Misplaced Pages

The Dune Encyclopedia: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 17:32, 21 August 2021 editTAnthony (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Page movers, File movers, New page reviewers, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers, Template editors857,214 edits "Deleted for a reason"? Come on. And this quote is too long, it represents a copyright violation.Tags: Manual revert Reverted← Previous edit Latest revision as of 11:42, 24 November 2024 edit undoPaccyd33 (talk | contribs)29 editsNo edit summaryTag: Visual edit 
(35 intermediate revisions by 13 users not shown)
Line 21: Line 21:
}} }}


'''''The Dune Encyclopedia''''' is a 1984 collection of essays written by ] and multiple other contributors as a companion to ]'s ] of ] novels. Though approved by Herbert, his own introduction rendered the ''Encyclopedia'' non-]. This was reasserted by the Herbert estate after the 1999 publication of the ] novel '']'' by ] and ]. '''''The Dune Encyclopedia''''' is a 1984 collection of essays written by ] and multiple other contributors as a companion to ]'s ] of ] novels.


==Overview== ==Overview==
''The Dune Encyclopedia'', written by McNelly and 42<ref>{{cite book |last=McNelly |first=Willis E. |author-link=Willis E. McNelly |title=The Dune Encyclopedia |chapter=CONTRIBUTORS |date=June 1, 1984 |pages=525–526 |isbn=0-425-06813-7 }}</ref> other contributors as a companion to the ''Dune'' series, was published in paperback in 1984.<ref>''The Dune Encyclopedia'' was also released in ] by ] a month later, July 13, 1984 ({{ISBN|0-399-12950-2}})</ref> It describes in great detail many aspects of the ] not found in the novels themselves, such as biographies of the major characters, the languages of ],<ref>{{cite book |last=McNelly |title=Dune Encyclopedia |chapter=FREMEN LANGUAGE |year=1984 |pages=234–247}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=McNelly |title=Dune Encyclopedia |chapter=CHAKOBSA |year=1984 |pages=155–156}}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite book |last=McNelly |title=Dune Encyclopedia |chapter=GALACH |year=1984 |pages=258–261}}</ref> and ]<ref>{{cite book |last=McNelly |title=Dune Encyclopedia |chapter=SPACING GUILD |year=1984 |pages=461–469}}</ref> (including alphabets and pronunciation), and shortened summaries of the plots of the novels. The encyclopedia also includes explanations of the armies, major schools (],<ref>{{cite book |last=McNelly |title=Dune Encyclopedia |chapter=BENE GESSERIT |year=1984 |pages=110–137}}</ref> ]s,<ref>{{cite book |last=McNelly |title=Dune Encyclopedia |chapter=MENTATS |year=1984 |pages=376–385}}</ref> etc.), and major industries (including the ]),<ref>{{cite book |last=McNelly |title=Dune Encyclopedia |chapter=MELANGE |year=1984 |pages=374–376}}</ref> as well as descriptions of future technologies and artwork on the major characters and concepts of the novels. ''The Dune Encyclopedia'', written by McNelly and 42<ref name=contributors>{{cite book |last=McNelly |first=Willis E. |author-link=Willis E. McNelly |title=The Dune Encyclopedia |chapter=CONTRIBUTORS |date=June 1, 1984 |pages=525–526 |publisher=Berkley Books |isbn=0-425-06813-7 }}</ref> other contributors as a companion to the ''Dune'' series, was published in paperback in 1984.<ref>''The Dune Encyclopedia'' was also released in ] by ] a month later, July 13, 1984 ({{ISBN|0-399-12950-2}})</ref> It describes in great detail many aspects of the ] not covered in the novels themselves, such as character biographies and explanations of key elements, including planets, factions like the ] and ]s, the ], and technology such as ]s and ]s.


