DuneDune
Score Classic
What it's about
On the desert planet Arrakis, the only source of the spice melange, the most valuable substance in the universe, young Paul Atreides arrives with his noble family to take over the planet's rule, knowing it may be a trap. When his family is betrayed, Paul flees into the deep desert, where he must survive giant sandworms and earn the trust of the Fremen, the planet's fierce native people, who may see in him the messiah of their prophecies.
Why it's worth reading
It's the best-selling science-fiction novel of all time, and it earns it: a vast, intricate world of politics, religion, ecology and power, with a hero story that slowly turns into a warning about heroes. Few books have shaped modern science fiction more.
You'll love it if you liked
The Lord of the Rings
The Left Hand of Darkness
The Fifth SeasonGood to know
The first hundred pages are dense with invented terms; there's a glossary at the back. It's the first of a series, but it stands on its own.
By the numbers
- Readers90 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics56 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller91 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #5 of the 313 science fiction books we rank
- #6 of the 762 classics we rank
- #29 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Adventurous
If you like this, read next
Ender's Game
Hyperion
The Dispossessed
Foundation
Ficciones
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the GalaxyExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is Dune worth reading?
Yes. It's the best-selling science-fiction novel of all time, and it earns it: a vast, intricate world of politics, religion, ecology and power, with a hero story that slowly turns into a warning about heroes. It ranks #29 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 90.9 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Dune about?
On the desert planet Arrakis, the only source of the spice melange, the most valuable substance in the universe, young Paul Atreides arrives with his noble family to take over the planet's rule, knowing it may be a trap. When his family is betrayed, Paul flees into the deep desert, where he must survive giant sandworms and earn the trust of the Fremen, the planet's fierce native people, who may see in him the messiah of their prophecies.
How long does it take to read Dune?
About 13 hours (528 pages), or about 4 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What awards has Dune won?
Hugo Award winner (1966).
What should I read after Dune?
If you liked it, try The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien, The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin or The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin.