Sunday, February 11, 2018

DUNE




Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org


Dune, Frank Herbert, Chilton Books, 1965, 473 pp
 
 
Brief Summary from IndieBound: Set on the desert planet Arrakis, Dune is the story of the boy Paul Atreides, who would become the mysterious man known as Muad'Dib. He would avenge the traitorous plot against his noble family--and would bring to fruition humankind's most ancient and unattainable dream. 
 
 
My Brief Review:
I have finally read this iconic book, winner of both the Hugo and Nebula awards. I thought I was possibly the last person on earth to have not read it before, but at our reading group meeting, out of five attending, only two of us read it for the first time.

Anyway, it was just as great as all its champions say. So much of what influenced my worldview in the 1960s is encapsulated in the story: ecology, the dangers of big corporations to both the planet and society, the evils done to native populations when empires come to colonize. Then there is religion, fantasy, witchcraft, and even quite an exploration of hero worship and cult-like communal social groups.

I think if anyone in publishing read the above paragraph, eyes would roll and scoffing would take place. Who does this guy Frank Herbert think he is kidding? He was not kidding. He really did have the knowledge of history and the writing chops to pull it off.

I am so glad I read it. I loved every page. Thanks to the member of Molly's Group who convinced us to choose it. I am also glad I bought my own copy. It is a book worth rereading.


(Dune is available in paperback by order from Once Upon A Time Bookstore. I ordered my copy there and it arrived in three days.)

12 comments:

  1. I'm delighted to hear that you enjoyed Dune and that you recognized the many themes that Herbert worked into his fantastical world. I think it has stood up well over the years and has a lot to teach us even today.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You must have been pretty sure I would enjoy it, right?

      Delete
  2. Dune is a book I never considered reading until reading this post. Glad you thought so highly of it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Honestly I went in kicking and screaming, but it was so worth reading!

      Delete
  3. I haven't read Dune yet! Glad you liked reading it though. It sounds like a lot of different topics were explored in this novel. I love novels that make you think!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This novel demanded that I think!

      Delete
  4. I haven't read it. Someday I will, I guess.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is definitely worth reading. It is on my 1965 list but thanks to the reading group I got to it early.

      Delete
  5. I've been meaning to read this a guy I had a crush on in grade 9 (1967) asked me if if I'd read it. Sounds like I still have to get around to it. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, me too. I had my doubts but they were dispelled.

      Delete
  6. I remember Paul and the giant sandworms quite well but not much else. I didn't go on in my youth to read the other Dune books but I think my brothers sure did.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Somehow I had a feeling you might have read this one-:) Who could forget the giant sandworms?

      Delete