|
| |||||||||||
What are readers saying about Dune (Remembering Tomorrow)?
|
Holly posted a review at 2011-04-22 01:12:36.
(Language: English)
 
I know there are a lot of in depth reviews of Dune and won't try. I found it unique. It kept my attention. I have since watched the original movie based on it and the new mini series. I recommend it to people interested in science fiction and are willing to try older novels. I will warn it has some darker content and references to situations that might confuse, or disturb, readers who prefer friendlier material. If you do not consider yourself open minded, this is not the book for you.
|
Yes (0) 
No (0) |
|
A Reader posted a review at 2007-08-28 07:57:32.
(Language: English)
Herbert's imagination gets five stars. His skills as an author, however, get three stars. The universe of Dune is as wonderful a creation as science fiction has ever seen. The internal consistency and complexity is stunning. Unfortunately, Herbert has a way of making the book's dense plot rather tiresome. The characters are one-dimensional, heroic archetypes. Perhaps this was good enough when the book was published, but it doesn't necessarily hold up well in 2007. Many scenes contained long stretches of exposition where the characters clearly explained the details of their machinations (and there are machinations galore). The problem is that they were always telling the truth! The book came across like an omniscient historical document, albeit an enjoyable one. As one of the most influential books in all of science fiction, it's eminently worth reading
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2008-11-20 02:36:48.
(Language: English)
Not merely a seminal science fiction novel, but a landmark of American literature, Frank Herbert's Dune is an ecological meditation, a political treatise, and an examination of the implications of humankind's cravings for a religious Messiah. It can be read as a stand-alone novel or as the introduction to several more novels which together form a frequently impenetrable philosophical exploration of what it really means to be human. None of the sequels quite stands up to scrutiny the way Dune does, though reading them will enrich your understanding of what Herbert was trying to do. But Dune by itself is well worth the effort and rewards repeated reading as well. Despite an ending that doesn't quite live up to the rest of the novel's complexity, this is thought-provoking science fiction at its best, and should probably rank as one of the top five American novels of the 20th century regardless of genre.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2007-12-31 06:00:43.
(Language: English)
Dune – a story of Melange (a life-altering drug), wars, plots, double-plots, strange traditions, genetic legacies, fierce dessert nomads and a boy who overthrew an inter-galactic emperor. Herbert's social and cultural masterpiece is more than just SF (it’s not ‘sci-fi’, you uneducated bigots!). It reads like a thought experiment on future cultures and terrifying possibilities – Bene Gesserit witches, Mentats (human computers) and Kwisatz Haderach (the human god). It must be said that the book is not an easy read. At points within the book, there is this annoying feeling that it’s meant for people in the know – like lawyers sharing an inside joke. E.g. Why did Paul Atredies take the waters of life? What’s the big deal about Kwisatz Haderach? A lot of which it can only be answered by with re-readings of the book. On the whole, Dune deserves its due for its daring (and that’s putting it mildly) vision of our intergalactic future.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2010-10-17 10:08:28.
(Language: English)
Super great, hadn't read it in a long long time. Still holds up well, though seems a little less original with our culture's now-greater familiarity with Islam and Arab culture than when written in the 70s (strangely, I bet a lot of today's readers would be more familiar with the Islamic/Arab ideas and Koranic verses than the Biblical ones, such has our society changed, and not for the better). Basically the start of Islam retold for science fiction. At times I must say I got a little tired of the characters' inner dialogues, superior brains, etc ("cliches within cliches within cliches"). But now I'm hooked again and will have to read the other books in the series. This book was an amazing feat when first written, without precedent.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2010-05-30 10:18:20.
(Language: English)
In my opinion, the BEST science fiction book ever written. Without giving anything away, it's about the Planet Dune, which is literally one big sand dune. The people on this planet have very little water so they wear body-fitting suits that collect their bodily fluids so that when someone dies, they extract the fluid. Then there's spice, which is used as currency.... The book blew me away. If you're thinking of reading your first sci-fi book, make it this one. You won't be disappointed.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2008-01-22 10:53:36.
(Language: English)
Brian Herbert's masterpiece is set in a distant future, within a galaxy-spanning empire dependant on the spice, a substance required for super-luminal flight and found on only one planet in the universe--Arrakis, or Dune. Paul Atreides is heir to a dukedom until his family is betrayed and all but destroyed. Coming into his heritage as a turning point for the evolution of all mankind, Paul is caught up into an epic that delves into the workings of politics, religion, morality, messianism and other motivators of human society. Dune also serves as an allegory for modern geo-political strife; spice represents oil while the desert world of Arrakis represents the Middle East. As the Lord of the Rings formed the central statement and set the bar for fantasy, being one of the few novels int he genre to attain 'literature' status, so too does 'Dune' represent the pinnacle of science fiction. Even scifi detractors will find this novel a glorious read.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2008-06-14 11:35:25.