==Canon status== ==Publication==
''The Dune Encyclopedia'' was published by ], an imprint of ], the publisher of all of Frank Herbert's ''Dune'' novels; the cover called the work "complete" and "authorized."<ref name="DE front matter">{{cite book |last=McNelly |title=Dune Encyclopedia |year=1984 |no-pp=true |page=Cover; Foreword by Frank Herbert}}</ref> Additionally, Frank Herbert approved the book, considering it "amusing" and "fascinating."<ref name="DE front matter"/> The ''Encyclopedia'' was compiled and published some time between '']'' (1981) and '']'' (1984), and Herbert "read large portions of ''God Emperor of Dune'', then in the final stages, to McNelly during the compiling of the volume so that McNelly could keep abreast of developments."<ref name="Touponce">{{cite book|last=Touponce |first=William F.|year=1988|title=Frank Herbert|chapter=Herbert's Reputation |location=], ]|publisher=Twayne Publishers imprint, G. K. Hall & Co|page=124|isbn=0-8057-7514-5}}</ref> However, Herbert did not hesitate to render it erroneous through later developments in his ''Dune'' series. Herbert himself wrote the foreword for the ''Encyclopedia'' (dated November 1983), which noted: ''The Dune Encyclopedia'' was published by ], an imprint of ], the publisher of all of Frank Herbert's ''Dune'' novels. The cover called the work "complete" and "authorized".<ref name="DE front matter">{{cite book |last=McNelly |title=Dune Encyclopedia |year=1984 |no-pp=true |page=Cover and Foreword by Frank Herbert}}</ref> Additionally, Frank Herbert approved the book, considering it "amusing" and "fascinating".<ref name="DE front matter"/> The ''Encyclopedia'' was compiled and published between '']'' (1981) and '']'' (1984), and Herbert "read large portions of ''God Emperor of Dune'', then in the final stages, to McNelly during the compiling of the volume so that McNelly could keep abreast of developments."<ref name="Touponce">{{cite book|last=Touponce |first=William F.|year=1988|title=Frank Herbert|chapter=Herbert's Reputation |location=], ]|publisher=Twayne Publishers imprint, G. K. Hall & Co|page=124|isbn=0-8057-7514-5}}</ref> Herbert himself wrote the foreword for the ''Encyclopedia'' (dated November 1983), which noted:


{{Quote|Here is a rich background (and foreground) for the Dune Chronicles, including scholarly bypaths and amusing sidelights. Some of the contributions are sure to arouse controversy, based as they are on questionable sources ... I must confess that I found it fascinating to re-enter here some of the sources on which the Chronicles are built. As the first "Dune fan," I give this encyclopedia my delighted approval, although I hold my own counsel on some of the issues still to be explored as the Chronicles unfold.<ref name="DE front matter"/>}} {{Quote|Here is a rich background (and foreground) for the ''Dune'' Chronicles, including scholarly bypaths and amusing sidelights. Some of the contributions are sure to arouse controversy, based as they are on questionable sources ... I must confess that I found it fascinating to re-enter here some of the sources on which the Chronicles are built. As the first "''Dune'' fan", I give this encyclopedia my delighted approval, although I hold my own counsel on some of the issues still to be explored as the Chronicles unfold.<ref name="DE front matter"/>}}


