Review of Dune

Dune by Frank Herbert

Reviewed by Nivin Khan, 2022.

Dune is a groundbreaking science fiction novel that is still a relevant and exciting read today. With the great success of the 2021 movie adaptation, you’ll want to accompany the film experience with the full experience of the original book. Dune is a genius, yet complex story. It takes place extremely far in the future, where civilizations inhabit multiple planets making up the “known universe”, and are ruled by one Emperor. Dune tells the story of 15-year-old Paul Atreides, the shockingly multitalented heir to House Atreides, royal rulers of a beautiful planet called Caladan. Paul’s comfortable life is turned over when his family is ordered by the Emperor to relocate to the harsh desert planet Arrakis, or “Dune”, to take over after the oppressive rule of House Harkonnen. The planet Dune is nearly uninhabitable, but the known universe depends on it as the only source of “melange” – an addictive spice that enhances awareness and extends life. Ruling Dune proves extremely challenging for the Atreides, especially as the Fremen, the planet’s tenacious indigenous people, have lost all trust in their rulers. Paul becomes tangled in a political battle when his family is attacked by both the Harkonnens and the Emperor’s soldiers. At the same time, Paul struggles with a terrifying new mental power. The Fremen are Paul’s and his mother’s only hope for surviving undetected in the desert. Over the next few years, Paul rises to meet his destiny and become ruler of Dune, and beyond. Dune combines the experiences of a royal drama, a political drama, a war movie, a fantasy and an adventure movie all into one epic story. Once you adjust to the writing style and become accustomed to the world of Dune, you will find it captivating.

This novel can be found in the Science Fiction section of Laurier’s Library and Learning Commons.