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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