One thing that stuck out early is how much Star Wars took from it. Very immediately, the desert planet setting, the idea of a chosen one, the emperor, etc but really what got me is that Paul has such a more interesting struggle with evil than Luke does. Paul sees a future where he leads a holy war that kills a whole lot of people, where as Luke just vaguely struggles with the Dark Side, the ends arent really explored, its just the process that matters (Luke is a lib).
Anyways, sick book. Loved it, will read the sequel. Hoping to get more of the 4 year old girl with multiple intelligences, very sick.
Love the whole series, even if Paul's story in the first 3 are definitely the highlight.
But yeah, I thought it was a very insightful look at a lot of things, but particularly a deconstruction of white savior narratives. Like, Paul is pretty much exactly a white savior, but also kind of a villain who knows what he's doing is wrong, not to mention the fact that the Fremen have been manipulated for centuries to have their culture and myths feature a Paul-like figure for the express purpose of using them as a tool.
Favorite quote is, "Paul saw how Stilgar had been transformed from the Fremen naib to a creature of the Lisan al-Gaib, a receptacle for awe and obedience. It was a lessening of the man..."
Just a stark portrayal at the cult of personalities that de facto form behind many of the protagonists in fantasy, yet with a critical eye towards how they are lessened and used as tools.
Its one of those books that changed how I read and consume media, and what details I look for. So many ugly details and ethical lapses that so often get ignored, get the full harsh glare of narrative attention in Dune, and its great for it.
Its good enough that I can overlook Frank Herbert's weird horniness that creeps in at the edges (well, overlook it for the first 4 books. Last 2 definitely get :volcel-judge: )