Comments on: Is Dune the greatest science fiction book ever written?

By: Thales

Thales — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 19:10:18 +0000

Dune will always remain a classic because, compared to other SF, it is incredibly reactionary. To wit, AI will turn hostile, Democracy is a joke — feudalism is the natural state of man, FTL is the sole property of devolved drug addicts, a drug which makes heroin (and its algebra of need) look like Sanka. Also, forget about any metaphysical transcendence — that's only open to one guy, and, you guessed it, there's no freedom there either.

By: R.

R. — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 10:18:03 +0000

Bob Sykes: While Dune is not the greatest SF book ever (not that it's possible to rank them), it's a very good novel. Similar to Martian Chronicles, but far more internally consistent I think. Didn't like Martian Chronicles one bit, like a pastiche on colonizing America but with rockets.

By: Abelard Lindsey

Abelard Lindsey — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 19:42:43 +0000

Dune is good for those who might not like SF in general. I can also recommend Peter Hamilton's "Commonwealth" novels as well — Pandora's Star and Judas Unchained — for those who normally do not like SF.

By: Scipio Americanus

Scipio Americanus — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 15:06:31 +0000

I have a general dislike for trying to rigidly and comprehensively rank a field of literature as diverse as Science Fiction. That said, Dune is certainly one of the genre's great works, and I would even argue that it is a meaningful contribution to our culture's literary tradition beyond just being good genre-fiction. Like anything, it has its flaws. In my opinion, at least, it rises above these flaws.

By: S

Wed, 12 Aug 2015 13:32:09 +0000

It’s my favorite. It;s also the only book I have read more than twice.

By: Bob Sykes

Bob Sykes — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 11:29:45 +0000

Decidedly not.

While it is a connected series of short stories and not a novel, I greatly prefer The Martian Chronicles. The TV miniseries was a very good adaptation, and it sustained “The Twilight Zone” and “Outer Limits” for years.