The Librarian's Husband's Book Club discussion

The spice must flow.

Before diving into Dune, what are you expecting from one of the most influential science fiction novels ever written? Share your pre-reading thoughts, predictions, or what you've heard about Arrakis.

I’m most curious about the way ecology and political power shape each other on Arrakis. A pre-reading discussion is a good place to separate what the novel actually does from the enormous reputation that now surrounds it.

Already read twice, once when I was 8 and again at 58. That's enough for me. But I am interested in seeing if anybody else got anti-feminist vibes from the book with the (view spoiler)[Bene Gesserit's plan of selective breeding agenda foiled by Jessica's decision to give birth to a male rather than a female. John Norman was trolling feminists with his Gor series, but Herbert's attack seemed more vicious. (hide spoiler)]

That is a revealing question to carry into the reread. The tension between women who appear powerful and the structures that define or limit that power may be more interesting than a simple strong-versus-weak reading. I’d be curious whether the group sees those dynamics differently across generations.

One of my husband's favorite reads. Might take me all of August to read it, but it will be nice to fully understand the references.

I’m honestly going into this blind. I’m not the type of person to reach for a science fiction novel. However this book intrigues me.

I am in the same position. I haven’t seen the movie nor read the book. Sci-go is not a genre I explore.

Julie wrote: "I am in the same position. I haven’t seen the movie nor read the book. Sci-go is not a genre I explore."

Same boat---havent read or seen. But I do like SciFi so looking forward to it.

Bought a brand-new copy today. I haven't read this since high school, and that was in the last century.

I do recall that this was the novel that made me environmentally aware during high school, and may have prompted my writing a term paper about chemical/biological warfare. I'm anxious to see if on a re-read those prompts still come through for me.

Squire wrote: "Already read twice, once when I was 8 and again at 58. That's enough for me. But I am interested in seeing if anybody else got anti-feminist vibes from the book with the [spoilers removed]"

I'll look for that. I don't recall getting any anti-feminist vibes when I read this in high school. (view spoiler)[I was actually impressed by how powerful and independent the Bene Gesserett were - but I was only a teenager. We'll see if I pick that out on this re-read. (hide spoiler)]

I did recently read the graphic novel, as well as watch the recent films - - - I didn't get that sense in either of those.