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| {{short description|1969 science fiction novel by Frank Herbert}} | |||
| {{Infobox |
{{Infobox book | <!-- See Misplaced Pages:WikiProject_Novels or Misplaced Pages:WikiProject_Books --> | ||
| | name = Dune Messiah | | name = Dune Messiah | ||
| | title_orig = |
| title_orig = | ||
| | translator = |
| translator = | ||
| | image = |
| image = Dune Messiah-Frank Herbert (1969) First edition.jpg | ||
| | caption = First edition | |||
| | image_caption = 1969 1st paperback edition <br> of ''Dune Messiah'' | |||
| | author = ] | | author = ] | ||
| | audio_read_by = {{Plainlist| | |||
| ⚫ | | illustrator = |
||
| * ] | |||
| | cover_artist = ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| ⚫ | | country = |
||
| * ] | |||
| | language = ] | |||
| * Simon Vance | |||
| | series = ] | |||
| }} | |||
| ⚫ | | genre = ], ] | ||
| ⚫ | | illustrator = | ||
| | publisher = ] (Originally ]) | |||
| | |
| cover_artist = ] | ||
| ⚫ | | country = United States | ||
| ⚫ | | media_type = Print (] & ]) | ||
| | |
| language = English | ||
| | |
| series = '']'' | ||
| ⚫ | | genre = ] | ||
| | oclc= 26335632 | |||
| | published = 1969 | |||
| | publisher = ] | |||
| ⚫ | | media_type = Print (] & ]) | ||
| | pages = 256 | |||
| | isbn = <!-- The 1st edition had no ISBN, as cataloged by the Library of Congress: https://lccn.loc.gov/77091815. Printings issued soon afterward probably had SBNs added, as this was right at the beginning of that era. --> | |||
| | oclc = 32595 | |||
| | preceded_by = ] | | preceded_by = ] | ||
| | followed_by = ] | | followed_by = ] | ||
| | congress = PZ4.H5356 Du PS3558.E63 | |||
| | dewey = 813/.5/4 | |||
| }} | }} | ||
| '''''Dune Messiah''''' is a ] novel by ], the second in |
'''''Dune Messiah''''' is a 1969 ] novel by American writer ], the second in his ] of six novels. A sequel to '']'' (1965), it was originally serialized in '']'' magazine in 1969, and then published by ] the same year. ''Dune Messiah'' and its own sequel '']'' (1976) were collectively adapted by the ] in 2003 into a miniseries entitled '']''. | ||
| A feature film adaptation of the novel is in early development from filmmaker ] to serve as a sequel to his films '']'' (2021) and '']'' (2024). | |||
| ==Plot summary==<!-- This section is the redirect destination of ] --> | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ==Plot== | |||
| ⚫ | The ], ] and ] |
||
| ⚫ | ] has ruled as Emperor for 12 years. By accepting the role of ] to the ], he has unleashed a ] which has conquered most of the known universe, but is powerless to stop the lethal excesses of the religious juggernaut he has created. Although 61 billion people have perished, Paul's ] visions indicate this is far from the worst possible outcome for humanity. Motivated by this knowledge, Paul hopes to set humanity on a course that will not inevitably lead to stagnation and destruction, while at the same time acting as ruler of the empire and focal point of the Fremen religion. | ||
| ⚫ | The ], ], and ] conspire to dethrone Paul, with the ] ] using his prescience to shield their meetings with the Bene Gesserit ] ] and Tleilaxu ] ], from Paul's visions. ] enlists ], daughter of the deposed ] ], who is wed to Paul for ]. Paul has refused to father a child with Irulan, but he and his Fremen ] ] have also failed to produce an heir, causing tension within his monarchy. Desperate both to secure her place in the ] dynasty and to preserve the bloodline for the Bene Gesserit ], Irulan has secretly been giving ]s to Chani. Paul is aware of this fact, but has foreseen that the birth of his heir will bring Chani's death, and does not want to lose her. | ||
| ], one of Paul's former ] death ]s, reveals evidence of a Fremen conspiracy against Paul. Otheym gives Paul his little Tleilaxu servant Bijaz who, like a recording machine, can remember faces, names, and details. Paul accepts reluctantly, seeing the strands of a Tleilaxu plot. As Paul's soldiers attack the conspirators, others set off an ] called a ], purchased from the Tleilaxu, that destroys the area and blinds Paul. By tradition, all blind Fremen are abandoned in the desert, but Paul is able to continue in leadership by fixing his actions precisely in line with what his previous oracular visions showed him; by moving through his life in lockstep with his previous visions, he can see even the slightest details of the world around him. The disadvantage of this is his inability to change any part of his destiny so long as he wishes to appear sighted. The unraveling of the Fremen conspiracy reveals that ], a former Fedaykin and now high priest of Paul's church, is among Paul's enemies. | |||