The nature of ''The Dune Encyclopedia'' makes its ] status somewhat unusual; the book is written as an ] published within the ''Dune'' universe itself, edited by "Hadi Benotto,"<ref name="DE Intro">{{cite book |last=McNelly |title=Dune Encyclopedia |year=1984 |no-pp=true |page=Introduction}}</ref> a fictional ] mentioned by Frank Herbert in his novels ''God Emperor of Dune'' and ''Heretics of Dune''.<ref name="God Emperor">{{cite book |last=Herbert |first=Frank |author-link=Frank Herbert |title=] |year=1981 }}</ref><ref name="Heretics">{{cite book |last=Herbert |first=Frank |title=]|year=1984 }}</ref> Rather than claiming to contain absolute fact about this universe, the Introduction by Benotto notes that "Readers of ''The Dune Encyclopedia'' should understand its limitations: it is not designed as a definitive study of the entire eras encompassed by the Atreides Imperium" and that a portion of the (fictional) source material is shaped by the interests and influences of the ].<ref name="DE Intro"/> In that much of the information (such as the biographical or historical) may then be seen as a possible later interpretation by "historians," within the ''Dune'' universe, ''The Dune Encyclopedia'' could conceivably be held canon while agreeing that some of its information directly contradicts Herbert's works. ''The Dune Encyclopedia'' is written as an encyclopedia published within the ''Dune'' universe itself, edited by "Hadi Benotto",<ref name="DE Intro">{{cite book |last=McNelly |title=Dune Encyclopedia |year=1984 |no-pp=true |page=Introduction}}</ref> a fictional archaeologist mentioned by Frank Herbert in his novels ''God Emperor of Dune'' and ''Heretics of Dune''.<ref name="God Emperor">{{cite book |last=Herbert |first=Frank |author-link=Frank Herbert |title=] |year=1981 }}</ref><ref name="Heretics">{{cite book |last=Herbert |first=Frank |title=]|year=1984 }}</ref> Rather than claiming to contain absolute fact about this universe, the introduction by Benotto notes that "readers of ''The Dune Encyclopedia'' should understand its limitations: it is not designed as a definitive study of the entire eras encompassed by the Atreides Imperium" and that a portion of the (fictional) source material is shaped by the interests and influences of the ].<ref name="DE Intro"/>


In 1999, McNelly stated that he had proposed to Frank Herbert that they collaborate on a ''Dune'' ] novel, expanding upon the ] story presented in ''The Dune Encyclopedia''.<ref name="McNelly alt.fan.dune">{{cite newsgroup|url=https://groups.google.com/forum/#!original/alt.fan.dune/dvgx5XfItTE/3d8TCQTpaqEJ|title=Post by Willis E. McNelly |date=December 21, 1999 |access-date=November 11, 2008|newsgroup=alt.fan.dune|message-id=wmcnelly-2112991012210001@d-asdful91.fullerton.edu}}</ref> He noted, "FH and I had discussed writing it together and he agreed with my general plot outline, completed first chapter, and so on but his untimely death prevented us from continuing."<ref name="McNelly alt.fan.dune"/> In 1999, McNelly stated that he had proposed to Frank Herbert that they collaborate on a ''Dune'' ] novel, expanding upon the ] story presented in ''The Dune Encyclopedia''.<ref name="McNelly alt.fan.dune">{{cite newsgroup|url=https://groups.google.com/forum/#!original/alt.fan.dune/dvgx5XfItTE/3d8TCQTpaqEJ|title=Post by Willis E. McNelly |date=December 21, 1999 |access-date=November 11, 2008|newsgroup=alt.fan.dune|message-id=wmcnelly-2112991012210001@d-asdful91.fullerton.edu}}</ref> He noted, "FH and I had discussed writing it together and he agreed with my general plot outline, completed first chapter, and so on but his untimely death prevented us from continuing."<ref name="McNelly alt.fan.dune"/>


