Great concepts and themes marred by many missed opportunities.
Spoiler-Free Review:
When I first got hold of the book, I thought that 700 pages is too long. I have neither the time nor the patience for something this lengthy. But I quickly realized it could have easily been a 3,000+ page book. If only it was written differently.
Frank Herbert lays the groundwork for a complex and fascinating universe. There are no computers ("thinking machines"), yet there is space travel. While in the distant future, there are remnants of ancient systems and customs.
The known universe is governed by a feudal system and it seems like noble houses are at odds with one another. This would clear the way for political intrigue and machinations, but the book has little of it. There is one major treachery, the background of which isn't explained and we're left guessing.
Other non-governmental factions are fascinating in potentia but there's only surface-level mention of them.
There's little mention or description of technology or exotic planets. It's supposed to be "soft Sci-Fi", but to me that means neutered Sci-Fi.
I thought the characters would compensate for the lack of tech. But I found the characters, along with some of the story, to be bland and not very believable. At times, incoherent. Some are described as highly intelligent, but their thoughts and actions reveal them to be anything but. Some are described as possessing prescience, but are completely out of touch with the present, let alone the future.
Still, Dune contains some interesting and brilliant ideas that left me pondering for days. In this sense, it does what any good book ought to do — provoke thought on behalf of the reader and spark internal dialogue.
It provides a nuanced perspective on heroes and saviors, on AI, and what a future without it may look like. It forces examination and introspection of our affairs here on Earth, in the present.
As it is, I have no wish to continue onto the next book in the series. A shame, since I hear the concepts and ideas there are also great. I have heard that people who re-read the book later in life find it to be better. If at any time in the future I meet someone who convinces me, I'll consider a re-read.
*** The following contains SPOILERS. Tread lightly ***
From the get-go, for some reason, Frank Herbert spoils the narrative revealing that Leto Atreides will die. Not only that, but also who will betray him. That man is supposed to be incorruptible, yet the Harkonnens managed to do just that. Imperial Conditioning of Suk doctors should not allow for such treachery, "safe enough to minister even to the Emperor". Yet the doctor was turned, and the Emperor went right along with the scheme.
Then there's the concept of Mentats. With computers banned, humans are left to naturally sharpen their mental acuity to compensate. Enter Thufir Hawat, "who struck fear even into the heart of the Padishah Emperor", yet was so gullible he didn't even suspect Dr. Yueh for being behind the "hunter-seeker" device which tried to kill Paul. The device which had to be controlled at close range, and the good doctor right next door and conveniently administered a sedative to Paul just before the incident. Instead, he blame Jessica, apparently for no other reason than being a "witch" who's not to be trusted.
Speaking of which, why do heads of noble houses take Bene Gesserit ladies as concubines? Place them in positions of power? It's not clear, and Herbert expects readers to take it at face value.
Now to the protagonist: Paul Atreides. He doesn't develop much through the story, just transforms at once, almost magically, by consuming a lot of spice on Arrakis, into a prescient leader. Not the typical Hero archetype. But maybe that's the point. He keeps mentioning the zealot Fremen and the impending Jihad they might unleash on the universe, yet shows little effort to stop or mitigate it. On the surface he is likeable, but in actuality, he is egotistical. He's motivated by survival and exacting revenge, even at the expense of billions of lives potentially lost in the process.
The story could be told differently. Paul could turn himself in to the Harkonnens, to be unexpectedly and reluctantly rescued by the Fremen, and later take on their cause.
I thought the Padishah Emperor was an interesting character. But he was taken out of the shadows only at the very end, to be discarded shortly after. And when the Baron Harkonnen stands before him, the impression given is as if they never conspired together against the Atreides. Very confusing.
I found many gaps and missed opportunities in the story.
Why are House Atreides and Harkonnen feuding? What caused it?
How did we go from local democracies to galactic corporate-imperialism?
What prompted the Butlerian Jihad and the outlawing of "thinking machines"?
I felt like a prelude was in order. It's unfortunate Herbert never wrote prequals to Dune.
One page/day the Atreides are on Caladan and the next their on Arrakis. Could be a great opportunity to introduce the Guild and space travel. What are the Guildmen like? What are the tradeoffs for consuming that much spice?
One page/day Paul and Chani meet each other and the next they're married with a kid. Could be an opportunity for a mini-romantic story.
The author tries to walk a fine line between mysticism and psychic abilities (Reverend Mother: “Not telepathy. She’s in my mind.” Huh?)
Minor annoyances:
The events are supposedly 20,000 years in the future, yet names such as "Paul" and "Jessica" still exist? OK.
Religion is an awkward form of syncretism of old beliefs. Zensunni? Buddislamic? Really?
This just seems intellectually lazy.
Overall, the ideas found in the book are powerful and fascinating, but poorly executed.