Book Review #011 - Dune

Rating: 5/5 mind-melting spice trips

Author:
Frank Herbert

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Dune is a literary classic and a foundation for modern science fiction. The importance and impact of the novel on the themes of popular science fiction today cannot be understated and deserve to be discussed and appreciated (see the "Jodorowsky's Dune" documentary). Herbert created a vivid, complex world and rich characters that mange to weave together many different layers of story into a cohesive and compelling tale which engages the reader and draws them into the deep universe of the story. Themes of religion, revolution, love, loyalty, morality, politics, and classic action-adventure are all present and ingrained in one another. This creates a varied novel that has some bit of interest for every reader to engage in. Herbert's work still stands as an excellent adventure story in a modern context and is absolutely astounding when evaluated against the popular tropes of science fiction at the time it was published. That being said, it does have a few weak points.

Perhaps the most direct criticism that could be leveled against Herbert's magnum opus is that the character development is somewhat shallow. Paul lacks any human shortcomings and therefore any conflict lacks authentic narrative tension, as the reader is aware of his infallibility early in the story. The cast of women lack any real agency and are treated as tools by their male counterparts, which is likely a reflection of Herbert's own flawed view of gender roles. Much of the dialog is either very flat or extremely pretentious, but that is also a trope of the genre and can be forgiven. If the reader can stomach the one-dimensional characters and appreciate the world building and high level concepts presented, Dune is absolutely worth reading.

There are few tales with such complex and ambitious social analogies woven through them. Dune's central themes are timeless and reflects mankind's recurring struggle to resent oppression and the true value derived from personal hardship. Herbert's Dune is a masterpiece in spite of its tired central narrative of a perfect savior that destroys an oppressive regime. It's deeper explorations of social themes carry the novel to an elevated position among it's peers and permanently fix the novel as a true classic of science fiction.

Book Review #008 - Of Mice and Men

Rating: 3/5 vaseline-filled gloves

Author: John Steinbeck

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Steinbeck's classic short story follows (or maybe helps to refine) all the rules for a well rounded narrative, but is ultimately too concerned with being adaptable to both theater and the written page to make for a great book or play, and ends up being a mediocre experience for each of these formats.

The characters, dialogue, and scenery sculpts an image of American culture that is warm and detailed but somewhat encumbered by the social norms of the time and place it was conceived. Images of early America are thin and visual, but end up lacking that narrative third dimension when scrutinized as a reader. The characters are instantly familiar but almost too shallow to support the kind of depth that is required of a great american novel.

Of Mice and Men was written as a sort of play in book form and the restrictions which allow the story to transfer to the stage also constrain the story in it's written form. The arcs and sweeping movements of the characters and their actions would surely be appreciated by a theater audience, but as a reader, I want to hear the inner thoughts of the characters as they consider the abstract, non-physical components which drive their motivations. Perhaps this is why Steinbeck chose the simple characters that he did for the story, but I feel that this cheapens the characters in a way that takes satisfaction away from the book audience in favor of the hybrid experiment.

Overall a great read and a critical component of American narrative culture, but not the classic novel that I wanted to dive into and take apart.

Book Review #007 - The Lord of the Flies

Rating: 5/5 talking pig heads

Author: William Golding

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Lord of the Flies was a book that I never read while I was in school, but I've always heard was a great story. I decided to pick it up and see if the high praise was founded. Indeed; I found it is an excellent book and a very entertaining read. Although it is aimed at a younger audience, I still found so much to enjoy and consider from an adult perspective.

The novel is timeless in the way that all great novels are, it explores a part of the human condition that is is constant and steady as we move forward through the years. Distilling interpersonal group dynamics that are on display in everyday society down to their raw essence. Unhindered by learned cultural norms imposed by civilization and adulthood, Golding creates a tale that lays bare the motivations that drive us. We are given the opportunity to observe the effects of these motivations as they play out in the daily struggle of the boys to survive and work toward a common goal while they manage clashes between abstract social conflicts and real physical threats. We are challenged to evaluate the validity of our social constructs and why we feel the need to adhere or challenge them. The characters are human; flawed and deeply vulnerable at times. Personal, sometimes petty, motivators overtake the fundamental drive to survive and we are forced to recognize our dependency on social order, trust among each other, and the thin film of civilized behavior that separates us from nature. These themes work well to create a story that has impressive depth, achieving both an entertaining surface narrative and an intriguing probe into our societal foundations.

Lord of the Flies is a classic novel for so many reasons. It is a masterful example of minimalist world building and deep character development. It starts from a clean, basic premise and allows the complexity of human social interactions to build a nuanced and intriguing world that I couldn't help but be drawn into. I would recommend this book to anyone willing to give it a read, as every age and perspective is sure to gain something in the adventure that Golding has created.