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just when you thought 2021 couldn't get any weirder.
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Przebyłam pustynię i jeździłam na czerwiu, by śmiało zakrzyknąć JAK SIĘ CIESZĘ, ŻE W KOŃCU TO PRZECZYTAŁAM!
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n
داستانی از طبیعتِ قدرت و قدرتِ طبیعت. به به. بـــــه بــــــه.
چی می‌تونم درباره تلماسه بگم که از قبل نشنیده باشید؟ بابا پرفروش‌ترین اثر علمی‌تخیلی تاریخ کم نیست. فارغ از هایپ وحشتناکی که دور و برشه هم باهاش حال کردم.
حتی اگر به ژانر علمی‌تخیلی علاقه نداشته باشید و در نتیجه ازش نشنیدید، اگر سینما رو دنبال می‌کنید لابد درباره اقتباس دنی ویلنوو از تلماسه شنیدید (که 22 اکتبر اکران می‌شه و فیلم زیبایی به نظر می‌رسه).
تلماسه از تروپ شخص برگزیده یا چوزن وان پیروی می‌کنه. انصافا فکر نمی‌کردم دیگه از این تروپ خوشم بیاد. آخه همیشه اون شخص همین‌جوری اتفاقی و فقط به‌خاطر یه پیشگویی برگزیده شده و هیچ چیز خاصی توی وجودش نیست. شخصیت برگزیده‌ی کتاب تلماسه حاصل قرن‌ها برنامه‌ریزی و اصلاح نژادی و آینده‌نگریه.
احتمالا همه توافق داشته باشن که نقطه قوت داستان تلماسه در دنیاسازیشه. جهان همین جهان ماست ولی در سیاره(ها)ی غریبه، در سال‌های سال آینده و پر از سناریوهای پیشگویانه. واقعا عالیه که چقدر با تلماسه نزدیک می‌شیم و می‌شناسیمش. اقلیم و زنجیره‌های غذایی و طبیعت تلماسه رو من الان حفظم. :)) یک وجه جالب دیگه هم شباهت‌های تلماسه و مردمش با دنیای عربستان پیشین بود. فرانک هربرت از دنیای عرب به وضوح خیلی الهام گرفته و ترجمه خوب اثر هم تا حد ممکن حال و هوای عربی رو حفظ کرده. یه سری شباهت واضح بین اسلام و فرهنگ حره‌مردان تلماسه اینان: منجی‌ای که پس از مدت‌ها قراره بیاد و به سمت پیروزی هدایتشون کنه. 72 نفر مبارز باقی‌مانده. کتاب‌العبری که یکی از آیه‌هاش اینه: «زن تو مزرعه‌ی توست، پس به مزرعه‌ات برو و در آن زراعت کن.» که مشابه یکی از آیه‌های قرآنه. کیش شخصیتی‌ای که دور رهبر مذهبی شکل می‌گیره. بسیاری از اسم و عبارت‌ها حال و هوای عربی و اسلامی دارند. همون‌طور که از مثال‌هام هم خوندید حتی جبهه‌ی حره‌مردان که مثلا باید طرفدارشون باشیم مذهب بی‌عیب‌ونقصی نداره و قرار نیست این‌جوری باشه.
در ابتدای کتاب شاید خوندنش براتون سخت باشه. با کلی کلمه و عبارت جدید آشنا می‌شید و باید از واژه‌نامه‌ی انتهای کتاب معنی‌هاشون رو بخونید. به مرور نیاز به مراجعه به واژه‌نامه کم‌تر و کم‌تر می‌شه و متن داستان هم روونه. واقعا این‌قدری که بعضی‌ها می‌گن سخت نیست. خیلی ساده‌ست. حفظ کردن اصطلاحات دنیای کتاب هم کاری ندارن.
یه رفتار بد نویسنده این بود که قبل از این‌که اتفاقی رخ بده اسپویلش می‌کرد. چقدر از این کار بدم میادا. اوایل کتاب ابتدای فصل‌ها نوشته بود فلانی خیانت می‌کنه، اما فلانی تا کلی صفحه بعد خیانت نمی‌کنه. یا مثلا اول یه فصل می‌نویسه که پُل فلان از آزمون با موفقیت رد شده، بعد محتوای فصل شرحِ آزمونِ پُله. :| بابا این چه کاریه. مسخره.
برای فیلمش خیلی هیجان‌زده‌م و فکر می‌کنم چیز خوبی درآورده باشن. ولی باز شک دارم. بخش اعظم جذابیت کتاب مربوط به تعلیمات بنه‌جسریت و افکار و ترفندهای ریزشون بود که هرجور فکر می‌کنم نشون دادنشون توی فیلم غیرممکنه. شخصیت‌ها طی تعلیمات بنه‌جسریتی یاد گرفتن تک‌تک عضله‌ها رو کنترل کنن، از صدای متحکم و وادارکننده استفاده کنن، در لحظه به احتمالات گوناگون فکر کنن و حرف درست رو بزنن، پیش‌بینی کنن و در افکارشون جزئیات رو تحلیل کنن. این‌ها خیلی برام جذابن. نشونه‌ی قدرت ذهنی و جسمی شخصیت‌هان. صحنه‌های مبارزه جزء جذاب‌ترین صحنه‌ها برای من بودن، چون شخصیت‌ها فقط ورجه ورجه نمی‌کردن بلکه حرکت‌های حریف رو تحلیل و پیش‌بینی می‌کردن، الگوی رفتاریش و افکارش. توی ذهن ترفندهای مبارزه رو مرور می‌کردن و انجام می‌دادن. نشون دادن چنین چیزی توی فیلم واقعا نمی‌شه.
باغ‌ها، بستان‌ها،
حوریان عدنی، خوش بر و رو و رعنا،
جامی لبریز از می،
تمام این‌ها
بهر دل‌شادی من گشته مهیا اینجا
پس چرا از غم و از جنگ و جدل می‌خوانم
و از تل خاکی کز کوه بمانده بر جا؟
پس چرا چشمانم
شده از ماتم لبریز؟ چرا؟
آسمان بگشوده
در نعماتش را
بر زمین می‌ریزد گوهر و دُرهایش را
می‌شود دست را دراز کنم،
مشتم را باز کنم،
و خودم را از هرچه زر و مال
و ز وام همه اغیار بی‌نیاز کنم.
