Dune (Dune #1, Dune Universe #10), by Frank Herbert, 1965

Dune (Dune #1, Dune Universe #10)), by Frank Herbert, 1965

Dune really challenged my ideas of what I thought made for a good science-fiction novel. Others have described it as the Mount Everest of science fiction, and I would have to agree.  And like Mount Everest, the novel itself can be impenetrable without some preparation and knowing what you are getting yourself into.  I suppose that is probably why most fans of Dune, when asked to describe the book, usually describes the setting rather than the plot.   

Generally considered a landmark of soft science fiction, the author deliberately suppressed technology, specifically computers or thinking machines, and opted to tell a story of the results of a centuries-long human evolution by selective breeding through politics and institutions.  Since the book’s initial publication in 1965, a lot of analysis and reviews have materialized over time so I won’t provide details of the plot and setting here as you can easily search for it online on Google and YouTube.

I knew starting the book would be a commitment and that if I loved it, I would be lost in the universe of Dune for a while as there are more than twenty (20) books set in the Dune universe.  It didn’t take long for me to get used to the tone and pacing of the book and found myself immediately fascinated.  Admittedly, getting used to the strange names and associating them to the characters or ideas took me a little longer.  I found myself building a “cheat sheet” to help me along the way and it also proved useful as some characters who disappear at one part of the book reappear later. Additionally, watching short YouTube videos of about the various Dune institutions (the spacing guild, Bene Gesserit, House Harkonnen, House Atreides, Fremen, etc.) really filled the gaps in and helped me get through the novel with a fuller understanding, the importance of the little details woven in , and the far reaching implications of local actions.

I suggest for anyone into science fiction who intend to watch Villeneuve’s Dune (2020) or the Lynch’s Dune (1984) to read the book first.  Not only will you be doing yourself a disservice by not reading the book and missing out on a great novel, but you will mostly like find Lynch’s Dune (1984) unintelligible.

I give this book 4.8 of 5 stars.

Short List of Characters From Wikipedia:

Characters[edit]

House Atreides

·         Paul Atreides, the Duke's son, and main character of the novel.

·         Duke Leto Atreides, head of House Atreides

·         Lady Jessica, Bene Gesserit and concubine of the Duke, mother of Paul and Alia

·         Alia Atreides, Paul's younger sister

·         Thufir Hawat, Mentat and Master of Assassins to House Atreides

·         Gurney Halleck, staunchly loyal troubadour warrior of the Atreides

·         Duncan Idaho, Swordmaster for House Atreides, graduate of the Ginaz School

·         Wellington Yueh, Suk doctor for the Atreides, who is secretly working for House Harkonnen

House Harkonnen

·         Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, head of House Harkonnen

·         Piter De Vries, twisted Mentat

·         Feyd-Rautha, nephew and heir-presumptive of the Baron

·         Glossu "Beast" Rabban, also called Rabban Harkonnen, older nephew of the Baron

·         Iakin Nefud, Captain of the Guard

House Corrino

·         Shaddam IV, Padishah Emperor of the Known Universe (the Imperium)

·         Princess Irulan, Shaddam's eldest daughter and heir, also a historian

·         Count Hasimir Fenring, genetic eunuch and the Emperor's closest friend, advisor, and "errand boy"

Bene Gesserit

·         Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam, Bene Gesserit schemer, the Emperor's Truthsayer

·         Lady Margot Fenring, Bene Gesserit wife of Count Fenring

Fremen

·         The Fremen, "native" inhabitants of Arrakis

·         Stilgar, Fremen Naib (chieftain) of Sietch Tabr

·         Chani, Paul's Fremen concubine

·         Liet-Kynes, the Imperial Planetologist on Arrakis and father of Chani, as well as a revered figure among the Fremen

·         Mapes, head housekeeper of imperial residence on Arrakis

·         Jamis, Fremen killed by Paul in ritual duel

·         Harah, wife of Jamis and later servant to Paul

·         Ramallo, reverend mother of Sietch Tabr

Smugglers

·         Esmar Tuek, a powerful smuggler and the father of Staban Tuek.

·         Staban Tuek, the son of Esmar Tuek. A powerful smuggler who befriends and takes in Gurney Halleck and his surviving men after the attack on the Atreides.