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Stops: On Those Things My New Novel Forgot to Be About, Maybe

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   $19.56 Sale Hardcover add to wish list

   Chronic City

   Jonathan Lethem

Staff Pick

I'm sure other Powell's employees have chosen Dune as a staff pick, and for good reason: It's a science fiction classic. It is densely written and almost prophetic in nature. The spice, and the desert wars over it, sound so very much like our current situation regarding oil in the Middle East. Tinged with the supernatural, filled with believable characters, and laced with the very spice it is about, this book is an unparalleled work of science fiction. Herbert manages to create a whole new and possible galaxy. The only thing holding Dune back from "graduating" to the literature sections of bookstores is that it is too much a science fiction novel, though I feel it is as well written as any piece of great literature. I recommend this to any and all readers (even those who despise science fiction). I believe it should fall into the same category as 1984, The Great Gatsby, or To Kill a Mockingbird: a classic.
Recommended by Hobie, Powell's City of Books

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Average customer rating based on 2 comments:

msnow312, May 28, 2008 (view all comments by msnow312)
I haven't quite finished it yet, but so far this book is great. Dune is a story about Paul Atreides, the son of a duke. His mother is a sort of quasi-witch with strange powers that Paul seems to possess as well. Paul’s father has acquired a new planet, Arrakis (Dune) where it is plentiful in mélange, a spice that prolongs life. Paul and Jessica find out that there is a plot to kill the Atreides family by a traitor. The Duke is told, but he does nothing extreme to prevent the attack. He does take a few measures, but nothing major. The Duke attempts to recruit the locals, fremen, to work for him harvesting the spice. This is as far as i've gotten, Paul and the Duke are headed out into the desert in their new still suits.
One thing that I find interesting about Dune is the idea that a human can possess some mystical powers. Paul, for instance, can tell if someone is telling the truth, can tell who is coming up behind him or down the hallway, and he can later see into the future and past. Overall I like the science-fiction aspect of the novel, but particularly the abilities that can be learned, not ones that you are born with.
My general opinion of the book is very high. Also I’m expecting it to be very good because of its reputation. Anyone who has read it speaks very highly of Dune.

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crowyhead, October 31, 2007 (view all comments by crowyhead)
Considered a classic of science fiction, and deservedly so.

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Product Details

ISBN:

9780441172719

Author:

Herbert, Frank

Publisher:

ACE Charter

Location:

New York :

Subject:

General

Subject:

Fiction

Subject:

Science Fiction - General

Subject:

Dune (imaginary place)

Subject:

Science / General

Subject:

Science fiction

Subject:

Dune (Imaginary place) -- Fiction.

Copyright:

1996

Edition Description:

Ace Spec Anniv

Series:

Remembering Tomorrow

Series Volume:

01

Publication Date:

January 2003

Binding:

Mass Market Paperbound

Grade Level:

General/trade

Language:

English

Illustrations:

Y

Pages:

535

Dimensions:

688x420x90 56