پس چرا فکرم مشغول شبیخون و ستیز
و پی فنجانی از سم لبریز و نیز
در پی عمر در حال گریز است، چرا؟
عشق بگشوده دستانش را،
رایگان می‌بخشد
وعده‌ی باغ عدن، لذت عریانش را.
پس چرا فکری‌ام از خاطره‌ی زخم و خراش
و گناهان قدیم؟
و چرا خوابم مملو شده از وحشت و ترس و پرخاش
راستی گوی چرا؟
گاه به دست می‌آوریم و گاه از دست می‌دهیم. گاه نگه می‌داریم و گاه رها می‌کنیم. زمانی به عشق و زمانی به کین. زمانی به جنگ و زمانی به صلح.n
داستانی از طبیعتِ قدرت و قدرتِ طبیعت. به به. بـــــه بــــــه.
چی می‌تونم درباره تلماسه بگم که از قبل نشنیده باشید؟ بابا پرفروش‌ترین اثر علمی‌تخیلی تاریخ کم نیست. فارغ از هایپ وحشتناکی که دور و برشه هم باهاش حال کردم.
حتی اگر به ژانر علمی‌تخیلی علاقه نداشته باشید و در نتیجه ازش نشنیدید، اگر سینما رو دنبال می‌کنید لابد درباره اقتباس دنی ویلنوو از تلماسه شنیدید (که 22 اکتبر اکران می‌شه و فیلم زیبایی به نظر می‌رسه).
تلماسه از تروپ شخص برگزیده یا چوزن وان پیروی می‌کنه. انصافا فکر نمی‌کردم دیگه از این تروپ خوشم بیاد. آخه همیشه اون شخص همین‌جوری اتفاقی و فقط به‌خاطر یه پیشگویی برگزیده شده و هیچ چیز خاصی توی وجودش نیست. شخصیت برگزیده‌ی کتاب تلماسه حاصل قرن‌ها برنامه‌ریزی و اصلاح نژادی و آینده‌نگریه.
احتمالا همه توافق داشته باشن که نقطه قوت داستان تلماسه در دنیاسازیشه. جهان همین جهان ماست ولی در سیاره(ها)ی غریبه، در سال‌های سال آینده و پر از سناریوهای پیشگویانه. واقعا عالیه که چقدر با تلماسه نزدیک می‌شیم و می‌شناسیمش. اقلیم و زنجیره‌های غذایی و طبیعت تلماسه رو من الان حفظم. :)) یک وجه جالب دیگه هم شباهت‌های تلماسه و مردمش با دنیای عربستان پیشین بود. فرانک هربرت از دنیای عرب به وضوح خیلی الهام گرفته و ترجمه خوب اثر هم تا حد ممکن حال و هوای عربی رو حفظ کرده. یه سری شباهت واضح بین اسلام و فرهنگ حره‌مردان تلماسه اینان: منجی‌ای که پس از مدت‌ها قراره بیاد و به سمت پیروزی هدایتشون کنه. 72 نفر مبارز باقی‌مانده. کتاب‌العبری که یکی از آیه‌هاش اینه: «زن تو مزرعه‌ی توست، پس به مزرعه‌ات برو و در آن زراعت کن.» که مشابه یکی از آیه‌های قرآنه. کیش شخصیتی‌ای که دور رهبر مذهبی شکل می‌گیره. بسیاری از اسم و عبارت‌ها حال و هوای عربی و اسلامی دارند. همون‌طور که از مثال‌هام هم خوندید حتی جبهه‌ی حره‌مردان که مثلا باید طرفدارشون باشیم مذهب بی‌عیب‌ونقصی نداره و قرار نیست این‌جوری باشه.
در ابتدای کتاب شاید خوندنش براتون سخت باشه. با کلی کلمه و عبارت جدید آشنا می‌شید و باید از واژه‌نامه‌ی انتهای کتاب معنی‌هاشون رو بخونید. به مرور نیاز به مراجعه به واژه‌نامه کم‌تر و کم‌تر می‌شه و متن داستان هم روونه. واقعا این‌قدری که بعضی‌ها می‌گن سخت نیست. خیلی ساده‌ست. حفظ کردن اصطلاحات دنیای کتاب هم کاری ندارن.
یه رفتار بد نویسنده این بود که قبل از این‌که اتفاقی رخ بده اسپویلش می‌کرد. چقدر از این کار بدم میادا. اوایل کتاب ابتدای فصل‌ها نوشته بود فلانی خیانت می‌کنه، اما فلانی تا کلی صفحه بعد خیانت نمی‌کنه. یا مثلا اول یه فصل می‌نویسه که پُل فلان از آزمون با موفقیت رد شده، بعد محتوای فصل شرحِ آزمونِ پُله. :| بابا این چه کاریه. مسخره.
برای فیلمش خیلی هیجان‌زده‌م و فکر می‌کنم چیز خوبی درآورده باشن. ولی باز شک دارم. بخش اعظم جذابیت کتاب مربوط به تعلیمات بنه‌جسریت و افکار و ترفندهای ریزشون بود که هرجور فکر می‌کنم نشون دادنشون توی فیلم غیرممکنه. شخصیت‌ها طی تعلیمات بنه‌جسریتی یاد گرفتن تک‌تک عضله‌ها رو کنترل کنن، از صدای متحکم و وادارکننده استفاده کنن، در لحظه به احتمالات گوناگون فکر کنن و حرف درست رو بزنن، پیش‌بینی کنن و در افکارشون جزئیات رو تحلیل کنن. این‌ها خیلی برام جذابن. نشونه‌ی قدرت ذهنی و جسمی شخصیت‌هان. صحنه‌های مبارزه جزء جذاب‌ترین صحنه‌ها برای من بودن، چون شخصیت‌ها فقط ورجه ورجه نمی‌کردن بلکه حرکت‌های حریف رو تحلیل و پیش‌بینی می‌کردن، الگوی رفتاریش و افکارش. توی ذهن ترفندهای مبارزه رو مرور می‌کردن و انجام می‌دادن. نشون دادن چنین چیزی توی فیلم واقعا نمی‌شه.