Many of the ideas in ''The Dune Encyclopedia'' were contradicted in the later ] of novels (1999–present) written after Frank Herbert's death by his son ] and ], as well as their sequel novels '']'' (2006) and '']'' (2007), which complete the original series. Brian Herbert and Anderson have stated repeatedly that in writing the sequel and prequel novels, they used Frank Herbert's own notes found after his death.{{Herbert notes}} Beginning in 1999, a series of ] novels have been written by Frank Herbert's son ] and novelist ]. ''The Dune Encyclopedia'' was subsequently declared non-canon on the official ''Dune'' website in a letter credited to Brian Herbert, Anderson and McNelly:
⚫ {{Blockquote|''The Dune Encyclopedia'' reflects an alternate "''Dune'' universe" which did not necessarily represent the "canon" created by Frank Herbert. Frank Herbert's son, Brian Herbert, writing with Kevin J. Anderson, IS continuing to establish the canon of the ''Dune'' universe. This is being done with the full approval of the owner of the ''Dune'' copyright, the Herbert Limited Partnership.<br>
⚫ While Frank Herbert himself considered ''The Dune Encyclopedia'' interesting and entertaining, he did not refer to Dr. McNelly's derivative work while writing any of his ''Dune'' novels. Likewise, in writing their ''Dune'' novels (beginning with ''])'', Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson have exclusively used, and will continue to use, Frank Herbert's original notes as well as their own imaginations, and not ''The Dune Encyclopedia''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dunenovels.com/FAQ.html |title=Frequently Asked Questions |last=Herbert |first=Brian |author-link=Brian Herbert |author2=Kevin J. Anderson, Willis McNelly |publisher=DuneNovels.com (Internet Archive) |access-date=June 15, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080615034956/http://www.dunenovels.com/FAQ.html |archive-date = June 15, 2008}}</ref>}}


==Contributors==
In response to questions over why the new post-Frank Herbert ''Dune'' novels conflicted with ''The Dune Encyclopedia'', the book was declared non-canon on the official ''Dune'' website in a letter credited to McNelly, Brian Herbert, and Anderson:
Entries in the encyclopedia were written by multiple contributors: Joan Bouchelle, Edgar L. Chapman, Judith A. Clark, Michael Clayton, Grace W. Eckley, Greta Eisner, Peter Facione, J.L. Germain, J.H. Gervais, Stephen Goldman, Lee Granell, Jane Hipolito, William Hornaday, Wesley D. Ives, Edward M. Jennings, Alan Kaye, Dorothy Kilker, Gillian Kitrick, Linda R. Levy, Gregory Lichtenberg, Victoria Lustbader, Michael W. McClintock, Willis McNelly, Douglas J. McReynolds, Walter E. Meyers, Frederic H. Miler, Myron Orleans, Charles A. Povlovich, John Quijada, Julia Reed, R. Reginald, Thomas E. Roberts, John A. Ryan, Roger Schlobin, Maureen A. Shifflett, Ray C. Shifflett, Joyce Tally, Stephen Tobias, Michael Tolley, Robert Trowbridge, John A. Turner, Christine Watson, and Carl B. Yoke.<ref name=contributors/> ] created the illustrations appearing in many of the entries. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Matt Howarth's Attic |url=http://www.matthowarth.com/ |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=www.matthowarth.com}}</ref>


⚫ ==Reception==
⚫ {{Quote|THE DUNE ENCYCLOPEDIA reflects an alternate "DUNE universe" which did not necessarily represent the "canon" created by Frank Herbert. Frank Herbert's son, Brian Herbert, writing with Kevin J. Anderson, IS continuing to establish the canon of the DUNE universe. This is being done with the full approval of the owner of the DUNE copyright, the Herbert Limited Partnership. <br>
] reviewed ''The Dune Encyclopaedia'' for '']'' #61, and stated that "The production is quite impressive, though real or faked photos instead of line-drawings would have added greatly to the 'encyclopaedia' look. Whether it's of interest to mere readers is debatable, but game-players and trivia hounds will be fascinated."<ref>{{cite journal |last=Langford |first=Dave |author-link=David Langford |date=January 1985 |title=Critical Mass |journal=] |publisher=] |issue=61 |pages=11 |issn=}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3Nz6Ei_gAEkC |title=The Complete Critical Assembly |first=David |last=Langford |author-link=David Langford |date=2002 |page=80 |publisher=] |isbn=9781587153303 |via=]}}</ref>
⚫ While Frank Herbert himself considered THE DUNE ENCYCLOPEDIA interesting and entertaining, he did not refer to Dr. McNelly's derivative work while writing any of his DUNE novels. Likewise, in writing their DUNE novels (beginning with ]), Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson have exclusively used, and will continue to use, Frank Herbert's original notes as well as their own imaginations, and not THE DUNE ENCYCLOPEDIA.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dunenovels.com/FAQ.html |title=Frequently Asked Questions |last=Herbert |first=Brian |author-link=Brian Herbert |author2=Kevin J. Anderson, Willis McNelly |publisher=DuneNovels.com (Internet Archive) |access-date=June 15, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080615034956/http://www.dunenovels.com/FAQ.html |archive-date = June 15, 2008}}</ref>}}


