March 3, 2025
Dune
by Frank Herbert
When it comes to complex interstellar stories that present deep, thought-provoking messages, there are few I’ve experienced that have surpassed Frank Herbert’s Dune. Published in 1965, Dune is an epic novel that is considered by some to be the work that defined the science fiction genre as we know it today.
The primary setting is a desert planet called Arrakis, a fully fleshed-out world consisting of well-developed civilizations, an intricate, highly feudal political system, and a protagonist whomay be one of the most complex characters in fiction.
Paul Atreides, the son of the esteemed Duke Leto Atreides, is the final product of nearly 10,000 years of careful planning and breeding by the Bene Gesserit — a group of women who possess superhuman abilities. This is done for the sake of producing the Kwisatz Haderach (a male Bene Gesserit) who is prophesized to possess the ability to bridge time and space, thus shaping the very fate of the universe. From an early age, Paul displays many extraordinary powers — including the ability to see into the future — confirming his status as the Kwisatz Haderach. However, much to the chagrin of the Bene Gesserit, Paul chooses not to submit to their manipulation, instead striving to forge his own destiny. This takes Paul on an epic journey across Arrakis, forging an alliance with the nomadic Fremen for the sake of freeing the planet from the control of House Harkonnen, who have maintained dominance over the planet for the better part of a century.
While Dune features many familiar tropes, such as the “messianic chosen one,” it is depicted in a way that serves more as a deconstruction of the trope. While Paul does reject his status as the Kwisatz Haderach, his actions throughout the story cause significant harm to a great many people. This is Frank Herbert’s way of warning readers against placing power in the hands of “messianic” individuals, implying that it can lead society down a dangerous path of self-destruction. Prophecies can be incorrect, and chosen ones are not always willing to follow their chosen destiny. Paul is a prime example of this, and his gradual descent into darkness sends a truly powerful message to readers of all backgrounds.
So, is this a story that might engage you as much as it interested me? If your answer is yes, then get out there and snag a copy of Dune for yourself! And if you’d rather check it out on the big screen, consider giving Dennis Villeneuve’s film adaptations a shot instead: Dune: Part One (2021) and Dune: Part Two (2024) can both be found on HBO Max (Max), or both can be rented on Apple TV or Amazon Prime Video.
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