Paperback

English language

Published May 27, 1978 by New English Library.

ISBN:
978-0-450-05172-2
Copied ISBN!
OCLC Number:
154643172

View on OpenLibrary

4 stars (222 reviews)

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.

A stunning blend of adventure and mysticism, environmentalism and politics, Dune won the first Nebula Award, shared the Hugo Award, and formed the basis of what is undoubtedly the grandest epic in science fiction.

57 editions

reviewed Dune by Frank Herbert

The most fun epic I've ever read

5 stars

What could I say about this book that hasn't already been said? It took awhile to hook me, but by about halfway through the first of three parts I was fully engrossed. It's like if Tolkien wrote Star Wars, and I mean that in the best way possible. Honestly, after reading Dune, I now see Star Wars as a watered-down facsimile at best. It doesn't even come close.

Dune has aged remarkably well for sci-fi from the '60s. The vast majority of characters (aside from the caricatured evil of the bad guys) are exceptionally complex and nuanced, and Herbert doesn't spare us from the dark and sometimes disturbing things that the "good" guys must do for the sake of their cause. The worst thing about this book is that it ends! I'm looking forward to picking up the next one in the series soon.

reviewed Dune by Frank Herbert

A whole universe in one book

5 stars

Published first in 1965(!) Frank Herbert's masterpiece is still one of the best Science Fiction novels ever written. And unlike other works of its era it has aged really well, Dune is still as timeless and relevant today as when it was first published more than 50 years ago.

The term "universe" has been strained pretty hard by using it for loose collections of superhero movies based on DC or Marvel characters, but Herbert really creates a whole universe in one book, or at least a considerable part of a galaxy, making Dune a must read for every Science Fiction fan.

It's also the first part of a series, but later additions by Frank Herbert are not as compelling to me as the original work (especially after part 4, "God Emperor of Dune") and the even later prequels and sequels written by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson, while not …

Review of 'Dune' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Incredible. Plots within Plots. There are stories that age poorly over time, but this maintains its complexity and depth and avoids dating itself. I have been exposed to so much of Dune that I thought I had read the novels when I was younger, but as I started my ‘re-read’ after watching Dune 2021, I realized this is my first read!

The world-building is phenomenal - where we are shown but not told about the impacts of the past, with hints about Spice, the Guild, Mentats, the Great Convention, stagnation, the Bene Gesserit and more. The novel definitely skips over scenes that I think should have existed, but given how long it already is, I understand why we have major time skips and clever little scenes that imply what has happened to the many characters.

So much of Dune has become basis of modern science-fiction that there are ‘twists’ that …

Review of 'Dune' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Muad'dib, Lisan al Gaib, Kwisatz Haderach, Prophet. Paul Atreides has many names and I have just as much love for this book.

I was a little afraid to plunge into the world of Frank Herbert's Dune because many warned about the complex worldbuilding. However, after seeing Denis Villeneuve's extraordinary film last year, it was easy for me to immerse myself in this story.

The way the inner monologues were woven into the dialogue sequences is fantastic.

All in all, a terrific political sci-fi epic that feels bigger than almost any other book in its impact on the underlying world.

expansive universe, exhausting writing style

4 stars

it took me ages to get through this. not because it's bad, probably mostly because i repaired my computer and had.. other things on my mind. but also partly because herbert's style reminds me of tolkien. like, a lot. at least in the sense that herbert really wants you to read his mediocre poetry too.

this isn't bad by any means, and i will surely read on in the future. probably around the time the second movie hits. the characters are fleshed-out and there's surprisingly little overt misogyny for a science fiction book that is, at this point, positively ancient. it's just the constant internal monologuing and then rushing through the actual happenings that gets exhausting after a while.

reviewed Dune by Frank Herbert

Dune and the suck fairy (spoilers)

2 stars

Content warning spoilers, though, you know, it's a book older than me

Review of 'Dune' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

In the beginning, I thought this book would be too daunting, with its glossary of terms and appendix. Then, I slipped into the story and became immersed. It’s obvious why Dune is a classic. Yes, it’s a bit dated in the way women are perceived, but many classics contain outmoded attitudes.

