Dune

Dune by Frank Herbert is one of those all time great novels that you read, and in many ways the book is more relevant (it was published in the 60s) now more than ever. Dune encapsulates many things; ecology, politics, religion, ideas of the messiah, science, government, space travel, intergalactic planetary systems, its got a lot going on. At over 500 pages (including an appendix, which is a must read to learn more about the world of Dune), this is a very thick novel that can take a long time. However, its such a great novel that reading the 500 pages was an enjoyable experience. 

I saw the theatrical released David Lynch movie before I read the book so I had a basic idea of the plot. Its complicated but I will attempt to explain it with as little words possible. 

House Atreides has governing power over a desert planet called Arrakis, home of a spice called melange, used to prolong life, and for the workings of intergalactic space travel; think petroleum and cocaine mixed in one. 

Shaddam IV, the Emperor of this galactic space opera organization,  secretly has a setup with the Baron Harkonnen, of House Harkonnen, and they setup a sting operation to attack House Atreides after they move to Arrakis. 

Duke Leto of House Atriedes realizes this is a trap but the offer is to good to refuse, after all Arrakis is home to spice. The Duke's concubine, Lady Jessica is a Bene Gesserit (witchy, part of a breeding program to create the 'chosen one', Kwisatz Haderach, a male Bene Gesserit). Paul Atreides becomes this messianic figure, who goes on to have powers to see through space and time, and act accordingly in the present. 

Lady Jessica and her son Paul end up going into hiding in the desert after the Duke gets betrayed, and murdered. The rest of the book is Paul and his mother planning in the desert, where they are presumed to be dead. 

However, they end up in the hands of the natives, called Fremen. There, they teach the Fremen the "weirding way" fighting technique. Paul proves himself in a duel to the Fremen, choosing his Fremen name of Muad'Dib. He becomes a messianic figure, and stops spice production via Fremen raids. Paul drinks the Water of Life and becomes the Kwisatz Haderach, a kind of messianic god-like being that can see through space and time. He senses that the Emperor is in space and about to come down to the planet. 

Paul leads a Fremen raid to attack the Emperor's troops and there's a big battle, the Fremen against the Harkonnens. Paul's only son Leo II dies. Paul threatens the Emperor, and says he will stop spice production forever unless he abdicates the throne. Baron Harkonnen's nephew Feyd-Rautha attempts to duel Paul in a knife battle but loses, thus the Emperor gives in, and even has to give his daughter to Paul's hand for a royal marriage! Paul realizes he's achieved his goal, but its too late to stop the Fremen jihad, because they have a powerful belief in him. 

What can be said about this book? Its a terrific novel, one of the best and longest science fiction novels I've ever read. Dune introduced a sense of ecology for me, something I was aware of but didn't think much about. The lack of technology in the story gives you a sense of primitiveness, something most science fiction lacks. You find this lack of technology in old historical fiction and in fantasy. 

The ideas of politics and religion are huge here. Here Herbert creates his own political philosophy and religious context. The appendix talks more about this, its a must read once you finish the story. 

In addition, there's tons of Middle Eastern references, mostly words. The native language of the Fremen is supposed to be mixed from Arabic and Persian. "Paul's messianic name (Muad'Dib) means in Arabic "the teacher or maker of politeness or literature", and the prophesied appearance of one known as the "Kwisatz Haderach", meaning "one who shortens the way" borrows the Hebrew term Kefitzat Haderech (קְפִיצַת הַדֶּרֶךְ), a Kabbalistic Jewish term meaning one who can "clench the way", i.e. the distance between two places - and teleport. The Fremen language is also embedded with Islamic terms such as, jihad, Mahdi, Shaitan, and the personal bodyguard of Paul Muad'Dib Fedaykin is a transliteration of the Arabic Feda'yin." (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dune_(novel))

Lastly, I must mention that the women in Dune are powerful and have their feminist tendencies. This isn't your 50s science fiction where women are plain and simple. Here, the female characters are just as important as the main character. They are powerful and impact the story in their own way, especially Lady Jessica. She is just as important as Paul. Paul's Fremen wife also has a big role too. 

Dune is an important book in the science fiction genre. It took me a long time to read, but I'm really glad I did. Its an unforgettable book and I can see much to be gained in reading it again. The movie doesn't do the book justice, it lacks the eloquence and beauty of Herbert's literary sensibility. I won't be reading the sequels, that's too much man.

Fear is the mind killer.