readbyvanessa 's review for:

Dune by Frank Herbert

2.5

adventurous mysterious slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

DUNE BY FRANK HERBERT – REVIEW

**contains spoilers**

“Set on the desert planet Arrakis, Dune is the story of the boy Paul Atreides, heir to a noble family tasked with ruling an inhospitable world where the only thing of value is the “spice” melange, a drug capable of extending life and enhancing consciousness. Coveted across the known universe, melange is a prize worth killing for...
When House Atreides is betrayed, the destruction of Paul’s family will set the boy on a journey toward a destiny greater than he could ever have imagined. And as he evolves into the mysterious man known as Muad’Dib, he will bring to fruition humankind’s most ancient and unattainable dream.”

2.5/5 Stars – A Decent, if not Boring, Reading Experience

This book has been coined as ‘the golden standard of its genre.’ I can even say that many have claimed Dune as the novel that all other science-fiction novels should strive to be. But honestly, if every other science-fiction novel was like this one, I’d say to throw the whole genre away and burn it at the stake.

Was the book good? Somewhat.

Would I read it again? Not even if you sold my goldfish.

This isn’t to say that I didn’t enjoy the book at some points and though I found the premise of the story intriguing, the execution of said story disappointed me with its verbose prose, extreme info-dumping, flat characters, unsatisfying political intrigue, and truth be told – a boring plot.

I cannot deny Dune’s cultural impact and what it has done for the sci-fi. Herbert has left his mark on the genre as J.R.R Tolkien has left on fantasy but just like him, the dialogue in this novel was way too stuffy and unbelievable.

The main character, Paul, despite his young age spoke like a 40-year-old man who spent his entire life with his nose stuck in a dictionary. I understand that his character was supposed to be written as a knowledgeable person but in my opinion, this was overdone. Further, I doubt we know much about Paul other than the fact that he is basically the messiah to the Fremen and that ‘Fear is the mind-killer.’ Other than three or four moments of authentic displays of emotion (most of which occurred after learning the death of his father), there’s not much to be said about him. Even his relationship with Chani – very insta-love to be honest– felt disingenuous most times. Herbert attempts to make it clear that he cares for her but there are but a few instances where the audience actually sees his affections for her play out.

Speaking of Chani, she had so much potential but she was practically reduced to just being Paul’s love interest. Wish we got to see her more in action since she literally killed someone who had challenged Paul in a duel. She’s obviously more than Paul’s lover and I wish Herbert utilized her more.

Also the short introductions in each chapter given by Princess Irulan, though I suppose was intended to be a tool for foreshadowing, felt more like she was spoiling the book. Near the end, I found myself skipping them entirely and skimming through the pages because I just wanted to get this story over with.

All in all, I did not hate this book but I did not have a great time either. Trust me, I really wanted to love it. It simply wasn't for me. I found the concept so fascinating and was hoping to be hooked by the world and the plot but unfortunately, I was not. In fact, I was left unsatisfied and with no desire to read another science fiction book for a long long time.

Content Warnings