(Language: English)
I wanted to love this book -- so many had told me that it was the "greatest sci-fi novel ever written." For the massive scope of the story, this would, indeed, be a hands-down 5-star book. But Herbert does virtually nothing with the characters, and he seems almost afraid to write any chapter that actually describes the action as it occurs -- he skips over monumental events in his plot, such that one section will be about the build-up to a major battle, and the next chapter will leap forward in time to a point when the battle is long past. Had he fleshed out all these ideas, this book would have been five times its already cumbersome length -- but I really wish he had!
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2009-01-14 04:33:46.
(Language: English)
This is much more than your general sci-fi book. Very accessible, with great characters, this combines sci-fi with environmentalism, religious philosophy, political scheming and morality. It also fascinated me as many words are directly taken form Islamic Civilisation and culture and Arabic, and I have no idea if Frank Herbert realised this, though he must have, or what the significance of this is. The struggle of the oppressed people is talked of as the "Jihad", I kid you not. In these days of the "War on Terror" and bloodshed in the Middle East this book seems highly relevant in a way I am sure Herbert never would have imagined. This is a very enjoyable read for people who are not usually fans of Sci-Fi or fantasy and I oculd nto put it down.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2010-03-07 02:50:07.
(Language: English)
A captivating book full of suspense, drama, twists, political intrege, love, betrayal destiny, and war. Frank Herbert's world is innovative, colourful, wide in scope and above all believable. It follows the young Paul Atredies when he comes to terms with an inescapable destiny as he moves from the quiet heir to a fathers empire, to the messiah of a forgotten people. The intricate plans of the first book unfold beautifully and cause the reader to accuse or think independetly and it is only at the end do you understand the plot against the Duke.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2007-07-26 10:18:21.
(Language: English)
Dune is a science fiction epic set in the way future. Man has expanded into the stars and human colonies stretch over light years of space. The story explores the line of the Atreides family who manage to gain power of Arrakes (Dune), a desert and dry planet on which melange, a geriatric spice, is harvested. Melange is formed by giant worms that roam the sands of the deepest deserts and its addictive properties (as well as its prescience capabilities) make it the most revered and sought after substance in all known space. The story explores the birth, development and death of a religion, drawing on common characteristics found in the histories of nearly all religions in the world today. The story shows how the forces of government and religion interact, and how the power struggle develops between different groups that are found in any society. The story has very deep religious as well as political undercurrents and is an interesting assessment of human nature.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2008-02-28 04:26:28.
(Language: English)
Ok I could write praises for this book until my hands cramp, so I'm going to try and keep this short.The dune series is by far the best science fiction i've read. In fact, it's some of the best fiction that I've read. The world herbert creats... the depth.. the imagination.. the origionality, it rivals if not surpases tolken. The politics, the characters, the races, the research this book must have needed, the philosphy (one of the most thought provocing books i've read, fiction or otherwise) everything is so... words fail me. When I read the last book, and the bit at the end he wroat for his wife who died a year earlier, then reading his bio and seeing he died a year later... the sadness I felt after finishing this series (which is incompleat, judging from the ending of the last book) is testament to how much I enjoyed (understatment) these books. It's very very rare that I feel lucky to have been born in a time where I have acess to this authors imagination/wisdom. READ IT
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2008-09-20 03:34:55.
(Language: English)
Best single book ever written. Best sci-fi saga ever conceived; although Foundation is outstandingbut there's something about Herbert's Dune Universe. Actually, it's everything about Dune. Politics, chemistry, geology, meteorology, biology, ecology, let's not forget, of course, planetology. Espionage, intrigue, more politics, religion, incredible depth of characters, huge sandworms, good guys, bad guys. Love, death. Set way, way in the future but human sensibilities have evolved to once again realising the innate honour of close-quarters combat. Duels, mysterious desert-dwellers. It's incredible but I really could go on and on. This book is perfect and should be compulsory reading for everyone. I would disagree with Tracy, though. Don't ignore what his son's done because Brian had brainstorming sessions with his father and knows everything about the story. They're obviously different from the originals but they're good to read if you get sucked in enough to want to know everything.
|
|
Brian C posted a review at 2010-01-14 09:37:50.
