A review by readivine
Dune by Frank Herbert

5.0

“Deep in the human unconscious is a pervasive need for a logical universe that makes sense. But the real universe is always one step beyond logic.”

I’ve been meaning to read Dune for the last two years but I chickened out because I thought I was too dumb to understand and appreciate this. I know this book had been reviewed a lot so I don't really know how to fully justify this.

What pushed me to read this now was the teaser pictures released this month in the upcoming 2020 adaptation by Denis Villeneuve. I mean???? It’s the Villeneuve. I actually adored his movie, Arrival, which was also a book to film adaptation that's why I’m looking forward to this more!

Dune is a classic and is considered to be the equivalent of Lord of the Rings when it comes to science fiction. This book is intimidating at first, but once you let the fear wash over you, you’ll definitely enjoy this masterpiece.

INTELLECTUAL YET ACCESSIBLE WRITING STYLE
Now, I know most people would have burned me at the stakes for saying this. However, I did find the writing style quite accessible and gripping. To truly appreciate and understand it, you have to read this at a steady pace and not when you’re in a hurry.

It’s writing style is highly magnetic and intellectual, you’ll definitely appreciate the nuance present in it. However, I do agree that not all readers can digest this easily as what I’ve seen from other reviews, so I think it’s a matter of preference. Nevertheless, it’s the writing that propelled me to savor this in a satisfying manner.

A CEREBRAL PIECE BRIMMING WITH LITTLE TRUTHS & WISDOM
Dune is a book full of wisdom and is truly ahead of its time. Most of my reading experience was paused because I was jotting down notes, highlighting quotations, or simply just reading the lines with awe in my mind.

To me, it felt like a self-help book disguised as science fiction that imparted a lot of philosophies. It’s a cerebral experience and one that I would gladly dive in again and again. It honestly reminded me of the philosophy behind the movie Cloud Atlas (another masterpiece btw!)

“Greatness is a transitory experience. It is never consistent. It depends in part upon the myth-making imagination of humankind. The person who experiences greatness must have a feeling for the myth he is in. He must reflect what is projected upon him. And he must have a strong sense of the sardonic. This is what uncouples him from belief in his own pretensions. The sardonic is all that permits him to move within himself. Without this quality, even occasional greatness will destroy a man.”

This quote here encapsulates Paul Atreides’ transitory experience as well. How he became both a religious icon and a political force to be reckoned with.

There has been actually a lot of debate that Paul fits the white savior complex in the story but I beg to disagree. This is such an insensitive take as this disregards the author’s efforts to actually deconstruct the Chosen One trope and divulge to us how power ultimately destroys us. True, there are some aspects that might be problematic especially in the portrayal of the villains here. However, we have to acknowledge the fact that this has been written in 1965 so some notions aren't as progressive. This did not diminish the beauty of this book to me though!!

As we see Paul grow to fulfill his “terrible purpose” we get to see how his emotional ties get severed and rebound. I know this is quite a lacking description but you’ll just have to read the book to see this.

Never have I ever read a book that is brimming with wisdom that I fully understood and acknowledged. Truthfully, Dune can at times feel quite enlightening for the mind and the soul.

A BLEND OF DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS THAT PROPELS THE STORY
All the characters have distinctive voices in the narrative. We get to clearly see how they think, how they react, what they believe, and what they feel. It’s an immersive experience because we get to see each of their perspectives.

This was one of my favorite aspects because by being able to read their thoughts literally we are offered the opportunity to respect their intellect and understand their motivations. The level of nuance is astounding and not only is this visible in the individual characters but also in the subgroups presented.

METICULOUS RESEARCH ON THE LOGIC BEHIND THE WORLD BUILDING
Dune or Arrakis is the planet that takes the stage. Despite being a 55-year-old book, it’s world-building is still well fleshed out and original. I know most avid readers of science fiction would disagree but the limitations of Arrakis, in fact, makes it all the more believable.

DIVULGES THE TERRIFYING INTERPLAY OF RELIGION & POLITICS
Last but not the least, Dune divulges the dangers and advantages when religion and politics is wielded to bend the majority. It’s a formidable picture indeed and all the more interesting to see unfold.

Dune is a classic and I can’t believe that I actually enjoyed it. This book is one you’d definitely want to read to challenge your mind.