If you are a fan of science fiction, chances are you have heard of Dune, the epic story by author Frank Herbert currently being turned into a movie series by director Denis Villenueve. Dune is widely regarded as one of the most influential and important works of science fiction ever written, and has inspired countless other authors, filmmakers, and artists. But where should you start if you want to dive into this rich and complex universe? My answer is simple: start with the first book: Dune, published in 1965.
But not all Dune books are created equal. Herbert wrote six Dune books before his death in 1986, and his son Brian Herbert wrote several sequels and spinoffs after that, working with author Kevin J. Anderson. Fans debate which of the six original books are the best and which are the worst. In this article, I'll share my personal ranking of the original six Dune books by Frank Herbert.
Before that, let's get an idea of the chronology. Here are the six original Dune books in the order in which they were published:
- Dune (1965)
- Dune Messiah (1969)
- Children of Dune (1976)
- God Emperor of Dune (1981)
- Heretics of Dune (1984)
- Chapterhouse: Dune (1985)
With that, let's get into the rankings:
6. Chapterhouse: Dune (1985)
The final book in the series, Chapterhouse: Dune, is also the weakest. It suffers from a lack of focus, a slow pace, and a disappointing ending that leaves many questions unanswered. The book follows the Bene Gesserit — a powerful order of women who use their political acumen and extraordinary abilities to shape the galaxy — as they try to survive attacks from the Honored Matres, a violent faction of former Bene Gesserit who have returned from the Scattering. The book introduces some interesting twists and concepts, such as a new arc for the ghola of Duncan Idaho, the axlotl tanks, and mysterious characters named Daniel and Marty, but it fails to deliver a satisfying conclusion to the saga. Some fans think it is as anti-climactic conclusion to the epic saga of the desert planet Arrakis and its mysterious spice melange.
Before we talk further bout Chapterhouse: Dune, beware that there are SPOILERS AHEAD!
The book picks up where Heretics of Dune left off, with the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood facing multiple threats from the Honored Matres, the violent and hedonistic faction that broke away from them thousands of years ago. Afterwards they joined scattered out into unknown regions of space along with many other peoples following the fall of the God Emperor Leto II, which is covered in the fourth book.
Chapterhouse: Dune follows the adventures of several characters, such as Darwi Odrade, the new Mother Superior of the Bene Gesserit, who tries to find a way to negotiate with the Honored Matres and preserve the ancient wisdom of her order; Duncan Idaho, the ghola (clone) of the original Duncan Idaho, a companion of Paul Atreides in the very first Dune book who holds the key to a mysterious power that could change the fate of humanity (in the first Dune movie, Idaho is played by Jason Momoa); Sheeana, the young girl who can control the sandworms of Arrakis and who some see as a potential messiah; and Miles Teg, the brilliant military commander who is resurrected as a ghola by a faction of genetic scientists known as the Tleilaxu. He discovers he has new abilities.
The book is full of twists and turns, revelations, and surprises, as well as philosophical and religious themes that explore the nature of humanity, free will, evolution, and transcendence. The book also sets up a cliffhanger ending that hints at a possible confrontation with a mysterious enemy that has been manipulating events from behind the scenes. Unfortunately, Frank Herbert died before he could write the seventh book that would have resolved this plotline, leaving fans to speculate and imagine what could have been.
Chapterhouse: Dune is a disappointing book that still deserves to be read by fans of the genre. That it works despite its shortcomings is a testament to Frank Herbert's vision and creativity, as well as his ability to create a rich and complex universe that captivates and challenges the reader. It is also a book that raises important questions about our own society and our place in the cosmos.
As Herbert himself wrote in the introduction: "Think you of the fact that a deaf person cannot hear. Then, what deafness may we not all possess? What senses do we lack that we cannot see and cannot hear another world all around us?"
A lot of fans do not like that Chapterhouse ends on a cliffhanger. I disagree. I will try my best to explain. The six original Dune books cover a period of thousands of years. By the end, a lot of roads has been travelled. There is resolution, but is very open-ended. That open-endedness is a result and consequence of the story that came before. It fits and for me was satisfying. There are unanswered questions but that is the way life is.
Herbert avoids magic and fantasy. Everything he writes is based in science and reality, however much of a stretch he makes. If you want everything answered with a bow tied on it, the ending will not satiate you. But for me not only was there resolution, but I liked the end of the series immensely.