⚫ ] reviewed ''The Dune Encyclopedia'' for '']'' magazine, and stated, "Unlike existing reader's guides to the worlds of Tolkien and others, ''The Dune Encyclopedia'' is itself a work of fiction, rich in imaginary footnotes and learned sources, and 'newly discovered information'. Herbert himself is (of course) delighted, but promises 'Issues still to be explored as the Chronicles unfold'. Where will it end?"<ref name="Imagine22">{{cite journal | last = Greenland|first = Colin |author-link=Colin Greenland| title =Fantasy Media | type = review | journal = ] | issue = 22| pages =45 | publisher = TSR Hobbies (UK), Ltd. |date=January 1985| issn = }}</ref>
==Selected content==
''The Dune Encyclopedia'' is written in the form of an encyclopedia within the fictional ''Dune'' universe, often citing fictional written works. No reference is made to which information is taken directly from the works of Frank Herbert himself, and which has been invented.


The work also received additional reviews:
The ''Encyclopedia'' presents extensive, alternate biographies for key characters not developed in Frank Herbert's original series, including ],<ref>{{cite book |last=McNelly |title=Dune Encyclopedia |chapter=ATREIDES-CORRINO, PRINCESS IRULAN |year=1984 |pages=103–106}}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite book |last=McNelly |title=Dune Encyclopedia |chapter=FENRING, HASIMIR |year=1984 |pages=212–215}}</ref> and ],<ref>{{cite book |last=McNelly |title=Dune Encyclopedia |chapter=FENRING, LADY MARGOT |year=1984 |pages=215–218}}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite book |last=McNelly |title=Dune Encyclopedia |chapter=CORRINO, ANIRUL |year=1984 |pages=169–172}}</ref> and ] ].<ref name="Mohiam">{{cite book |last=McNelly |title=Dune Encyclopedia |chapter=MOHIAM, REVEREND MOTHER GAIUS HELEN |year=1984 |pages=388–392}}</ref> In the case of Mohiam, the ''Encyclopedia'' makes the controversial claim that she is secretly the mother of ].<ref name="Mohiam"/><ref>{{cite book |last=McNelly |title=Dune Encyclopedia |chapter=ATREIDES-HARKONNEN, JESSICA |year=1984 |pages=60–63}}</ref> This was later rendered canon in the ''Prelude to Dune'' series; according to authors Brian Herbert and Anderson, this fact was pulled directly from Frank Herbert's working notes for the original ''Dune'' series.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scifi.com/transcripts/2000/herbertandanderson.html |title=Chat with Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson: ''Dune: House Harkonnen'' |year=2000 |publisher=SciFi.com (Internet Archive) |access-date=November 5, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071105073412/http://www.scifi.com/transcripts/2000/herbertandanderson.html |archive-date = 2007-11-05}}</ref>
*Review by Arthur O. Lewis (1984) in '']'', September 1984<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?31475|title=''The Dune Encyclopedia''|website=isfdb.org|access-date=January 11, 2023}}</ref>