This is a complex story with some fascinating characters. The transformation of Paul Atreides from intuitive, bright teenager to ruler and spiritual leader is riveting. There is more going on than I could describe in any reasonable length! I do feel compelled to read the next book, mostly because of the foreshadowing of this one--


[Paul’s mother] had quoted a Bene Gesserit proverb to him: "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 thought of …

Review of 'Dune' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

This was my favorite book as a teen. I always wondered whether I'd be disappointed if I revisited it. Turns out: Nope, not at all! It's so full of strange ideas, odd narrative feints, and literal poetry disguised as prose. Some find it a bit too dry (har har) and fair enough but it's also very weird and I love it for that.

Review of 'Dune' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

"He looked at his hand. How inadequate it appeared when measured against such creatures as that worm."

This is one of those books I always felt like I should read, but never actually ended up doing so. The mixed reviews from friends that oscillated between it being the best book ever to it being the most boring book ever didn't really instill confidence in me, and it's quite a large book to commit to if you're not even sure people like it. If it wasn't for the movie coming out, I likely would continue kicking the can down the road until I either ran out of can or ran out of road. My friends goaded me into finally reading it, and while it took me forever, I can finally say I've read it. I can also confidently say that this is the best book I'll never revisit.

For the good, …

avatar for ranjit

rated it

4 stars
avatar for alanz

rated it

5 stars
avatar for cincodenada@bookwyrm.cincodenada.com

rated it

3 stars
avatar for jaredmoody

rated it

5 stars
avatar for jiewawa

rated it

5 stars
avatar for millerdl

rated it

5 stars
avatar for dxciBel

rated it

3 stars
avatar for jectoons

rated it

4 stars
avatar for saurabhs

rated it

4 stars
avatar for mo_r_ali

rated it

5 stars
avatar for Chente

rated it

5 stars
avatar for Fireheart

rated it

5 stars
avatar for gwenprime

rated it

5 stars
avatar for Squintifego

rated it

5 stars
avatar for grumpy

rated it

5 stars
avatar for seanbala

rated it

5 stars
avatar for Now_We_Try_It_My_Way

rated it

5 stars
avatar for Rinn

rated it

3 stars
avatar for VLK249

rated it

4 stars
avatar for Glade

rated it

5 stars
avatar for jelmervdl

rated it

4 stars
avatar for aidanreads767

rated it

5 stars
avatar for Samasaur

rated it

4 stars
avatar for chrisg

rated it

4 stars
avatar for tgt

rated it

3 stars
avatar for sleep-er

rated it

5 stars
avatar for Larnius

rated it

5 stars
avatar for maciek

rated it

4 stars
avatar for valen

rated it

5 stars
avatar for gtco

rated it

5 stars
avatar for sergeant_cat

rated it

5 stars
avatar for wilw

rated it

4 stars
avatar for selykg

rated it

4 stars
avatar for agd

rated it

3 stars
avatar for agd

rated it

3 stars
avatar for rui

rated it

5 stars
avatar for leonivek

rated it

5 stars
avatar for ruben

rated it

4 stars
avatar for Scoured8735

rated it

5 stars
avatar for baerwolf

rated it

5 stars
avatar for vilhelmr

rated it

4 stars
avatar for Bruce

rated it

5 stars
avatar for Chaostheorie

rated it

5 stars
avatar for AnneOminous

rated it

4 stars
avatar for seanbala

rated it

5 stars
avatar for Enric

rated it

3 stars
avatar for joeyh

rated it

5 stars
avatar for Blerkotron

rated it

4 stars
avatar for andywenk

rated it

5 stars
avatar for eoghain

rated it

4 stars
avatar for mikewilson

rated it

4 stars
avatar for xianny

rated it

4 stars
avatar for IX

rated it

3 stars
avatar for bwbeach

rated it

5 stars
avatar for LeadAnew

rated it

4 stars
avatar for colerobison

rated it

4 stars
avatar for Kingbeard

rated it

4 stars
avatar for proycon

rated it

4 stars
avatar for KyleStewart

rated it

5 stars
avatar for Infergo

rated it

5 stars
avatar for walker

rated it

5 stars
avatar for cerieshunter

rated it

4 stars
avatar for phox

rated it

5 stars
avatar for imbrandon

rated it

5 stars
avatar for hexarchate

rated it

3 stars
avatar for MayaAngel82

rated it

5 stars
avatar for acaleyn

rated it

3 stars
avatar for nightgolfer

rated it

3 stars
avatar for slowline

rated it

5 stars
avatar for jacintocc

rated it

3 stars
avatar for navaneeth.kk

rated it

5 stars
avatar for complexmoth

rated it

5 stars
avatar for darthcoder1

rated it

5 stars
avatar for lnxm8

rated it

5 stars
avatar for jbtchr

rated it

3 stars
avatar for kylandok

rated it

4 stars
avatar for rzlatic

rated it

5 stars
avatar for Rand

rated it

3 stars
avatar for spilliams

rated it

5 stars
avatar for wanderbaer

rated it

4 stars
avatar for thrickles

rated it

5 stars
avatar for Iam

rated it

5 stars
avatar for claptrap

rated it

4 stars
avatar for ralex

rated it

5 stars
avatar for Cmot_Dibbler

rated it

4 stars
avatar for gtc-one

rated it

3 stars
avatar for LRx

rated it

5 stars
avatar for V171

rated it

5 stars
avatar for Jeanpuk

rated it

5 stars
avatar for cakester

rated it

5 stars
avatar for iamd3vil

rated it

5 stars
avatar for brycemara

rated it

5 stars
avatar for molgar

rated it

5 stars
avatar for MrKurtz

rated it

3 stars
avatar for engwalker

rated it

5 stars
avatar for diversario

rated it

4 stars
avatar for CaerBannog

rated it

5 stars
avatar for fooozed

rated it

4 stars
avatar for Twine3515

rated it

4 stars
avatar for Sainteven

rated it

5 stars
avatar for WearyMads

rated it

4 stars
avatar for starstryke

rated it

5 stars
avatar for Bitboxer

rated it

5 stars
avatar for pneuma

rated it

4 stars
avatar for GrampaSiFiG

rated it

4 stars
avatar for Qwaint

rated it

5 stars
avatar for alexmorse

rated it

5 stars
avatar for BojanB

rated it

5 stars
avatar for kneelz

rated it

5 stars
avatar for dollop

rated it

5 stars
avatar for Rich_H

rated it

4 stars
avatar for Nachtfalke

rated it

5 stars
avatar for martinsettle

rated it

4 stars
avatar for BigJay

rated it

5 stars
avatar for alerque

rated it

5 stars
avatar for daveb

rated it

4 stars
avatar for schmavery

rated it

5 stars
avatar for Lixi

rated it

5 stars
avatar for StereoSoda

rated it

5 stars
avatar for brzy

rated it

4 stars
avatar for Narayoni

rated it

4 stars
avatar for opiea

rated it

5 stars
avatar for narinarinari

rated it

5 stars
avatar for catharso

rated it

4 stars
avatar for esrztk

rated it

5 stars
avatar for bab

rated it

5 stars
avatar for lehenry

rated it

2 stars
avatar for lown

rated it

3 stars
avatar for FCKenneth

rated it

5 stars
avatar for Iamgmm

rated it

5 stars
avatar for inti

rated it

5 stars
avatar for agindin

rated it

5 stars
avatar for sh00g

rated it

4 stars
avatar for dr_semla

rated it

5 stars
avatar for shawn

rated it

5 stars
avatar for Feanan

rated it

4 stars
avatar for Portaleinband

rated it

3 stars
avatar for nogoodnik

rated it

2 stars
avatar for UrPapaBear

rated it

5 stars
avatar for niibek

rated it

5 stars
avatar for js

rated it

5 stars
avatar for d4rko

rated it

3 stars
avatar for IntrepidTiger

rated it

3 stars
avatar for CMGX9

rated it

4 stars
avatar for deggert

rated it

5 stars
avatar for Tuhnsoo

rated it

5 stars
avatar for 2d

rated it

5 stars
avatar for Owl_of_Minerva

rated it

4 stars
avatar for kiri_nezu

rated it

4 stars
avatar for neul

rated it

5 stars
avatar for swiniowaty

rated it

5 stars
avatar for jascha@books.jascha.wtf

rated it

3 stars
avatar for paulralph

rated it

5 stars
avatar for VITIMan@books.bimbiribase.xyz

rated it

5 stars
avatar for cincodenada@bookwyrm.cincodenada.com

rated it

5 stars
avatar for larsreineke

rated it

4 stars
avatar for sml

rated it

5 stars
avatar for Amerdale

rated it

4 stars
avatar for thebeeks

rated it

5 stars
avatar for form-text

rated it

5 stars