DUNE - Review

My review of Dune, the sci-fi classic by Frank Herbert.

[s.l.thecoffeeaddict]

Ok but that edition of Dune is *gorgeous* **chefs kiss**

[direnova]

I read this book when I was 17, I'm now 61 and I remember so many of the details like names of people, things and places. The Fremen have stayed fresh in my memory. Paul has remained in my head as a conflicted character in a world very different to that which he knew growing up. I never re-read the book but it has stuck with me for decades. LotR on the other hand, I've re-read a few times and is my most loved work of art. it's like an old friend, Dune is like a very impressive person that I met that left a big impression that I didn't see again.

[xaviercopeland]

This is one of the sexiest book covers ever.

[YouWalkingCarpet]

A large part of the pacing issue, as well as repetitions you mention, stem from the fact that Dune was written for magazine serialization and was only later published as a book.

[Revanchist]

“Good governance never depends upon laws, but upon the personal qualities of those who govern. The machinery of government is always subordinate to the will of those who administer that machinery. The most important element of government, therefore, is the method of choosing leaders.”
-Frank Herbert, Dune Messiah.

I think this kinda sums up Frank Herbert's "ideology" and what is Dune about.

[patricksullivan]

My favorite part of Dune was the use of epigraphs before each "chapter", presented as citations from fictional texts/histories.

[CosmicFaust]

Fun fact: J.R.R. Tolkien read DUNE shortly after its release and said he “disliked it with some intensity.”

[Blizzic]

I’m so glad I’ve found someone who agrees! I’m about 2/3rds of the way through Dune, and I am LOVING it, but at the same time, it’s taking me forever to get through it, because I don’t feel like I’m being propelled along by compelling storytelling. It’s like I’m studying the book, rather than reading it. The reason I’m so excited for the Villeneuve movie is that this might be the chance for all of Herbert’s fantastic ideas to be filtered through the lens of a fantastic storyteller.

[DBTex]

that cover is absolutely beautiful. I need to pick one up before the movie covers decend

[alyssahaha]

I actually love the way Dune is written...I found it so engrossing. I was shocked when I found out most people’s number 1 gripe with Dune is the way it’s written aha

[alisondice]

"He's redundant in ways he doesn't need to be. " That must be the Wheel of Time inspiration, lol

[RudeAlert]

I'd like to point out that Paul Atreides is a not a chosen one. He is NOT a messiah. He was not destined for anything specific. There are no such things as messiahs and prophesied saviors in the Dune universe. Paul and his mother deliberately and knowingly used the Fremen's (not free men...) religious beliefs to make themselves be accepted among them so that they can survive in the desert, and eventually use the Fremen to destroy their own enemies, the Harknonnens and the emperor. Paul and his mother manipulated the Fremen right from the beginning. Just because Paul eventually "went native" and took on elements of the Fremen cause, doesn't actually make him any more of a genuine savior; he played the role that he chose to play, nothing more.

This pervasive, and annoying, misinterpretation of Paul as an actual savior is the source of so many complaints about Dune suffering from "white savior syndrome" and also completely misses the point of the book and the whole Dune series. Charismatic leaders are dangerous and even more so when people follow them unquestioningly. THAT is the lesson of Dune. There are no saviors, and those who present themselves as such will only lead you to ruin. People have to think for themselves and take action to keep themselves free, not solely rely on some great "dear leader."

[ulriktrillana]

The story is really more of a vehicle for Herbert to explore and dissect his ideas and I can see why you wouldn't be a fan of that. Regardless, I love how you tackled this review and this video was really in-depth. You're a really underrated channel.

[RobertSmith-ncsd]

I've read Dune 28 times. I find something new every time I read it. I suspect that has to do with my aging perspectives, but it's still worth noting. I consider it to be the finest science fiction novel I've ever read.

One thing I really missed in the new movie version is Irulan's introductory moments. Her character is revealed through them and I'm afraid the movie director is writing her off. She's not just a pretty face.

[astraestus]

I read Dune about a year ago. Took me a whole month to get through. On finishing it, I didn't know how to feel about it. Wasn't the biggest fan of the pacing and the writing but the ideas, concepts and themes presented are fascinating. Guess I just love Dune for its ideas, especially for the time in which it was written, and not necessarily for the way the story is told.

[ViscountJimmy]

Can't disagree more on the story telling. It is exceptional. Loved the way the present is constantly put into perspective with excepts from future historical texts. Also impressed with the seamless perspective switches between multiple characters in the same scene. Added a lot of depth into every moment

[krb]

I liked Dune more once id read Dune Messiah i think. Also i like the new overlays but can you leave them on the screen a bit longer :)

[itsyaboi]

Daniel Greene, the Wheel of Time guy criticizing an author for being redundant and

[TheOnceandFutureJake]

I find a little irony in Daniel commenting on Herbert focusing on things that don't benefit the narrative too much. It reminded me of another author with a strange obsession with dresses... :P

[roxelaneelmira]

It's funny, coz on top of loving everything you praise, I actually highly enjoy his writing style! The fact that he tells us ahead of time the plot, as it is not what is relevant, but rather wants us to enjoy the journey rather than only the destination is what sets him appart and higher than any other author for me!