5. God Emperor of Dune (1981)
The fourth entry in the series, God Emperor of Dune is a controversial book among Dune fans. Some love it for its philosophical depth and its daring portrayal of Leto II, the human-hybrid sandworm who rules the galaxy with an iron fist. Others hate it for its slow pace, its lack of action, and its deviation from the original trilogy. I belong to the former group. I think God Emperor of Dune is a masterpiece of science fiction, and one of the most profound books I have ever read.
Beware, there will be SPOILERS for God Emperor of Dune below!
One of the most memorable scenes in the book is when Leto II meets the latest in a long line of glola clones made in the image of Duncan Idaho, an old friend and loyal servant of Leto's father Paul Atreides. The ghola is programmed by the Bene Gesserit and the Tleilaxu to assassinate Leto II, but he also has some memories of his previous incarnations. Leto II tries to awaken those memories by confronting him with his past and his future. Leto shows Duncan the Golden Path, Leto's longterm vision for humanity's survival and evolution, which requires Leto to become a tyrant and sacrifice himself. He also reveals that he has been creating and killing Duncan Idaho ghola for thousands of years, as a way of preserving a part of his humanity and testing his own resolve.
This scene is a powerful illustration of Leto II's burden. He is the only one who can see the Golden Path, and he must endure the hatred and fear of those he loves and protects. He is also the only one who can remember the past, and he must witness the death and rebirth of his friends repeatedly. He is trapped in his own destiny, and he must face it alone.
Another scene that I love is when Leto II talks to Hwi Noree, his lover and opposite. Hwi Noree comes from the Ixian culture, which values technology and rationality. She is also a product of Tleilaxu manipulation, designed to be the perfect mate for Leto II. She is gentle, compassionate, and innocent. She is everything that Leto II is not, and everything that he desires.
Leto II tells Hwi about his childhood, when he was still human and had a sister named Ghanima. He tells her about their bond, their struggle, and their choice. He tells her how he merged with a sandworm larva, how he became the God Emperor, and how he lost his sister. He tells her how he loves her, how he needs her, how he fears for her.
This scene brings into beautiful contrast the gap between Leto II's monstrous appearance and his human emotions. He is a god, but he is also a man. He is a worm, but he is also a lover. He is a ruler, but he is also a brother. He is a paradox, but he is also a person.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the book is its exploration of various philosophical themes, such as free will, determinism, morality, religion, history, and evolution. Leto II is a great philosopher-king who has insights into the nature of reality and humanity that no one else can match. He challenges the beliefs and values of every faction and every individual that he encounters. He exposes their flaws and their contradictions. He also reveals his own flaws and contradictions.
One of my favourite quotes from the book is: "The power to destroy a thing is the absolute control over it." This quote summarizes Leto II's philosophy of governance. He controls everything by threatening to destroy everything. He imposes peace by creating fear. He preserves diversity by enforcing conformity. He ensures freedom by limiting choice.
This quote also applies to himself. He destroys himself by controlling himself. He sacrifices his own happiness for the sake of humanity's survival. He becomes a monster to save humanity from itself.
God Emperor of Dune is not an easy book to read or to enjoy. It is dense, complex, and challenging. It requires patience, attention, and reflection. It may not appeal to everyone's taste or preference.
4. Heretics of Dune (1984)
Heretics of Dune takes place 1,500 years after God Emperor of Dune, when the Bene Gesserit have regained their influence and face new challenges from the Tleilaxu, the revived sandworms of Arrakis, and new groups returning after the Scattering. The book introduces some memorable characters, such as Miles Teg, Darwi Odrade, Sheeana, and Taraza, and features some exciting scenes, such as the escape from Gammu and the battle of Rakis. The book also sets the stage for the final confrontation between the Bene Gesserit and the Honored Matres. The book is a return to form after the controversial and divisive God Emperor of Dune.
Beware SPOILERS AHEAD!
One of the main themes of Heretics of Dune is the concept of evolution and adaptation. The Bene Gesserit, who have been secretly breeding humans for millennia to produce a superbeing, are faced with a new challenge: the return of the Lost Ones, the descendants of those who fled the tyranny of Leto II. Among them are the Honored Matres, who have developed powerful abilities such as sexual imprinting and nerve-burning. The Bene Gesserit realize that they must evolve or perish in this new environment. They also discover that some of their own members have undergone hidden mutations, such as Teg's speed and Odrade's prescience.
