Scan barcode
gvstyris's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
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.
It goes without saying that Dune is a masterclass in science-fiction. Herbert's rich world-building truly makes this book, and encouraged me to persevere despite his often inconsistent pacing and flat characters. The conlangs, historical references and various excerpts 'provided' by Princess Irulan...I aspire to have a fraction of Herbert's imagination. I also very much looked forward to the Harkonnens' chapters and was fascinated by the complexities of Lady Jessica's character.
That being said, this book is far from accessible. My reading experience was very much enhanced by my pre-existing interest in the recent adaptations, and I would honestly argue that both films do a better job than the novel of explaining whatever the hell is going on. I'm glad to have finally read Dune in its original form and will likely try my hand at the sequel, but will definitely be primarily recommending Villeneuve's films going forward. I'm not much of a science-fiction reader, though, which definitely played a role in my disinterest.
I think it's also worth pointing out where Dune ages poorly. Namely, the primary antagonist being a fat, gay pedophile (:sob:) and the pervasive misogyny in Herbert's social structures. This is where the movie again finds more success, given how Chani is both influential and an outspoken critic of Paul.
This review has turned out to be more critical than I'd originally intended, but I am very proud to have conquered something so far out of my reading comfort zone. I suppose Lord of the Rings is next...
Graphic: Death of parent, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Racism, Slavery, and Genocide
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
sophierosemaria's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Great book and so glad I read it. Although since I watched the movies first so the timelines were a bit getting used to, as it is very different.
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Violence
Moderate: Child death and War
draven_deathcrush's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Death of parent
Moderate: Slavery, Fatphobia, and War
Minor: Rape and Pedophilia
voldycat's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: War, Violence, Death of parent, and Death
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Grief, and Xenophobia
Minor: Fatphobia, Child death, Suicide, and Torture
mari_cx's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Murder, Death of parent, War, and Violence
Minor: Torture and Drug use
mysamcatfan's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: War, Colonisation, Death of parent, and Blood
multech's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Minor: Colonisation, Pregnancy, Child death, Kidnapping, Sexual content, Slavery, Death, Misogyny, Murder, Sexism, Grief, Racism, War, Death of parent, Drug use, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Violence, Classism, Cultural appropriation, and Gore
violetends's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: War and Death of parent
Moderate: Pedophilia, Fatphobia, and Grief
kaylamullarkey's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
icarusandthesun's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
i re-watched the movie some months ago, but this time i used the little lexicon at the back of the book to guide me—and i loved it. i was (and still am) obsessed.
so i decided to finally read the book (i've owned it for like a year; the pages are starting to yellow).
with the movie as a background, i definitely found the book to be more comprehensible. i think if i hadn't watched the movie beforehand, i wouldn't have understood much. so i do recommend to watch at least the first movie before reading the book.
but the book is super important and makes the whole world really come to life. i've heard many people complain about the movie, saying it was boring and so on and so forth. which—yes, it probably is for many who've not read the book.
but the book is great and provides a lot of context & now i cannot cannot wait to finally watch dune 2.
Graphic: Violence, Death, Death of parent, Blood, and War
Moderate: Gun violence, Grief, Drug use, and Pregnancy