باغ‌ها، بستان‌ها،
حوریان عدنی، خوش بر و رو و رعنا،
جامی لبریز از می،
تمام این‌ها
بهر دل‌شادی من گشته مهیا اینجا
پس چرا از غم و از جنگ و جدل می‌خوانم
و از تل خاکی کز کوه بمانده بر جا؟
پس چرا چشمانم
شده از ماتم لبریز؟ چرا؟
آسمان بگشوده
در نعماتش را
بر زمین می‌ریزد گوهر و دُرهایش را
می‌شود دست را دراز کنم،
مشتم را باز کنم،
و خودم را از هرچه زر و مال
و ز وام همه اغیار بی‌نیاز کنم.
پس چرا فکرم مشغول شبیخون و ستیز
و پی فنجانی از سم لبریز و نیز
در پی عمر در حال گریز است، چرا؟
عشق بگشوده دستانش را،
رایگان می‌بخشد
وعده‌ی باغ عدن، لذت عریانش را.
پس چرا فکری‌ام از خاطره‌ی زخم و خراش
و گناهان قدیم؟
و چرا خوابم مملو شده از وحشت و ترس و پرخاش
راستی گوی چرا؟
...
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"I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear”
An epic Science Fiction canon, a true classic and one that everyone should read once. Fascinating, complex, imaginative and ground-breaking in many ways. So, did I love it? The answer is yes and no but first a short summary of the plot.
The Plot
Dune is set on the desert planet Arrakis, one of the many planets in the empire, and run by a few aristocratic families mainly the House of Atreides and House Harkonnen who both seek to control its more precious resource. A powerful spice that is necessary for space travel, mindfulness, and is known to extend the life of those who use it. “For he who controls the spice controls the universe".
Survival, treachery, greed, and betrayal are at every turn as Paul Atreides must, having succeeded his father as head of the family, now win the most significant battle of all. Control of the melange – the spice. As he faces many in battle, he must also devise a method of mining the spice for use. However, despite the technology available he turns to the natural world of the planet Dune for his answer and must learn to control the worms. His new army of workers.
Review and Comments
Although set in space it is a book that contains a lot of the key ingredients for an epic novel, Power, Politics, War, Religion, and love with copious amounts of greed, deception, betrayal with a fascinating array of characters. This part I loved, and the writing style is excellent even though it was too long in places.
The but is, I don’t particularly enjoy science fiction, and sometimes it was a bit too far fetched particularly the inclusion of worms to helped mine the spice. And whilst a lot of ideas have been taken and bettered in later sci-fi books and films, it is important to remember this book was written in the 1960’s and ground-breaking at the time. Yet despite being written a long time ago I was in awe of the wonderful imagination it took to write such a timeless classic.
I have rated ‘Dune’ in the context of the genre it was written for, the writing style, characters, plot, and overall enjoyment. A 3/4 and settled on a ‘4’.
And Dune completes my reading challenge!!!
An epic Science Fiction canon, a true classic and one that everyone should read once. Fascinating, complex, imaginative and ground-breaking in many ways. So, did I love it? The answer is yes and no but first a short summary of the plot.
The Plot
Dune is set on the desert planet Arrakis, one of the many planets in the empire, and run by a few aristocratic families mainly the House of Atreides and House Harkonnen who both seek to control its more precious resource. A powerful spice that is necessary for space travel, mindfulness, and is known to extend the life of those who use it. “For he who controls the spice controls the universe".
Survival, treachery, greed, and betrayal are at every turn as Paul Atreides must, having succeeded his father as head of the family, now win the most significant battle of all. Control of the melange – the spice. As he faces many in battle, he must also devise a method of mining the spice for use. However, despite the technology available he turns to the natural world of the planet Dune for his answer and must learn to control the worms. His new army of workers.
Review and Comments
Although set in space it is a book that contains a lot of the key ingredients for an epic novel, Power, Politics, War, Religion, and love with copious amounts of greed, deception, betrayal with a fascinating array of characters. This part I loved, and the writing style is excellent even though it was too long in places.
The but is, I don’t particularly enjoy science fiction, and sometimes it was a bit too far fetched particularly the inclusion of worms to helped mine the spice. And whilst a lot of ideas have been taken and bettered in later sci-fi books and films, it is important to remember this book was written in the 1960’s and ground-breaking at the time. Yet despite being written a long time ago I was in awe of the wonderful imagination it took to write such a timeless classic.
I have rated ‘Dune’ in the context of the genre it was written for, the writing style, characters, plot, and overall enjoyment. A 3/4 and settled on a ‘4’.
And Dune completes my reading challenge!!!
...
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I don't know where to start with this book and explaining it to anyone, it's such a masterpiece.
God knows how long it took the author to write it, you can definitely tell it's carefully written; it's just full of depth, details of the characters/surroundings.
Personally I think to fully digest this book, it has to be read two or three times because it's most complex book I've ever read; if you've read it you'll know exactly what I mean.
One thing I would change about it though is the politics, there's a lot of political talk in it but it doesn't affect my rating one iota.
I've never seen the David Lynch adaptation of this so I'll need to see what that's like, I'm also looking forward to the new adaptation - it looks really cool.
God knows how long it took the author to write it, you can definitely tell it's carefully written; it's just full of depth, details of the characters/surroundings.
Personally I think to fully digest this book, it has to be read two or three times because it's most complex book I've ever read; if you've read it you'll know exactly what I mean.
One thing I would change about it though is the politics, there's a lot of political talk in it but it doesn't affect my rating one iota.
I've never seen the David Lynch adaptation of this so I'll need to see what that's like, I'm also looking forward to the new adaptation - it looks really cool.
...
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Dune is one of the best examples of the hero’s journey in fiction. Most authors, myself included, need more than one book in order to tell an epic coming-of-age story. Herbert did it in one while also creating a unique and interesting setting. Part of his genius as an author was his ability to imply far more about his world than he actually showed. As a result, Dune feels as if it was written by an inhabitant of Herbert’s universe; no small achievement.