| Edric gifts Paul a ] named ], a reanimated being of Tleilaxu-make in the image of the deceased ], Paul's childhood teacher and friend. The conspirators hope the presence of the ghola will weaken Paul's ability to rule by both disconcerting him and appealing to his emotional vulnerability. Furthermore, Paul's acceptance of the gift weakens his support among the Fremen, who see the Tleilaxu and their tools as unclean. Chani, taking matters into her own hands, switches to a traditional Fremen fertility diet, preventing Irulan from tampering with her food, and soon becomes pregnant. However, Chani's extended consumption of Irulan's contraceptive has weakened her, endangering the pregnancy. | |||
| Hayt interrogates Bijaz, but the little man — secretly an agent of the Tleilaxu — uses a specific humming intonation that renders Hayt open to implanted commands. Bijaz programs Hayt to offer Paul a bargain when Chani dies: Chani's rebirth as a ghola, and the hope that Duncan Idaho's memories might be reawakened, in return for Paul sacrificing the throne and going into exile. Unknown to Hayt, this also activates a hidden compulsion that will force him to kill Paul, given the appropriate circumstances. News is brought that Chani has died giving birth to two healthy children; like Paul's sister ], they are "]" — born fully conscious with ]-like access to ancestral memories, in their case because of ] exposure to the spice. News of the birth is delivered to Paul and his reaction to it triggers the compulsions in the mind of Hayt, who attempts to kill Paul. Reacting against its own programming owing to the trauma of the attempt, Hayt's body remembers itself, and a new consciousness arises that is a mix of Duncan Idaho and Hayt, unconditioned by the Tleilaxu programming. Because Paul had foreseen the birth of only a daughter (and not twins), his prophetic visions fail, rendering him totally blind. As he nears a crucial decision point, he is thrust into a deadly standoff: Scytale holds a knife to the necks of Paul's children. The ability to restore a ghola's memory proven, Scytale offers to revive Chani as a ghola in return for Paul's abdication. Paul receives a prescient vision from the perspective of his newborn son Leto, and is able to throw a dagger and kill Scytale. | |||
| Paul learns of a Fremen conspiracy against him, but sees the strands of a Tleilaxu plot. As Paul's soldiers target the conspirators, an ] sourced from the Tleilaxu called a ] destroys the area. Many soldiers are maimed or killed, but crucially, Paul is ] by the attack. By tradition, all blind Fremen exile themselves in the desert, but Paul shocks the Fremen by proving he can still see despite his condition. His oracular powers have become so developed that he can foresee everything, so by moving through his life in lockstep with his visions, he can see even the slightest details of the world around him. Posing as a ] servant to Paul, the Tleilaxu agent ] implants a command in Hayt, compelling him to kill Paul if triggered. During childbirth, Chani's weakened body succumbs to the pain and she dies. Paul's reaction to her death triggers the command in Hayt to kill Paul, however, Hayt's ghola body resists, and the trauma forces Duncan's full consciousness to be recovered, simultaneously making him independent of Tleilaxu control. | |||
| With Paul's visions gone, he is now blind, and he chooses to walk into the desert in the Fremen tradition, winning the fealty of the Fremen for his children, who will inherit his mantle of Emperor. Paul leaves Alia, now romantically involved with Duncan, as ] for the twins, whom he has named ] and ]. Duncan notes the irony that Paul and Chani's deaths had enabled them to triumph against their enemies, and that Paul has escaped ] by walking into the desert as a man, while guaranteeing Fremen support for the Atreides line. | |||
