Yes, if you're not sure, I can confirm it's a good idea to read the whole trilogy. Dune is a fantastic book and has aged quite well for sci-fi. Many years ago I read the first book when English was still a bit of a challenge for me and loved it despite its complexity. Now I can appreciate the added value of the other two parts.

They answer the question of what happens after the hero wins and becomes the ruler. We rarely get more than an implied 'and they lived happily ever after'. Dune Messiah and Children of Dune pick up where Dune ended and describe the murkiness of trying to rule justly and do right by everyone. And, as the best sci-fi does, the books make you think about our own society in the here and now.

For full disclosure, I do think the second book is a bit less engaging, as it is not as fast-paced (and they're not all that quick to begin with), but I still finished the trilogy in record time.

Immerse yourself and enjoy, I'm off to see the 2021 movie!

OK - let's cut through the BS.

This is - quite simply - the most magnificent Sci-Fi epic ever written.

The scope of Asimov's Foundation, the attention to detail and context of Tolkien's LotR, coupled with an unmatched visionary socio-ecological messianic narrative that is scarily relevant today.

Anyone who likes Sci-Fi and who hasn't read this needs to get a copy. And read it. Now.

This is my second read-through of the trilogy. Having previously gone through the entire series many years ago, I decided to limit it to three books this time around. I belong to the camp of ‘it gets a bit too crazy for my liking from book four.’ ‘Dune Messiah’ has the perfect ending (in my opinion). That said, for a first-time reader, definitely delve into all the weirdness. It’s what makes it unforgettable. There isn’t much more to say. Even with its rough edges, this trilogy is a classic and demands to be read.

May Shai-Hulud forever guide your footsteps.

A lot of people only read the first book, including people who seldom read sci-fi and people who only read just this one sci-fi book. The other two books are definitely worthwhile, especially the third volume (I have not read anything subsequent to the third book). If you are interested these are my reviews:

1. Dune
2. Dune Messiah
3. Children of Dune

مُلخص:
تدور الأحداث في المستقبل البعيد جداً. اكتشف البشر عدة كواكب صالحة للسكن واستعمروها. غيّر الزمن أشياء كثيرة لكن الطبيعة البشرية مازالت ثابتة، ومازال البشر يتصارعون على الموارد، أهمها بهار ”ميلانج“ الذي يستخدم للسفر بين الكواكب، وأيضاً يطور كل القدرات العقلية ويطيل العمر، لكنه يسبب الإدمان. يوجد ”ميلانج“ في كوكب”إيراكيس“ وهو قاحل وخطير. يُكلف الإمبراطور شادوم الرابع الدوق ليتو أتريديس بمهمة صعبة في ”إيراكيس“، يتقل ليتو مع جاريته جاسيكا وابنهما بول لهناك وتتغير حياتهم للأبد، خاصة بول الذي تعلم مهارات القيادة والحرب من أبيه، وأسرار التحكم بالأخرين من أمه. تنتمي جاسيكا لمجموعة ”بني جسيريت“ لذلك؛ تعلمت الكثير من العلوم السرية الصعبة. تتابع الأحداث وتتعقد الأمور وتنكشف الكثير من الأسرار، لكن المشاكل لا تنتهي. الرواية مُقنعة رغم غرابة بيئتها وأحداثها، أهم ما فيها الأسئلة التي تطرحها عن الطبيعة البشرية. وأيضاً معنى الانتماء وأهمية لنا.
خلاصة:
لفتتني طريقة تناول الرواية لمفهوم الذكاء البشري بكل أنواعه: العقلاني والعاطفي وغيرها من الأنواع التي يصعب تصنيفها ويمكن اعتبارها قدرات خارقة مثل قراءة الوعي الجميعي للبشرية. وأيضاً علاقة الذكاء البشري بغريزة البقاء وقدرة البشر على التعلم والتطور والتأقلم مع التغيرات.

Нуууууу классно конечно, но ожидал большего. Думаю, что перевод (которых много) не отразили все что надо.

Although this is the first half of the Dune series, personally I think books 1-4 constitute a proper story arc, But heck, I recommend the whole series, not just the first three books :)

The Dune series by Frank, not the son, form one of the pillars of my dreams over the decades since I read the first book. Somehow the imagery plays out in my mind far better than the attempts made by Hollywood.
Unfortunately, I donated my original set, with the original covers, when I moved a few years ago - the new books don't smell the same and don't have the familiar paper feel I grew accustomed to while reading them during finals week year after year.
The blend of science-aversion, exploitation of the naive by systematic manipulation of religion and witchcraft, and the harsh realities of life in a barren and mineral depleted desert is astounding.
I love these books!