As with Anna Karenina, Dune goes beyond the usual surface elements that so much of fiction relies upon. It deals with questions of leadership, ecology, and philosophy (and so much more) while also telling a darn good story.
And it contains one of my favorite quotes:
“I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.”
The book does have some flaws (the death of Muad’Dib’s son is dealt with too quickly, and the only homosexual character is the villain), but even with them, Dune is a masterpiece.
As with Anna Karenina, Dune goes beyond the usual surface elements that so much of fiction relies upon. It deals with questions of leadership, ecology, and philosophy (and so much more) while also telling a darn good story.
And it contains one of my favorite quotes:
“I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.”
The book does have some flaws (the death of Muad’Dib’s son is dealt with too quickly, and the only homosexual character is the villain), but even with them, Dune is a masterpiece.
...
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My favourite memory of this book is when I was reading along, thoroughly hating everything, and then the book abruptly ended fifty pages before I was expecting it to because it turns out the rest of it is all appendices.
I don't even know where to begin reviewing this book, although the rant I launched into on Tumblr taught me I had many things to say. Perhaps I was doomed to dislike this book when I started at page one and discovered that its two main characters were named Paul and Jessica. Still, I moved past that; I'd heard this book was good, I was going to persevere. Then on page 20 or so Paul was obnoxious and sexist and I got frustrated. And then, it has to be said, Paul never really did anything to redeem himself for being generally obnoxious. Mostly he just oscillated between continuing to be obnoxious and being some all-seeing, all-knowing dispenser of wisdom and neither of those personas was particularly endearing.
Honestly, I was annoyed for a lot of the book that Paul had all of these special mental abilities that supposedly had never been had by men before, only women, and Paul was such an arrogant twerp anyway that I strongly disliked him being some kind of Chosen One. I felt that Frank Herbert was going to have this rule that only women can have these powers, the character of Paul should have been a woman then. But then it seems that the entire point of the plot is that he IS the first man to have this abilities - the Kwisatz Haderach or however it's supposed to be spelt - so then I guess it just annoyed me that there was this deep gender essentialism in something that should not have anything to do with gender at all (the innate abilities of the brain...).
Aside from that! This book also had approximately 9658976897579668 male characters who I couldn't tell the difference between. Towards the end there some guy named Guernsey or something turned up and supposedly he was Paul's friend from way back but I had no clue who he was and nor was I entirely sure I was supposed to. The female characters who existed seemed mostly interested in basking in the glory of Paul (probably he had a halo or something too, idk). Chani was nothing more than his love interest. That woman he won (as property) by killing Jamis was the same. Alia barely even did anything. Jessica was by far the most developed of the female characters, but even she was really disappointing because literally everyone spent the entire book talking about what a threat she posed to Paul and like, no, she didn't in any way whatsoever. PAUL HIMSELF at one point identified Jessica as his "true enemy" and well, I guess he's not all-seeing and all-knowing after all because that was LITERALLY NEVER FOLLOWED UP ON. All she did was disapprove of his relationship with Chani because she's an utter snob and disapproved of him seeing a "desert girl". Wow. I'm shaking in my boots, Jessica.
There are some defences to be made of this book - for instance, Herbert was obviously not trying to write about anything other than a deeply sexist society, so the fact that women get treated as property and evaluated in terms of their marriageability is not a flaw of the writer so much as the deeply annoying society he invented. Nonetheless, there were not enough female characters and those characters that did exist were not strong enough to counteract this. But then again, the male characters weren't very strong either, hence why I mixed them all up, so... really...
Anyway, I was dithering about whether to give this book two stars or three (mostly because I'd heard it was so good and I thought I'd judged it unfairly just because of the names-of-the-characters thing making me hostile from the off). BUT THEN I READ THE LAST PAGE.
NO JOKE, the last page is about how Paul has to marry this Princess Irulan to secure peace across the kingdoms or something but NO WORRIES because he's going to treat Princess Irulan like a worthless piece of shit forever because his true love is Chani! And Jessica is really pleased about this because she no longer hates Chani and she apparently thinks Princess Irulan deserves to live a life of misery because, y'know, she dared to be born a woman into a family that would force her into an arranged marriage and that is definitely all her fault.
Seriously, I hate you Jessica.
And basically everyone in this book, really. I guess Chani was okay, if not very well developed. Also the woman Paul won off Jamis, she was sassy, except I forgot her name so I guess not that sassy.
In conclusion...
This book is hyped beyond all proportion. I didn't understand it and it annoyed me but if you like long books with irritating and indistinguishable characters, go for your life.
(EDIT: I decided to demote this book from two stars to one star, because I actually really hated it so two stars was bizarrely generous. I don't remember anything I liked about this book. Don't read it.)
I don't even know where to begin reviewing this book, although the rant I launched into on Tumblr taught me I had many things to say. Perhaps I was doomed to dislike this book when I started at page one and discovered that its two main characters were named Paul and Jessica. Still, I moved past that; I'd heard this book was good, I was going to persevere. Then on page 20 or so Paul was obnoxious and sexist and I got frustrated. And then, it has to be said, Paul never really did anything to redeem himself for being generally obnoxious. Mostly he just oscillated between continuing to be obnoxious and being some all-seeing, all-knowing dispenser of wisdom and neither of those personas was particularly endearing.
Honestly, I was annoyed for a lot of the book that Paul had all of these special mental abilities that supposedly had never been had by men before, only women, and Paul was such an arrogant twerp anyway that I strongly disliked him being some kind of Chosen One. I felt that Frank Herbert was going to have this rule that only women can have these powers, the character of Paul should have been a woman then. But then it seems that the entire point of the plot is that he IS the first man to have this abilities - the Kwisatz Haderach or however it's supposed to be spelt - so then I guess it just annoyed me that there was this deep gender essentialism in something that should not have anything to do with gender at all (the innate abilities of the brain...).
