Key Takeaways
- Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson expanded the Dune universe with prequels and sequels, creating a vast total of 23 novels.
- Dune: Prophecy serves as a spin-off to the upcoming HBO series, focusing on the origins of the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood.
- The series delves into the intricate worldbuilding of Dune, with themes of power, influence, and the origins of the Bene Gesserit.
As a devoted fan of Frank Herbert’s Dune universe and someone who has spent countless hours immersed in its rich tapestry of history, politics, and mysticism, I am beyond excited for HBO’s upcoming prequel series, “Dune: Prophecy.” The prospect of delving deeper into the origins of the enigmatic Bene Gesserit Sisterhood, a faction that has always held a special place in my heart, is nothing short of thrilling.
Frank Herbert is known as the creator of the expansive Dune Universe, which comprises multiple works that have stood the test of time. More than a decade following Herbert’s passing, his son Brian and renowned science fiction author Kevin J. Anderson teamed up to craft a series primarily consisting of prequels. In doing so, they developed and broadened the universe and added depth to the Dune saga. Together, they have co-written a trilogy of prequel books, two sequels, a compilation of short stories, and a graphic novel series. One of their works focuses on the upcoming HBO series titled Dune: Prophecy.
The film titled “Dune: Prophecy” is rightfully marketed as a follow-up to Denis Villeneuve’s two-part movie adaptations. While it’s clear that Villeneuve’s Dune Part One and Two encompass the first book of the series, namely Frank Herbert’s “Dune ” (1965), understanding Dune: Prophecy requires some additional context. Since this spin-off focuses on the origins of the Sisterhood, it’s crucial to discuss its inspiration, as the story unfolds events prior to the movies based on “Dune“.
The Profound Worldbuilding Of Dune And The Inspiration Behind HBO’s Dune: Prophecy
In my opinion, the groundbreaking storyline that Herbert crafted feels akin to stepping into an epic tale on par with J.R.R. Tolkien’s mythos. The richness and depth of Dune is reminiscent of Middle Eastern lore, and as Herbert shared in an unpublished 1978 interview with Timothy O’Reilly (as per O’Reilly), the language he developed draws heavily from colloquial Arabic.
In the concluding notes of the novel Dune, Frank Herbert Jr. refers to the world of Dune as a “melting pot of spiritual ideas,” blending elements from different religious systems such as Islam, Sufism, Catholicism, Protestantism, Buddhism, Judaism, and Hinduism. The Bene Gesserit, the scheming faction in the story, was first introduced in Frank Herbert’s influential work from 1965 and plays a significant role. In the afterword of Dune, Frank Herbert Jr. also reveals the origins of the Bene Gesserit.
As a young lad, eight of his Irish Catholic aunts attempted to impose Catholicism upon him, yet he stood firm against it. Consequently, this act served as the beginning of the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood.
In simpler terms, Herbert (the younger) mentions that while the Sisterhood might assert they don’t support organized religion, they are still spiritual in their own way, much like his parents. He provides different instances to demonstrate how his father’s personal life, convictions, and moral compass influenced the world of Dune.
The Wealth Of Dune Novels
From Sisterhood of Dune To Dune: Prophecy
Herbert (the senior) penned a grand total of six novels within the Dune Chronicles. After his passing in 1986, Herbert (the junior) stumbled upon his unfinished works, jottings, and blueprints which he and Anderson employed as additional resources to continue the Dune narrative. Together, they authored an additional seventeen novels for the Dune Chronicles, thereby increasing the count to a total of twenty-three.
The original works, written by Herbert (the elder) are:
- Dune (1965)
- Dune Messiah (1969)
- Children of Dune (1976)
- God Emperor of Dune (1981)
- Heretics of Dune (1984)
- Chapterhouse: Dune (1985)
About thirteen years following Herbert (the elder)’s passing, Herbert (the younger) and Anderson jointly developed the Dune universe further. They initiated the first book of The Prelude to Dune trilogy, titled House Atreides, which takes place thirty-five years before Dune. This novel was subsequently followed by:
- Dune: House Harkonnen (2000)
- Dune: House Corrino (2001)
Following the footsteps of Herbert (the younger) and Anderson, they wrote a succession of prequel trilogies including “Legends of Dune” [consisting of “The Butlerian Jihad” (2002), “The Machine Crusade” (2003), and “The Battle of Corrin” (2004)], “Heroes of Dune” [consisting of “Paul of Dune” (2008), “The Winds of Dune” (2009), and “Princess of Dune” (2023)], and critically, the sequel trilogy to “Legends of Dune“, titled “Great Schools of Dune“. Notably, the initial book in the “Great Schools of Dune” series, specifically “Sisterhood of Dune“, has inspired the HBO spin-off.
The series consists of books, namely:
Sisterhood of Dune (2012)
Mentats of Dune (2014)
Navigators of Dune (2016)
10,000 years before Paul Atreides’ arrival on Arrakis, as depicted in Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune: Part One,” the story unfolds in “Dune: The Battle of Corrin” (published in 2004). This narrative is centered around the thinking machines’ relentless effort to exterminate the last vestiges of humanity. Approximately a century later, following the Army of Humanity’s annihilation of the Omnius-controlled thinking machine armies, the story shifts to “Sisterhood of Dune.” Here, we witness the inception of the renowned order during the aftermath of the Butlerian Jihad.
To wield influence among the noble Great Houses and control the tide of power, you need to master your own strength first.
In Villeneuve’s Dune, the Bene Gesserit character is indeed present, but the intricacies of the Sisterhood – their reasons, aspirations, and strategies – will be thoroughly explored in the spin-off titled Dune: Prophecy. This spin-off serves as a shift from the big screen to streaming platforms, mirroring the transformation undergone by The Penguin within Matt Reeves’ Batman universe.
What Does HBO’s Dune: Prophecy Say About Bene Gesserit?
The official logline of the prequel series succinctly states:
10,000 years prior to Paul Atreides’ ascension, the story Dune: Prophecy unfolds around two Harkonnen sisters. They engage in battles against forces that could jeopardize humanity’s future and lay the groundwork for a renowned order – the Bene Gesserit – which they eventually establish.
In the heart-pounding storyline of “Dune: Prophecy”, the Matriarchal Order takes center stage. From the previews we’ve seen, the Sisterhood is developed fully and seems to be connecting all the groups and personalities. Even before it was called Bene Gesserit, the Sisterhood foresaw the necessity of creating a specific group, with Jessica Barden portraying a younger Valya Harkonnen as its leader.
…”Dune: Prophecy” explores several ideas, including the consequences of wielding power like a deity, building an influential empire-wide network, the benefits and costs associated with the Imperium, and the concept itself.
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2024-10-05 19:06