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queer_bookwyrm's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
3.5 ⭐ CW: slavery, religious oppression, violence, torture, murder, suicide, rape, murder if a child, selective breeding, incest mention
Dune by Frank Herbert is a classic that I've been meaning to read for a long time, but avoided it because this big boy is intimidating. Although this was a long and slow paced read, it was enjoyable.
We follow Paul Atreides who is being tested by a Reverend Mother to see if he is really human and able to withstand pain. Paul is special, when his Bene Gesserit mother was told to birth a girl, she chose a boy instead and raised him in the weirding ways. Paul can also detect truth and see into the future. The Reverend Mother thinks he may be the Kwisatz Haderach they have been breeding for generations. If that sounds like a lot, just know this is only the tip of the iceberg.
This book is very involved. Herbert has created an entire history and culture for the world and includes a glossary and several other appendices at the back that gives I'm depth detail about the religion and politics of this society. Basically, we have a chosen one trope with political intrigue and commentary on the weaponization of religion as a means to colonization and oppression.
Herbert has used a blend of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Bhuddism, etc. as the basis for the Bene Gesserit religion. Herbert reveals that the Bene Gesserit don't actually believe in their religion, but use it as a means to push an agenda and infect lesser nations with their prophecies. This backfires.
There is just so much to cover with this book. There were so many details that at times it dragged the story along. This is not a fast paced action type of story. Paul's growth throughout the book was very interesting. I liked seeing him embody the dual aspects of Duke and Muad'dib.
I think if you are patient, this is worth a read and I now look forward to the movie coming out in October.
Dune by Frank Herbert is a classic that I've been meaning to read for a long time, but avoided it because this big boy is intimidating. Although this was a long and slow paced read, it was enjoyable.
We follow Paul Atreides who is being tested by a Reverend Mother to see if he is really human and able to withstand pain. Paul is special, when his Bene Gesserit mother was told to birth a girl, she chose a boy instead and raised him in the weirding ways. Paul can also detect truth and see into the future. The Reverend Mother thinks he may be the Kwisatz Haderach they have been breeding for generations. If that sounds like a lot, just know this is only the tip of the iceberg.
This book is very involved. Herbert has created an entire history and culture for the world and includes a glossary and several other appendices at the back that gives I'm depth detail about the religion and politics of this society. Basically, we have a chosen one trope with political intrigue and commentary on the weaponization of religion as a means to colonization and oppression.
Herbert has used a blend of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Bhuddism, etc. as the basis for the Bene Gesserit religion. Herbert reveals that the Bene Gesserit don't actually believe in their religion, but use it as a means to push an agenda and infect lesser nations with their prophecies. This backfires.
There is just so much to cover with this book. There were so many details that at times it dragged the story along. This is not a fast paced action type of story. Paul's growth throughout the book was very interesting. I liked seeing him embody the dual aspects of Duke and Muad'dib.
I think if you are patient, this is worth a read and I now look forward to the movie coming out in October.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Torture, Murder, Suicide, Rape, and Child death
Moderate: Slavery, Religious bigotry, and Pedophilia
Minor: Incest
tinnuben's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Pregnancy, Slavery, Torture, Violence, and War
Moderate: Child death, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexism, and Rape
Minor: Genocide and Incest
iwi's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
There is little I enjoyed about this story. Unfortunately the views of the author are so blatant that I can't just detach it from real life. There is so much discrimination, I honestly I had to stop and reread like is that really what was said? And yes, every time. I would love to see what other people see that end up loving these stories. I do like the sandworms. But I couldn't even find the characters enjoyable. Paul is revolting in every way to me. The use of religion makes my skin crawl. I think he is a villain. I don't think we are supposed to like him.
I think part of the intention here was to show how harmful humans and power is. That I can agree with. But I still wish that I liked more about this story.
I think part of the intention here was to show how harmful humans and power is. That I can agree with. But I still wish that I liked more about this story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Cannibalism, Colonisation, Death, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Drug use, Fatphobia, Islamophobia, Misogyny, Murder, Religious bigotry, and Sexism
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Genocide, Homophobia, and Slavery
Minor: Addiction, Child abuse, Incest, Infertility, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, and Sexual content
blyndwolf's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Definitely the most challenging book I've ever read in terms of the sheer density of the thing! That being said, it was digestible enough to thoroughly enjoy, and I really enjoyed exploring this incredibly in-depth universe; especially the philosophy elements! It's almost like Herbert created this entire universe just for the philosophy. It's insanely thorough and thoughtful beyond words. Every action and thought of every character is illustrated beautifully; no element escapes description. This is a literary masterpiece for sure.
I think it can be universally said that the beginning of this book is hard to chew; there is a lot of worldbuilding and lore thrust at you, and a lot of characters to remember. If you grind through it, it doesn't take long before everything starts falling into place, and you wonder how you were ever lost. I will say, though, that this book should get a medal for the amount of times it made me fall asleep. I think I fell asleep over 20 times while reading it; not because it was boring, but because it was so dense. One scene might take 30+ minutes to read, due to the high level of description and detail. The plot also slows down quite a bit in the centre of the book and doesn't pick up again until you're ~80% of the way throughwhen Paul is reunited with Gurney Halleck . I also feel like the ending was a bit rushed.
All in all, I'm super glad I decided to pick up Dune and am absolutely gassed for the movie coming out in October!! I will be there!
I think it can be universally said that the beginning of this book is hard to chew; there is a lot of worldbuilding and lore thrust at you, and a lot of characters to remember. If you grind through it, it doesn't take long before everything starts falling into place, and you wonder how you were ever lost. I will say, though, that this book should get a medal for the amount of times it made me fall asleep. I think I fell asleep over 20 times while reading it; not because it was boring, but because it was so dense. One scene might take 30+ minutes to read, due to the high level of description and detail. The plot also slows down quite a bit in the centre of the book and doesn't pick up again until you're ~80% of the way through
All in all, I'm super glad I decided to pick up Dune and am absolutely gassed for the movie coming out in October!! I will be there!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use and War
Minor: Fatphobia, Incest, Infertility, Pedophilia, and Rape
mostfrankdad's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Rape, and Torture
Minor: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Death of parent, Incest, Infidelity, Torture, and Slavery
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