First book (loosely based on story of Mohammed) is second best SF ever written. Books two and three, inevitably, fall off.

3.5-stars.

I have got to page 407 which is the end of the first book and I think that's enough for me for the time being. Though the author clearly had an incredible imagination I don't really understand why people are so excited about it being made as a film (for a second time). I will watch it if it ever makes its way onto terrestrial television but I found the writing style and language dated and hard to read.

1) A number of made-up words that I mostly skimmed.
2) A barren desert wasteland as a backdrop isn't all that inspiring.
3) A two-year-old with the knowledge and power of many adults?

I was actually very relieved that the author didn't try to keep describing the surroundings. I mean; what sort of world-building does anyone really need? It's a desert inhabited by giant worms.

The idea of water being the main commodity was good but obvious given the terrain of the world. I didn't really find that I became attached to any of the characters.

Many consider him to be the master of the Sci-fi genre, and I can't dispute that as I haven't read enough of the genre to be a judge. I still maintain that I prefer watching sci-fi to reading it. I'm glad that I gave it a try and that I forced myself to finish the first book.

Thanks for reading.

After hearing so many times that Dune was the masterpiece of Science Fiction literature, and seeing a new edition in the store where before I had seen none, I decided to pick this up. This took me some months to read, specially because it is very dense and in other editions just the first book is 900-ish pages. But it was absolutely worth it, entrancing and mind-blowing! Herbert succeeds at juxtaposing so many different elements: ecology, religion, consciousness, feudalism, space travel... gawsh, I could go on! He delivers lessons on all of these, and I couldn't help but save so many quotes. The fact that he has as the epicentre of the story an entheogen is... just amazing. Hardly anyone writes about that because they either have no experience in psychoactive substances, or they are too afraid of the negative connotations it might carry. But not Herbert. He would be the kind of person I'd love to have a chat with. The fabric he's woven with these books is just incredible.

It is a mainly character-driven plot, with the three books in this trilogy focusing on the Atreides family on Dune. Conversations leave you in suspense because there are so many hidden motivations, giving you an exaggerated perspective on human nature. That being said, I sometimes had a hard time to follow Herbert's writing and dialogues. I suspect that is partly why this trilogy took me so long to complete, I need to be really focused and in the mood to dive into such a complex world.
Also, my order of preference is: (1) Dune; (2) Dune Messiah and (3) Children of Dune. There were some plot decisions in the last book that just left me baffled, and I was wondering why the characters would decide to act that way. Dune just had a hold on me from start to finish, and I was finding it hard to put it down, already thinking of the fun I would have in rereading it. Dune Messiah just focused so much more on Paul's struggles in his new found role, I felt much closer to him, and the whole book just had a poetic justice undertone that I really liked.

Even though there were some low points, I can't help giving this trilogy a 5* rating! Simply because I think everyone should delve into this world, let themselves be absorbed by it. It makes you question your reality, your choices, your relationships and the impact you have on the world, or the impact the world has on you. I cannot recommend it enough, and believe me, I can't shut up about it. I will definitely continue with the the sequels!

I'm pleased to write that I have finally completed the great Dune trilogy. And it was great. REALLY great. So much so actually, that I can explicitly and categorically confirm that it is the most plagerised book I've ever read. Okay, "plagerised" is a strong word. But I couldn't help but feel familiarised with a lot of the scenes in the story.
When reading this book, it was impossible for me to ignore the similarities between it and just about every science fiction movie I've ever seen! Okay, I may be slightly over exaggerating again.
Classic Sci-fi films like Star Wars, The Matrix and Avatar all display some Frank Herbert undertones. Even books like Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn saga seem to have taken ideas from the late author.
I dunno, maybe I'm overreacting, or perhaps there is a very fine line between inspiration and just plain old theft.
In closing: Dune is a book every avid reader should indulge in at least once. It truly is the holy grail of science fiction. And I am personally grateful to the Gods for blessing the universe with the incredible and brilliant mind of Frank Herbert.
And now I look forward to returning to the dry, barren and unforgiving planet of Arrakis when I read God Emperor.

"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."