The Enduring Appeal of “Dune” as an Adolescent Power Fantasy

 "“Dune” is the epitome of world-building, packed with invented history, complex new-old religions (the Zensunni faith seems to meld Islam with Buddhism), and names and phrases informed by a slew of languages, most notably Arabic. The setting is so unforgiving that you can taste it; Fremen wear “stillsuits,” which recycle body waste into drinkable water. But what really hooked me—and countless teen-age boys before and since—from the very first chapter was Paul Atreides, the book’s messiah-in-waiting, whose family relocates to Arrakis from their lush home world of Caladan under imperial orders. Trained in combat by his father’s henchmen and in mental witchery by his mother, Lady Jessica, Paul masters his harsh surroundings and survives attempts on his life. His role as the chosen one is thrillingly realized, and by the book’s end he’s the most powerful figure in the universe. As an adolescent power fantasy, it doesn’t get much better than “Dune.”

READ REVIEW BY ED PARKS