The Story of Dune, from Cult Novels to Visionary Sci-Fi Movies
July 17, 2023
Britt (Phasers on Stun!) provides an entertaining crash course on Frank Herbert’s Dune series, a science fiction epic about a young royal heir who becomes the messiah of a desert planet. Britt notes that the first novel’s concern with taming nature (namely, to obtain the naturally occurring “spice” drug that enables space travel) stemmed from research for an article Herbert had planned to write on how the Department of Agriculture stopped the movement of sand dunes in Florence, Ore. After failing to sell the article, Herbert turned his notes into a novel that was “published piecemeal, written on demand, and workshopped and revised as it was being written” for serialization in the sci-fi magazine Analog in the early 1960s. Britt offers insightful analysis of Herbert’s books, suggesting that his inclusion of the powerful Bene Gesserit, a “secretive matriarchal sect,” presaged a more explicitly feminist strain of sci-fi that would gain prominence in the ensuing decades, and that the sequels subvert the idea of heroes by turning protagonist Paul Atreides into a dictator. An overview of Dune’s major adaptations finds David Lynch’s 1984 effort “difficult but fun” and Denis Villeneuve’s 2021 film a treat for both hard-core acolytes and newbies. Britt brings a superfan’s zeal to the proceedings, and the detailed account of Dune’s journey to publication enlightens. The result is a riveting testament to the saga’s enduring appeal.
Starred review from August 1, 2023
With the contagious enthusiasm of a true fan, Britt charts the evolution of Frank Herbert's groundbreaking 1965 science fiction novel, Dune, which began as a proposal for a nonfiction article about sand dunes. He details the book's sequels; discusses the production of the two film versions (David Lynch's in 1984, Denis Villeneuve's in 2021) and the lesser-known television miniseries (2000); explores the themes of Herbert's novels (ecology, religion, the fragility of empire); and delves into the life and character of Herbert himself. Britt even takes us behind the scenes in the world of publishing, and shows how Herbert's Dune novels were shaped by the everyday realities of selling books. This is quite simply a remarkable book, comparable to J. W. Rinzler's incredibly detailed making-of books (The Making of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, 2010; The Making of Alien, 2019), and similar in approach--right down to the funky humor--to Britt's wonderful chronicle of the evolution of Star Trek, Phasers on Stun! (2022). Someday, after Villeneuve's sequel and new television series have been released, there may be a more comprehensive book about the Dune novels and films, but for right now, this book ranks number one.
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Starred review from September 1, 2023
Britt's (Phasers on Stun!: How the Making (and Remaking) of Star Trek Changed the World) engaging and timely book explores the history and complexion of the great Dune cosmos, from the classic novel by Frank Herbert to all of the various attempts to put the book on screen. It is wonderful, full of the fan joy and insider knowledge that readers want when they're interested in learning more about the novels or the movies. The book begins with Britt discussing 2021's Dune with Timoth�e Chalamet, the latest cinematic expression of the novel. From there, the book dives into looking at Herbert, even considering his characteristic beard and why it matters. The author also examines the novel's sequels, explaining why the others aren't as good and why people often skip them. The book highlights the importance of women in the novels, showing why it might not be Paul's story after all. Britt's writing hits the perfect balance of offering enough background to feel meaty but never stuffy. VERDICT This highly recommended book has the power to change the way everyday readers of Herbert's classic novel experience it.--Jeremiah Rood
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