Into the Duneiverse!
When Frank Herbert conceived the Dune saga more than 60 years ago, he crafted two things in one, says science fiction’s most erudite analyst, John Clute. ‘Dune is a great escape, and The Dune series has confirmed its status as one of science fiction’s most celebrated works – the first volume in the series is one of the best-selling science-fiction novels of all time, and Arthur C. Clarke famously compared the trilogy to fantasy’s founding epic The Lord of the Rings, for its depth and complexity. And its reputation has only been enhanced by Denis Villeneuve’s spectacular double bill of movies, with an all-star cast headed by Timothée Chalamet as noble heir Paul Atreides and Zendaya as his ally among the native Fremen of Arrakis. ‘The first volume of the Dune trilogy was originally serialised in two parts in [leading science-fiction publication] Analog magazine in 1963 and 1965,’ explains John. ‘Villeneuve’s Part One is the first serial, Part Two is the second. The first stops and the second picks up the tale in mid-stride, so if you watch them together you’re watching the whole book as Herbert planned it.’
It’s then just a short step straight into volume two, Dune: Messiah, which tracks the rise and fall of Paul Atreides. Paul is now wed to the daughter of the emperor he deposed, but still in love with his Fremen ally Chani, now his concubine. At the end of the volume, Paul escapes attempts by his followers to deify him by walking into the desert of Arrakis. The titular Children of Dune are his twins by Chani, a girl and boy named Ghanima and Leto, and their fates – and that of all humanity – make up the third, thrilling instalment.
The children, intent on climbing through the rocky terrain, still had not seen their peril.
Abruptly light flared ahead of her and Ghanima threw herself flat on the ground.
Just as Paul’s haunted, Spice-tinged eyes stare from the cover of Folio’s edition of Dune, and his sister Alia’s veiled gaze confronts readers of Dune: Messiah, Leto and Ghanima look warily out into their dangerous future from the cover of Children of Dune. ‘So the family is all together,’ says Folio Editor Sinéad O’Callaghan, who worked closely with specialist copy editor Rob Davies, Art Director Sheri Gee and illustrator Hilary Clarcq to ensure this new volume captures in every last detail the world that has enthralled generations of fans. It helps that Hilary Clarcq, who returns after illustrating Dune: Messiah, is a fan herself. ‘Hilary picked scenes that really resonated with her,’ explains Sinéad. ‘Key characters, colours, atmosphere – all that was present in the sentences with which she began her illustration journey. Then she worked closely with Rob and Sheri to make sure every narrative detail was right. Hilary just got it from the get-go. There was very little to change because she has fully absorbed the world Frank Herbert created, and that’s what makes her work such a hit with fans.’
A face formed itself upon her awareness.
Folio’s editions of the Dune saga were in planning before Villeneuve’s movies were released. ‘Genre fiction – fantasy and science fiction – isn’t an area that would have been associated with Folio in the past,’ explains Sinéad. ‘But there’s huge passion in this area, as shown by the reception of our recent backlist, which includes everything from Game of Thrones to Philip K. Dick. Ultimately, Folio is all about creating books for people who love reading and who love world-building, and this initial trilogy of the saga is perfect. These books are the pillars of the entire Dune universe, full of gravitas and completely inhabited by both their characters and their readers.’ For all its lack of computers and internet (Dune is, says John, ‘a vision of the future that is yesterday’s tomorrow’), the Arrakis universe is remarkably prescient in its great themes of ecological interdependence, the use and abuse of genetics, and the cyclical nature of power and violence. ‘The reader is invited to pay most attention not to the grand dynastic aspects, or the space travel, but to how the Fremen have a dramatic and intimate relationship with their world,’ says John. ‘How the intricate nature of the
sandworm is gradually unpacked. It’s impossible to skim through – you can’t fail to be engrossed by what’s unfolding in front of you.’ That intricacy is captured by the artwork, says Sinéad, which radiates ‘a depth of knowledge that extends beyond the illustrations themselves.’
Herbert likely had the entire first trilogy of Dune mapped out before he began writing, and spoke of the relationship between the three books in musical terms. ‘According to him the first was a heroic melody,’ John explains. ‘The second, an “inversion” [in which a bottom note becomes an upper note, creating dissonance and tension]. And the third he described as “themes and variations”. For myself, I’d use a church metaphor – the first volume is the revolution, the messiah moment, the origin story. Then comes the established church, ripe with intrigue but controlled by dogma. And finally, comes the tearing down to build up again. The phoenix. The reborn.’
‘Readers want a story not to end,’ John adds. ‘But they also want an ending.’ And Children of Dune achieves that ambiguity masterfully, delivering what critic Kim Stanley Robinson termed a ‘slingshot ending’. ‘It’s when you don’t know where the last sentence is leading you, and you’re not supposed to know,’ says John. ‘It is the difference between an ending that shuts down, and one that opens a door. And in that, Children of Dune really satisfies. Readers will want to read on – just as Herbert wanted them to.’
Stilgar poured the dark brew from the fat copper carafe, sipped first, and lifted his cup.
The Duneiverse Collection
Whether you're about to take your first steps into the legendary sands of Arrakis or you're ready to unearth more of its mysteries, the Duneiverse awaits. With the recent release of Children of Dune, there's never been a better time to start your collection or expand the empire.
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This collector’s edition of Frank Herbert’s phenomenal tale of far-future desert warriors, fallible messiahs and interplanetary intrigue is illustrated by award-winning artist Sam Weber, and published to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the world’s best-selling science-fiction title.
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Discover the true scope of Frank Herbert’s vision in Dune: Messiah, the epic second act in the classic sci-fi saga, presented in a cinematic illustrated edition from The Folio Society.
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Children of Dune is the final instalment in the original Dune trilogy. Illustrated by the talented Hilary Clarcq, this beautifully crafted edition continues Frank Herbert’s iconic saga in series and sits perfectly alongside Folio’s editions of Dune and Dune: Messiah.
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Discover Frank Herbert's Dune Saga with The Folio Society's stunning collection of the original trilogy. Featuring beautiful illustrations by acclaimed artists Sam Weber and Hilary Clarcq, each volume brings Herbert's epic science fiction world to life. Enjoy masterful storytelling and exquisite artistry in this must-have set for Dune fans.
