Dune is an epic science fiction
novel set in the far distant future, about Paul Atreides, son of the Duke of House Atreides, and the
planet Dune, the source of the
universe’s most valuable resource, Spice. It is a story about treachery, revenge, greed, and honour. It is a narrative about destiny and changing the course of history.
The Human race is scattered across the universe. There is an incredibly complex system of political intrigue in place, a universal truce known as the Great Convention being held together by the Imperium, the Great Houses, and the
Space Guild representing three legs of a political tripod. The Padishah Emperor and his Sardaukar Army rule the Imperium. The Great Houses consist of a variety of smaller Dukedoms, and Baronies, each with their own armies and leadership. The Space Guild, or Spicing Guild have a monopoly on all space travel, making them a powerful force in the universe. The
Bene Gesserit are a secretive organization with an agenda of slow genetic bloodline breeding among the rulers of the Houses to eventually create the ultimate human being.
Under this political atmosphere, the setting of the novel itself takes place mainly on the planet of Arrakis, known to the locals as Dune, the desert planet. Now, this wouldn’t be very significant of a planet, with its severe sandstorms, and enormous, deadly sandworms (some longer than 400 metres), were it not for the fact that Dune is the only known source in the universe of Spice.
Spice is the most important resource in the universe of Dune. It is required for the Guild to conduct advanced space travel. Without it, all space travel would grind to a halt. As such, it is highly coveted and sought after by all the Great Houses, which war for control of Arrakis. At the beginning of the novel, the House Atreides has been mandated by the Emperor to take over Arrakis. The House Harkonnen has been forced off of Arrakis by Imperial decree.
There is an abundant cast of major characters in this complex novel. The obvious main protagonist is Paul Atreides who later acquires the Fremen name Muad’Dib. Paul begins the story as the son of Duke Leto Atreides, and heir to the House Atreides, which sets up a benevolent government on Dune.
However, treachery and a surprise attack kill the Duke and much of House Atreides, forcing Paul into exile among the Fremen desert people, while the House Harkonnen returns and brings back a reign of Tyranny to Dune. Paul gradually, with the help of his mother Jessica, a Bene Gesserit witch, his romantic interest, the Fremen girl, Chani, and a host of allies, takes command of the Fremen, and unites them in a Holy War against the Harkonnen.
Apparently, the Fremen come to believe that Muad’Dib is their messiah. Thus, with religious fervor on his side, he launches a series of guerrilla raids and assaults until the Emperor himself is forced to intervene on Arrakis. However, Paul, who has developed the ability to see all the potential futures that could be, is able to defeat the Emperor, and force a peace treaty, while restoring the House Atreides to Arrakis. Throughout all this there is also the underlying plot that Paul is the Kwisatz Haderach, the long sought after male Bene Gesserit (all previous Bene Gesserit were female) whose mental powers could bridge space and time.
There are many more characters and bizarre plot twists in the story, many of which are set up ingeniously. The technology, religion, and mysticism of Dune are also interesting. In most science fiction stories of the far distant future, there are advanced super weapons and incredible technologies. In Dune however, much emphasis is put on advanced psychological manipulation techniques, and subtle wit and treachery. Although there are advanced Laser or LasGun weapons, they aren’t used as commonly as one would expect, because Shield technology will automatically cause a Nuclear type Explosion when hit by a LasGun.
This leads to the unusual use of seemingly archaic sswords and projectile weapons, which, by having a slower velocity, can penetrate Shields. In addition, the common populace sees the incredibly advanced psychological powers of the Bene Gesserit, as nothing less than sorcery. Thus, we have a novel, which could almost be appropriately labelled, science fantasy.
An incredible amount of detail has been put into explaining the inner workings of Dune. There is an entire glossary section devoted to the ecology, and religion of Dune. There is even a glossary of terminology of the Imperium at the back, which details many of the made up words used in the novel. Last but not least, there is even a map of the northern hemisphere of the planet. Dune truly deserves the title of Science Fiction Masterpiece, it is brilliantly written, and ingeniously complex and intriguing.
This book is the first in a lengthy series of novels based in the same setting as Dune. There have been spin-offs in the form of a movie, a television mini-series, and even some computer games. Dune has won the Nebula and Hugo Awards.