Petrik's Reviews > Dune
Dune (Dune, #1)
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by
![59458347](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1568016775p2/59458347.jpg)
3.5/5 Stars
Dune oh Dune, seems like I need to raise my Shield Wall for this review.
Dune is one of the most important pieces of literature for the Sci-Fi genre. I’ve been raking my brain for hours on how to properly explain the importance of Dune in the sci-fi literature but you know what? I dune (hehehe) think it’s necessary for me to do so. If you truly wanna know why, you can search it on whatever search engine you use and you'll find hundreds of articles or reviews on why this book is that important; and they’ll do a much better job than me. I won’t even deny any of them because, in my opinion, this book was truly revolutionary. Dune didn’t become the number one highest selling Sci-fi novel of all time for no reason; like Brian Herbert said, it is to Sci-Fi, what the LOTR trilogy is to fantasy.
Theoretically, if I’m reviewing this by putting my head as someone from 1960’s or 1970’s, I know I would think of this book as my bible. 1965 was the year when Dune was published for the first time, 24 years before I was born. There are just too many groundbreaking ideas, world-building, that would become the inspirations for many Sci-fi in our time; I only realized this after reading this book. I mean, the gigantic Sandworm alone has inspired many video games to use it as a common monster or enemy.
Picture: Dune by Marc Simonetti
![](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1510335641i/24412654._SX540_.jpg)
Desert planet, Stillsuits, space exploration, and Zen Buddhism, Dune was truly a groundbreaking novel, almost everything in this book somehow seems prophetic because it has predicted our current society, especially when it comes to faith, emotional control, empathy, and the importance of ecology and scarcity.
Part of what made this book was great for me was Herbert’s prose. I haven’t read enough classic to claim it was classical, but Herbert’s prose was definitely unique to me. It has a lot of freedom by writing it from a limited omniscient narrative; changing POV’s repeatedly in a single chapter without any warning. This is, honestly, one of my biggest pet peeves in my usual read, but Herbert made it work because all his characters were really well written, distinct in their personality, and the dialogues are really well dune (HEHEHE). Plus, there are so many motivational and extremely philosophical quotes that seem to make this book a combination of Sci-Fi & self-help book, such as:
And of course, the most famous and one of the best quote I’ve ever read out of any book
I can’t believe I have gone through life without knowing about this litany against fear. It’s applicable in any kind of hardship we faced in real life, and I know it will be one of my motto starting from now. If I’m judging this book solely from how significant this book was, I’ll give it maximum score in a heartbeat. However, I’m reviewing this based on one question and how I rated all the books I read: was it enjoyable?
The answer is yes and no, it was a mixed bag. The first part of this book was incredible, I couldn’t put down the book and everything was so interesting and compelling. Then comes the second part, where the pacing just became really draggy and somehow, boring. However, my hope was restored for a while during the third act, until the anti-climax happened. My expectation is obviously at fault here but hey, this book is the number one highest selling sci-fi book of all time and one of the most highly acclaimed book, I expected there to be a mind-blowing climax sequences to close the book in an epic way. But no, there wasn’t any. Not only it felt anti-climactic, Herbert’s prose in describing settings and actions didn’t age well or up to current standard. The main reason for this is that this is a book that relies heavily on character’s dialogues to do everything; world-building, plot, characterizations were done solely through dialogues. This leads to the great plot but weak action sequences and no vivid settings. Sure there was some explanation on the settings, but other than the planet—which is just a desert, just search Sahara or Planet Tatooine and voila—the interiors were given only brief description, which makes it hard to imagine; I had to look up some artworks to be able to immerse myself in the settings of the book.
Overall, Dune was truly a revolutionary book for its time that is filled with tons of imaginative and fantastic ideas. Although there were some parts that disappointed me, I still liked the book and I finally understand why there are so much discussion and praises around this book. I recommend this to every Sci-fi fans for its importance and also, it’s good to know where most fantastic Sci-Fi you’ve read or you’re reading now got its idea from. However, this is also where I’ll stop with the series.
You can find this and the rest of my Adult Epic/High Fantasy & Sci-Fi reviews at BookNest
Dune oh Dune, seems like I need to raise my Shield Wall for this review.
Dune is one of the most important pieces of literature for the Sci-Fi genre. I’ve been raking my brain for hours on how to properly explain the importance of Dune in the sci-fi literature but you know what? I dune (hehehe) think it’s necessary for me to do so. If you truly wanna know why, you can search it on whatever search engine you use and you'll find hundreds of articles or reviews on why this book is that important; and they’ll do a much better job than me. I won’t even deny any of them because, in my opinion, this book was truly revolutionary. Dune didn’t become the number one highest selling Sci-fi novel of all time for no reason; like Brian Herbert said, it is to Sci-Fi, what the LOTR trilogy is to fantasy.