*Review by Don D'Ammassa (1984) in '']'', #61 October 1984
In the ''Encyclopedia'', the Butlerian Jihad is attributed to Jehanne Butler, a Bene Gesserit whose developing fetus is therapeutically ] due to apparent birth defects.<ref name="DE 137">{{cite book |last=McNelly |title=Dune Encyclopedia |page=137}}</ref> She soon discovers that her child had in fact been healthy, but that the hospital director, the first self-programming computer on the planet, had been secretly carrying out a policy of unjustified abortions.<ref name="DE 137"/> This triggers further investigation into the extent to which such machines had been controlling society and altering the emotional and intellectual characteristics of planetary populations over a course of centuries.<ref name="DE 138">{{cite book |last=McNelly |title=Dune Encyclopedia |page=138}}</ref> A religious backlash incites a formal jihad.<ref name="DE 138"/> In the ''Legends of Dune'' prequel series (2002-2004), the Jihad is ignited by the murder of ], the young son of public figure ], by the independent robot ].<ref name="SFC 2009-01">{{cite web |url=http://www.sfcrowsnest.com/articles/books/2009/Dune-The-Butlerian-Jihad-by-Brian-Herber--Kevin-J-Anderson--13987.php |title=Review: ''Dune: The Butlerian Jihad'' by Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson |last=MacDonald |first=Rod |date=January 6, 2009 |publisher=SFCrowsnest.com |access-date=March 14, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615190055/http://www.sfcrowsnest.com/articles/books/2009/Dune-The-Butlerian-Jihad-by-Brian-Herber--Kevin-J-Anderson--13987.php |archive-date=June 15, 2013 }}</ref><ref name="Legends">{{cite serial |last=Herbert |first=Brian |author2=Kevin J. Anderson |title=] |date=2002–2004 }}</ref>
*Review by Alma Jo Williams (1984) in '']'', Winter 1984

*Review by Thomas A. Easton (1984) in '']'', November 1984
Similarly, the ''Encyclopedia'' credits the discovery of the ] to Ibrahim Vaughn Holtzman, a genius whose brain had been transplanted into a machine;<ref>{{cite book |last=McNelly |title=Dune Encyclopedia |chapter=HOLTZMAN, IBRAHIM VAUGHN/HOLTZMAN EFFECT |year=1984 |pages=307–314}}</ref> ''Legends of Dune'' chronicles the development of the effect's applications after its discovery by ].<ref name="Legends"/> Included in the ''Encyclopedia'' is an invented list of Great Houses supposedly in existence at the beginning of ]' reign as Emperor; the list includes ],<ref>{{cite book |last=McNelly |title=Dune Encyclopedia |chapter=GREAT HOUSES, THE |year=1984 |pages=273, 278}}</ref> a House which does not appear in any canon ''Dune'' work but was later used by ] for their ]. The ''Encyclopedia'' also invents a list of all ] back to the creation of the Empire.<ref>{{cite book |last=McNelly |title=Dune Encyclopedia |chapter=EMPERORS OF THE KNOWN UNIVERSE |year=1984 |pages=200–205}}</ref>
*Review by Algis Budrys (1984) in '']'', November 1984

*Review by Gene DeWeese (1984) in '']'', Winter 1984
⚫ ==Reception==
*Review by Patricia Matthews (1984) in '']'', #21, Fall 1984/Winter 1985
⚫ ] reviewed ''The Dune Encyclopedia'' for '']'' magazine, and stated that "Unlike existing reader's guides to the worlds of Tolkien and others, The Dune Encyclopedia is itself a work of fiction, rich in imaginary footnotes and learned sources, and 'newly discovered information'. Herbert himself is (of course) delighted, but promises 'Issues still to be explored as the Chronicles unfold'. Where will it end?"<ref name="Imagine22">{{cite journal | last = Greenland|first = Colin |author-link=Colin Greenland| title =Fantasy Media | type = review | journal = ] | issue = 22| pages =45 | publisher = TSR Hobbies (UK), Ltd. |date=January 1985| issn = }}</ref>
*Review by Robert Coulson (1985) in ''Amazing Science Fiction'', January 1985
*Review by Joseph Nicholas (1985) in ''Paperback Inferno'', #52


==References== ==References==
Line 58: Line 62:


{{Dune franchise}} {{Dune franchise}}

{{Authority control}} {{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Dune Encyclopedia, The}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Dune Encyclopedia, The}}
] ]
] ]
] ]

