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A review by daniel_b17
Dune by Frank Herbert
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Going into Dune I had high expectations. I was not around when it first came out, but due to the movie coming out I decided it might be a good/fun idea to read it and then watch the movie and compare afterward. Getting straight to the point, I want to say that I did enjoy most aspects of this book. When we think sci-fi, or at least when I do, I think of space battles, and big wars. This book is very much not this. The book focused mainly on themes of betrayal and political intrigue of an interesting, dark and sad future of humanity. If you came looking for action and big battles you will be disappointed.
The start of the book really focuses on the world building, and establishing characters. Two aspects I think that Frank Herbert knocked out of the park. The fact that we are dropped into this world that at first seems incredibly difficult to understand and very intricate, and as we progress, we come to understand the subtle terms and nuances along with the people/races and the whole political/imperial system and it's workings. 5/5 on the world building aspect of Dune.
The one thing that I found very difficult to understand was the way Frank Herbert writes. I found that it was very difficult to understand at first. I often found myself re-reading certain paragraphs and/or sentences, because I didn't understand something. Throughout the book however, you come to understand his writing and the flow of how he gets his point across if that makes sense. He has a, what I would call, very olden times type of writing style, which as I said before can be difficult for some.
Overall I though that it was a very well written book, however I found that Frank Herbert's storytelling ability was very choppy and not something that I would be drawn to, had it not been for the hype of the movie releasing. That's where, for me, he lost a few marks. In the future I hope to read the rest of the series, as I have heard good things about them as well. My review is purely opinion based, and by no means is meant as a shot toward the community that reveres Frank Herbert. I say yet again, I have no hate toward Frank Herbert or the people that like his books.
Recommended for people who are at ease with slower paced books, focused more on political intrigue and the inner workings of an empire and betrayal, rather than the more modern Fantasy/Sci-Fi books that focus more on battles and action.
3.75/5
The start of the book really focuses on the world building, and establishing characters. Two aspects I think that Frank Herbert knocked out of the park. The fact that we are dropped into this world that at first seems incredibly difficult to understand and very intricate, and as we progress, we come to understand the subtle terms and nuances along with the people/races and the whole political/imperial system and it's workings. 5/5 on the world building aspect of Dune.
The one thing that I found very difficult to understand was the way Frank Herbert writes. I found that it was very difficult to understand at first. I often found myself re-reading certain paragraphs and/or sentences, because I didn't understand something. Throughout the book however, you come to understand his writing and the flow of how he gets his point across if that makes sense. He has a, what I would call, very olden times type of writing style, which as I said before can be difficult for some.
Overall I though that it was a very well written book, however I found that Frank Herbert's storytelling ability was very choppy and not something that I would be drawn to, had it not been for the hype of the movie releasing. That's where, for me, he lost a few marks. In the future I hope to read the rest of the series, as I have heard good things about them as well. My review is purely opinion based, and by no means is meant as a shot toward the community that reveres Frank Herbert. I say yet again, I have no hate toward Frank Herbert or the people that like his books.
Recommended for people who are at ease with slower paced books, focused more on political intrigue and the inner workings of an empire and betrayal, rather than the more modern Fantasy/Sci-Fi books that focus more on battles and action.
3.75/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Death of parent, Drug use, Grief, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Child death, War, and Pregnancy
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault