Dune by Frank Herbert
There is a reason Dune is one of the classic scifi books and it’s completely justified. I’ve had so many meaningful and deep conversations with my spouse and my co-workers about this book, from the conservatorship of ecology to feminism and LGBTQIA issues in the 60’s.
If you read scifi and haven’t picked this one up. DO. Yes, it’s long, but IT’S SO WORTH IT. The chapters themselves are often short, each with action that drives the plot. You are NEVER going to find two pages of dense description. That is not Herbert’s style. It’s well paced and information is doled out in just the right ways and at the right times to keep you reading and simultaneously wanting more.
Dune is about the Atreides House being relocated to the desert spice planet of Dune. Spice is one of the most important substances in this universe, responsible for trade, seasoning, and some crazy trips. When Paul’s father, the Duke, is assassinated, Paul and his mother, a powerful woman with skill taught through decades of training, escape into the desert. Paul soon learns that the indigenous people of Dune, the Fremen, have been waiting for him, their savior, and he leads them out of the dark caves and into power.
The popular main criticism with this book is it’s white-saviorism, which is very evident in a Black Lives Matter age. I also read it through the lens of feminism and LGBT equality and it held up far better in one arena than another, but not perfect in either regard. This book was first published in 1965, so to expect those things is to be let down. Dune has many strong and powerful women and girls: Jessica, Paul’s Mother, Alia, his sister who can kill someone by the time she’s four, and Chani, a Fremen fighter. However, the final lines of the book basically say, “they may marry someone else, but people will know that the mistresses hold the power/his heart,” which just centers three incredibly strong, intelligent, powerful women in how they relate to a man. This book also has one of my most hated tropes: the only known gay person is a pedophile. I REALLY hate that plot device for the obvious reason as it’s a hate-mongering dog whistle for the anti-LGBT. I know nothing of Herbert’s politics, but I really hope he was cool.
Despite all that, I really thought this book was fantastic and I may consider reading more in this universe.
Don’t forget the movie comes out in October and the prequel tv series on HBO! Better get reading now! -Ford
