In a distant future, set 20,000 years from the present, the universe is not even close to the same. On the plant Caladan, Duke Leto of House Atreides is preparing to leave with his family and staff to the desert world of Arrakis. There is a great economic opportunity for Duke Leto in Arrakis due to the high concentration of melange, a spice-typed drug that is very common among the elite class in the galaxy. Unfortunatley, the suspected move has been pondered upon by Leto’s closest because of a potential trap being set for House Atreides by their rivals, the Harkonnens. Baron Harkonnen is their leader and he is out to derail the Atreides name for good and obtain power for the Harkonnens. Upon House Atreides’ arrival in Arrakis, Duke Leto decides to recruit the natives of Arrakis, the Fremen, to act as soldiers and defenders against the Harkonnens. It is also important to note that Arrakis is home to giant space worms, which the Fremen are familiar with. On the other hand, the Fremen are very intriguied by Paul, Leto’s son, and Jessica, Leto’s partner or concubine. Jessica is a member of the Bene Gessirit, a group of magic users with mystical powers. Paul has also inherited these strange traits from his mother. The Fremen believe that Jessica and Paul have come to Arrakis to serve as their saviors. It is believed that Paul and Jessica will return Arrakis back into the lush paradise it used to be and save the Fremen people. Despite this, unfortunate events hit the Atreides clan hard, and a new leader needs to band the house together and lead the Fremen against the Harkonnens.

            A very critical theme to the novel is the idea of power and how it dictates the universe. There is surprisingly, a feudal system of power in this future. Dukes and barons all work under one empire, or emperor. To add to that, the mystical Bene Gessirit play a key role in dictating how power is valued in this society. In a way, the Bene Gessirit are very faith oriented. They are like the Jedi in Star Wars; subsequently, they follow ancient texts and practice magical powers that are appreciated by many. This is what makes Paul and Jessica such interesting characters and it grooms Paul for much bigger things in his life.

            This is one of the best science-fiction novels ever made. I highly recommend reading it. Frank Herbert masterfully world builds this galaxy into a complex society that has an abundance of interesting characters. In fact, George Lucas also took inspiration from this novel into Star Wars. This is another American literary classic that everyone should read. Herbert has such a unique perspective of the future; especially with the idea of how the universe reverts to a middle-age system of power. There are only a couple issues I have with it. To begin with, it is a very long novel and there are some “filler” moments in which the plot feels dragged on just to add more pages to the novel. In addition, it can be confusing because of the different terms and ideas in this world that do not translate to ours. All in all, Herbert does a fantastic job in building the world of Dune for readers to be emerged in. Go read this book and travel into this strange, yet exotic universe of Frank Herbert.

Check out Dune from the Newport Beach Public Library.