4.2/5

This audiobook was a boon for me. I could never get into Dune when I tried reading it off the page. The mystical nature and the religious wordings never allowed me to be immersed. But the cool, steady narration and the voice acting kept me on Arrakis and with Paul and company.

I was struck by how reflective the socioeconomic, geopolitical, and religious tones could easily be dissected and connected to tensions and anxieties from Herbert’s 1960s experience, as the forces of commercial globalization and neocolonialism thrust their ways into every facet of modern human existence.

After finishing the book, I have a desire to explore Herbert’s inspirations and reflections from his own world, as this seems to be much less of an escapist fantasy science fiction, and more of a reflection and critique of what he saw as pressing and existential factors.

I’m kicking myself for not getting into Dune earlier. I also apologize if I sound naive or mistaken about the meta around Dune, as I have never seen the films and only glancingly watched the mini series when I was very young, so my analysis may be immature and quite obvious to other readers.

I look forward to continuing on with the Dune series!