Another theme is the idea of heresy and orthodoxy. The title of the book refers to both the Bene Gesserit and the Honored Matres, each considered heretics by the other. The Bene Gesserit have deviated from their original mission to serve humanity and have become obsessed with their breeding program and their secret agenda. The Honored Matres have abandoned their roots as a branch of the Bene Gesserit, and have become corrupted by their lust for power and pleasure. Both factions are also opposed by other groups, such as the Tleilaxu, who have their own religious beliefs and priorities; and the Bene Tleilax, who are a splinter group that follows a different version of their faith.
My favorite moment from the book is when Teg escapes from his Honored Matre captors using his enhanced speed. He manages to kill dozens of them in a matter of seconds, while also rescuing his companions and stealing a no-ship. This scene showcases Teg's incredible abilities and his loyalty to his friends. It also demonstrates Herbert's skill in writing action scenes that are both thrilling and realistic.
Heretics of Dune is a brilliant sequel that explores the limits of humanity and the consequences of long-term planning. It is full of philosophical concepts and political intrigue that will make you think and question your own assumptions.
3. Children of Dune (1976)
Now we come to one of my favorite books of all time: Children of Dune by Frank Herbert. This is the third book in the Dune series and the conclusion of the original trilogy that started with Dune and continued with Dune Messiah.
Beware SPOILERS AHEAD!
Children of Dune takes place nine years after the events of Dune Messiah, in which Paul Atreides, the messianic leader of the Fremen and the Emperor of the Known Universe, walked into the desert blind, leaving behind his pregnant concubine Chani and his sister Alia. Now his twin children, Leto and Ghanima, are 9 years old and have inherited their father's prescient abilities and ancestral memories. They are the target of various factions that want to use them for their own agendas, including the Bene Gesserit, who want to breed them as part of their genetic program; the Spacing Guild, who fear their ability to disrupt their monopoly on space travel; and Alia herself, who has succumbed to madness and has been possessed by her grandfather, Baron Vladimir Harkonnen.
The book deals with the themes of identity, family, loyalty, and sacrifice, as Leto and Ghanima try to escape their fate and find their father while also confronting the dangers of their own power and the legacy of their bloodline. The book explores some of the philosophical concepts that Herbert introduced in the previous books, such as the nature of prophecy, free will, ecology, religion, politics, and human evolution.
One of my favourite moments in the book is when Leto undergoes a radical transformation that changes him forever. He decides to merge with the sandtrout, the larval form of the sandworms that produce the spice melange, the most valuable substance in the universe. By doing so, he becomes a hybrid being that can control the spice cycle and shape the future of humanity. He also gains a near-immortality and a godlike power that makes him both revered and feared. He sacrifices his humanity for a greater purpose: to save his people from stagnation and extinction.
This quote from Leto explains his choice: "I am a desert creature. It is in my flesh - my poor Atreides flesh. I am a creature from a wet planet. But I have seen through my father's eyes. I have seen what he saw out there in his agony on Arrakis. He saw eternity ... He saw that we must leave our pasts behind us or we will die out here ... We must change or we'll become fossils."
I think this quote captures the essence of Herbert's vision: that humanity must adapt to new environments and challenges, or else it will perish. He also shows that change comes with a price: that we must let go of our old selves and embrace our new ones.
2. Dune Messiah (1969)
Dune Messiah is the second book in Frank Herbert's epic sci-fi saga. It is a direct continuation of Paul Atreides' story from Dune; he now rules over the galaxy as the emperor and the messiah of the Fremen. However, his reign is not without challenges, as he faces enemies from within and without who seek to undermine his power and destroy his vision.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Dune Messiah is the introduction of fascinating characters like Scytale, Edric, Bijaz, and Hayt, who are part of a conspiracy against Paul and his empire. They belong to different factions like the Bene Gesserit, the Bene Tleilax, the Spacing Guild, and the Ixians. They use various methods of manipulation, deception, seduction, and assassination to try to break Paul's will and force him to surrender his throne.
The book is darker and more complex than Dune, but also more poignant and profound. It explores themes such as destiny, free will, sacrifice, love, loyalty, betrayal, and transcendence. It also delves deeper into the metaphysical aspects of Paul's prescience, his ability to see into the future and alter it. Paul is constantly tormented by the visions of a terrible future that he wants to avoid, but also feels compelled to follow. He is trapped in a paradox of his own making, as he realizes that his actions have consequences that he cannot control.
One of my favourite moments in the book is when Paul confronts Scytale, the Tleilaxu Face Dancer who has been posing as one of his trusted advisers. Scytale reveals that he has a secret weapon that can destroy Paul: a ghola of Duncan Idaho, Paul's loyal friend who died in Dune. The ghola has been conditioned to kill Paul on a trigger word, but also has latent memories of his original self. Scytale offers Paul a deal: he will give him the ghola and restore his memories if Paul agrees to abdicate and let Scytale take his place. Paul refuses, but is intrigued by the ghola and decides to keep him as Hayt, his new bodyguard.
