I read this over the summer - my 5th time reading through this book and it had been over 3 years since I've read it last time. This is my second favorite sci-fi novel of all time. It used to be my favorite but Dan Simmons Hyperion books eventually took it down. The fact that it's still on my top list does say something about this book and what Herbert has done with the story. Even after 5 times of reading through it, I've got to say it's still a really good book as it is basically a retelling of Shakespeare's Henry V told in a science fiction setting. It still holds up well to that comparison.
At the time I read this it was one of the most complex novels I had ever read, even after the 5th time the complexity of the world building Herbert did is still impressive. The universe he creates is extremely detailed with some great characters that help to bring this story to life. Now I would call this book a precursor to Game of Thrones. I didn't realize how much politics were in this book and how much political machinations played a role in the story, until this read through. Game of Thrones owes a lot of its vastness to Dune. I really like the cultural creation Herbert did with population of Dune and in particular with the Fremen whose viewpoint of life has been completely influenced by the desert planet Dune. Their perspective of life soon shifts into the driving point of the story as the main character (Paul) and all other characters become caught up the Fremen philosophy. They feel like a living, breathing people such is the detail Herbert interjects into them.
After all of these years of starting Dune, it is still one of the best books ever written and has held up well over time.
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