(Language: English)
Dune really is one of the finest pieces of science fiction ever written. In an era where SF had essentialy become either tales of using drugs to escape a harsh totalitarian world, or war novels in space opera drag, it offered something strange and Unique. Dune is a far-reaching novel that explores some of the most complex topics humankind faces, and how they transform us and can be transformed: Religion, politics, sexuality, drugs, the art of learning, communication, death, rebirth, revenge, hate, racism, commercialism, and corruption are all brought up to a divine, epic level and examined both with reverence and intelligence. The book is so epic in scope that it is impossible to translate into other media effectively: if you have watched one of the films or read the comic book but not read the book, you haven;t experienced the whole story by a long shot.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2010-02-20 01:57:14.
(Language: English)
I can't believe that there are so many 'Dune' spinoff novels around just now. They eat up the shelf-space at Waterstones with the same voracity as the monstrous Star Wars franchise. I guess that's what Dune has become, and maybe it had to just to survive the modern market. A book is not a book unless it can be attached to a hundred spinoffs, a video game, a movie and a multi-million dollar TV series. Nothing wrong with shared media providing there's enough content in the source material to go around. In this respect, there is so much stuff in Dune that as a reader you finish the novel begging for more. It is so full of depth and texture, so enormous in its scope, so full of hints and teasers of a much bigger universe that it just demands a sequence of sequels and prequels etc, a tv series or a movie. And why not? To be honest I lost track somewhere during 'Heretics of Dune'. I gave it up as a bad lot, figuring that Frank Herbert had been unfairly pressured into writing a pretty dull book by his publishers. Nonetheless, that experience didn't taint my enjoyment of the original novel. 'Dune', the original giant space opera blockbusting novel of Humankind's far future, is complete in every way. A richly-layered universe packed with culture, history and science both ultra-tech and magical. Entwined within the novel's DNA are politics and spycraft, witchcraft and religion, betrayal and death. There some truly memorable scenes, some huge set-pieces and real sense of locations, all the smells, sights and sounds of a place that knock a hole in your head. And to top it all it features giant fucking sandworms. For me, the original novel contains all you need to know about the Dune universe. But I guarantee that once you've finished you'll want to jump right back in again.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2010-09-27 12:15:52.
(Language: English)
Hmmm where to start? It took me a while to get into this, as there is a lot of focus on Royalty and Politics, but look past that, stick with it, and you'll find one of the most epic sci-fi tales i have ever had the pleasure of reading. The attention to detail is great (the way the shields are described being a great example), but the best part is finding out if what Paul foresaw near the beginning of the book comes true. You will need to have patience, and be able to look past some pretentious use of language, but its worth it in the end. Highly Recommended!!!
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2008-10-29 12:26:45.
(Language: English)
I've read this novel many times - first back in the 80's as a purchase of the SFBC. It's funny how much my memory of the novel has changed to align with the Lynch movie version and recent SF channel mini-series (which is actually based on the Lynch screenplay). I decided to reread and pay more attention to the details - the book is infinitely better than the movie and mini-series, but in a different way - it's much more cerebral. The original Chilton edition had this obnoxious glossary and summary in the front while the later editions put them in the back where they belong. I must say I think this is one of Herbert's better books and is a good example of SF from the era. It still reads well today in 2008 but the cultural aspect (middle-eastern), ecological impact and empire are much more relevant today than when the book was written. I see the novel as an overall commentary of what can happen when goverment is given too much power. I recommend this book highly to SF newcommers. Great book - a must read if you're into SF and a commentary on ecosystems, religion and society
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2008-10-07 02:58:35.
(Language: English)
This book, though fiction, may challenge your faith. The idea of using Religion as a tool planted in the minds of others to make yourself a God in their eyes seems strikingly possible and probable. In this book it is done in an intelligent and purposeful way and used to create fanatical followers from an intelligent, highly advanced, people. Sure you've seen it in history where people have blindly marched off into the crusades in search of relics and bloody compliance but those were times when unanswered questions could only be guessed at and science was used as a last resort for explaination rather than the first thing to look at when searching for answers. For example, Someone might have said burn that witch, she cast a spell on me to give me this rash and that is all that was needed. This book made me search for answers to age long traditions, beliefs, and ethics. Where is it all rooted and how strong is the foundation for my beliefs? I am much more synical than I used to be, now. One of the greatest all time scifi books. It's a must read but it will challenge your faith even though it is fiction.
|
|
Aaron posted a review at 2008-03-24 02:18:46.