Latest revision as of 11:42, 24 November 2024

Book by Willis E. McNelly
The Dune Encyclopedia
First edition cover
AuthorWillis E. McNelly
IllustratorMatt Howarth, et al.
LanguageEnglish
SeriesDune franchise
GenreScience fiction
Non-fiction
Published1984
PublisherBerkley
Publication placeUnited States
Media typePrint (Paperback)
Pages526
ISBN0-425-06813-7
OCLC10836869

The Dune Encyclopedia is a 1984 collection of essays written by Willis E. McNelly and multiple other contributors as a companion to Frank Herbert's Dune series of science fiction novels.

Overview

The Dune Encyclopedia, written by McNelly and 42 other contributors as a companion to the Dune series, was published in paperback in 1984. It describes in great detail many aspects of the Dune universe not covered in the novels themselves, such as character biographies and explanations of key elements, including planets, factions like the Bene Gesserit and Mentats, the spice melange, and technology such as heighliners and stillsuits.

Publication

The Dune Encyclopedia was published by Berkley Books, an imprint of Putnam, the publisher of all of Frank Herbert's Dune novels. The cover called the work "complete" and "authorized". Additionally, Frank Herbert approved the book, considering it "amusing" and "fascinating". The Encyclopedia was compiled and published between God Emperor of Dune (1981) and Heretics of Dune (1984), and Herbert "read large portions of God Emperor of Dune, then in the final stages, to McNelly during the compiling of the volume so that McNelly could keep abreast of developments." Herbert himself wrote the foreword for the Encyclopedia (dated November 1983), which noted:

Here is a rich background (and foreground) for the Dune Chronicles, including scholarly bypaths and amusing sidelights. Some of the contributions are sure to arouse controversy, based as they are on questionable sources ... I must confess that I found it fascinating to re-enter here some of the sources on which the Chronicles are built. As the first "Dune fan", I give this encyclopedia my delighted approval, although I hold my own counsel on some of the issues still to be explored as the Chronicles unfold.

The Dune Encyclopedia is written as an encyclopedia published within the Dune universe itself, edited by "Hadi Benotto", a fictional archaeologist mentioned by Frank Herbert in his novels God Emperor of Dune and Heretics of Dune. Rather than claiming to contain absolute fact about this universe, the introduction by Benotto notes that "readers of The Dune Encyclopedia should understand its limitations: it is not designed as a definitive study of the entire eras encompassed by the Atreides Imperium" and that a portion of the (fictional) source material is shaped by the interests and influences of the God Emperor Leto II.

In 1999, McNelly stated that he had proposed to Frank Herbert that they collaborate on a Dune prequel novel, expanding upon the Butlerian Jihad story presented in The Dune Encyclopedia. He noted, "FH and I had discussed writing it together and he agreed with my general plot outline, completed first chapter, and so on but his untimely death prevented us from continuing."

Beginning in 1999, a series of Dune prequel novels have been written by Frank Herbert's son Brian Herbert and novelist Kevin J. Anderson. The Dune Encyclopedia was subsequently declared non-canon on the official Dune website in a letter credited to Brian Herbert, Anderson and McNelly:

The Dune Encyclopedia reflects an alternate "Dune universe" which did not necessarily represent the "canon" created by Frank Herbert. Frank Herbert's son, Brian Herbert, writing with Kevin J. Anderson, IS continuing to establish the canon of the Dune universe. This is being done with the full approval of the owner of the Dune copyright, the Herbert Limited Partnership.
While Frank Herbert himself considered The Dune Encyclopedia interesting and entertaining, he did not refer to Dr. McNelly's derivative work while writing any of his Dune novels. Likewise, in writing their Dune novels (beginning with Dune: House Atreides), Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson have exclusively used, and will continue to use, Frank Herbert's original notes as well as their own imaginations, and not The Dune Encyclopedia.

