Dune by Frank Herbert is an interstellar tale set on the inhospitable desert planet of Arrakis (Dune), a place that holds a substance called the “spice” melange. This substance is highly coveted due to its magical properties, and as a result, many wars have been waged over it. The story follows the young heir of Arrakis, Paul Atreides, after his house is betrayed and his father killed. The destruction of the house of Atreides is a catalyst that leads Paul to discover his destiny; the savior of the native people of Arrakis, the Fremens. Throughout the book, Paul matures and grows into his new title, the Muad’Dib, as he faces first love, Fremen culture, interplanetary war and politics, sandworms, the Bene Gesserit, and most importantly, himself.
I decided to give this book five stars because I thought it was very well-executed and engaging. Paul is a complex and fascinating character to read about and the way the author wrote his character arc makes you feel like you’re inside his head. The supporting characters, Lady Jessica, Stilgar, Duncan, and Chani among others all develop right alongside him and none of them feel forced or unnecessary. Furthermore, I found the worldbuilding of Dune to be phenomenal. Herbert’s emphasis on Dune’s ecology helps make the planet feel realistic and its feudal political system adds historic notes to the futuristic setting. Also, the prose is written in a surprisingly modern and comprehensible fashion, but the way the story is written hints at the more complex themes underlying the face value of the words. The plot is also very well paced; every word made me want to keep reading to find out what would happen next. Above all, I loved the moral complexity of this book. Dune isn’t the classic good vs. evil story; its themes focus more on survival and the true nature of humanity. If you liked Game of Thrones, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, or The Three-Body Problem, then this book might appeal to you. In terms of media, it’s very similar to Star Wars, Star Trek, and Lord of the Rings series.