Dune 4.5⭐️/5

Dune by Frank Herbert

4.5⭐️/5

My entire review could be summarized as follows: GEORGE LUCAS Y YOU NO COME UP WITH YOUR OWN IDEAS???

Okay, a bit dramatic, but I was absolutely struck with the similarities between the Hugo Award-winning, brilliant sci-fi novel by Frank Hebert, and the *pew pew* Star Wars tale (that yes, I have always enjoyed, so no worries, I’m not coming for any such fandom).

I am not at all suggesting that the hero’s journey is off limits, or fantasy and sci fi genres (well, any genre really) don’t benefit from reimagining an already existing story. This is very common! Even Tolkien relied on Greek Mythology. George R.R. Martin has a quote on the FRONT COVER of “The Iron King” (#1 of The Accursed King series, written by French Author Maurice Druon about Philip the Fair) that reads “This is the original Game of Thrones.” My point is, stories are meant to be reworked for a new audience, for a new generation of storytellers.

Though I do not want to discourage readers at all! This book is epic, riveting, and though the Star Wars similarities are present, it did not distract from the complexities of the story.

This book was by no means an easy read, but it was rewarding in so many ways. It’s rich in both language and theme - an ecocriticism, a philosophical musing on morality, free will and fate, religion, politics, and the evolution of man.

However, I wanted to throw this book at the wall for the first several chapters because Hebert does NOT slowly introduce you into the world he has built, 20,000 years into the future. Instead, he tosses you into the deep end of terms, characters, worlds, history, and philosophy.

The glossary in the back of the book became my ally as I waded deep into this feudal, interstellar society.

If Dune is on your TBR, I’d suggest you grab a friend and read it together!