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Jonathan O'Neill's Reviews > Dune
Dune (Dune, #1)
by
by
Jonathan O'Neill's review
bookshelves: sci-fi, favorites
Sep 10, 2020
bookshelves: sci-fi, favorites
Read 2 times. Last read February 3, 2024 to February 14, 2024.
5 ⭐️
2024 Re-read
I have consumed the Water of Life and felt the spice agony.
It has revealed to me the error of my past ways. But as the Lisan al Gaib teaches us, ways can change.
Original Review
4 ⭐
A word of warning as you venture out to peruse the veritable smorgasbord of delectable reviews for this Sci-Fi/Fantasy Classic!
Be sure to do your Du(n)e diligence. Be wary of key phrases such as “I don’t usually read Fantasy/Sci-Fi”, “Too many made-up words” or “I’m just reading before the movie comes out”. These individuals have come down with a bad case of bandwagonitis and any self-respecting Sci-Fier-er cannot count on their reviews being in any way accurate or beneficial!
As I’m firmly placed in the 3rd category of Blockbuster-hungry fools, I’d advise you to immediately move on to another review, there’s nothing of value here. In fact, I won’t actually be writing a review, I’ll simply address one simple question:
What is Dune?
Dune is sand as far as the eye can see.
Dune is the sphincter opening.... of a desert tent.
Dune is thirst. The distillate esthers of reclaimed waste; the sour effluvia of humanity. It is greedily, no… joyously sipping your overweight Uncle’s recycled knacker sweat in a desperate effort to quell the rapid loss of your own bodily fluid.
Dune is the Water of Life; Molecular Modification; a Transcendental Trinocular Acid Trip. The [Boy] with Kaleidoscope Eyes experiencing a Psychokinesthetic extension of self.
Dune is the middle-aged man who, on hearing praise for his young sons, must always exclaim "I taught them everything they know!"
Dune is defiance of fear.
Dune is an unsettling change in POV turned familiar, insightful friend.
Dune is saying very little with a great many words.
Dune is Pardot Kynes, micro-ecology, patience and long-term goals.
Dune is the Shai-Hulud; the scandalous straddling of a worm.
Dune is religion, planted and shaped to the needs of the latest conquests and heraldic symbols.
Dune is the Ghost Wind of the Jihad
Dune is Alia, is Stewie Griffin.
Dune is Feyd-Rautha, is Commodus playing Gladiator.
Dune is a feint, within a feint, within a feint.
Dune is the house Atreides, is the Greek house Atreus.
Dune is the Kwisatz Haderach; the Messiah; a planet afflicted by a Hero.
Dune is power and wisdom at the cost of humanity; Friendship lost to worship.
”Everything he touched brought death and grief… it was like a disease that could spread across the universe… How little the universe knows about the nature of real cruelty!”
2024 Re-read
I have consumed the Water of Life and felt the spice agony.
It has revealed to me the error of my past ways. But as the Lisan al Gaib teaches us, ways can change.
Original Review
4 ⭐
A word of warning as you venture out to peruse the veritable smorgasbord of delectable reviews for this Sci-Fi/Fantasy Classic!
Be sure to do your Du(n)e diligence. Be wary of key phrases such as “I don’t usually read Fantasy/Sci-Fi”, “Too many made-up words” or “I’m just reading before the movie comes out”. These individuals have come down with a bad case of bandwagonitis and any self-respecting Sci-Fier-er cannot count on their reviews being in any way accurate or beneficial!
As I’m firmly placed in the 3rd category of Blockbuster-hungry fools, I’d advise you to immediately move on to another review, there’s nothing of value here. In fact, I won’t actually be writing a review, I’ll simply address one simple question:
What is Dune?
Dune is sand as far as the eye can see.
Dune is the sphincter opening.... of a desert tent.
Dune is thirst. The distillate esthers of reclaimed waste; the sour effluvia of humanity. It is greedily, no… joyously sipping your overweight Uncle’s recycled knacker sweat in a desperate effort to quell the rapid loss of your own bodily fluid.
Dune is the Water of Life; Molecular Modification; a Transcendental Trinocular Acid Trip. The [Boy] with Kaleidoscope Eyes experiencing a Psychokinesthetic extension of self.
Dune is the middle-aged man who, on hearing praise for his young sons, must always exclaim "I taught them everything they know!"
Dune is defiance of fear.
Dune is an unsettling change in POV turned familiar, insightful friend.
Dune is saying very little with a great many words.
Dune is Pardot Kynes, micro-ecology, patience and long-term goals.
Dune is the Shai-Hulud; the scandalous straddling of a worm.
Dune is religion, planted and shaped to the needs of the latest conquests and heraldic symbols.
Dune is the Ghost Wind of the Jihad
Dune is Alia, is Stewie Griffin.
Dune is Feyd-Rautha, is Commodus playing Gladiator.
Dune is a feint, within a feint, within a feint.
Dune is the house Atreides, is the Greek house Atreus.
Dune is the Kwisatz Haderach; the Messiah; a planet afflicted by a Hero.
Dune is power and wisdom at the cost of humanity; Friendship lost to worship.
”Everything he touched brought death and grief… it was like a disease that could spread across the universe… How little the universe knows about the nature of real cruelty!”
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Reading Progress
May 30, 2019
– Shelved as:
to-read
May 30, 2019
– Shelved
September 6, 2021
–
Started Reading
September 6, 2021
–
0.14%
"Been reading too mainstream lately, man! Thought I'd go with something no one else seems to be reading atm.
Update #1: Nearly dnf'd it before I started 'cos it was so hard to get the first volume out of the tightly packed box set. Man, they really jammed 'em in there!
Update #2: Anyone know how to stop my non-review from popping up every time I update?"
page
1
Update #1: Nearly dnf'd it before I started 'cos it was so hard to get the first volume out of the tightly packed box set. Man, they really jammed 'em in there!
Update #2: Anyone know how to stop my non-review from popping up every time I update?"
September 9, 2021
–
7.53%
"Intriguing so far.
Something has felt off with the dialogue from the beginning. I think it's the jumping back and forth from POVs in the middle of conversation.
Restricting it to a single POV per chapter would give it a more immersive feel. A feeling of being there, in the moment, whereas this feels more like I'm an outsider looking in.
All good, I've got 600+ pages to get used to it."
page
53
Something has felt off with the dialogue from the beginning. I think it's the jumping back and forth from POVs in the middle of conversation.
Restricting it to a single POV per chapter would give it a more immersive feel. A feeling of being there, in the moment, whereas this feels more like I'm an outsider looking in.
All good, I've got 600+ pages to get used to it."
September 14, 2021
–
36.51%
"1. Pfft, Bene Gesserit mind tricks. Such a Jedi rip-off!.... 🎣
2. "Remember the tooth! The tooth!""
page
257
2. "Remember the tooth! The tooth!""
September 26, 2021
–
50.14%
"The only thing worse than a doting parent who thinks their kid is God's gift to the World is one that knows it!"
page
353
September 27, 2021
–
53.41%
""The Fremen were supreme in that quality the ancients called "spannungsbogen" - which is the self-imposed delay between desire for a thing and the act of reaching out to grasp that thing."
So.... 'The Fremen had impeccable self-restraint'
Word economy is everything."
page
376
So.... 'The Fremen had impeccable self-restraint'
Word economy is everything."
September 29, 2021
–
65.48%
"1. ...the Baron noted the line of [Lady Fenring's] neck - a truly lovely flowing of muscles - like a young boy's.
I really hope this feral dies a slow and painful death!
2. Count Fering turned to his lady, said: "Ah-h-h-um-m-m, a resourceful um-m-m-m young man. Eh, mm-m-m-ah, my dear?"
A whole chapter putting up with this blabbering idiot. How do you even voice that? Painful to read!"
page
461
I really hope this feral dies a slow and painful death!
2. Count Fering turned to his lady, said: "Ah-h-h-um-m-m, a resourceful um-m-m-m young man. Eh, mm-m-m-ah, my dear?"
A whole chapter putting up with this blabbering idiot. How do you even voice that? Painful to read!"
October 1, 2021
–
83.52%
"Baby girl mic drop! Best chapter in the book by a million miles!"
page
588
October 29, 2021
– Shelved as:
sci-fi
February 3, 2024
–
Started Reading
February 5, 2024
–
19.89%
"Loving this on re-read! Probably wouldn't recommend the audio if it's your first time but if you're already familiar with the story, it's great! Trying to fathom why I would've dropped a star last time... At this point, I'm thinking past me must have been a real star-pinching Scrooge!"
page
140
February 10, 2024
–
39.35%
"He tells us "The vision of time is broad, but when you pass through it, time becomes a narrow door." And always, he fought the temptation to choose a clear, safe course, warning "That path leads ever down into stagnation."
Added physical to audio now. It's just too good!"
page
277
Added physical to audio now. It's just too good!"
February 11, 2024
–
50.14%
"This quote is probably overshared at this point but my care factor is minimal. Iconic:
I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain."
page
353
I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain."
February 13, 2024
–
77.56%
"'One of the most terrible moments in a boy's life [...] is when he discovers his father and mother are human beings who share a love that he can never quite taste. It's a loss, an awakening to the fact that the world is here and there and we are in it alone. The moment carries its own truth; you can't evade it.'"
page
546
February 14, 2024
–
Finished Reading
February 14, 2024
–
Finished Reading
February 16, 2024
– Shelved as:
favorites
Comments Showing 1-50 of 145 (145 new)
message 1:
by
maté
(new)
-
rated it 3 stars
Sep 10, 2020 02:38AM
I feel you hahaha
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The struggle is real Hannah! 😄
Enjoy! I’m reading the series for the first time myself, and it’s an awesome journey.
Mark wrote: "Enjoy! I’m reading the series for the first time myself, and it’s an awesome journey."Thanks Mark. This was actually way down on the sci-fi tbr but given the movie release date, I would like to at least have the first one read. Probably have to sacrifice starting Asimov's Robot series this year but too many books is a good problem, right?! 😅
Yeah, that’s exactly the same reason I started the books. I just discovered I wasn’t able to stop after the first one (although it does stand alone quite well). 😁
Jonathan wrote: "Watches 3 minute movie trailer.Purchases 6 book saga.
Looks at self in the mirror with disgust and asks, "Why must you be such a compulsive asshole?!""
Noooooooo not an asshole, decisive & dedicated - deffo great character traits *nods*
A true bookish nerd is what you are. Keep it up.
Bri (bloodydamn_taveren) - I literally have enough books on my bookshelf to last me years but I always seem to be able to convince myself that I really need that "1 more".Bianca - Twiins!! 😂
Aoife - Thanks Aoife! I like your spin on it better! Lol!
Sade - I can't deny that Sade. It seems I've definitely become a book nerd! Haha!
🤜🤛I gotchu buddy - buy ALL THE THINGS 👍
Elle wrote: ""😂 Hoping to click with it a little more than you did... Especially considering I bought all 6! Lucky for me I love made up words!
The first book is one of my favorite pieces of sci-fi. The next five or so drop off in quality significantly
Rick wrote: "The first book is one of my favorite pieces of sci-fi. The next five or so drop off in quality significantly"Yeah, this seems to be the opinion of the majority and may just be an objective truth, though, I do have a friend on GR that loved them so much, she went on to read all of the works of his son as well, so I'll choose to remain, perhaps delusionally, optimistic for the moment! 😂 Thanks for your comment, Rick!
My husband swears by this series: I've only read the first one, which I loved, but he has warned me that the trick to enjoying the other is to not expect them to be like the first book, they are all very different in tone. I have yet to test his theory ;-)
Gabrielle wrote: "My husband swears by this series: I've only read the first one, which I loved, but he has warned me that the trick to enjoying the other is to not expect them to be like the first book, they are al..."Ahh, pro-tip. I like it, thank you! 😂
I was going to start the series before the movie was to be released late last year but now will be looking to read it sometime before the new release date in October this year. :)
Did u read it? Haha
Not yet, Constanza! 🙈 Asimov's Robot series will be my next Sci-Fi. Most likely right after that :)
Hey, we are waiting here… (I too buy too many books just to despair of ever reading them all)
Marsh wrote: "Hey, we are waiting here… (I too buy too many books just to despair of ever reading them all)"Ha! Thanks for keeping me accountable, Marsh! This review post has become a well of shame for me which deepens with every day that goes by without me reading the book!
I had Asimov's 'The Naked Sun' set for after my 'Currently Reading' but given the upcoming release of this film (if we're out of lockdown), I might have to replace it with at least the first book of this series! That way I can put a stop to the embarrassment I feel every time I see a like on this review for a book I haven't even read 😅
Nah you did a good thing..it's a series worth reading and owning. Let's hope the movie meets standards.
Sud666 wrote: "Nah you did a good thing..it's a series worth reading and owning. Let's hope the movie meets standards."Ah, good to hear it's got your backing, Sud! I figured there wasn't too much risk, it's right in my wheelhouse. I will probably jump into this after my 'currently reading' in prep for the film. Fingers crossed they do it justice for you (and me, if I like it)!
I'll never be able to take such a risk. Man, you hv a true courage of a reader, I'll just pray you love the series XD
Swaroop wrote: "Jonathan,🙂
I will look forward to your comments after reading the first book. And, as Sud said it is known to be a good series to read. Please don't be so hard on yourself. Now, look at self in th..."
Haha! Thanks Swaroop! All the mantras in the world couldn't make me read a book that size in a week! 😂
Zoe wrote: "I'll never be able to take such a risk. Man, you hv a true courage of a reader, I'll just pray you love the series XD"Thank you, Zoe! That's a good idea, I will also set up an altar and pray to the book goods that this is to my liking!
🙏"Dear Book Gods, I don't ask for much, so when I do, you know it's serious damn it! Please don't make this book trash. Amen" 🙌
I think that should do it.
I watched the film with Sting in it, (showing my age). That's as far as I go, I'm a fan of watching sci-fi but not reading it.
Bahahahahaha - comment of the day Jonathan!!
Michael - I watched snippets of that on YouTube. It was... hilarious! 😂 The books tend to leave more space for philosophising. I enjoy it but it's not too everyone's taste :)
Mark - I bloody wrote this in September last year thinking I was gonna read it before the movie came out, then it was delayed. 😂 This "review" has actually served as a good reminder to get to it, people's interest seems to have reignited with the upcoming release of the film. I'll have to knock something else off the immediate tbr to get to it! :)
So Jonathan, did you read it yet? I'm currently reading and loving it so much, I'm obsessed and can't wait for the film in October.
Not yet, Tracey! 🙈 I'm reading King's 'The Waste Lands' atm. I'm pushing this one forward to finish it before the movie release though, so it's up next! :)The fact you're loving it gives me hope!
I'm so excited about the film Jonathan. You can see where so many other authors, film makers and the like have taken inspiration from Frank Herbert. He came before Star Wars, before The Wheel of time and before A song of Ice and Fire Wow ;))
Ps I loved The Waste Lands. 3 more Dark Tower books and 3 more Wheel of Time books and my series reads are done. 🤓
Tracey wrote: "Ps I loved The Waste Lands. 3 more Dark Tower books and 3 more Wheel of Time books and my series reads are done. 🤓"Yeah, it should be good, the trailer's great (as my compulsive purchase would suggest)!
What I'm hearing, for the most part, is that 'The Waste Lands' is kinda the last good book in the series. I own the whole lot so I'll have to see for myself but I'll savour this one!
Definitely not True, Wizard and glass was great. It's Roland's back story and I love me a story around a camp fire.
Excellent to hear!On another note, I just read that Dune's Australian release date has been postponed again until December! Son of a bitch! 😂
Jonathan wrote: "Excellent to hear!On another note, I just read that Dune's Australian release date has been postponed again until December! Son of a bitch! 😂"
That just gives you more time to read it 😎
#PositiveOutcome
Haha! This is true, Aoife. Though, last time they delayed it I just kept pushing back reading it. I'll think I'll still put it up next just to be sure! And so that this "review" can stop being a constant source of shame. 😂
Aww Jonathan that's rubbish... I'll let you know how fabulous it is though 😉
Thaaaaanks 🙄 Haha!
Thank you (and your responses) for reminding me that I should finish this book before the movie. I've been trying to read it since February.
Milica wrote: "Thank you (and your responses) for reminding me that I should finish this book before the movie. I've been trying to read it since February."Sorry, Milica! I just saw this.
Well, at least this non-review has been beneficial to someone! 😂
I hope you get around to reading it! :)
Haha! You know what they say: "Self-awareness is the way to improve oneself." *lol*
Haha! True, Virginia! But there's awareness of one's behaviour, and then there's the willingness and motivation to change said behaviour. The latter is what I sorely lack! 😅
It's okay. Thank you for everything. Goodbye.
Also, I have only seen the trailer last night. Three times in a row. It's amazing. I understand why you bought all the original six books at once. Also, how's the book going?
Very well so far :)
Good to hear. Goodbye.