Aside from that! This book also had approximately 9658976897579668 male characters who I couldn't tell the difference between. Towards the end there some guy named Guernsey or something turned up and supposedly he was Paul's friend from way back but I had no clue who he was and nor was I entirely sure I was supposed to. The female characters who existed seemed mostly interested in basking in the glory of Paul (probably he had a halo or something too, idk). Chani was nothing more than his love interest. That woman he won (as property) by killing Jamis was the same. Alia barely even did anything. Jessica was by far the most developed of the female characters, but even she was really disappointing because literally everyone spent the entire book talking about what a threat she posed to Paul and like, no, she didn't in any way whatsoever. PAUL HIMSELF at one point identified Jessica as his "true enemy" and well, I guess he's not all-seeing and all-knowing after all because that was LITERALLY NEVER FOLLOWED UP ON. All she did was disapprove of his relationship with Chani because she's an utter snob and disapproved of him seeing a "desert girl". Wow. I'm shaking in my boots, Jessica.
There are some defences to be made of this book - for instance, Herbert was obviously not trying to write about anything other than a deeply sexist society, so the fact that women get treated as property and evaluated in terms of their marriageability is not a flaw of the writer so much as the deeply annoying society he invented. Nonetheless, there were not enough female characters and those characters that did exist were not strong enough to counteract this. But then again, the male characters weren't very strong either, hence why I mixed them all up, so... really...
Anyway, I was dithering about whether to give this book two stars or three (mostly because I'd heard it was so good and I thought I'd judged it unfairly just because of the names-of-the-characters thing making me hostile from the off). BUT THEN I READ THE LAST PAGE.
NO JOKE, the last page is about how Paul has to marry this Princess Irulan to secure peace across the kingdoms or something but NO WORRIES because he's going to treat Princess Irulan like a worthless piece of shit forever because his true love is Chani! And Jessica is really pleased about this because she no longer hates Chani and she apparently thinks Princess Irulan deserves to live a life of misery because, y'know, she dared to be born a woman into a family that would force her into an arranged marriage and that is definitely all her fault.
Seriously, I hate you Jessica.
And basically everyone in this book, really. I guess Chani was okay, if not very well developed. Also the woman Paul won off Jamis, she was sassy, except I forgot her name so I guess not that sassy.
In conclusion...
This book is hyped beyond all proportion. I didn't understand it and it annoyed me but if you like long books with irritating and indistinguishable characters, go for your life.
(EDIT: I decided to demote this book from two stars to one star, because I actually really hated it so two stars was bizarrely generous. I don't remember anything I liked about this book. Don't read it.)
...
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3.5/5 Stars
Dune oh Dune, seems like I need to raise my Shield Wall for this review.
Dune is one of the most important pieces of literature for the Sci-Fi genre. I’ve been raking my brain for hours on how to properly explain the importance of Dune in the sci-fi literature but you know what? I dune (hehehe) think it’s necessary for me to do so. If you truly wanna know why, you can search it on whatever search engine you use and you'll find hundreds of articles or reviews on why this book is that important; and they’ll do a much better job than me. I won’t even deny any of them because, in my opinion, this book was truly revolutionary. Dune didn’t become the number one highest selling Sci-fi novel of all time for no reason; like Brian Herbert said, it is to Sci-Fi, what the LOTR trilogy is to fantasy.
Theoretically, if I’m reviewing this by putting my head as someone from 1960’s or 1970’s, I know I would think of this book as my bible. 1965 was the year when Dune was published for the first time, 24 years before I was born. There are just too many groundbreaking ideas, world-building, that would become the inspirations for many Sci-fi in our time; I only realized this after reading this book. I mean, the gigantic Sandworm alone has inspired many video games to use it as a common monster or enemy.
Picture: Dune by Marc Simonetti
Desert planet, Stillsuits, space exploration, and Zen Buddhism, Dune was truly a groundbreaking novel, almost everything in this book somehow seems prophetic because it has predicted our current society, especially when it comes to faith, emotional control, empathy, and the importance of ecology and scarcity.
n n
Part of what made this book was great for me was Herbert’s prose. I haven’t read enough classic to claim it was classical, but Herbert’s prose was definitely unique to me. It has a lot of freedom by writing it from a limited omniscient narrative; changing POV’s repeatedly in a single chapter without any warning. This is, honestly, one of my biggest pet peeves in my usual read, but Herbert made it work because all his characters were really well written, distinct in their personality, and the dialogues are really well dune (HEHEHE). Plus, there are so many motivational and extremely philosophical quotes that seem to make this book a combination of Sci-Fi & self-help book, such as:
n n
And of course, the most famous and one of the best quote I’ve ever read out of any book
n n
I can’t believe I have gone through life without knowing about this litany against fear. It’s applicable in any kind of hardship we faced in real life, and I know it will be one of my motto starting from now. If I’m judging this book solely from how significant this book was, I’ll give it maximum score in a heartbeat. However, I’m reviewing this based on one question and how I rated all the books I read: was it enjoyable?
The answer is yes and no, it was a mixed bag. The first part of this book was incredible, I couldn’t put down the book and everything was so interesting and compelling. Then comes the second part, where the pacing just became really draggy and somehow, boring. However, my hope was restored for a while during the third act, until the anti-climax happened. My expectation is obviously at fault here but hey, this book is the number one highest selling sci-fi book of all time and one of the most highly acclaimed book, I expected there to be a mind-blowing climax sequences to close the book in an epic way. But no, there wasn’t any. Not only it felt anti-climactic, Herbert’s prose in describing settings and actions didn’t age well or up to current standard. The main reason for this is that this is a book that relies heavily on character’s dialogues to do everything; world-building, plot, characterizations were done solely through dialogues. This leads to the great plot but weak action sequences and no vivid settings. Sure there was some explanation on the settings, but other than the planet—which is just a desert, just search Sahara or Planet Tatooine and voila—the interiors were given only brief description, which makes it hard to imagine; I had to look up some artworks to be able to immerse myself in the settings of the book.
Overall, Dune was truly a revolutionary book for its time that is filled with tons of imaginative and fantastic ideas. Although there were some parts that disappointed me, I still liked the book and I finally understand why there are so much discussion and praises around this book. I recommend this to every Sci-fi fans for its importance and also, it’s good to know where most fantastic Sci-Fi you’ve read or you’re reading now got its idea from. However, this is also where I’ll stop with the series.
