He tried very hard to set up a universe that the reader can understand and believe in, but he failed. The writing is awkward, the plot is clunky, and the final thrust of the book is misogynistic. Not worth being called a classic. ( )

The overall story idea of how one ruling empire gets overtaken by a new one is of course interesting. I'm also intrigued by how Herbert clearly bases the Fremen on Middle Eastern Muslim cultures, especially since he views the Fremen with such a sympathetic eye. However, the dialogue in general is awkward. Worse is the women's dialogue, which is completely laughable. Herbert obviously had no idea how women actually talk, particularly to each other. Further, the story can be hard to follow sometimes. He isn't very good at writing action sequences so that you can actually picture what's going on. I doubt I'll be reading the sequels. ( )

I read this years ago before I was old enough to really appreciate it, and after years of meaning to go back to it for a second try I finally got around to it. I was not disappointed.Dune is one of the great examples of how to write a good SF universe. Herbert drops us into a completely unfamiliar human universe with its own structure, culture, technology, and problems, with only the faintest echoes tying it to the universe of today. Yet there are few if any long explanatory digressions - what we really need to know gets slipped into the story in a natural way, and the rest you can either puzzle out yourself, or it remains a mystery. Done as well as it is here, this is a wonderful way of writing. It adds a layer of realism to the story by implying that it does not exist in a vacuum, and at the same time heightens the level of interest by leaving unanswered questions that hint at a vast number of fascinating yet untold stories about this universe and its people. (Although, given the number of lengthy sequels, perhaps fewer of the stories are untold than I imagine.)

I was struck by the way the novel is paced, with Parts I and II unfolding more or less sequentially and then Part III picking up suddenly several years later, having skipped some arguably important events. It was jarring to see only the very beginning of Paul's integration into Fremen culture and then suddenly jump to the end of it, but this is ultimately the story of the planet Arrakis; Paul is important because his destiny is tied to the planet's, not the other way around. The inclusion of petty details of Paul's personal growth into the figure of Muad'Dib are not important on the planetary scale, and their inclusion would have diminished the power of the story and made it into just another tale about a hero's coming-of-age.

It may be a strange thing to say about a book in which arguably nothing but conversation happens for the first 150-200 pages, but I think that Herbert has actually given us a story pared down to only its essential parts. The slow buildup of the first half pays off in the second half.

I thought the ending was extremely abrupt, and the focus of the final few lines seemed to be aimed slightly to one side from where I would have expected it to be. I haven't yet read the sequels, so perhaps there is some reason for it that I do not yet see. This is one of those books I will probably reread every few years without enjoying it any less than I did the first time. ( )

People often forget that this series is what innovated our modern concept of science fiction (up until Neuromancer and The Martix, at least). Dune took the Space Opera and asked if it might be more than spandex, dildo-shaped rockets, and scantily-clad green women. Herbert created a vast and complex system of ancient spatial politics and peoples, then set them at one another's throats over land, money, and drugs.

Dune is often said to relate to Sci Fi in the same way that Tolkien relat...more People often forget that this series is what innovated our modern concept of science fiction (up until Neuromancer and The Martix, at least). Dune took the Space Opera and asked if it might be more than spandex, dildo-shaped rockets, and scantily-clad green women. Herbert created a vast and complex system of ancient spatial politics and peoples, then set them at one another's throats over land, money, and drugs.

Dune is often said to relate to Sci Fi in the same way that Tolkien relates to Fantasy. I'd say that, as far as paradigm shift, this is widely true. Both entered genres generally filled with the odd, childish, and ridiculous and injected a literary sensibility which affected all subsequent authors.

Few will challenge the importance of Star Wars' effect on film and storytelling in general, but without Dune, there would be no Star Wars. Princess Alia, the desert planet, the Spice, the Bene Gesserit, and Leto II all have direct descendants in the movies. It is unfortunate that Lucas seems to have forgotten in these later years that his best genius was pilfered from Herbert, Campbell, and Kurosawa.

Though I have heard that the later books do not capture the same eclectic energy as the first, Dune itself is simply one of the best pieces of Sci Fi ever written. Read it, Starship Troopers, Ringworld, Neuromancer, and Snowcrash and you'll know everything you need to about Sci Fi: that you want more. ( )

I liked the idea offered from this book. The adventure and the sci-fi elements were definitely promising. The planet and the ways of living of the people to cope with the harsh environment were interesting.

Too bad, the characterization plus some of the plots were not according to my taste. Some were killed off too fast, the others were...well,simply boring and predictable.

The first part was awesome, the second and the third lost me. The final battle did not offer the highest dramatic tension as hoped. Plus, I found the philosophical nuances (and whatnot) a bit tiring. I wanna see more action, for Verne's sake!

To complete my rambling here: I got the feeling that this book is somewhat misogynic. Not only because I don't like reading books with concubines in it, mind you.

But hey, since I appreciated the ideas offered, I'm still gonna give it a three-star rating. Doesn't mean I'm gonna read it the second time in the near future though. ( )