| Before her death, Chani gives birth to twins who, like Paul, have full access to both their male and female ancestral memories. The son is a total surprise for Paul, who had only foreseen the birth of their daughter. Scytale offers to revive Chani as a ghola, revealing the full purpose behind Hayt's presence and the restoration of his memories. Paul refuses, considering the possibility that the Tleilaxu might program a Chani ghola in some diabolical way. Scytale threatens the infants with a knife, demanding all of Paul's ] holdings in return for his children's lives. By successfully escaping the oracular trap and setting the universe on a new path, Paul has been rendered completely blind, yet he is able to kill Scytale with a dagger to the eye due to a psychic vision from his son's perspective. Now prophetically and physically blind, Paul chooses to embrace the Fremen tradition and walks alone into the desert, winning the fealty of the Fremen for his children, who will inherit his empire. | |||
| ==Characters== | |||
| *] – Emperor of the known universe and Messiah of the ]. His formal name is Muad'dib and Fremen sietch name is Usul. | |||
| Paul leaves his sister ], herself worshipped by the Fremen and now romantically involved with Duncan, as ] for the twins, whom he has named ] and ]. Alia orders Stilgar to execute Edric, Mohiam, and others involved in the plot against her brother, going against his wish that none of them should be harmed. Alia spares Irulan, who in grief for Paul has renounced her loyalty to the Bene Gesserit and vowed to dedicate her life as a teacher to Paul's children. Duncan notes the irony that Chani's death and Paul's nullification have enabled them to triumph against their enemies: the Spacing Guild and the Bene Tleilaxu have been discredited, Irulan's defection from the Bene Gesserit removes the sisterhood's last lever against the Atreides, and Paul has escaped ] by walking into the desert as a man, while guaranteeing Fremen support for the Atreides line. | |||
| *] – Princess-consort of Emperor Paul Atreides | |||
| *] – of Paul's Fremen tribe, Imperial concubine and chosen mother-to-be | |||
| ==Publication history== | |||
| *] – Paul's sister, born with prescient awareness, a Reverend Mother | |||
| Parts of ''Dune Messiah'' (and its sequel '']'') were written prior to the completion of '']'' itself.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RxxwnkPHlfEC&q=%22parts%20of%20dune%20messiah%20and%20children%20of%20dune%20were%20written%20before%20dune%20was%20completed%22|title=Children of Dune|chapter=When I Was Writing ''Dune''|first=Frank|last=Herbert|date=1976|edition=2008|publisher=]|isbn=9781440630514|access-date=May 24, 2020}}</ref> The novel appeared initially as a five part serial in '']'' magazine published from June (cover dated July) to October (cover dated November) 1969 with illustrations by ]. A Putnam hardback edition also appeared in October 1969. The American and British editions contain different prologues which summarized the events of ''Dune''. ''Dune Messiah'' and ''Children of Dune'' were published in a single volume by the ] in 2002,<ref>{{cite book|last=Herbert|first=Frank|title=Dune Messiah and Children of Dune|edition=1st SFBC Printing|date=2002|publisher=]|isbn=0-7394-2399-1}}.</ref> and in 1979 by Gollancz with ''Dune'' as ''The Great Dune Trilogy''. | |||
| *] – a ] of the Bene Gesserit and conspirator | |||
| *] – a prescient Guild Navigator and conspirator | |||
| ==Analysis== | |||
| *] – a ] ] and conspirator | |||
| Herbert likened the initial trilogy of novels (''Dune'', ''Dune Messiah'', and ''Children of Dune'') to a ], and while ''Dune'' was a heroic melody, ''Dune Messiah'' was its ]. Paul rises to power in ''Dune'' by seizing control of the single critical resource in the universe, melange. His enemies are dead or overthrown, and he is set to take the reins of power and bring a hard but enlightened peace to the universe. Herbert chose in the books that followed to undermine Paul's triumph with a string of failures and philosophical paradoxes.<ref name="Genesis">{{cite web|last=Herbert|first=Frank|url=http://www.frankherbert.org/news/genesis.html |title=''Dune''Genesis|access-date=February 14, 2014 |publisher=FrankHerbert.org|work=]|date=July 1980 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107220342/http://www.frankherbert.org/news/genesis.html |archive-date=January 7, 2012 |quote=Of course there are other themes and fugal interplays in ''Dune'' and throughout the trilogy. ''Dune Messiah'' performs a classic inversion of the theme. ''Children of Dune'' expands the number of themes interplaying ... That fits the pattern of the fugue.}}</ref> | |||
