Dune
Frank Herbert
250 people recommended it in 66 threads, 2007–2025.
3 of those were in the last year.
13 commenters pushed back on it — worth reading the threads.
What people on Hacker News said
Dune (the notion of mental discipline, at least as idealized by Frank Herbert, made an impression on me)
Dune, book 1. You can take away so much from this book. The Bene Gesserit's "Litany Against Fear" and its application makes the book worth reading, and that's just the tip of the iceberg!
one of the major aspects of Dune is the rise and fall of tyrants, and our obsession for saviours, which only really shines in the Heretics/Chapterhouse books, where the empire really falls.
It's great in terms of worldbuilding, and it's influenced a lot of other stuff (like Warhammer 50K).
Dune, of course. I reread it every year or two, just for pleasure.
Dune is one of my favorite books of all time.
Where it comes up
- The Best Science Fiction Books (According to Reddit) 2011 · 26 recommendations
- Ask HN: Great fiction books that have had a positive impact on your life? 2020 · 21 recommendations
- Ask HN: What book have you given as a gift? 2016 · 14 recommendations
- Ask HN: What book changed your life? 2022 · 12 recommendations
- Ask HN: Mind bending books to read and never be the same as before? 2020 · 11 recommendations
- Ask HN: What are the best Sci-Fi books you've ever read? 2018 · 10 recommendations
- Ask HN: Which book are you reading these days? 2015 · 9 recommendations
- Ask HN: Any interesting books you have read lately? 2023 · 7 recommendations
- Ask HN: What is your favorite fiction book? 2022 · 7 recommendations
- Ask HN: Books you read in 2017? 2017 · 7 recommendations
- Ask HN: What's the "best" book you've ever read? 2024 · 6 recommendations
- Ask HN: What book have you re-read 3x or more? 2022 · 6 recommendations
- Ask HN: Please name two of your most favorite books. 2009 · 6 recommendations
- Ask YC: What's the most inspiring sci-fi book you've read? 2008 · 6 recommendations
- Ask HN: Which books have you read more than once? 2020 · 5 recommendations
- Ask HN: Books you plan to read in 2020? 2019 · 5 recommendations
- Ask HN: What are your favorite sci-fi books? 2023 · 4 recommendations
- Ask HN: What's the best book you read in 2021? 2021 · 4 recommendations
- Ask HN: Books you read in 2018? 2018 · 4 recommendations
- Ask HN: Which book have you re-read the most times? how many times? 2018 · 4 recommendations