Dune by Frank Herbert is a compelling masterpiece. It’s the first novel I’ve read in some time, and it was a refreshing change of enjoyment for me. It’s amazing the book was written in 1965, yet knowing that fact, understandable how it was the precursor to Star Trek, Star Wars, and the boom of the sci-fi genre over the past 50 years. Herbert weaves ecology, politics, and religion into a thrilling classic hero tale. There’s a steep learning curve, as he sprinkles many made-up words from fictional languages and cultures throughout the story. In the beginning it can be hard to get past the newness, and the reader is constantly required to infer meaning through context. But after getting through the first 30 pages or so, you start to develop a rhythm and a better understanding of the overall story setting. The exotic language even adds to the allure of the Dune universe as the reader becomes more comfortable. It reminded me of my experience reading The Hobbit as a young child: I wanted to put the book down but my Dad urged me to keep reading, to get to page 50. Just like that fantasy classic, Dune does not disappoint. The story is laden with insightful quotations from the characters—I highlighted as much of this book (on my Kindle) as I did some of my densest non-fiction reads. This just goes to show how powerful a well written novel can be. Dune serves as a prime example: a powerful story unfolds in a striking world, enabling the reader to enjoy the narrative as well as deeply reflect on society today. I award 5 stars to this science fiction epic, and recommend it to anyone interested in contemplating the grand forces that shape our experience.