With a political intrigue that matches “Macbeth”, religious conflict similar to the crusades, and a setting akin to the spacefaring story of Star Wars, Frank Herbert’s “Dune” is a book that earns its four out of five stars. The novel, whose roots date back to the 1960’s, has also recently been reimagined in a 2021 movie of the same name, directed by Denis Villeneuve.

The plot is thus: Paul, the child of the duke of Caladan and the prophesized chosen one is the main character of Dune. When he turns fifteen, his family, the Atreides, are commanded to move suddenly and under suspicious circumstances, from the watery and hospitable Caladan to the desert-stricken land of Arrakis whose very dust storms can kill a man. The family of three: the honorable duke Leto, his partner Lady Jessica, and their son, Paul, quickly go, but distrust the situation.

Unknown to the Atreides, their sworn enemies, the Harkonnens, have planned a trap to eliminate them. And soon, the trap is sprung by a traitor in Leto’s forces. Leto quickly dies, but his son and partner escape into the night to the desert wasteland that comprises the planet’s landscape.

After Paul and Lady Jessica secure a place with the local people—who are a fierce, and desert adapted people called the Fremen—he gathers a collection of them through his growing cult of personality and magical powers, proclaiming himself Paul Muad’Dib. Finally, he uses his army of Fremen to oust the Harkonnens, and later start a holy war for his own designs. The war in the end kills the emperor of the known universe and gives Paul his place on the throne.

Ultimately, “Dune” was a captivating read with several strengths and a few weaknesses that caught my eye. One of its few weaknesses were the complex and intertwined natures of the philosophy and religion that are present in the work. At first glance, the novel’s religion—built of several distinct real-life religions, is deeply entrenched in the conflict and motivations of the book’s main characters—Lady Jessica and Paul—is a tough read that requires an encyclopedia. On the other hand, the same complex worldbuilding that can give you a headache can also be the most enthralling part of “Dune.” The account of the colossal sandworms, relentless Freman, and myth around the great Muad’Dib whose rallying cry causes the most ferocious conquest in known history, elevates it from a good book to a great one.

Herbert’s “Dune” is a masterful piece of literature that has been drawing readers in for the last 58 years since it was published, and is sure to excite for generations to come. It’s a novel that would wholeheartedly recommend it to any sci-fi nerds looking for a good book, and anyone else who is looking for the next big, bold, and favorite read.