Genre Novel - Science Fiction Writer Frank Herbert Publisher New English Library Published US 1968

Complicated, superb, and prophetic, Frank Herbert's Nebula award-winning Dune captured the imagination of millions, a novel that transformed perceptions of what the future could be.

Considered one of the greatest science-fiction masterpieces in history, Dune is an epic tale of a hero’s journey and the prophecy surrounding him, as he develops into a God. What Herbert has accomplished is the most intricate sci-fi novel you are ever likely to read, a sheer triumph of originality.

Set on the desert planet Arrakis, it tells of the boy, Paul Atreides, who is prophesied to become the mysterious man, known as Muad’Dib. In the lead up to his destiny, he avenges a treacherous plot against his noble family and brings to fruition mankind’s most ancient and unattainable dream, as he learns to control the mind-expanding drug, known as Spice. It is a stunning blend of adventure and mysticism, with the environment and politics at its core.

The characters are finely tuned and developed, each with their own distinctive, yet believable, personalities. What stands out the most, however, is the immense detail he gives to his universe and to the planet Arrakis, which some readers might find hard work. The story has a subtle, yet complex plot, which is only surpassed by the overwhelming realism of Herbert's creation.

He began with unfleshed images and a concept, which took shape during six years of research and one-and-a-half years of writing. It was conceived as a long novel, an entire trilogy as a single book, about the messianic convulsions that periodically overtake us. Fanatics, con artists, innocent and not-so-innocent bystanders - all were to have a part in the epic drama. This grew from his theory that superheroes are disastrous for humankind, no matter how heroic. His observations convinced him that in the area of politics, economics and war, people tend to give over decision-making capacity to any leader who can wrap himself in the myth fabric of their society. Take a look at the evidence - Hitler did it. Churchill did it. Roosevelt did it. Stalin did it. Mussolini did it.

This was to be one of his themes for Dune. Beneath the hero's facade, you will find a human being who makes mistakes. Therefore, enormous problems arise when they are made on the scale of the superhero. While this concept was still fresh in his mind, Herbert went to Florence, Oregon, to write a magazine article about a US Department of Agriculture project there. The USDA was seeking ways to control sand dunes.

Herbert had already written several pieces about ecological matters, but his superhero idea filled him with concern that ecology might be the next banner for power seekers and those ready to find an adrenalin high in the launching of a new crusade. The Florence project fed his interest in how we inflict ourselves upon our planet and began to see the shape of a global problem - social ecology, political ecology, economic ecology. Dune, the novel, was born.

David Lynch’s 1984 film adaptation was visually stunning, but so condensed it missed many of the major issues. A commercial failure, it proved a career low point for Lynch, through no fault of his own. The novel has only recently been done justice in a mini series. Superb cinematography and enough scope to encompass the breadth of the novel, this is highly recommended, the only flaw being some dreadful acting from the supporting cast.

Certainly, one of the greatest science fiction books I have had the pleasure to read. I cannot recommend Dune enough.

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