Dune: The Butlerian Jihad

Phew, that one was a doozy!

It's a hard read, but charming in the way The Lord of the Rings is. The worldbuilding was awe-inspiring.

In the beginning, there is information overload. I had to slog through the various people and terms mentioned. It becomes much more bearable after that. The pace is slow throughout, but there are thoughtful or entertaining bits here and there.

Greatest work of fiction I've ever read, utter peak.

Definitely going to listen again at some point. Paul's character development was definitely interesting 😮😮

The setting and main characters are nice, but I just found it way too confusing. I got 2/3 of the way through and some big 'reveals' didn't make any sense to me, so I gave up.

I can see why people love it, but it’s not my bag. Enjoyed it much more having watched the two newest movies first.

Honestly, — and especially compared to what I think are “Science Fiction’s Supreme Masterpiece[s]” — this really didn’t do much for me. My memory of it is already kinda bendy. Unusually low degree of savage infighting for a succession saga (e.g. everything from Bhagavad Gita to idk The Sopranos). Many shimmering moments, though. I do feel the need to engage with the worldwide ass net of superfans out there. I waited twelve years to read this and I’m excited to finally see the films/docs.

Great fantasy to sink into. Lots to think about. Herbert’s pulls from a breathtakingly wide array of historical, cultural, scientific and religious inspirations woven together swiftly. That alone makes it worth reading.

i agree all ginger-haired men are evil

This book was hard to get through I won’t lie, it took me forever and having exams half way through reading it did not help. However, the world building is incredible and the way the story is told is very unique. The characters were a bit too robotic and felt unenjoyable for me personally but I think overall, it was a good book.

whack

Dune. What can I even say about this book except that it's one of the best books I've ever read. This is a book layered heavily with politics, economics, geology, philosophy, religion and mythology. The term 'science fiction' alone doesn't do justice to it. Frank Herbert's writing is splendid as well. I especially enjoyed the internal dialogue technique that he employs to often. It makes me feel like I'm in the head of the characters, hearing their thoughts and experiencing the situation firsthand. This book is full of great sequences and scenes and characters. How can you not love characters like Thufir Hawat, Jessica, Gurney Halleck, The Duke Leto Atriedes, Stilgar, and even the Baron Harkonnen? The story is dotted with references and allusions to religion, embedded with philosophical queries and an excellent study in politics and ecology. I love Dune.

If this wasn't the titanic "Dune", I'm not sure I would have finished this book. The world of Arrakis is by far the most interesting concept of the story: on Arrakis, human life is seemingly an insult. Everything possible wants man dead, yet he persists because the planet houses something valuable that grows no where else. And so we have the ultimate 'Man vs. Nature' story. Frank Herbert had thought this world through more so than a majority of authors consider their worlds, no intricacy left unturned. This believable world is largely why I was able to finish "Dune". I found every single character to be obnoxious and unlikable though only one of them was supposed to be (Baron Harkonnen). Paul's prescience deflates tension often and his demeanor is, apparently, a mocking caricature of stoicism. Jessica is very similar, and while she cannot see the future like Paul, she's never wrong about any of her hunches (which are usually derived by something so minute, it's absurd). At least Baron Harkonnen was funny in just how shitty of a person he was, he's so comically evil to the point of horseshoeing back to grossly charming. Ending multiple chapters talking about how he wants to diddle underage boys (like Paul) is just buffoonery; good one, Frank. An important word of advice to anybody who reads this: Brian Herbert spoils things that will happen in the later books in his afterword. Like, kind of big things that just don't need to be said in the ending of the first book. What a fucking idiot, if I ever read more "Dune" books (and I might, as it seems this is the most bloated), I sure as hell won't be reading his. I didn't really care for "Dune" and honestly I prefer the movie at this point. Looking forward to Part 2 and maybe "Dune Messiah" when I'm bored enough.

It is sad to me when when the enjoyment of a book becomes contingent upon a second form of media such as the movie or even a re-read. I think it was difficult for me to truly get into this book as I was replaying the movie in my head and I couldn’t remove the gaps I filled in myself that the movie missed. The most gratifying piece of the story was the inner dialogue present throughout, but I felt SO many relationships missed depth and emotional pull. By far my favourite chapter was the last chapter of Book 1. I loved the inner turmoil Paul has about his mother and how in one chapter we quickly see his whole conception of the world change and him become removed and escalated. Paul’s transformation is so clear here. The natural curiosity that forms in his sense of anger is an extremely unique characterization depiction. This is what makes books so exceptional and often superior to visual media. I went back to reread that section at least twice and I wish the rest of the book matched this level. The movie made Lady Jessica to be much tougher, sure of herself; and although the book does not negate this, the carefulness, insightful, grieving nature of her in the book far outmatches the movie. And oh my goooood chapter 37 with the Reverend Mother imagery was so vivid, so perfect. Will not make the mistake of watching the next movie without reading the book first. Although, the ending did not encourage me to continue in the series but I could be tempted.