Contributors

Entries in the encyclopedia were written by multiple contributors: Joan Bouchelle, Edgar L. Chapman, Judith A. Clark, Michael Clayton, Grace W. Eckley, Greta Eisner, Peter Facione, J.L. Germain, J.H. Gervais, Stephen Goldman, Lee Granell, Jane Hipolito, William Hornaday, Wesley D. Ives, Edward M. Jennings, Alan Kaye, Dorothy Kilker, Gillian Kitrick, Linda R. Levy, Gregory Lichtenberg, Victoria Lustbader, Michael W. McClintock, Willis McNelly, Douglas J. McReynolds, Walter E. Meyers, Frederic H. Miler, Myron Orleans, Charles A. Povlovich, John Quijada, Julia Reed, R. Reginald, Thomas E. Roberts, John A. Ryan, Roger Schlobin, Maureen A. Shifflett, Ray C. Shifflett, Joyce Tally, Stephen Tobias, Michael Tolley, Robert Trowbridge, John A. Turner, Christine Watson, and Carl B. Yoke. Matt Howarth created the illustrations appearing in many of the entries.

Reception

Dave Langford reviewed The Dune Encyclopaedia for White Dwarf #61, and stated that "The production is quite impressive, though real or faked photos instead of line-drawings would have added greatly to the 'encyclopaedia' look. Whether it's of interest to mere readers is debatable, but game-players and trivia hounds will be fascinated."

Colin Greenland reviewed The Dune Encyclopedia for Imagine magazine, and stated, "Unlike existing reader's guides to the worlds of Tolkien and others, The Dune Encyclopedia is itself a work of fiction, rich in imaginary footnotes and learned sources, and 'newly discovered information'. Herbert himself is (of course) delighted, but promises 'Issues still to be explored as the Chronicles unfold'. Where will it end?"

The work also received additional reviews:

References

  1. ^ McNelly, Willis E. (June 1, 1984). "CONTRIBUTORS". The Dune Encyclopedia. Berkley Books. pp. 525–526. ISBN 0-425-06813-7.
  2. The Dune Encyclopedia was also released in hardcover by Putnam Adult a month later, July 13, 1984 (ISBN 0-399-12950-2)
  3. ^ McNelly (1984). Dune Encyclopedia. Cover and Foreword by Frank Herbert.
  4. Touponce, William F. (1988). "Herbert's Reputation". Frank Herbert. Boston, Massachusetts: Twayne Publishers imprint, G. K. Hall & Co. p. 124. ISBN 0-8057-7514-5.
  5. ^ McNelly (1984). Dune Encyclopedia. Introduction.
  6. Herbert, Frank (1981). God Emperor of Dune.
  7. Herbert, Frank (1984). Heretics of Dune.
  8. ^ "Post by Willis E. McNelly". Newsgroup: alt.fan.dune. December 21, 1999. Usenet: wmcnelly-2112991012210001@d-asdful91.fullerton.edu. Retrieved November 11, 2008.
  9. Herbert, Brian; Kevin J. Anderson, Willis McNelly. "Frequently Asked Questions". DuneNovels.com (Internet Archive). Archived from the original on June 15, 2008. Retrieved June 15, 2008.
  10. "Matt Howarth's Attic". www.matthowarth.com. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  11. Langford, Dave (January 1985). "Critical Mass". White Dwarf (61). Games Workshop: 11.
  12. Langford, David (2002). The Complete Critical Assembly. Cosmos Books. p. 80. ISBN 9781587153303 – via Google Books.
  13. Greenland, Colin (January 1985). "Fantasy Media". Imagine (review) (22). TSR Hobbies (UK), Ltd.: 45.
  14. "The Dune Encyclopedia". isfdb.org. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
Frank Herbert's Dune
Frank Herbert
Brian Herbert
Kevin J. Anderson
Sequels
Prequels
Prelude
Legends
Heroes
Great Schools
Caladan
Films
Television
Games
Other
Universe
Organizations
Characters
Elements
Categories: