Dune
by Frank Herbert · first published 1965
37% recommend57% neutral6% critical
Why HN recommends it
Sci-fi epic with a richly detailed universe that drops readers into its invented terminology and keeps its momentum. Fans praise its politics, philosophy and scarcity themes; suits readers who push past the slow start.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
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 ancie
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This isn't relevant to the main point of the article, but the paragraph about the power of mythology reminded me of Frank Herbert's Dune. The book does an excellent job of dropping you into a new universe starting with the very first pages. Herbert relentlessly uses new terminology from that universe without explanation, but you gradually…
on “They Took Our Myths” ↗- Anna Karenina: Tolstoy knows people better than they know themselves - Brave New World: Aldous Huxley is a genius and a wordsmith - Dune: a sci-fi masterpiece, highly recommended to anyone into sci-fi - Zen and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: not purely fiction but an amazing book I will surely re-read during my lifetime
on “Ask HN: Great fiction books that have had a positive impact on your life?” ↗Cryptonomicon and Snow Crash were great. Others you might: - The Story of Your Life by Ted Chiang (superb short story that Arrival was based on) - The Three Body-Problem (Cixin Liu) - Dune (Frank Herbert) - The Parable of the Sower (Octavia Butler) - Lucifer's Hammer (Larry Niven) - The Kundalini Equation (Steven Barnes)
on “Ask HN: What are the best Sci-Fi books you've ever read?” ↗…Earth trilogy by N. K. Jemisin - this is probably the best pacing I have ever experienced in a fantasy series. And if you think science fiction would be more your thing, try to to take a stab at reading Dune by Frank Herbert. This is a sci-fi classic that essentially codified the genre, and some of the ideas in the series are what made Star Wars the phenomenon it is today. I think you can't get better proof…
on “Ask HN: Are books worth it?” ↗Don't bother with the books past the first and maybe the second. Dune itself should be treated as a standalone masterpiece of worldbuilding.
on “Ask HN: Mind bending books to read and never be the same as before?” ↗…Practice by The Dalai Lama. Again, understand your mind to improve your ability to deal with life. I suggest this and the previous book because you can't build a great house without a sturdy foundation. Dune by Frank Herbert. There's some lessons in here about managing your mind and your reactions to stimuli or adverse situations. Yes, seriously I'm suggesting a fiction novel :) Others if I think of them!
on “Ask HN: What are the best books for professional effectiveness?” ↗…books (actually, quite a lot,) I'm positively surprised by some choices, with books you usually don't see in "best of" lists but which rank high in my personal preferences. For science fiction I'd change Dune... Even though it's a great book and I like it (I even read Herbert Jr.'s sequels... spoiler: don't) I'd pick something "shinier." Heinlein's Stranger in a Strange Land, or 2001: An Space Odissey... or…
on “Books to Read in a Lifetime” ↗For science fiction, Dune is a must, and Children of Time is probably the most mind-bending sci-fi I've read since. Both create imaginary worlds that are so detailed and plausible that they make you see our world in a new light.
on “Ask HN: Mind bending books to read and never be the same as before?” ↗Dune, by Frank Herbert. Bear with me on this. It was a bridge into politics, ecology, religion, and economics, as well as an amazing world-building narrative. It got me interested in philosophy and literature,…
on “Ask HN: Life Changing Books?” ↗…small, beautiful, book about writing better. This is the book I've gifted the most. Several scifi books have also been gifted to friends, mostly Asimov (both the Foundation and Robots series), Herbert's Dune, and Clarke's Rendezvous With Rama. Also, gifted a copy of Our Band Could Be Your Life by Michael Azerrad, which is my favorite book about my favorite bands (and the American punk scene of the early…
on “Ask HN: What book have you given as a gift?” ↗…books that I’ve finished and thought, “I wish I hadn’t read that.” I can usually get something out of it, whether it’s a classic, pulp, overrated, whatever. It took me many attempts to make it through Dune by Frank Herbert. Part of it I attribute to being a child for my first attempts, but part of it is the style. It’s dry, slow, and political. It’s now one my short list of favorite books. On the other…
on “Why Some People Become Lifelong Readers” ↗…but in my opinion his finest novel, rising way above its goofy premise by taking it seriously, exploring the consequences and treating the characters with empathy and respect. Also hilarious. Seconding Dune, which is a classic for a reason, and Stranger in a Strange Land (though I think The Moon is a Harsh Mistress is a better place to start with Heinlein). Also Neal Stephenson, though I'd suggest Cryptonomicon…
on “Ask HN: I only read tech/business books – recommend me some fiction?” ↗I just finished the book yesterday. I rank it #1 on my all-time SciFi list. I would say A Fire Upon the Deep is #2 and Dune #3.
on “Earth-like planet spotted orbiting Sun’s closest star” ↗…the years are: The Chrysalids[5] by John Wyndham. The White Mountains, The City of Gold and Lead, and The Pool of Fire which comprise The Tripod Trilogy[6] by John Christopher. And the oft mentioned Dune by Frank Herbert is a book a reread every few years. Love the first book, don't care for the rest that much. Favourite authors in general would have to include the following: Robert Sawyer, Timothy Zahn…
on “Ask HN: What is your favorite fiction book?” ↗Tough to pick just two. For now I would say: War And Peace (Pevear & Volokhonsky translation) Dune
on “Ask HN: Please name two of your most favorite books.” ↗