| *] – a revived Tleilaxu ] of Paul's childhood teacher, ] | |||
| *] – Previous leader of the Fremen, now loyal to Paul Atreides | |||
| ==Critical reception== | |||
| '']'' called ''Dune Messiah'' "Brilliant ... It was all that ''Dune'' was, and maybe a little more."<ref name="Praise">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RxxwnkPHlfEC&q=Praise%20for%20the%20Dune%20Chronicles|title=Children of Dune|chapter=Praise for the ''Dune'' Chronicles|first=Frank|last=Herbert|date=1976|edition=2008|publisher=Penguin Publishing Group|isbn=9781440630514|access-date=May 24, 2020}}</ref> ] enjoyed the book "even as was driving a truck through the holes in its logic, because it had the same majestic rolling grandeur of the previous book."<ref>{{cite journal|title=Galaxy Bookshelf|journal=]|first=Spider|last=Robinson|date=September 1976|page=110}}</ref> ''Challenging Destiny'' called the novel "The perfect companion piece to ''Dune'' ... Fascinating."<ref name="Praise"/> | |||
| ==Adaptations== | |||
| ] had planned to adapt sequels to '']'' during the film's production in 1983–1984, with a script tentatively-titled ''Dune II''. Based on ''Dune Messiah'', the film had some differences from the novel's story, much like the first film had. After the critical and commercial failure of ''Dune'', the sequel did not proceed. The partial script developed by Lynch with notes by Frank Herbert was discovered in summer 2023 at Herbert's archives at ].<ref>{{Cite web|date=January 10, 2024|title=I Found David Lynch's Lost ''Dune II'' Script|url=https://www.wired.com/story/david-lynch-dune-sequel-script-unearthed|access-date=January 10, 2024|website=]|last=Evry|first=Max|archive-date=January 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110142240/https://www.wired.com/story/david-lynch-dune-sequel-script-unearthed/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://libraryguides.fullerton.edu/c.php?g=389150&p=2640425|title=LibGuides: Frank Herbert's ''Dune'' - A guide for further study|first=Patrisia|last=Prestinary|via=Libraryguides.fullerton.edu}}</ref> | |||
| ''Dune Messiah'' and its sequel '']'' (1976) were collectively adapted by the ] in 2003 into a miniseries entitled '']''.<ref name="Cinescape">{{cite web |url=http://www.cinescape.com/0/editorial.asp?aff_id=0&this_cat=Television&action=page&type_id=&cat_id=&obj_id=26343 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080316172142/http://www.mania.com/dune-remaking-classic-novel_article_26343.html |archive-date=March 16, 2008 |title=''Dune'': Remaking the Classic Novel |first=Steve |last=Fritz |website=Cinescape |date=December 4, 2000 |access-date=March 14, 2010}}</ref> The first installment of the three part, six-hour miniseries covers the bulk of the plot of ''Dune Messiah''. The second and third installments adapt ''Children of Dune''.<ref name="Tor CoD">{{Cite web|url=https://www.tor.com/2017/09/19/syfys-children-of-dune-miniseries-delivers-on-emotion-when-philosophy-falls-flat/|title=SyFy's ''Children of Dune'' Miniseries Delivers On Emotion When Philosophy Falls Flat|first=Emmet|last=Asher-Perrin|date=September 19, 2017|website=]|access-date=February 20, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| Prior to the release of his 2021 theatrical adaptation '']'', director ] confirmed at the 2021 ] that a film based on ''Dune Messiah'' was planned, and it would serve as the third film in a trilogy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nerdist.com/article/dune-movie-trilogy-messiah-denis-villeneuve/|title=''Dune'' Director Denis Villeneuve Teases Trilogy Plans|website=]|last=Casey|first=Dan|date=September 3, 2021|access-date=September 3, 2021|language=en}}</ref> After '']'' (covering the second half of the first novel) was officially greenlit in October 2021, Villeneuve reiterated his hope to continue the series with a third film focusing on ''Dune Messiah''.