Theoretically, if I’m reviewing this by putting my head as someone from 1960’s or 1970’s, I know I would think of this book as my bible. 1965 was the year when Dune was published for the first time, 24 years before I was born. There are just too many groundbreaking ideas, world-building, that would become the inspirations for many Sci-fi in our time; I only realized this after reading this book. I mean, the gigantic Sandworm alone has inspired many video games to use it as a common monster or enemy.
Picture: Dune by Marc Simonetti
![](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1510335641i/24412654._SX540_.jpg)
Desert planet, Stillsuits, space exploration, and Zen Buddhism, Dune was truly a groundbreaking novel, almost everything in this book somehow seems prophetic because it has predicted our current society, especially when it comes to faith, emotional control, empathy, and the importance of ecology and scarcity.
“The mind commands the body and it obeys. The mind orders itself and meets resistance.”
Part of what made this book was great for me was Herbert’s prose. I haven’t read enough classic to claim it was classical, but Herbert’s prose was definitely unique to me. It has a lot of freedom by writing it from a limited omniscient narrative; changing POV’s repeatedly in a single chapter without any warning. This is, honestly, one of my biggest pet peeves in my usual read, but Herbert made it work because all his characters were really well written, distinct in their personality, and the dialogues are really well dune (HEHEHE). Plus, there are so many motivational and extremely philosophical quotes that seem to make this book a combination of Sci-Fi & self-help book, such as:
“It is so shocking to find out how many people do not believe that they can learn, and how many more believe learning to be difficult.”
And of course, the most famous and one of the best quote I’ve ever read out of any book
“I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.”
I can’t believe I have gone through life without knowing about this litany against fear. It’s applicable in any kind of hardship we faced in real life, and I know it will be one of my motto starting from now. If I’m judging this book solely from how significant this book was, I’ll give it maximum score in a heartbeat. However, I’m reviewing this based on one question and how I rated all the books I read: was it enjoyable?
The answer is yes and no, it was a mixed bag. The first part of this book was incredible, I couldn’t put down the book and everything was so interesting and compelling. Then comes the second part, where the pacing just became really draggy and somehow, boring. However, my hope was restored for a while during the third act, until the anti-climax happened. My expectation is obviously at fault here but hey, this book is the number one highest selling sci-fi book of all time and one of the most highly acclaimed book, I expected there to be a mind-blowing climax sequences to close the book in an epic way. But no, there wasn’t any. Not only it felt anti-climactic, Herbert’s prose in describing settings and actions didn’t age well or up to current standard. The main reason for this is that this is a book that relies heavily on character’s dialogues to do everything; world-building, plot, characterizations were done solely through dialogues. This leads to the great plot but weak action sequences and no vivid settings. Sure there was some explanation on the settings, but other than the planet—which is just a desert, just search Sahara or Planet Tatooine and voila—the interiors were given only brief description, which makes it hard to imagine; I had to look up some artworks to be able to immerse myself in the settings of the book.
Overall, Dune was truly a revolutionary book for its time that is filled with tons of imaginative and fantastic ideas. Although there were some parts that disappointed me, I still liked the book and I finally understand why there are so much discussion and praises around this book. I recommend this to every Sci-fi fans for its importance and also, it’s good to know where most fantastic Sci-Fi you’ve read or you’re reading now got its idea from. However, this is also where I’ll stop with the series.
You can find this and the rest of my Adult Epic/High Fantasy & Sci-Fi reviews at BookNest
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Quotes Petrik Liked
![Frank Herbert](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/authors/1591018335i/58._UX200_CR0,0,200,200_.jpg)
“I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.”
― Dune
― Dune
![Frank Herbert](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/authors/1591018335i/58._UX200_CR0,0,200,200_.jpg)
“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.”
― Dune
― Dune
![Frank Herbert](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/authors/1591018335i/58._UX200_CR0,0,200,200_.jpg)
“It is so shocking to find out how many people do not believe that they can learn, and how many more believe learning to be difficult.”
― Dune
― Dune
![Frank Herbert](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/authors/1591018335i/58._UX200_CR0,0,200,200_.jpg)
“The mind can go either direction under stress—toward positive or toward negative: on or off. Think of it as a spectrum whose extremes are unconsciousness at the negative end and hyperconsciousness at the positive end. The way the mind will lean under stress is strongly influenced by training.”
