Dune

The book starts off slowly, setting things up and relaying the novel to you in an unconventional way that is tough to get past at first. But once you're past the first 50 or so pages, it all starts coming together and creates a gripping story that pays off for the rest of it. I had to knock off 1/2 a star for the rough start, but other than that it's easy to see why this is hailed as one of, if not the, most influential sci-fi novels of all time.

Also, I killed a book club I joined by recommending Dune even though everyone at the time seemed very excited to read it. All except one couldn't get past the rough period, and even she hasn't finished the last third of the book. I guess covid-19 played a part in most of them abandoning it, but I think the real takeaway is don't recommend meaty fiction to a book club.

A lot of people have an issues with the whole “white savior” trope that is apparent in this book, but if you learn a little about context in which Dune was conceived and what the future entries in the series do, it's all a set up for the ultimate downfall of Paul. It reminds me a lot of Ender's Game in this way, where the first book paves the way for the real story the author wants to tell.