<ref name="thr villeneuve dune2 greenlit interview">{{cite web | url = https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/dune-2-denis-villeneuve-part-two-1235038791/ | title = Denis Villeneuve on ''Dune'' Success and the Road to ''Part Two'' | first= Brian | last= Davids | date = October 28, 2021 | access-date= October 28, 2021 | work = ] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.screendaily.com/features/denis-villeneuve-talks-taxing-dune-shoot-identifying-with-paul-atreides-sequel-plans/5166312.article | title=Denis Villeneuve talks 'taxing' ''Dune'' shoot, identifying with Paul Atreides, sequel plans | last=Jolin | first=Dan | website=Screendaily.com | date=January 10, 2022 | access-date=January 13, 2022 | language=en}}</ref> Screenwriter ] confirmed in March 2022 that Villeneuve still planned on a third film, and TV series spin-offs to continue the ''Dune'' saga.<ref name=Ellwood>{{cite web|url=https://theplaylist.net/jon-spaihts-dune-trilogy-park-chan-wook-20220310/|title=Jon Spaihts on a Potential ''Dune'' Trilogy & Collaborating With Park Chan-Wook |last=Ellwood|first=Gregory|website=ThePlaylist.net|date=March 10, 2022|access-date=March 11, 2022|language=en}}</ref> Villeneuve began writing a script for a ''Dune Messiah'' film in 2023.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://time.com/6589871/denis-villeneuve-dune-part-two-interview/|title=Denis Villeneuve Refuses to Let Hollywood Shrink Him Down to Size|magazine=]|last=Zacharek|first=Stephanie|date=31 January 2024|access-date=3 February 2024|language=en}}</ref> In February 2024, Villeneuve said the script was "almost finished" but also wanted to take time to ensure his satisfaction, citing Hollywood's tendency of focusing on release dates over a film's overall quality.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bythrow |first=Nick |date=2024-02-26 |title="The Danger In Hollywood": Dune 3's Release Delay Plan Defended By Denis Villeneuve |url=https://screenrant.com/dune-3-movie-production-timeline-release-reason-why-denis-villeneuve/ |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}</ref> Composer ] had already begun working on the film's score to assist Villeneuve in creating the film.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Zee |first1=Jazz Tangcay,Michaela |last2=Tangcay |first2=Jazz |last3=Zee |first3=Michaela |date=2024-02-29 |title='Dune 2': Hans Zimmer Talks Composing Paul and Chani's Love Theme, Co-Writing Gurney's Song With Josh Brolin and Prepping for 'Messiah' |url=https://variety.com/2024/artisans/news/dune-2-hans-zimmer-paul-chani-love-theme-gurneys-song-1235924690/ |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=March 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240301015527/https://variety.com/2024/artisans/news/dune-2-hans-zimmer-paul-chani-love-theme-gurneys-song-1235924690/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In April 2024, following the critical and commercial success of ''Dune: Part Two'', ] confirmed that ''Dune Messiah'' was in development with Villeneuve returning as director.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/dune-3-denis-villeneuve-legendary-nuclear-war-1235960990/|title=Denis Villeneuve and Legendary Developing ''Dune 3'' and ''Nuclear War: A Scenario'' Film Adaptation|first=Jaden|last=Thompson|date=April 4, 2024|website=]|access-date=April 7, 2024}}</ref> | |||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
| {{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} | ||
| == Further reading == | |||
| *{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=February 24, 2023 |title=''Dune Messiah'' Feels Like a First Draft |url=https://www.wired.com/2023/02/geeks-guide-dune-messiah/ |access-date=May 7, 2024 |website=] |language=en-US |issn=1059-1028}} | |||
| *{{Cite web |last=Hibberd |first=James |date=March 8, 2024 |title=''Dune 3'' Has a Big Challenge: The Next Book Isn't That Great |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/dune-3-messiah-problem-book-1235845611/ |access-date=May 7, 2024 |website=] |language=en-US}} | |||
| ==External links== | ==External links== | ||
| *{{isfdb title|id=2037 |
* {{isfdb title|id=2037}} | ||
| * | |||
| {{ |
{{Dune franchise}} | ||
| {{ |
{{Frank Herbert}} | ||
| {{Authority control}} | |||
| {{extended Dune series}} | |||
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Latest revision as of 17:16, 14 December 2024
1969 science fiction novel by Frank Herbert_First_edition.jpg) First edition | |
