frank herbert

Set on the desert planet Arrakis, Dune is the story of the boy Paul Atreides, heir to a noble family tasked with ruling an inhospitable world where the only thing of value is the “spice” melange, a drug capable of extending life and enhancing consciousness. Coveted across the known universe, melange is a prize worth killing for…

When House Atreides is betrayed, the destruction of Paul’s family will set the boy on a journey toward a destiny greater than he could ever have imagined. And as he evolves into the mysterious man known as Muad’Dib, he will bring to fruition humankind’s most ancient and unattainable dream.

Ah, Dune. Colleen and I read this book back in 2016 for book club and, guess what, I stand by my bold and unflinching review of the time. However, I will admit I’ve softened just a tad rereading the book for #ANewChapter, raising my Goodreads rating all the way from one star… to two. Dune is certainly a giant of the sci-fi genre, and there is so much good and interesting material to be found here—which is perhaps where much of my personal frustration comes from, since I feel like the book’s potential falls far short of the end result.

I would say Dune is a book best read as a young person—when your imagination is still willing to work overtime to turn a mediocre book into absolute magic by taking these bones of great ideas and fleshing them out, filling in all the gaps and cheerfully explaining away any logical inconsistencies. For that reason, I think the novel is actually a great read for teens who are interested in sci-fi—or for any adults who really want to dive into the sci-fi genre’s origins.

Discussion questions below the cut!

Continue reading →

Check out a new and improved set of discussion questions here: #ANewChapter: Dune by Frank Herbert.

Here is the novel that will be forever considered a triumph of the imagination. Set on the desert planet Arrakis, Dune is the story of the boy Paul Atreides, who would become the mysterious man known as Maud’dib. He would avenge the traitorous plot against his noble family and would bring to fruition humankind’s most ancient and unattainable dream.

A stunning blend of adventure and mysticism, environmentalism and politics, Dune won the first Nebula Award, shared the Hugo Award, and formed the basis of what is undoubtedly the grandest epic in science fiction. Frank Herbert’s death in 1986 was a tragic loss, yet the astounding legacy of his visionary fiction will live forever.

I’ve meant to read Dune for a long time, seeing as how it is a heavy-hitting classic in the sci-fi genre. My friend had read it in high school, but was looking forward to reading it again to have the more informed and thoughtful opinions of someone who is now in their mid-20s. We also thought it would be a nice discussion opportunity, since she is much more knowledgeable about the sci-fi genre compared to me.

Cue the next agonizing month of my life. To put it nicely, I fucking hated this book. If you love it, great, have fun, but my opinion is unalterable and I can back it up with many a reason why, so please don’t yell at me about it. I did still make a strong effort to write questions that would not lead the reader’s answer and would also foster interesting discussion, and as a result our discussion was, indeed, a very good one. Our tie-in viewing of the 1984 film adaptation is still pending, but will no doubt feature a great deal of alcohol.

Discussion questions below the cut!

Continue reading →

World's Smallest Book Club

diversify, enliven, and encourage your reading!

#ANewChapter: Dune by Frank Herbert

Book Club Questions: Dune by Frank Herbert