― Dune
― Dune
Reading Progress
October 22, 2017
– Shelved
November 7, 2017
–
Started Reading
November 10, 2017
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 61 (61 new)
message 1:
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[deleted user]
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Nov 07, 2017 07:11AM
Oh wow, interested to read your eventual thoughts on this Petrik!😊
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![Petrik](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1568016775p1/59458347.jpg)
Haha thanks Craig, it was good, but not to the point of greatness imo xD
![Petrik](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1568016775p1/59458347.jpg)
Give it a try and see what the hype is all about. It's good but don't expect too much out of it :p
![Lee](https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/m_25x33-8a3530ed95c3dbef8bf215b080559b09.png)
![Petrik](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1568016775p1/59458347.jpg)
Thank you, man! dude, I can't even get through the first book of LOTR. It was extremely boring because I've already watched the movie xD
Very well....Dune....review Petrik haha. I get where you are coming from completley! I enjoyed the book but was shocked that i felt that the final face off felt very off, i mean i liked it sure but it just didn't "fit" with the preceding story for me. Shame that you will stop here, i loved the core series, even the much hated final two books that his son wrote but there were times when the series was quite hard to read / continue 😊
![Celeste](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1652904815p1/7317186.jpg)
![Lee](https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/m_25x33-8a3530ed95c3dbef8bf215b080559b09.png)
It took me literally ten years to read all of them haha. I had so much space between that earlier this year I just started from the beginning and worked my way through as quickly as possible. Kinda like ripping off a bandaid haha.
![Richard Nell](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1502671037p1/61438305.jpg)
![Petrik](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1568016775p1/59458347.jpg)
Hahahaha I'm proud of my own puns! Thanks, Craig! I have to stop here, the first book didn't really pique my interest for the entire series, and I'm going to begin my journey into the Malazan world really soon! :)
![Petrik](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1568016775p1/59458347.jpg)
Thanks, love! Yeah it was too bad! I'm so happy that you love my puns!!! I feel puntastic!
![Petrik](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1568016775p1/59458347.jpg)
Shit dude.... 10 years.... xD but I totally understand. The problem with amazing movie or TV series adaptations (though they are rare) is that it made it harder to appreciate the books if you haven't read them!
![Petrik](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1568016775p1/59458347.jpg)
Exactly, thank you Richard!! couldn't agree more with everything you said here xD
Petrik wrote: "Craig wrote: "Very well....Dune....review Petrik haha. I get where you are coming from completley! I enjoyed the book but was shocked that i felt that the final face off felt very off, i mean i lik..."
Ooooh you said the magic word there (Malazan), say no more haha😂
Ooooh you said the magic word there (Malazan), say no more haha😂
![Emily](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1526002208p1/13008769.jpg)
Again, great review! :)
![Lema](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1507843225p1/18145934.jpg)
If you want a truely enjoyable "prophetic" sci fi classic you should definitely read Isaac Asimov's The End of Eternity, it's mind blowing (although a bit sexist, hello fifties :'D)
![Gavin](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1338207884p1/8192509.jpg)
You were also spot on that this series is the sci-fi version of LotR. They might have been innovative and good when published but they are sadly lacking relevance to the modern reader. Same goes for Neuromancer. Father Time can be a brutal critic!
And now if you feel especially masochistic you can continue with the series.
![TS Chan](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1543800303p1/30279227.jpg)
Yup, I will still read this simply because of its legacy to the sci-fi genre.
![Petrik](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1568016775p1/59458347.jpg)
I knew you'll understand :)
![Petrik](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1568016775p1/59458347.jpg)
Thanks Emily!! Yeah, I saw some clip of the movies, it was atrocious, can't even imagine myself sitting through it xD "I needed to place myself in the time it was written to truly appreciate I think." Exactly this, I think I'll enjoy if I'm able to completely do this when I read through it. Like you, I was underwhelmend by LOTR, especially after having watched the movies! I hope you'll enjoy the book and you can rave about it to your husband! :)
![Petrik](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1568016775p1/59458347.jpg)
Yeah.. it's too bad really, I guess my expectation was a bit too high for this one, Tosh. I tried to go into it with zero expectation, but the praises towards this book is too huge xD
![Petrik](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1568016775p1/59458347.jpg)
If you want a truely enjoyable "prophetic" sci fi classic you should definit..."
Thank you my friend! Hahahaha seriously not! I actually expected this one to be an amazing book for me, but nope, I'm going to begin my reread in preparation for Oathbringer today! Thanks for the recommendation too, I'll definitely look it up when I'm in the mood for some classic! :)
![Petrik](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1568016775p1/59458347.jpg)
Thank you, Gavin!! Glad to hear you agree with me! "They might have been innovative and good when published but they are sadly lacking relevance to the modern reader." Can't agree highly enough with this! :)
![Petrik](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1568016775p1/59458347.jpg)
arghhh I won't! after what happened with me and Codex Alera, I'll stop. xD
![Petrik](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1568016775p1/59458347.jpg)
Yup, I will still read this simply because of its legacy to the sci-fi genre."
Thank you, my friend! Can't wait to hear what you think about this one, I hope you'll enjoy it even more than me!
