The Winds of Dune, by Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson
This is the latest in the Dune series, which has gotten quite prolific - perhaps a never-ending franchise. Brian, of course, is the son of the late Frank Herbert, writing in association with author Kevin Anderson, equally prolific. This volume is part of a mini-series within a series, describing the activity of some people designed as "heros" of Dune, which all take place between the death-by-going-out-into-the desert of Paul Atreides, the regency of his sister Alia, until Leto II finally takes over by incorporating himself into a sandworm. This volume is devoted to Paul’s childhood friend, Bronso of Ix, who is being hunted by Alia and gang for his blasphemous destruction of the Muad’Dib legend. He does prove to be a real hero. The book includes two flashbacks to Bronso’s relationships with Paul and his mother Jessica., so it’s told in almost equal chunks of present story - flashback - present story - flashback - present story. Personally, I can’t turn down a Dune novel, I have to know how it turns out, though, of course, in the mass of prequels and sequels that now exist, the original Dune still holds the first place as a startling ecological statement. Mr. Herbert and Mr. Anderson still tell a good story. They are not as sharp writers as Frank Herbert was, and maybe there are too many constrictions from the necessity of continuity. Without changing the Dune universe, how do you tell a story that doesn’t at times become trivial detail? The new characters that enter the saga do not seem as clearly drawn as the Frank Herbert originals. I often wonder, too, about Frank Herbert’s religion. You cannot help noticing the parallels with Islam - a desert people - hardened by the harshness of their environment - warriors set free to carry on the jihad and conquer the known universe. Islam, however, was strictly monotheistic and drank deeply from the traditions of Abraham. Frank Herbert’s religion has almost nothing to do with God and is an import into Dune, mostly by the Bene Gesserit, scientific nun- geneticists. They do try to remain faithful to one characteristic of the Frank Herbert novels, their complexity, the "plots-within-plots" intricacies. Jessica has to admit that she "knew that neither Paul’s worst critics not his most ardent admirers fully understood her son .... Muad’Dib’s calling was infinitely complex, his goal too tangled, subtle and long-term for anyone, even her, to comprehend fully." The next volume, Throne of Dune, will undoubtedly deal with the Corrino attempt to reclaim the empire, and Irulan will be the next hero. That is hinted at, none to subtly, in later chapters of the book.
This is the latest in the Dune series, which has gotten quite prolific - perhaps a never-ending franchise. Brian, of course, is the son of the late Frank Herbert, writing in association with author Kevin Anderson, equally prolific. This volume is part of a mini-series within a series, describing the activity of some people designed as "heros" of Dune, which all take place between the death-by-going-out-into-the desert of Paul Atreides, the regency of his sister Alia, until Leto II finally takes over by incorporating himself into a sandworm. This volume is devoted to Paul’s childhood friend, Bronso of Ix, who is being hunted by Alia and gang for his blasphemous destruction of the Muad’Dib legend. He does prove to be a real hero. The book includes two flashbacks to Bronso’s relationships with Paul and his mother Jessica., so it’s told in almost equal chunks of present story - flashback - present story - flashback - present story. Personally, I can’t turn down a Dune novel, I have to know how it turns out, though, of course, in the mass of prequels and sequels that now exist, the original Dune still holds the first place as a startling ecological statement. Mr. Herbert and Mr. Anderson still tell a good story. They are not as sharp writers as Frank Herbert was, and maybe there are too many constrictions from the necessity of continuity. Without changing the Dune universe, how do you tell a story that doesn’t at times become trivial detail? The new characters that enter the saga do not seem as clearly drawn as the Frank Herbert originals. I often wonder, too, about Frank Herbert’s religion. You cannot help noticing the parallels with Islam - a desert people - hardened by the harshness of their environment - warriors set free to carry on the jihad and conquer the known universe. Islam, however, was strictly monotheistic and drank deeply from the traditions of Abraham. Frank Herbert’s religion has almost nothing to do with God and is an import into Dune, mostly by the Bene Gesserit, scientific nun- geneticists. They do try to remain faithful to one characteristic of the Frank Herbert novels, their complexity, the "plots-within-plots" intricacies. Jessica has to admit that she "knew that neither Paul’s worst critics not his most ardent admirers fully understood her son .... Muad’Dib’s calling was infinitely complex, his goal too tangled, subtle and long-term for anyone, even her, to comprehend fully." The next volume, Throne of Dune, will undoubtedly deal with the Corrino attempt to reclaim the empire, and Irulan will be the next hero. That is hinted at, none to subtly, in later chapters of the book.