| Author | Frank Herbert |
|---|---|
| Audio read by |
|
| Cover artist | Jack Gaughan |
| Language | English |
| Series | Dune |
| Genre | Science fiction |
| Published | 1969 |
| Publisher | Putnam Publishing |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (hardcover & paperback) |
| Pages | 256 |
| OCLC | 32595 |
| Dewey Decimal | 813/.5/4 |
| LC Class | PZ4.H5356 Du PS3558.E63 |
| Preceded by | Dune |
| Followed by | Children of Dune |
Dune Messiah is a 1969 science fiction novel by American writer Frank Herbert, the second in his Dune series of six novels. A sequel to Dune (1965), it was originally serialized in Galaxy magazine in 1969, and then published by Putnam the same year. Dune Messiah and its own sequel Children of Dune (1976) were collectively adapted by the Sci-Fi Channel in 2003 into a miniseries entitled Frank Herbert's Children of Dune.
A feature film adaptation of the novel is in early development from filmmaker Denis Villeneuve to serve as a sequel to his films Dune (2021) and Dune: Part Two (2024).
Plot
Paul "Muad'Dib" Atreides has ruled as Emperor for 12 years. By accepting the role of messiah to the Fremen, he has unleashed a jihad which has conquered most of the known universe, but is powerless to stop the lethal excesses of the religious juggernaut he has created. Although 61 billion people have perished, Paul's prescient visions indicate this is far from the worst possible outcome for humanity. Motivated by this knowledge, Paul hopes to set humanity on a course that will not inevitably lead to stagnation and destruction, while at the same time acting as ruler of the empire and focal point of the Fremen religion.
The Bene Gesserit, Spacing Guild, and Tleilaxu conspire to dethrone Paul, with the Guild Navigator Edric using his prescience to shield their meetings with the Bene Gesserit Reverend Mother Mohiam and Tleilaxu Face Dancer Scytale, from Paul's visions. Mohiam enlists Princess Irulan, daughter of the deposed Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV, who is wed to Paul for political purposes. Paul has refused to father a child with Irulan, but he and his Fremen concubine Chani have also failed to produce an heir, causing tension within his monarchy. Desperate both to secure her place in the Atreides dynasty and to preserve the bloodline for the Bene Gesserit breeding program, Irulan has secretly been giving contraceptives to Chani. Paul is aware of this fact, but has foreseen that the birth of his heir will bring Chani's death, and does not want to lose her.
Edric gifts Paul a ghola named Hayt, a reanimated being of Tleilaxu-make in the image of the deceased Duncan Idaho, Paul's childhood teacher and friend. The conspirators hope the presence of the ghola will weaken Paul's ability to rule by both disconcerting him and appealing to his emotional vulnerability. Furthermore, Paul's acceptance of the gift weakens his support among the Fremen, who see the Tleilaxu and their tools as unclean. Chani, taking matters into her own hands, switches to a traditional Fremen fertility diet, preventing Irulan from tampering with her food, and soon becomes pregnant. However, Chani's extended consumption of Irulan's contraceptive has weakened her, endangering the pregnancy.
Paul learns of a Fremen conspiracy against him, but sees the strands of a Tleilaxu plot. As Paul's soldiers target the conspirators, an atomic weapon sourced from the Tleilaxu called a stone burner destroys the area. Many soldiers are maimed or killed, but crucially, Paul is blinded by the attack. By tradition, all blind Fremen exile themselves in the desert, but Paul shocks the Fremen by proving he can still see despite his condition. His oracular powers have become so developed that he can foresee everything, so by moving through his life in lockstep with his visions, he can see even the slightest details of the world around him. Posing as a dwarf servant to Paul, the Tleilaxu agent Bijaz implants a command in Hayt, compelling him to kill Paul if triggered. During childbirth, Chani's weakened body succumbs to the pain and she dies. Paul's reaction to her death triggers the command in Hayt to kill Paul, however, Hayt's ghola body resists, and the trauma forces Duncan's full consciousness to be recovered, simultaneously making him independent of Tleilaxu control.
