Following Herbert's death in 1986, his son Brian Herbert and author Kevin J. Herbert wrote five sequels: Dune Messiah, Children of Dune, God Emperor of Dune, Heretics of Dune, and Chapterhouse: Dune. The story explores the multilayered interactions of politics, religion, ecology, technology, and human emotion, as the factions of the empire confront each other in a struggle for the control of Arrakis and its spice. As melange can only be produced on Arrakis, control of the planet is a coveted and dangerous undertaking. Melange is also necessary for space navigation, which requires a kind of multidimensional awareness and foresight that only the drug provides. While the planet is an inhospitable and sparsely populated desert wasteland, it is the only source of melange, or 'spice', a drug that extends life and enhances mental abilities. It tells the story of young Paul Atreides, whose family accepts the stewardship of the planet Arrakis. In 2003, it was described as the world's best-selling science fiction novel.ĭune is set in the distant future amidst a feudal interstellar society in which various noble houses control planetary fiefs. It is the first installment of the Dune saga. It tied with Roger Zelazny's This Immortal for the Hugo Award in 1966 and it won the inaugural Nebula Award for Best Novel.

Dune is a 1965 epic science fiction novel by American author Frank Herbert, originally published as two separate serials in Analog magazine.

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