Book Review: DuneFor he *is* the Kwisatz Haderach

How can I even begin to critique one of the great works of sci-fi? Frank Herbert’s Dune is a monumental work of fiction: a vast tapestry of intricate world-building and profound philosophical ideas that has captivated readers for decades. It was the book that turned me on to 'real' science fiction.

What do I mean by real? All the books I had read up till then were like comic book stories, and I include some great science fiction in that: E. E. "Doc" Smith's Lensman series, Asimov's Foundation series. There were too many scientist's daughters, acting as foils for the jut-jawed warrior-engineers. Dune was fresh, and minutely textured, and darkly serious.

Of course, it wasn't the first serious sci-fi. That would be Brave New World [by Aldous Huxley, in 1932], or Orwell's 1984 [in 1949], or one of my personal favourites, Alfred Bester's The Stars My Destination [in 1956], and plenty more. What about The War of the Worlds in 1898? These predated Dune by decades [Dune was published in 1965.] But it was the first serious sci-fi I'd read. It introduced me to the genre.

The story follows Paul Atreides, a young nobleman thrust into a world of treachery and political intrigue, in a conflict with some of sci-fi's most exceptional villains: the evil Harkonnens. Herbert’s prose is lush and meticulous, painting the stark beauty of desert landscapes with the same care as he describes the complex inner lives of his characters.

One of this novel’s great strengths lies in its richly detailed world-building. As a writer, I'm in awe of what Herbert has conjured up. Arrakis, with its dunes and sandworms, becomes a character in its own right: a harsh and mesmerizing place that shapes the lives of the people who dwell there—not just the indigenous Fremen, but the noble houses who vie to mine the melange, the psychedelic spice that enables the Spacing Guild navigators to bend space: to 'travel without moving'.

What a piece of work it is. Herbert’s attention to detail in creating the planet’s ecology and culture is nothing short of masterful.

The characters are equally complex. Paul’s hero's journey from a sheltered youth to a messianic cult figure is at once epic and intimate, fraught with tension and revelation. The supporting cast, including the enigmatic Fremen and the calculating Bene Gesserit witches, adds depth to the story, with every faction having its own complex motivations.

Dune is not just a tale of adventure and conquest; it is a meditation on the consequences of power and the interconnectedness of all things. Herbert challenges readers to think deeply about the impact of human actions on the environment and the ethical responsibilities that come with leadership.

In that regard, Dune is sci-fi at its best. It's not only a book of ideas but a book of new ideas. I've always felt that a great sci-fi story should succeed in at least four dimensions: in its characters, in its ideas, in its world-building, and in its story. Dune excels in all those directions.

What are its flaws? 

The writing is sometimes baroque. There are vast themes; maybe too vast to portray using conversational English. Of course, that's an argument in fiction that has raged since forever. There are great authors on both sides. As a writer, I have no problems with it. I like the words in a book of this kind to be a scaffold for the ideas, and Herbert's words do the job well.

I guess in part the intricacy is because because the thoughts are so huge.

Like I said, what a piece of work.

Maybe in some ways it's too big; too portentous. Too pretentious. Maybe its ambition crosses from over-arching to overweening. Who can say? Or perhaps I'm just talking nonsense. Some people criticize sci-fi because of the size of its themes, because it transcends the personal.

Yeah; but isn't that the point?

To escape our mundane reality, and go somewhere bigger?

For readers wanting a deeply immersive sci-fi experience, Dune offers a world that is as intricate and enthralling as the greatest works of literature. Damn, it is one of the great works of literature.

If you haven't read it yet, then do so.

There's a reason why this is my first review.

The definitive space opera.

9.5/10*

*I would give it a perfect 10/10 except for the undeniable existence of the David Lynch movie.

About me:

I'm Nikolai Ross. I'm an author and engineer. I write sci-fi adventures. My new novel A Lightship to Aldebaran is on Amazon now. Email me at nikolai.ross@proton.me for your free copy.