Before her death, Chani gives birth to twins who, like Paul, have full access to both their male and female ancestral memories. The son is a total surprise for Paul, who had only foreseen the birth of their daughter. Scytale offers to revive Chani as a ghola, revealing the full purpose behind Hayt's presence and the restoration of his memories. Paul refuses, considering the possibility that the Tleilaxu might program a Chani ghola in some diabolical way. Scytale threatens the infants with a knife, demanding all of Paul's CHOAM holdings in return for his children's lives. By successfully escaping the oracular trap and setting the universe on a new path, Paul has been rendered completely blind, yet he is able to kill Scytale with a dagger to the eye due to a psychic vision from his son's perspective. Now prophetically and physically blind, Paul chooses to embrace the Fremen tradition and walks alone into the desert, winning the fealty of the Fremen for his children, who will inherit his empire.
Paul leaves his sister Alia, herself worshipped by the Fremen and now romantically involved with Duncan, as regent for the twins, whom he has named Leto and Ghanima. Alia orders Stilgar to execute Edric, Mohiam, and others involved in the plot against her brother, going against his wish that none of them should be harmed. Alia spares Irulan, who in grief for Paul has renounced her loyalty to the Bene Gesserit and vowed to dedicate her life as a teacher to Paul's children. Duncan notes the irony that Chani's death and Paul's nullification have enabled them to triumph against their enemies: the Spacing Guild and the Bene Tleilaxu have been discredited, Irulan's defection from the Bene Gesserit removes the sisterhood's last lever against the Atreides, and Paul has escaped deification by walking into the desert as a man, while guaranteeing Fremen support for the Atreides line.
Publication history
Parts of Dune Messiah (and its sequel Children of Dune) were written prior to the completion of Dune itself. The novel appeared initially as a five part serial in Galaxy Science Fiction magazine published from June (cover dated July) to October (cover dated November) 1969 with illustrations by Jack Gaughan. A Putnam hardback edition also appeared in October 1969. The American and British editions contain different prologues which summarized the events of Dune. Dune Messiah and Children of Dune were published in a single volume by the Science Fiction Book Club in 2002, and in 1979 by Gollancz with Dune as The Great Dune Trilogy.
Analysis
Herbert likened the initial trilogy of novels (Dune, Dune Messiah, and Children of Dune) to a fugue, and while Dune was a heroic melody, Dune Messiah was its inversion. Paul rises to power in Dune by seizing control of the single critical resource in the universe, melange. His enemies are dead or overthrown, and he is set to take the reins of power and bring a hard but enlightened peace to the universe. Herbert chose in the books that followed to undermine Paul's triumph with a string of failures and philosophical paradoxes.
Critical reception
Galaxy Science Fiction called Dune Messiah "Brilliant ... It was all that Dune was, and maybe a little more." Spider Robinson enjoyed the book "even as was driving a truck through the holes in its logic, because it had the same majestic rolling grandeur of the previous book." Challenging Destiny called the novel "The perfect companion piece to Dune ... Fascinating."
Adaptations
David Lynch had planned to adapt sequels to Dune during the film's production in 1983–1984, with a script tentatively-titled Dune II. Based on Dune Messiah, the film had some differences from the novel's story, much like the first film had. After the critical and commercial failure of Dune, the sequel did not proceed. The partial script developed by Lynch with notes by Frank Herbert was discovered in summer 2023 at Herbert's archives at California State University, Fullerton.
Dune Messiah and its sequel Children of Dune (1976) were collectively adapted by the Sci-Fi Channel in 2003 into a miniseries entitled Frank Herbert's Children of Dune. The first installment of the three part, six-hour miniseries covers the bulk of the plot of Dune Messiah. The second and third installments adapt Children of Dune.
