. So, I thought I'd give it a shot. I'm glad I did, This book was exciting and kept my interest through the entire book.

I have only read the first of the series so far, but I plan to give the rest of them a shot soon. Check reviews for the other books in this series to see how I feel about them.

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Summary: Quite a sci-fi book.
Review: This book is continually listed as a scifi classic. After reading it for the 2nd time I wholeheartedly agree. I read this for the 1st time about 10 years ago but I enjoyed the book much more now. This book is very original. It covers the story of a planet being exploited for the Melange spice, a slightly narcotic substance that is highly coveted across the universe. Various families are fighting for control of the planet, which happens to be a complete desert that it is very difficult to survive on. The native people work for whichever family controls the planet and are not treated too well. This of course is a theme taken from the present-day world. I saw a lot of similarities between Arrakis (the planet) and various 3rd world countries and between the Fremen (the native people) and various 3rd world populations that are exploited for their countries' natural resources. The way they deal with this struggle is what makes the story interesting. The science aspect of the story was well thought out also. I particularly found the ways that the Fremen controlled their water usage interesting. The plot moves along well with an exciting conclusion.

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Summary: one of the best books-period!
Review: If you are a fan of sci-fi, or even if you're not, this is truly one of the greatest books ever. Frank Herbert creates a fantastic world filled with amazing creatures like the sand worms, and unforgetable characters, such as Lady Jessica and Pual Maud'dib Atriedes.

In the story there is one main plot, yet there are also sub plots, like Paul becoming the kwisatz haderach--the male Bene Geserit. I can't really put this book into words--you just have to read it for yourself. And if you have trouble understanding this beautiful and complex Dune universe, there is also the handy glossary in the back to help you understand the words. But don't just sit there reading this review--read Dune!

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Summary: A must-have in any sci-fi collection!
Review: As a child, I was first exposed to Dune- the movie. I liked the film, even if it was too strange and complex for me to fully grasp. But when I grew older, I found the book and I was truly amazed. Never before had I read a book so fancifully detailed in its plot, descriptions, and characters; Frank Herbert created an entire world, a masterpiece of imagination. Muad-dib's struggle still holds me spellbound to this day, even after hundreds of readings. This novel is a true work of art -- one of the shining stars in the history of science fiction.

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Summary: It was sure that it would win the Hugo and Nebula Awards
Review: There ain't much to say about this book else then: SUPERB! It really takes hold of it, makes you read it and then desire for the sequel-book "Dune Messiah". A rich family, currently ruling the Planet Calladan, is sent by the Emperor to take control of the Desert Planet Arrakis. The only known place were the "Spice" is found. The Spice became an important resource, because it sharpens the mind of the consumer and in some rare occasions can make people look into the future. Who rules the Spice, rules the Universe. There's only one tiny problem about it. Arrakis is currently run by the archrivals of our rich family and they just don't want to give up the best income-source in the universe.