Dune, Frank Herbert

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Dune, Frank Herbert’s 1965 science fiction classic and seminal work that cemented my life-long love of reading, and science fiction in particular, was inspired by the Oregon Dunes near Florence, Oregon where the always sifting dunes are a popular tourist attraction now on the verge of extinction thanks to man’s hubris in trying to control Mother Nature. Dune, at its heart, is an ecological disaster novel. But it is so much more, redefining and re-popularizing the Space Opera science fiction sub-genre. This isn’t just an imagined future but an expansive exploration of politics, religion, ecology, space and human nature that is so deeply complex the book includes both a dictionary of terms but also a genealogy tree, helping to set the scenes and characters with context that is rich and fully realized throughout the seven book series.

The setting of Dune is the desert planet of Arrakis, a seemingly waterless planet who’s harsh and deadly environment includes behemoth sand worms, the lone source of Arrakis’ only natural resource: Mélange, also known simply as “Spice”. Spice serves as a metaphor for oil and gas resources here on today’s Earth, humanity’s Albatross of exploitation, exploration, power and wealth. It is a critical resource that enables space travel and enhanced human access to untapped abilities.

Dune centers not only on Arrakis but the protagonist Paul Atreides, son of Duke Atreides and Lady Jessica, a Bene Gesserit sister in Herbert’s reimagining of the Catholic faith. The heir to the Atreides family dynasty, Paul’s character arc drives him from a scrappy, fearful teenager to a messiah like leader that eventually topples the dynastic imperium to seize the throne as emperor.

But, as a born again Christian struggling to accept my homosexuality as a prepubescent science fiction nerd, it is the minor but pivotal role of Chani that I most empathized with. A Freeman girl that finds herself falling in love with Paul Atreides while she too begins to shrug off the bondage of the messianic traditions and faith in and of the Maud'Dib. And it is Paul that is both the source of her love and the source of the conflict that raged in me for fifty or so years: how do you believe in the mysteries of life and not succumb to the opioid of religion.

Dune is such an enduring part of the zeitgeist that it has been adapted to the cinema multiple times. Sometimes successfully.

Herbert's world-building is masterful. The political, religious, and ecological structures interweave seamlessly, creating a vivid backdrop for the story. The timeline of the seven books (Dune Chronicles, of which, Dune is the first) stretches across more than ten millennia and presents a thought-provoking take on technology, religion, man’s struggle to control not only the worlds we inhabit, but the masses that surround us. Of particular note with the recent advent of AI is the introduction by Herbert of the Butlerian Jihad, humanity’s rejection of advanced computing, forcing people to evolve and adapt without technological assistance. This foresight suggests a compelling future where individual capabilities and human evolution take precedence over machine reliance.

Herbert’s prose is richly descriptive yet can be dense, demanding patience from the reader to uncover the depth of the narrative, revealing layers of meaning upon each re-read (Something I’ve done at least six times).

Dune, for me, is more than just a pioneering sci-fi; it’s a touchstone for my childhood when story became my first love. I will always cherish this classic, my Star Wars in the written form. It is an extraordinary exploration of societal issues, a narrative with depth, and a reminder of the delicate balance we must maintain with our environment. The journey through Arrakis and Paul Atreides' evolution leave us pondering the true nature of power and responsibility.

Whether you’re a long-time sci-fi reader or are just starting in the genre, Dune belongs on your bookshelf. Its engaging storylines, complex characters, and thought-provoking commentary ensure it remains a timeless exploration of the human spirit in a vast universe.

Grab a copy, kick off your dusty shoes smudged orange with mélange. And curl up on the couch for a long but oh so rewarding read. You won’t regret it!