Friday, May 24, 2024

Dune (Mini-Review)

Dune is a book written by Frank Herbert and the first published Dune novel. House Atreides finds themselves exiled to Arrakis, also known as Dune. Duke Leto, Lady Jessica, and the young Paul Atreides must learn to adapt to their new lives as there is no other option. House Harkonnen, long-time enemies of the Atreides, scheme to finally rid the universe of their rivals. And looming over everything is a prophecy that might have Paul at the center.

The first time I read this book was all the way back in high school. So this is the first time in a very long time I read this book. I'm actually now more familiar with the Brian Herbert Dune books than Frank's. Both have different styles of writing and that took a little bit to get used to. But I don't understand why people think this is a dry book as I've read much drier.

Paul is not meant to be the hero and it takes some reading between the lines to see that. Throughout the entire book he battles against a future full of bloodshed with him leading the horror. Yet the more he tries to escape, the more he grows into the role. Leto, his father, is shown to value human lives above all other concerns. So when Paul doesn't have the same drive, it's a sign of bad things to come. There are moments when Jessica, his mother, is scared by him which is extremely worrying. This is a woman who loves her son and yet fears him at the same time.

I really hate the Bene Gesserit order. They go to extreme lengths to prepare for their takeover. The Kwisatz Haderach is real and yet the order tried making him their own pawn. They knew Paul wasn't theirs to control and so considered him a failure. I don't remember hating them so much upon initially reading the book.

Everyone who wants to change Dune from a desert to a planet with oceans always does so for selfish reasons. Kynes wanted to change Dune as he saw it as imperfect. Liet-Kynes is just following in his father's footsteps. Paul's desire to change the sands into oceans steams from going up against the Spacing Guild and showing his power. The Fremen are no one's concerns for changing the planet. They are just people always caught in the middle of other people's wars.

I would highly recommend Dune to any science fiction fan. I would also highly recommend Dune to any who have seen the various adaptations.

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