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Review Summaries
"This is a book about a struggle for a desert planet. Paul is the Duke's son and a family friend betrays him. Paul's father is killed. Paul escapes into the desert where he meets the mysterious Fremen people. He becomes one of them and plots revenge on his father's murderers."
Hermione, Resident Frank Herbert Scholar
"This is a classic heroic epic. The scion of a fallen Great House is sent to his death but escapes into exile. Under the protection of a native people, Paul Atreides grows from adolescent to man, man to leader. After a mystical transformative event, he seeks to avenge himself on his family's traditional rival and the Imperial House that together conspired to bring House Atreides down.
The Padishah Emperor, House Harkonnen, the Bene Gesserit, and the Spacing Guild all have their reasons for wanting to take Paul Atreides down... or at least bring him to heel. The Emperor controls the fierce Sarduakar but Paul Atreides controls the Spice and 'he who controls the Spice controls the universe.'
This story takes place in a richly detailed universe with complex economic, social, and religious histories. Paul Atreides is a hero in the tradition of Odyssues or Gilgamesh.
Dune is the first book in a series of six and by far the best of the lot."
Greg Careaga, Resident Frank Herbert Scholar
"The Duke Leto Atreides is killed by the evil Baron Harkonnen,and his son Paul,who is the Kwaisz Hederach and has psychic powers, sets out to avenge his father's death with help from the natives of the desert planet Dune, the Fremen and his mother, Lady Jessica."
webpenguin, Resident Frank Herbert Scholar
"A feast of spiritual ideas which opens the reader's mind to an infinity of possibilities and events that might occur in our future."
Lavinia, Resident Frank Herbert Scholar
"This is the story of an empire in stagnation, a royal family in the mist of treachery, of family love and loyalty, and a boy who, unbeknownst to him, is the product of centuries of breeding. This boy, upon whom destiny has placed a promise of a Godhead. In this particular universe you will be met with the extremes distances, immeasurable populations and worlds, yet you eye will never lose sight of Arrakis for it is there that life will spring anew. It is on Arrakis that you will find that "…he who can destroy a thing, controls a thing". It is here that you will truly come to know DUNE.
Using the imagination of a JRR Tolkien and the courage of an Asimov, Hubert achieves a masterpiece in his first book of the Dune series. He manages to create a universe based on the whims of commerce, religion, and politics. And along the way manages to bring into play the romance, treachery, and deceit that such a universe would entail. He does this by using our own human philosophical beliefs, fears and dreams…but never once throws them at you but rather lets you discern them for yourself.
"
Robert Merced, Resident Frank Herbert Scholar
"The two royal houses Atreides and Harkonens struggle for the power of Arrakis the desert planet that produces the money making melange spice. The Harkonens destroy the Atreides house and kill the Duke Leto leaving his coming of age son Paul rightful Duke; however Paul and his Bene Gesserit mother are left to be killed in the desert only to be found and harbored in the native desert fremen villages until they once again rise to power and cause a revolt taking back the seat of power."
Misty Dawn, Resident Frank Herbert Scholar
"Paul Atreides lads on the planet dune to take control over it with his family. Their house is destroyed and paul and his mother fight for their lives and get aid from the natives of the planet"
Andreas B. Steen, Resident Frank Herbert Scholar
"A particularly fine blend of sci-fi and fantasy, of great scope and depth. The two royal houses of Atreides and Harkonnen vie for the desert planet Arrakis, source of the fabulous spice melange, which gives long life and great powers. The 'created worlds' in which the rivalries are fought out have history, prophecy, powerfully drawn characters of mythic power, and a variety and depth not often seen in science fiction. This is no mere 'space opera', but a creative fiction of a high order. It may not be in doubt that the young Paul Atreides will ultimately triumph, but the how and why will take your breath away. "
Michael JR Jose, Resident Frank Herbert Scholar
"Paul, the Ducal heir to House Atredies, and his family are forced to rule over the planet Arrakis, where they are thrust into a world of political intrigue, betrayal, and revenge."
Jat, Resident Frank Herbert Scholar
"Paul Atriedes is a young boy who is thrust into the mantle of both man hood and god hood. For Paul is the Quizate Haderak the universes super being. It is a blessing and a curse. Paul is able to see into the future and teh past lives of all who have ever been. And it is in this that he sees the path which humanity is on. Iit is a path that will lead to the end of Humanity. Now into this throw a 1000yr old blood fued that becomes a family fued. And a fanatical Army and a profecy that will shake the very foundation of the universe.....Oh yeah and don't forget the drug addiction, power play's and intrigue. All in all a great book."
alexander t eteuati, Resident Frank Herbert Scholar
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Overall Review
Our unique search engine breaks down books and movies into
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Composition of Book Descript. of chases or violence - 10% planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 30% Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 20% Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 40%
Tone of book
- depressing/sad
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?
- science fiction story
Coming of age
Yes
Youngster becomes
- ruler
Political power play
Yes
Political plotlets
- overthrowing govt/kingdom
Inner Struggle
Yes
Plotlet:
- coping with mental/magical powers
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- Prince/Nobleman/King
Age:
- a teen
Has magical/special powers?
Yes
Magical/mental powers of main character:
- can see into the future
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 40's-50's
Profession/status:
- Prince/Nobleman/King
Eccentric:
Yes
- obsessed
How sensitive is this character?
- mean, arrogant
Sense of humor
- Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Setting
Terrain
- Desert
A substantial portion of this book takes place on a non-Earth planetary body:
- humans in a futuristic society
- humans in a primitive/fantasy society
- empty, or nearly empty world
- very controlled society
Planet outside solar system?
Yes
Style
Person?
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- moderately detailed references to deaths
Sex in book?
Yes
How much dialogue?
- roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
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