One of my favourite lines from the book is when Paul says to Hayt: "I am not a man bound by rules. I am a man bound by consequences."
This sums up Paul's dilemma perfectly: he is not bound by any external laws or codes, but by his own internal vision and responsibility. He knows that whatever he does, he will have to face the outcome, good or bad. He cannot escape from his fate, but he can choose how to face it.
1. Dune: Why the first book is the best one
Dune is not only the first book in the series, but also the best one in my opinion. Dune is a masterpiece of science fiction that combines adventure, politics, religion, ecology, culture, and philosophy in a captivating story that transcends its genre.
Dune tells the story of Paul Atreides, the young heir of a noble family that is sent to rule over the desert planet of Arrakis, also known as Dune. Arrakis is the only source of the spice melange, a substance that grants enhanced abilities and longevity to those who consume it, and is therefore the most valuable commodity in the galaxy. However, Arrakis is a harsh and dangerous world inhabited by giant sandworms and fierce nomads called Fremen. Paul soon finds himself caught in a deadly conflict between his family and their enemies, the corrupt House Harkonnen, who plot to destroy them with the help of the emperor. Paul must survive the treachery and violence that surround him while also awakening to his destiny as the messiah of the Fremen and the leader of a galactic revolution.
The book is full of memorable characters, such as Duke Leto, Lady Jessica, Baron Harkonnen, Thufir Hawat, Gurney Halleck, Stilgar, Chani, and Liet-Kynes, and features some of the most iconic scenes in science fiction, such as the Gom Jabbar test, the sandworm ride, and Paul's duel with Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen. Dune is a book that can be read multiple times and still offer new insights and experiences. It is the ultimate Dune book and one of the greatest books of all time.
One of the reasons why I love Dune so much is because it explores many philosophical concepts that are relevant to our own world and time. For example, Dune deals with the themes of ecology and environmentalism, showing how human actions can affect the balance and harmony of nature. Dune also examines the role of religion and prophecy in shaping human history and destiny, questioning whether we are free to choose our own path or are bound by a predetermined plan. Dune also challenges our notions of power and leadership, asking what makes a good ruler and what are the consequences of tyranny and oppression. Dune also delves into the mysteries of consciousness and perception, showing how different perspectives can alter our understanding of reality and ourselves.
One of my favorite moments from the book is when Paul undergoes the spice agony, a ritual that allows him to access his genetic memory and awaken his prescient vision. In this scene, Paul experiences a profound transformation that changes him forever. He sees his past lives and his future possibilities, he sees the patterns and forces that shape the universe, he sees his role in the cosmic scheme. He becomes Muad'Dib, the Kwisatz Haderach, the one who can be many places at once. He becomes more than human.
Here is an excerpt from this scene:
"He found that he could no longer hate the Bene Gesserit or the Emperor or even the Harkonnens. They were all caught up in their own patterns within patterns. They were all trapped within their own destinies. He felt pity for them. And he sensed their pitiful awareness trapped within his own mind. He felt like laughing at himself.
He was suddenly aware that he was not seeing with his eyes but with some other sense. He saw his own body lying there on its back on a low dais.
He saw Jessica standing beside him holding his hand.
He saw Chani kneeling at his feet.
He saw Stilgar standing guard at his head.
He saw Harah holding Alia.
He saw them all within a globe of light.
And he saw around him people he did not know but recognized as friends.
And he saw around them people he did not know but recognized as enemies.
And he saw around them people he did not know but recognized as neutrals.
And he saw around them people he did not know but recognized as unknowns.
And he saw around them all a vastness that defied measurement.
And he knew with a certainty that surprised him that he was seeing infinity."
This passage shows how Paul transcends his ordinary human limitations and becomes something more. He sees beyond space and time. He sees beyond good and evil. He sees beyond himself.
Dune is a book that has inspired me and many others to think deeper and wider about our world and ourselves. It is a book that challenges us to question our beliefs. It is a book that invites us to imagine and create new possibilities. It is a book that deserves to be read and reread by anyone who loves science fiction and literature.
If you have not read Dune yet, I urge you to do so. You will not regret it. And if you have read Dune, I hope you will join me in celebrating its greatness and sharing its wisdom with others.
I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions on Dune and its sequels. Until next time, may the spice flow!
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