Thank to one of my friends, my interest in Dune has reemerged.
Dune is one of the best science-fiction ever written. Some would even go further by saying Dune is an epic, a science fiction answer to the Lord of the Rings.
Dune is a series of novels written by Frank Herbert concerning the struggles between three great houses with the Spacing Guild plotting against each other. The storyline gets more complicated (very) as it progresses.
Dune is a desolate desert planet, also known as Arrakis. However, Arrakis is the center of attraction as the Spice, the most precious mineral in the whole known galaxy only exist on Arrakis. The Spice enables the Spacing Guild to fold space and thus controlling trade. Furthermore, all the great houses depend on the Guild for trade and the Guild on the other hand depends on the stability of the galaxy to ensure the continuous flow of the Spice. As the author puts it, whoever controls Arrakis, control the Spice; and whoever controls the Spice, controls the universe. Distrust is everywhere when the Spice is concerned.
Due to the epic’s popularity, it has been introduced to the silver screen a few times. The best adaptation was done by David Lynch back in 1984. Dune was further made known to the public by the legendary Westwood Studios when they made the revolutionary real time-strategy (RTS) game called Dune II in the mid-90s. The game was such a success that a few sequels were made, including the highly rated Emperor: The Battle for Dune.
Up-to-date, there are roughly four games that bear the Dune’s franchise.
To the Star Trek: The Next Generation fans, Dune might be known to them as one of the movies that Patrick Steward starred in. The actor took the role of Gurney, one of the main characters.
I would highly recommend Dune to all readers that share an interest in the science-fiction and fantasy genre.
Below is the Bene Gesserit’s Littany of Fear, one of the famous lines in Frank Herbert’s Dune.
I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
When the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.
