Post 1: Rereading Dune

June 2021: This is the second time I've begun to read Dune by Frank Herbert and the third time I have owned this book.

There are so many reasons to reread books, one of which is that my memory is fickle and ill-behaved. I remember loving Dune, but even within the first five pages of this reread I could see how much I'd forgotten. There's a sense amongst the Atreides house of impending doom in the move to Arrakis, yet also of duty, both of which my memory has ignored entirely in favor of the theme of messianism and prophecy, stillsuits, and SPICE. But there is also still that which lends itself so deliciously to camp, which I do remember and which I'm sure contributed heavily to how much I loved this book. I am rereading to remember what happens and how the story is told.

Another reason I reread books is because they often become better with subsequent rereads. Of course, it's me who changes for the better and not the book, but I suppose it feels good to be reminded that, in a culture with such an emphasis on youth, I'm actually improving over time. This is not to say that young people as a rule lack wisdom, but it is to say that I have more of it than I once did. Maybe this wisdom will sharpen my focus on the supporting cast of adult characters as well as allow me to pick up more on the messianic young character Paul Atreides.

One more reason to reread Dune, specifically, is because this time I'll have great company doing so. Some reading buddies from the community created by the Book Cougars are reading it as part of the Big Book Summer Challenge hosted by Sue at Book by Book. And also, as I have posted on my Instagram (@colleenka) about it, I've heard from a couple other friends who are reading it this year as well. The big blockbuster movie coming out in October probably has something to do with the timing!

So, why have I owned it three times? Because I have gone through fits and spurts over my adult life of buying into various degrees of minimalism as well as have moved eight times in fourteen years. Moving boxes of books is nothing to sneeze at, so I have donated my first two copies of Dune amongst dozens of boxes of other books to make moves easier on myself. But something keeps me coming back to it, and now that I own my own place and will not be moving any time soon I can (once again) reevaluate my relationship to things I own. I just bought a trade paperback copy because it's comfortable to read and think this summer I might acquire more than one copy of Dune, including the graphic novel and a hardcover copy, now that I'm a little more geographically stable.

I look forward to reading more and hope to post more on Dune and other books too. It's been a number of years since I attempted a book blog, and hopefully I can apply the wisdom I supposedly have gained since the last time towards managing a blogging project. 

Until next time,

Colleen