Happy book review day, everyone!
One of those books I have been saying "I want to read" for years (and I do mean years!) I actually read this summer! And it's the subject of this week's #bookreview.
It's a classic, it's a sci fi, and it has a movie coming out soon!
“The mystery of life isn't a problem to solve, but a reality to experience.”
Dune is set on the planet Arrakis and follows Paul (which is such an odd name in this setting!) and his family as they inhabit this inhabitable land. They are nobility, and thus their existence is filled with questions of alliances and politics and survival. The only thing of value on Arrakis is a spice, melange, which is so valuable it is worth killing and betrayal.
As he ages, Paul is intelligent and strong and something otherworldly. He walks the line between cultures and between man and myth.
Mythology. Religion. Fate. Choice. Politics. Environmentalism. Imperialism. Power. Betrayal. Oh yeah, and also space and adventure and romance and action and all that good stuff too.
There are serious criticisms in terms of some of the tropes and archaic representations throughout the book, but those are largely done through a modern - or rather, postmodern - lens. Similarly, those who condemn the book as having "stuffy" or "wordy" prose do so through a preference for the science fiction of action-focused today.
“What do you despise? By this are you truly known.”
Herbert is often placed in the same category as Tolkein, that "father of" category. And for whatever faults exist within the work, I have immense respect for the piece that has such an immense impact on so much of what has come after it.
And of course, I'm a sucker for some good thematic representations, which Dune has in spades. Allegories on top of allegories on top of allegories.
“When religion and politics travel in the same cart, the riders believe nothing can stand in their way. Their movements become headlong - faster and faster and faster. They put aside all thoughts of obstacles and forget the precipice does not show itself to the man in a blind rush until it's too late.”
Ahem.
Also, you know.... sandworms.
So, I'm glad I finally - finally - got to read this book. It's a classic, it's science fiction, it's a unique work set in a unique world, and yes, I did definitely, really, truly (and a whole lot of other expressive -ly adverbs - sorry!) enjoy it. And I do definitely recommend it.
Unless of course, you get scared of big books and long descriptions in your sci fi.
I'm also looking forward to the movie. I am hopeful, based on the casting and initial previews. We shall see.
Have you read this classic? What do you think of the upcoming film? Comment below or via my contact page, here.