Prior to the release of his 2021 theatrical adaptation Dune, director Denis Villeneuve confirmed at the 2021 Venice Film Festival that a film based on Dune Messiah was planned, and it would serve as the third film in a trilogy. After Dune: Part Two (covering the second half of the first novel) was officially greenlit in October 2021, Villeneuve reiterated his hope to continue the series with a third film focusing on Dune Messiah. Screenwriter Jon Spaihts confirmed in March 2022 that Villeneuve still planned on a third film, and TV series spin-offs to continue the Dune saga. Villeneuve began writing a script for a Dune Messiah film in 2023. In February 2024, Villeneuve said the script was "almost finished" but also wanted to take time to ensure his satisfaction, citing Hollywood's tendency of focusing on release dates over a film's overall quality. Composer Hans Zimmer had already begun working on the film's score to assist Villeneuve in creating the film. In April 2024, following the critical and commercial success of Dune: Part Two, Legendary Pictures confirmed that Dune Messiah was in development with Villeneuve returning as director.
References
- Herbert, Frank (1976). "When I Was Writing Dune". Children of Dune (2008 ed.). Penguin Publishing Group. ISBN 9781440630514. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- Herbert, Frank (2002). Dune Messiah and Children of Dune (1st SFBC Printing ed.). Science Fiction Book Club. ISBN 0-7394-2399-1..
- Herbert, Frank (July 1980). "DuneGenesis". Omni. FrankHerbert.org. Archived from the original on January 7, 2012. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
Of course there are other themes and fugal interplays in Dune and throughout the trilogy. Dune Messiah performs a classic inversion of the theme. Children of Dune expands the number of themes interplaying ... That fits the pattern of the fugue.
- ^ Herbert, Frank (1976). "Praise for the Dune Chronicles". Children of Dune (2008 ed.). Penguin Publishing Group. ISBN 9781440630514. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- Robinson, Spider (September 1976). "Galaxy Bookshelf". Galaxy Science Fiction: 110.
- Evry, Max (January 10, 2024). "I Found David Lynch's Lost Dune II Script". Wired. Archived from the original on January 10, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
- Prestinary, Patrisia. "LibGuides: Frank Herbert's Dune - A guide for further study" – via Libraryguides.fullerton.edu.
- Fritz, Steve (December 4, 2000). "Dune: Remaking the Classic Novel". Cinescape. Archived from the original on March 16, 2008. Retrieved March 14, 2010.
- Asher-Perrin, Emmet (September 19, 2017). "SyFy's Children of Dune Miniseries Delivers On Emotion When Philosophy Falls Flat". Tor.com. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
- Casey, Dan (September 3, 2021). "Dune Director Denis Villeneuve Teases Trilogy Plans". Nerdist. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
- Davids, Brian (October 28, 2021). "Denis Villeneuve on Dune Success and the Road to Part Two". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
- Jolin, Dan (January 10, 2022). "Denis Villeneuve talks 'taxing' Dune shoot, identifying with Paul Atreides, sequel plans". Screendaily.com. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
- Ellwood, Gregory (March 10, 2022). "Jon Spaihts on a Potential Dune Trilogy & Collaborating With Park Chan-Wook [Interview]". ThePlaylist.net. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
- Zacharek, Stephanie (31 January 2024). "Denis Villeneuve Refuses to Let Hollywood Shrink Him Down to Size". Time. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
- Bythrow, Nick (2024-02-26). ""The Danger In Hollywood": Dune 3's Release Delay Plan Defended By Denis Villeneuve". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
- Zee, Jazz Tangcay,Michaela; Tangcay, Jazz; Zee, Michaela (2024-02-29). "'Dune 2': Hans Zimmer Talks Composing Paul and Chani's Love Theme, Co-Writing Gurney's Song With Josh Brolin and Prepping for 'Messiah'". Variety. Archived from the original on March 1, 2024. Retrieved 2024-03-01.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - Thompson, Jaden (April 4, 2024). "Denis Villeneuve and Legendary Developing Dune 3 and Nuclear War: A Scenario Film Adaptation". Variety. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
Further reading
- "Dune Messiah Feels Like a First Draft". Wired. February 24, 2023. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
- Hibberd, James (March 8, 2024). "Dune 3 Has a Big Challenge: The Next Book Isn't That Great". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
External links
- Dune Messiah title listing at the Internet Speculative Fiction Database
- Dune Messiah
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| ConSentiency |
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| The Pandora Sequence |
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