You can find this and the rest of my Adult Epic/High Fantasy & Sci-Fi reviews at BookNest
Dune oh Dune, seems like I need to raise my Shield Wall for this review.
Dune is one of the most important pieces of literature for the Sci-Fi genre. I’ve been raking my brain for hours on how to properly explain the importance of Dune in the sci-fi literature but you know what? I dune (hehehe) think it’s necessary for me to do so. If you truly wanna know why, you can search it on whatever search engine you use and you'll find hundreds of articles or reviews on why this book is that important; and they’ll do a much better job than me. I won’t even deny any of them because, in my opinion, this book was truly revolutionary. Dune didn’t become the number one highest selling Sci-fi novel of all time for no reason; like Brian Herbert said, it is to Sci-Fi, what the LOTR trilogy is to fantasy.
Theoretically, if I’m reviewing this by putting my head as someone from 1960’s or 1970’s, I know I would think of this book as my bible. 1965 was the year when Dune was published for the first time, 24 years before I was born. There are just too many groundbreaking ideas, world-building, that would become the inspirations for many Sci-fi in our time; I only realized this after reading this book. I mean, the gigantic Sandworm alone has inspired many video games to use it as a common monster or enemy.
Picture: Dune by Marc Simonetti
Desert planet, Stillsuits, space exploration, and Zen Buddhism, Dune was truly a groundbreaking novel, almost everything in this book somehow seems prophetic because it has predicted our current society, especially when it comes to faith, emotional control, empathy, and the importance of ecology and scarcity.
n n
“The mind commands the body and it obeys. The mind orders itself and meets resistance.”n n
Part of what made this book was great for me was Herbert’s prose. I haven’t read enough classic to claim it was classical, but Herbert’s prose was definitely unique to me. It has a lot of freedom by writing it from a limited omniscient narrative; changing POV’s repeatedly in a single chapter without any warning. This is, honestly, one of my biggest pet peeves in my usual read, but Herbert made it work because all his characters were really well written, distinct in their personality, and the dialogues are really well dune (HEHEHE). Plus, there are so many motivational and extremely philosophical quotes that seem to make this book a combination of Sci-Fi & self-help book, such as:
n n
“It is so shocking to find out how many people do not believe that they can learn, and how many more believe learning to be difficult.”n n
And of course, the most famous and one of the best quote I’ve ever read out of any book
n n
“I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.”n n
I can’t believe I have gone through life without knowing about this litany against fear. It’s applicable in any kind of hardship we faced in real life, and I know it will be one of my motto starting from now. If I’m judging this book solely from how significant this book was, I’ll give it maximum score in a heartbeat. However, I’m reviewing this based on one question and how I rated all the books I read: was it enjoyable?
The answer is yes and no, it was a mixed bag. The first part of this book was incredible, I couldn’t put down the book and everything was so interesting and compelling. Then comes the second part, where the pacing just became really draggy and somehow, boring. However, my hope was restored for a while during the third act, until the anti-climax happened. My expectation is obviously at fault here but hey, this book is the number one highest selling sci-fi book of all time and one of the most highly acclaimed book, I expected there to be a mind-blowing climax sequences to close the book in an epic way. But no, there wasn’t any. Not only it felt anti-climactic, Herbert’s prose in describing settings and actions didn’t age well or up to current standard. The main reason for this is that this is a book that relies heavily on character’s dialogues to do everything; world-building, plot, characterizations were done solely through dialogues. This leads to the great plot but weak action sequences and no vivid settings. Sure there was some explanation on the settings, but other than the planet—which is just a desert, just search Sahara or Planet Tatooine and voila—the interiors were given only brief description, which makes it hard to imagine; I had to look up some artworks to be able to immerse myself in the settings of the book.
Overall, Dune was truly a revolutionary book for its time that is filled with tons of imaginative and fantastic ideas. Although there were some parts that disappointed me, I still liked the book and I finally understand why there are so much discussion and praises around this book. I recommend this to every Sci-fi fans for its importance and also, it’s good to know where most fantastic Sci-Fi you’ve read or you’re reading now got its idea from. However, this is also where I’ll stop with the series.
You can find this and the rest of my Adult Epic/High Fantasy & Sci-Fi reviews at BookNest
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Siamo nell'anno 10191 dopo la nascita della Gilda Spaziale, la Terra è dimenticata nelle ombre della storia, i computer sono banditi così come qualsiasi forma di IA, i viaggi interplanetari sono esclusiva dei potenti e gestiti dalla Gilda Spaziale, le Grandi Casate governano con un sistema feudale sotto il potere dell'Imperatore, la Spezia è la più grande risorsa dell'universo conosciuto e viene raccolta su un solo pianeta....DUNE.
Commentare un'opera come Dune, e parlo esclusivamente della saga composta dai 6 romanzi di Frank Herbert, non è affatto semplice.
Herbert ci porta su altri mondi ai confini del tempo e dello spazio in un contesto in cui l'umanità è al centro di tutto.
Niente astronavi, niente computer, niente robot, qui si parla solo di uomini, di politica, complotti, raggiri, drammi, sopravvivenza, destino e profezie.
Dune è un viaggio nella mente dei personaggi, le loro paure, le angosce e le soluzioni per la sopravvivenza sono al centro della narrazione.
Già agli inizi del primo romanzo avrete un assaggio del tono riflessivo che vi attende: la prova del "Gom Jabbar": la mente può controllare gli istinti? Siete uomini o animali? Fin dove la mente umana può spingersi? Poca azione e tanta riflessione.
Herbert presenta una fantascienza involuta sul piano tecnologico proprio per esaltare le capacità umane.
Avrete gruppi di umani selezionati, che in mancanza (voluta) della tecnologia si sono specializzati per raggiungere vette mentali e fisiche oltre la concezione di semplice uomo.
Le Bene Gesserit: sorellanza dalle capacità psico-fisiche superiori, i Mentat: computer umani, il Bene Tleilax: conoscitori dei segreti della genetica, i Navigatori della Gilda: unici in grado di eseguire i calcoli per viaggiare nello spazio profondo.
