engaging, captivating, and thoughtfully written sci-fi

Dune by Frank Herbert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wanting to see the 2021 film Dune, but wanting to read the book first, i picked it up to read for the first time. Dune is an excellent story and i found it hard to put down between reading sessions. It is immediately engaging, captivating, and thoughtfully written. The story is imaginative, and has many layers which touch a broad scope of topics. I found that it sets up a context which is then challenged and perhaps shattered as the plot unfolds. Characters grow and change, and in so doing, reveal their back stories and their vision and dreams for the future. Issues which can be taken for granted are presented and then challenged, and in many cases, the conclusions drawn are open ended for further consideration. These topics include religion, politics, capitalism, commerce, ecology, patriarchy, oligarchy and hierarchical rule, eugenics, living systems and creatures, environment, procreation, social and political order, rule of law, etc. I've probably missed a bunch in my listing. Anyway, this story is one of the best of what i consider "old" sci-fi that i have read. I definitely am interested in reading sequels to it, as well as re-reading this original tale again after seeing the film. Great stuff.

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another beyond excellent tale from Colson Whitehead

Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Colson Whitehead delivers another beyond excellent tale. Harlem Shuffle is a story of life in Harlem in the mid 1950s to mid 1960s. It is about living with your family and your history, and overcoming it, while at the same time being pulled back into the rut of how things have always been, yet still pushing up and out and beyond. The writing and story telling is nothing short of amazing to read. Colson Whitehead is a rare treasure of a writer. This story is not as heavy or powerful as his previous two works (The Underground Railroad and The Nickel Boys), but is nevertheless a beautiful read, one of those i found myself wanting to read every word, because the author makes every word count. This is a great story, highly recommended.

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