Dune: The Graphic Novel
Frank Herbert’s Dune: The Graphic Novel
Adapted By: Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson
Illustrated By: Raúl Allén & Patricia Martín
[Nominated for ‘Best Graphic Novels/Comics’ category of the 2021 Goodreads Choice Awards Reading Challenge]
I’ve never read the original book. I saw the movie and really liked it, but then I saw how long the book was and so far I’ve chickened out. I saw this on the Goodreads Choice Awards and decided it was a lot more doable for me right now!
You tell me— is the novel worth my time?!
If you’ve never heard the term ‘graphic novel’, it has to do with the format not with the content. A graphic novel combines illustrations and text (like comic books) and are usually standalone novels or adaptations of other books.
A graphic novel does not mean the images are sexually or violently graphic. (Yes, I used to think this until I did a Popsugar reading challenge 7 years ago and bravely looked it up— not on my work computer).
The only other graphic novel I’ve read is Blankets so I have very little to compare this book to.
People who read a lot of graphic novels can comment more on the quality or style of the pictures. People who have read the Dune book can comment on whether the adaptation did the book justice and included enough of/the right scenes and information.
I don’t have much to contribute to that conversation. Why are you even reading my review?
But, since you’re here….
I enjoyed reading a book with pictures for a change!
If you have not read the book or seen the movie I’m not sure you’ll understand what is happening in the graphic novel. To be honest, I watched the movie in theaters and between then and now I felt like I forgot everything. With all the lingo and various characters, unless you’re very familiar with the story or have seen the movie and use your memory for more than just the lyrics to the Encanto soundtrack, then it will take a little time to get your bearings.
Some reviewers have said the graphic novel contained too much text. But if it had any less text I would have been completely lost.
They try to clarify inner thoughts from verbal dialogue by the various shape and colors of the text box. Each character gets their own color. They also try to label the locations and the characters. These are helpful things to know BEFORE you’ve already read 30 pages. *raises hand*
If you’re already lost reading my review, here’s the Goodreads summary: “Dune, Frank Herbert’s epic science-fiction masterpiece set in the far future amidst a sprawling feudal interstellar society, tells the story of Paul Atreides as he and his family accept control of the desert planet Arrakis. A stunning blend of adventure and mysticism, environmentalism, and politics, Dune is a powerful, fantastical tale that takes an unprecedented look into our universe…”
Arrakis is a desert planet where water is so scarce the natives wear special suits to conserve the water released from their body (yes that means tears, sweat, and pee but I think they have filtration technology *fingers crossed*). Arrakis is also home to a very special and desirable spice, called The Spice. (If the entire planet was women like the Amazons I’d have a really good band name for them…)
Of course everyone and their mom wants to control and benefit from the manufacturing and selling of the spice. And some of the players in this political chess match are ruthless. As far as I can tell the House of Atreides are pretty decent people who want to help the natives of Arrakis get out from under the thumb of the evil Harkonnens. But there is a traitor among the Atreides and the royal family is in danger.
Death, chaos, and war ensues and the battle for Arrakis has begun.
Also Paul, the main dude, is learning special powers from his mom who is some sort of superhero for a secret guild of powerful women (not the Amazons) who use The Voice (not The Force or Blake Shelton) to control and manipulate people. So there’s that.
And that’s all I can tell you. Either because I don’t remember enough or because it would be spoilers. I’ll let you decide.
So is this pretty much the best information you could read about this book? Yes. And Dune’t you forget it.
If you’ve never read a graphic novel, you should give this one a try! It will leave you on a cliffhanger though and the second (of the three) doesn’t come out until July. Blast!
But who cares? The book has pictures!
Wanna see some?
Share this book review to your social media!