Tutti umani, ma con capacità al limite del sovraumano, frutto della ferrea specializzazione e selezione genetica avvenuta nel corso di migliaia di anni, archetipi che vi rimarranno in mente per il resto della vostra vita.
Di carne al fuoco ce n'è tanta, il primo romanzo mette solo le basi per il vero messaggio epico dell'opera, fermarsi qui è peccato mortale, sta a voi scoprire e capire cos'è il Sentiero Dorato. L'anima del ciclo di Dune.
Se amate le opere letterarie che non si limitano a raccontare una storia, anche a discapito dell'azione, siete obbligati ad immergervi in Dune.
EPICO e irraggiungibile.
----------------------------
We are in the year 10191 after the birth of the Space Guild, the Earth is forgotten in the shadows of history, computers are banned as well as any form of AI, interplanetary travel is exclusive to the powerful and managed by the Space Guild, the Great Houses govern with a feudal system under the power of the Emperor, Spice is the greatest resource in the known universe and is harvested on just one planet....DUNE.
Commenting on a work like Dune, and I'm talking exclusively about the saga made up of Frank Herbert's 6 novels, is not at all simple.
Herbert takes us to other worlds at the edge of time and space in a context where humanity is at the center of everything.
No spaceships, no computers, no robots, here we only talk about men, politics, conspiracies, deceptions, dramas, survival, destiny and prophecies.
Dune is a journey into the minds of the characters, their fears, anxieties and solutions for survival are at the center of the narrative.
Already at the beginning of the first novel you will have a taste of the reflective tone that awaits you: the test of "Gom Jabbar": can the mind control the instincts? Are you men or animals? How far can the human mind go? Little action and a lot of reflection.
Herbert presents science fiction that is technologically involved precisely to enhance human capabilities.
You will have groups of selected humans, who in the (deliberate) lack of technology have specialized to reach mental and physical heights beyond the conception of simple man.
The Bene Gesserit: sisterhood with superior psycho-physical abilities, the Mentat: human computers, the Bene Tleilax: knowledgeable of the secrets of genetics, the Guild Navigators: the only ones capable of performing the calculations to travel in deep space.
All human, but with abilities bordering on the superhuman, the result of the iron specialization and genetic selection that took place over thousands of years, archetypes that will remain in your mind for the rest of your life.
There is a lot of irons in the fire, the first novel only lays the foundations for the true epic message of the work, stopping here is a mortal sin, it is up to you to discover and understand what the Golden Path is. The soul of the Dune series.
If you love literary works that don't just tell a story, even at the expense of action, you're forced to immerse yourself in Dune.
EPIC and unattainable.
Commentare un'opera come Dune, e parlo esclusivamente della saga composta dai 6 romanzi di Frank Herbert, non è affatto semplice.
Herbert ci porta su altri mondi ai confini del tempo e dello spazio in un contesto in cui l'umanità è al centro di tutto.
Niente astronavi, niente computer, niente robot, qui si parla solo di uomini, di politica, complotti, raggiri, drammi, sopravvivenza, destino e profezie.
Dune è un viaggio nella mente dei personaggi, le loro paure, le angosce e le soluzioni per la sopravvivenza sono al centro della narrazione.
Già agli inizi del primo romanzo avrete un assaggio del tono riflessivo che vi attende: la prova del "Gom Jabbar": la mente può controllare gli istinti? Siete uomini o animali? Fin dove la mente umana può spingersi? Poca azione e tanta riflessione.
Herbert presenta una fantascienza involuta sul piano tecnologico proprio per esaltare le capacità umane.
Avrete gruppi di umani selezionati, che in mancanza (voluta) della tecnologia si sono specializzati per raggiungere vette mentali e fisiche oltre la concezione di semplice uomo.
Le Bene Gesserit: sorellanza dalle capacità psico-fisiche superiori, i Mentat: computer umani, il Bene Tleilax: conoscitori dei segreti della genetica, i Navigatori della Gilda: unici in grado di eseguire i calcoli per viaggiare nello spazio profondo.
Tutti umani, ma con capacità al limite del sovraumano, frutto della ferrea specializzazione e selezione genetica avvenuta nel corso di migliaia di anni, archetipi che vi rimarranno in mente per il resto della vostra vita.
Di carne al fuoco ce n'è tanta, il primo romanzo mette solo le basi per il vero messaggio epico dell'opera, fermarsi qui è peccato mortale, sta a voi scoprire e capire cos'è il Sentiero Dorato. L'anima del ciclo di Dune.
Se amate le opere letterarie che non si limitano a raccontare una storia, anche a discapito dell'azione, siete obbligati ad immergervi in Dune.
EPICO e irraggiungibile.
----------------------------
We are in the year 10191 after the birth of the Space Guild, the Earth is forgotten in the shadows of history, computers are banned as well as any form of AI, interplanetary travel is exclusive to the powerful and managed by the Space Guild, the Great Houses govern with a feudal system under the power of the Emperor, Spice is the greatest resource in the known universe and is harvested on just one planet....DUNE.
Commenting on a work like Dune, and I'm talking exclusively about the saga made up of Frank Herbert's 6 novels, is not at all simple.
Herbert takes us to other worlds at the edge of time and space in a context where humanity is at the center of everything.
No spaceships, no computers, no robots, here we only talk about men, politics, conspiracies, deceptions, dramas, survival, destiny and prophecies.
Dune is a journey into the minds of the characters, their fears, anxieties and solutions for survival are at the center of the narrative.
Already at the beginning of the first novel you will have a taste of the reflective tone that awaits you: the test of "Gom Jabbar": can the mind control the instincts? Are you men or animals? How far can the human mind go? Little action and a lot of reflection.
Herbert presents science fiction that is technologically involved precisely to enhance human capabilities.
You will have groups of selected humans, who in the (deliberate) lack of technology have specialized to reach mental and physical heights beyond the conception of simple man.