(Language: English)
Frank Herbert is my hero, the #1 reason being that he dropped out of college so that he might educate himself, as pertaining to his own interests; the 2nd reason of course being his fantastic prose. Dune has about everything any Sci Fi fan could want. I was most drawn to the capabilities of the logic driven Mentats; the political power struggles of the Houses—all who are under allegiance to House Corrino; the power held by the Fremen (we the people are Fremen, and we certainly need a Paul); a world in which Spice Melange is critical; and the relationships of a family in a new and chaotic world; that is the desert world Arrakis, which provides many ecological problems to be solved by Muad'Dib. The Kwisatz Haderach is simply wonderful to watch rise to the apex of power. In all his blue-eyed glory, to crushingly humble the Padishah Emperor, the Reverend Mother, the Spacing Guild and all other enemies. There are so many facets of Dune one could divulge on; sandworms, prana-bindu training.... It is a Universe unto itself, complete.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2008-05-16 03:55:49.
(Language: English)
First read this when I was 15 - thought it wondeful. Read again in my 30s, thought it poor. Reading it now in my 50s, I can see what a mixed bag this book is. It was hugely innovative in its day (1965), introducing new levels of complexity and sophistication into the SF novel. Herbert was a competent writer but not a great one and he had few good examples to follow within the genre. "Dune" aims high, but for all its aspirations, its pulp ancestry remains clear. The writing is poor in places, the pacing uneven. It is burdened by cliches and overlengthy dialogues and undermined by shallow characterisations. The druggy mysticism is of its time, though happily the novel's framing revenge plot remains timeless. The dry land ecology is fascinating and perfectly integrated into the story, and the political machinations of the various factions is convincingly cynical. "Dune" now looks like an interim step in the development of the SF novel, ambitious but flawed, dull and exciting by turns.
|
|
|
Emily posted a review at 2007-09-03 04:21:54.
(Language: English)
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.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2010-04-23 06:14:15.
(Language: English)
I have owned about 5 copies of this book. The reason for that is I keep giving it away (never "loan" books, you won't get them back and it's better to just give them). This is simply one of the greatest books I have ever read. Intrigue, politics, religion, class warfare, combat, and much more make this a must-read. The remain original Frank Herbert Dune books- up to God-Emperor- are very good, but pale compared to this one. I will say God-Emperor is a fascinating read. Herbert tries very hard and almost succeeds in giving a glimpse into the mind of a God.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2011-02-17 11:20:03.
(Language: English)
There's a desert. In the desert, there's a commodity which the whole world wants. Once you have had a taste of it, you get addicted and cannot be without it. The desert is ruled as a fiefdom where there is a Baron who rules over the land and the people of the land. The natives of the land are treated as dirty, filthy, uncouth creatures who have weird traditions and silly beliefs. The Baron has his men mine the commodity for sale to the rest of the world. There's an all-powerful king who is the leader of the world. He controls all the supply of this commodity. He controls the Baron and the appointment, change of guard and exit of who rules this land. The king derives his power from his powerful army/weapons. The army is made strong and ruthless by having them serve in extremely hostile and inhuman conditions in terrible parts of the world. The king believes that although many will die while on those assignments - those who survive will be thoroughly ruthless and amongst the strongest. A mafia controls the trading of the commodity. This mafia and its men are even more powerful than the king, because they know they can choke the supply of the commodity and thereby choke the king's hold over the rest of the world. A Duke of this region has become powerful and has started having an army which is becoming as strong and may become even stronger than the king's army. The king plots to assassinate this Duke. The local urban population of the desert areas suffer under the rule of the king's Duke but do not rise up in rebellion because they are busy trying to live their lives and hoping to rise up above their economic levels to match the foreigners. I don't know if the above sounds like a story of the current world scenario... but it is my introduction to a wonderful story of a book called "Dune" written by Frank Herbert in 1965. Wonderful book, sci-fi mixed with politics and religion - a great read!
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2011-04-26 12:40:56.
(Language: English)
Has to be one of the best books that I have ever read. Frank Herbert's writing style gets you submerged into a universe that is astounding and strange but rich in socio-political, religious and ethnic diversities. The internal thoughts and monologues of the characters in the book really help to shed light on the plot. The way the story was written, this is one of those books that is just hard to put down; every time you turn a page you are dying to see what comes next. I would DEFINITELY recommend this to anyone who has not had the pleasure of reading this book.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2010-03-27 08:30:24.
(Language: English)
I've heard the many superlatives used to describe this novel. Now, having read it, I wish I could find a superlative of those superlatives. A true epic, not just because it's long, but because of its grant vision, its scope, and its lofty tone. While it is considered a science fiction classic, in truth it feels more like fantasy than sci-fi. Many elements of Paul's journey match the Campbellian concept of the Hero's Journey, and the exotic setting transports us away to the realms of the fantastic. Also, the science elements are minimal, though they are integral to the theme. Herbert blends myth with environmentalism without becoming a preachy hippie. Some works are breathtaking testaments to an imagination-- this is one.
|
Share your views!
Similar books