![Rinaldo](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1700788745p1/252620.jpg)
I had this discussion once with my friend, that in general, so-called old school scifi from 70's and before definitely offer mindblowing concepts and deep philosophy, but more often than not their prose don't age really well. Some of them read like hard science text book and characters can seem aloof, and these impact the enjoyment of reading of contemporary audience.
As for Dune, I think it can do so much better with proper climax(es) where the actions are actually happen onscreen. The ending line also feels lame for me.
That said, the worldbuilding is so superb and Spicy (heh), it's just a little bit behind Tolkien IMO. I feel it's different from Tatooine, so much harsher and more dangerous, red sands everywhere with ornithopter hovering above your head and Shai-hulud roaming the sands. And Fremen culture is so fascinating Robert Jordan 'borrowed' them heavily as the model for Aiel in Wheel of Time.
Also watch Jodorowsky's Dune if you still feel intrigued with the worldbuilding, it's such a great documentary. I also can't wait for Dennis Villeneuve's movie adaptation of Dune.
![Becky](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1315187919p1/5956006.jpg)
That said, as a scientist and environmentalist, it's very hard to read Dune and its contemporary Silent Spring or the raging height of the Cold War that I grew up in and not see it as social commentary. In the words of Ray Bradbury: "Science fiction is also a great way to pretend you are writing about the future when in reality you are attacking the recent past and the present." I think modern SF is as reflective of our recent past and present as Dune was of its own time.
![Petrik](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1568016775p1/59458347.jpg)
I had this discussion once with my friend, that in general, so-called old..."
Haha, Punderstorm is a nice one! can't believe I didn't think of that one! :D Anyway, I completely agree with everything you said. The buildup towards the final section was really good, but then the battle just sort of ended immedaitely and I was like "huh? that's it?" :/
I haven't read Wheel of Time yet so I can't give my input on that one, but although Tatooine is definitely different, my head can't seem to deny that it took inspiration from this book. I just found out about the new movie adaptation yesterday, I heard the screenplay was completed too, can't wait to see how it goes! :)
![Petrik](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1568016775p1/59458347.jpg)
"I don't honestly know how I would feel about it if I were reading it now for the first time." exactly Becky, I think if Dune was my introduction into Sci-fi, it would be something that I adored completely. But I guess we will never know, our feelings towards the book we read depends on our experiences after all.
I love your insight and opinion on this book, I must agree with what you said about the past and present correlation. Dune is after all, not "just" a sci-fi book! So many things here that's applicable to our society and current life :)
![Petrik](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1568016775p1/59458347.jpg)
Thanks Karen! I'm glad you enjoyed this book, and wow, that's really crazy what you did with it! xD
![Petrik](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1568016775p1/59458347.jpg)
Haha, hope you'll love it man! Took me a while but finally got around to this one! :D
![Mayim de Vries](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1560508357p1/50424456.jpg)
![Petrik](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1568016775p1/59458347.jpg)
Thanks Mary! I completely lost interest after reading this one. And from what I heard, the first book is actually the best and everything seems to go down in quality from here. :/
![Petrik](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1568016775p1/59458347.jpg)
Precisely. During my read, I kept on thinking "oh man, I think I would've love this to death if I read this like 10 or 15 years ago..". The "I must not fear" litany is freaking badass and motivational. I kept on reciting it these days! xD My friends who have read Dune, all told me the continuation aren't that good which made me even lose interest :/
![Colleen](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1589824510p1/30274173.jpg)
You're right about reading influential classics. On the one hand, it is really cool to see how many bits and pieces have been referenced, reused, and copied. But on the other, when you're reading those once-groundbreaking ideas after years of experiencing the watered down knockoffs, you loose that mind-blowing experience.
Sorry this didn't wow you more, but I'm glad you got an inspiring message out of it!
![Petrik](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1568016775p1/59458347.jpg)
Thank you Colleen! Although I was a bit disappointed with this book, I enjoyed it overall and I definitely didn't regret reading it. I couldn't agree more with what you said! Also, I think it's safe for you to read and treat this book as a standalone if you want, like I did!
Plus, the series was never truly "completed" because the author passed away before its completion, his son did continue it based from his note but I never heard anyone being satisfied with the conclusion that the son wrote. So yeah.. maybe just read Dune :D
![Colleen](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1589824510p1/30274173.jpg)
That sounds like a good idea. I'll pencil in for 2018 (into my gargantuan neverending to read list!). :-)
![Raz O'Xane](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1445334093p1/48093813.jpg)
:)
One reason I enjoy Herbert and Dune so much is precisely because he doesn't rely on silly action scenes, which IMO gives weight to his writing.
Then comes his cracked brain of a scene and his filling everything and describing action scenes and ruining the carefully built ellipses and gaps.
Curse you Brian!