Dune by Frank Herbert
Dune is an epic fantasy story, written as literary science fiction. In the world of the far future, all thinking machines have been outlawed, and technology is highly restricted. Human computers, mentats, are trained from birth to make complex calculations. The Bene Gesserit are an understated power force, with their extreme body control and millenia long breeding program to select for desirable human traits. Humans are moved through space by the Spacing Guild's navigators, who use the spice to assist in moving their Heighliners through space.
Dune is a story of revenge, hope and fate. There is the constant cycle of hatred and revenge of one Great House against another, shown by Baron Harkonnen plotting the downfall of House Atreides as part of an emnity that started thousands of years earlier. The book focuses on Paul Atreides, son of the Duke, and fated to become the Kwisatch Haderach, the culmination of the Bene Gesserit breeding program. He can forsee the future of constant war and hopes that he, and humanity, can avoid that fate.
First published in 1965, Dune stands the test of time and the comments on society in it are as relevent today as they were when it was first written. This is a book to read when you want to be challenged in your thinking and is recommended reading for all fans of science fiction.
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