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Dune: Deluxe Edition
by Frank Herbert
Ace, $40.00, 688pp
Published: October 2019

A deluxe hardcover edition of Frank Herbert’s epic masterpiece—a triumph of the imagination and one of the bestselling science fiction novels of all time.

This deluxe hardcover edition of Dune includes:
· An iconic new cover
· Stained edges and fully illustrated endpapers
· A beautifully designed poster on the interior of the jacket
· A redesigned world map of Dune
· An updated Introduction by Brian HerbertThis is one of those books that I periodically reread. While I did not enjoy the sequels Dune

Set on the desert planet Arrakis, Dune is the story of the boy Paul Atreides, heir to a noble family tasked with ruling an inhospitable world where the only thing of value is the “spice” melange, a drug capable of extending life and enhancing consciousness. Coveted across the known universe, melange is a prize worth killing for...

When House Atreides is betrayed, the destruction of Paul’s family will set the boy on a journey toward a destiny greater than he could ever have imagined. And as he evolves into the mysterious man known as Muad’Dib, he will bring to fruition humankind’s most ancient and unattainable dream.

A stunning blend of adventure and mysticism, environmentalism and politics, Dune won the first Nebula Award, shared the Hugo Award, and formed the basis of what is undoubtedly the grandest epic in science fiction.

SOON TO BE A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE directed by Denis Villeneuve, starring Timothée Chalamet, Josh Brolin, Jason Momoa, Oscar Isaac, Javier Bardem, Stellan Skarsgård, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya, and Charlotte Rampling.

Dune is, of course, one of the classics of science fiction that everyone is supposed to read. Way too often that means the tome is a dry and seriously outdated. Not so with Dune, it is as relevant and exciting today as it was when it was first published in 1965. And this edition is gorgeous, so much so I almost wanted to look at it and go dig up my old battered copy to read.

By now we are all familiar with the overall story, if not from the book then from the David Lynch movie or the SciFi channel’s minseries. The story follows Paul Atreides as his family is given control of the desert planet Arrakis which is the only known source of melange, a drug that makes space travel possible as well as enhancing human mental abilities.  Betrayed and overthrown by their rivals, the Harkonnens, Paul’s father is killed while Paul and his mother escape into the desert. There they are found by the nomad Fremen who begin to believe he is the messiah, sent to free them and their planet as he shows the power to see into the future and the past. The more spice he eats the stronger his powers become.

After two years with the Fremen, Paul has become both their secular and religious leader while elsewhere Baron Harkonnen plots to overthrow the Emperor.  When the Emperor discovers the power of the Fremen he comes to Arrakis but once there the Fremen attack and destroy his fleet and army. The Fremen are triumphant and Paul forces the Emperor to step down and asks to marry the emperor’s daughter in order to become the new Emperor. Baron Harkonnen’s nephew, Feyd-Rautha, challenges Paul to a knife duel and Paul kills him resulting in the Emperor giving Paul his throne and his daughter.

This is one of those books that I periodically reread. While I did not enjoy the sequels, Dune remains one of my favorites. I highly recommend the book overall and this edition is worth the price for the serious Herbert fan.  ~~ Stephanie L Bannon

For other books by Frank Herbert click here
For other titles in the Dune series click here

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