Dune inspired my favorite pieces of fiction, and it’s an incredible story in its own right—not always true of originators.

There’s a lot to like: a strong cast of characters, an interesting setting, and lightly mentioned lore that begs exploration (factions, history, worlds).

The first few chapters are packed with new words. While this made it difficult to parse at first, I love unique vocabulary. Slang is such an important part of feeling like you belong. Being familiar with these words added a lot of immersion.

Some of my favorite bits were inside Paul’s mind, as he analyzed how the prophetic events will be warped when they are retold in legends.

I loved the dynamic between Paul and his mother, Jessica. She made him into the man he is; this frightened her. Also, love Leto being the archetype for Ned Stark from GoT.

5/5

Soooooo goooooood! This felt more like fantasy than sci fi I must admit and I loved it from start to finish. The writing is spectacular and the internal dialogues are creatively presented. Looking forward to the next one!

If this wasn't the titanic "Dune", I'm not sure I would have finished this book. The world of Arrakis is by far the most interesting concept of the story: on Arrakis, human life is seemingly an insult. Everything possible wants man dead, yet he persists because the planet houses something valuable that grows no where else. And so we have the ultimate 'Man vs. Nature' story. Frank Herbert had thought this world through more so than a majority of authors consider their worlds, no intricacy left unturned. This believable world is largely why I was able to finish "Dune". I found every single character to be obnoxious and unlikable though only one of them was supposed to be (Baron Harkonnen). Paul's prescience deflates tension often and his demeanor is, apparently, a mocking caricature of stoicism. Jessica is very similar, and while she cannot see the future like Paul, she's never wrong about any of her hunches (which are usually derived by something so minute, it's absurd). At least Baron Harkonnen was funny in just how shitty of a person he was, he's so comically evil to the point of horseshoeing back to grossly charming. Ending multiple chapters talking about how he wants to diddle underage boys (like Paul) is just buffoonery; good one, Frank. An important word of advice to anybody who reads this: Brian Herbert spoils things that will happen in the later books in his afterword. Like, kind of big things that just don't need to be said in the ending of the first book. What a fucking idiot, if I ever read more "Dune" books (and I might, as it seems this is the most bloated), I sure as hell won't be reading his. I didn't really care for "Dune" and honestly I prefer the movie at this point. Looking forward to Part 2 and maybe "Dune Messiah" when I'm bored enough.

finally finished this fucking book. enjoyed it. i can’t stop picturing timothee chalamet and rebecca ferguson even though their characters couldn’t be more different from the movie. unexpectedly funny

The good: Standard-setting worldbuilding. Compelling villain. Interesting blend of myth, fate, will, and power.

The less good: Heavy use of prophecy kills suspense. Protagonist has no personality besides being exceptional. Clunky writing.

Fucking fantastic, cannot describe my elation at having read this to get to marvel at the book and adaptation!!!! Knowing what they changed and why in the movie….. I could go on for days

What's is there to add? This book is packed with life lessons and a rich story of humankind. Definitely one to add your shelf.

Ahhh, I loved it, I did. Like kind of embarrassingly a lot? Thing is, *this is my shit*. There's a reason I loved this when I was sixteen, there's a reason I rewatch the miniseries like once a year, there's a reason. I didn't think I would love this as much as I did though. For one, Dune is kind of a douchey bro thing to like. For two, I think my memories of read this book through Children of Dune was tainted by the fact I also read God Emperor through Chapterhouse. I can't even think of a single thing that happened in God Emperor through Chapterhouse other than (view spoiler)[Leto turning into a sandworm and Duncan coming back as a ghola (hide spoiler)] both of which I hated and I thought this would read more like that. But. *But*. I loved it, I did. I was talking with my brother about this book while I read it and his sentiment was along the lines of "I don't get why people like this book the way that they like it" see above my comment on how this is a douchey bro thing to like. And I realized that I was enjoying this book in the same way I enjoy Animorphs fanfiction. Melodrama! Tense situations made absurdly tense by the depth of relationships between the characters! There's a scene towards the end of this book where Paul sees Hawat again after 2 or 3 years and it gave me the same feeling as an Animorphs fanfiction where Tom was freed met Tobias and thought Tobias was an actual Andalite. Lines from Dune taken out of context would sound just as corny as lines taken out of context from Animorphs. I might have more to say but it escapes me at this moment

Pretty epic read, is occasionally a bit hard to follow but really draws you in and allows your imagination to flourish when you get really into certain parts.

i fucking love this book