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Author: Frank Herbert

I was pretty embarrassed about not having read Dune as a teenager, seeing how it’s one of the Sci-Fi classics. I finally decided to check it out because a bunch of my friends told me it was indeed really good. After reading it, I whole-heartedly agree with everything I’ve heard. Not only is the story line unique and intricate, but Herbert paints a vivid picture of fictional landscapes, provides rich character development and all around pretty solid writing.

The book centers around a boy, Paul Atriedes, the son of Duke Leto Atriedes. The Duke is urged (forcefully) by the Emperor to take control of the desert planet Arrakis from the Harkonnens, who are supposed to relinquish power voluntarily. Without getting into to many details, Paul ends up living with the natives (the Fremen) and eventually becomes the religious and political leader of their tribes. The later half of the story revolves around his attempt to regain power of Arrakis in spite of the Harkonnens and the Emperor, who are both trying to dispose of him. I don’t really want to get too much into the plot because if you haven’t read it I don’t want to give it away, so instead, just go read it.

Dune kind of reminded me of Lord of the Rings in that Herbert has created this really detailed world, complete with religious history, clashing cultures, and governments and all of these aspects of his world come out in the novel. I really look forward to reading the rest of the books in the series and getting to see more of Herbert’s world.