The Bene Gesserit: sisterhood with superior psycho-physical abilities, the Mentat: human computers, the Bene Tleilax: knowledgeable of the secrets of genetics, the Guild Navigators: the only ones capable of performing the calculations to travel in deep space.
All human, but with abilities bordering on the superhuman, the result of the iron specialization and genetic selection that took place over thousands of years, archetypes that will remain in your mind for the rest of your life.
There is a lot of irons in the fire, the first novel only lays the foundations for the true epic message of the work, stopping here is a mortal sin, it is up to you to discover and understand what the Golden Path is. The soul of the Dune series.
If you love literary works that don't just tell a story, even at the expense of action, you're forced to immerse yourself in Dune.
EPIC and unattainable.
...
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“No more terrible disaster could befall your people than for them to fall into the hands of a Hero”
Doooooooon.
She sensed it, the nerd consciousness that she could not escape. There was the sharpened clarity, the inflow of data, the cold precision of her awareness. She sank to the floor, sitting with her back against (gyp)rock, giving herself up to it. Awareness flowed into that timeless stratum where she could view time, sensing the available paths, the winds of the future…the winds of the past…
The one-eyed vision of the past, casting back to Lawrence of Arabia, further back to the story of Muhammad and all the hero’s journeys of antiquity. The one-eyed vision of the future, probing ahead to Star Wars and The Godfather and… Beetlejuice? Yes, Beetlejuice. The one-eyed vision of the present, gazing, uh, sideways at the peyote Frank Herbert was on, at 1960s psychedelia, obsessions with altered consciousness and Eastern religions. All these combined in a trinocular vision that permitted her to see time-become-space-become-blockbuster-movies.
I am a theater of processes, she told herself. I am a prey to the imperfect vision, to the nerd consciousness and its terrible purpose.
Fear is the mind-killer…
Hope clouds observation...
But dammit I spent a bunch of time reading this book so the movie better be good.
Doooooooon.
She sensed it, the nerd consciousness that she could not escape. There was the sharpened clarity, the inflow of data, the cold precision of her awareness. She sank to the floor, sitting with her back against (gyp)rock, giving herself up to it. Awareness flowed into that timeless stratum where she could view time, sensing the available paths, the winds of the future…the winds of the past…
The one-eyed vision of the past, casting back to Lawrence of Arabia, further back to the story of Muhammad and all the hero’s journeys of antiquity. The one-eyed vision of the future, probing ahead to Star Wars and The Godfather and… Beetlejuice? Yes, Beetlejuice. The one-eyed vision of the present, gazing, uh, sideways at the peyote Frank Herbert was on, at 1960s psychedelia, obsessions with altered consciousness and Eastern religions. All these combined in a trinocular vision that permitted her to see time-become-space-become-blockbuster-movies.
I am a theater of processes, she told herself. I am a prey to the imperfect vision, to the nerd consciousness and its terrible purpose.
Fear is the mind-killer…
Hope clouds observation...
But dammit I spent a bunch of time reading this book so the movie better be good.
...
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If you are having a hard time reading Dune:
https://youtu.be/UMTRoZNN4E0
My YouTube Review (admittedly totally Fangirling):
https://youtu.be/JilubCWr9Kk
This was one of the best books that I have ever read which I was not expecting at all. First, the book is incredibly put together and really well thought out. Often, the author wrote the book in such a way as you can hear the character's thoughts which was a really interesting perspective and provided a more immersive experience.
The book touches on so many different deep topics and is so inspiring, moving. The book was also so unpredictable and unique. Highly recommend.
2025 Reading Schedule
JantA Town Like Alice
FebtBirdsong
MartCaptain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis De Berniere
AprtWar and Peace
MaytThe Woman in White
JuntAtonement
JultThe Shadow of the Wind
AugtJude the Obscure
SeptUlysses
OcttVanity Fair
NovtA Fine Balance
DectGerminal
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2.50 Stars. I tried, I really did but I just can’t. This was a reread for me. I read this in early high school after discovering Ender's Game in 7th grade and someone telling me if I loved that book I would love Dune. Ah no! I would take a million Andrew Wiggins before I had to read about another Paul Atreides. Anyway, in high school I found the book to be wicked dry and I could not stand Paul. After rereading this, while I do have more appreciation for the world building, it is still really slow in parts and I still don’t want anything to do with Paul/Jesus.
I wanted to reread this since I was going to watch the movie and was hoping it was just a case of 14-year-old me not liking something that adult me would. Instead, I forgot how boring the book could be in places and I had forgotten how annoying it was to have spoilers given to us at the start of each chapter (from the princess). While I did make it to the end of the book, I must admit I skimmed on multiple occasions when I started to feel sleepy.
There were some parts that really do not hold up well, but I didn’t take that into account in my rating. I can’t be surprised that a book has homophobia and sexism when it was written in the 60’s. If this book were written today, then I’d have plenty to pick apart.
I did end up seeing the new movie (I’ve watched the old movie too but remember it being so weird that I had no idea what was happening) and I actually liked the new movie better than the book. As a big time reader I feel weird saying that, but I think it solved some of the issues I had with the book. However, Paul was still Paul and the movie can’t fix that so overall I didn’t like the movie half as much as everyone else seems to. I guess I just have to lose some geek points because Dune is not for me.
I wanted to reread this since I was going to watch the movie and was hoping it was just a case of 14-year-old me not liking something that adult me would. Instead, I forgot how boring the book could be in places and I had forgotten how annoying it was to have spoilers given to us at the start of each chapter (from the princess). While I did make it to the end of the book, I must admit I skimmed on multiple occasions when I started to feel sleepy.
There were some parts that really do not hold up well, but I didn’t take that into account in my rating. I can’t be surprised that a book has homophobia and sexism when it was written in the 60’s. If this book were written today, then I’d have plenty to pick apart.
I did end up seeing the new movie (I’ve watched the old movie too but remember it being so weird that I had no idea what was happening) and I actually liked the new movie better than the book. As a big time reader I feel weird saying that, but I think it solved some of the issues I had with the book. However, Paul was still Paul and the movie can’t fix that so overall I didn’t like the movie half as much as everyone else seems to. I guess I just have to lose some geek points because Dune is not for me.
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