Title: The Winds of Dune
Author: Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson
Publisher: Tor
Publication Date: August 4, 2009
In the “Winds of Dune” Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson, deliver another epic chapter in the Dune saga, continuing the story where Frank Herbert left off some forty years ago at the end of his now classic “Dune Messiah”. The novel opens with the Lady Jessica receiving news in the throne room on Caladan, the Atreides ancestral home world, that her son, God Emperor Paul-Maud’ Dib has boldly walked into the searing desert wastes of Dune, and is cataclysmically presumed dead. His disappearance sends ripples across the entire universe and the political machinations begin in earnest. The deposed Emperor Shaddam IV, the Landsraad, made up of the major ruling planetary leaders, the Qizarate yellow-robed priest of Paul’s Jihad, instantly begin to vie with Alia, Paul’s sister and heir, for control of the regency that rules the known universe. The struggle for power to control the destinies of vast populations is a preeminent theme in the works of Herbert and Anderson, and is the basic tenant upon which the entire Dune series is built. In reading a novel like “The Winds of Dune” it is easy to see the contemporary correlations that must surely have influenced the authors, and it is these correlations that make their novels intriguing, and relevant. When Herbert & Anderson develop a character like, Bronso of Ix, to question the ultimate myth that is Paul-Maud’ Dib, they take on both in their fictional world as well as in our current time, leaders that seem sacrosanct, when they state “The quality of a government can be measured by counting the number of its prison cells built to hold dissidents.” There can be no question that this is more than mere Sci-Fi escapism but an open window on society that stretches back for more than forty years.
Part two of the novel, opens in the year 10,188 A.G., Paul is now age twelve, and it is three years before House Atreides leaves Caladan for Arrakis, “Dune”. Once again Herbert & Anderson take us to a different period of time in order to develop history pertinent to the current action. Everything we do brings the “baggage of history with it”, the authors are extremely diligent in their efforts to make sure that this baggage is consistent and time lines are meticulously correct. This section of the novel tells the story of young friendship between Paul and Bronso, who is 11 years old, when they begin their adventure together on Ix, the home world of House Vernius. Almost immediately upon Paul’s arrival on Ix, Bronso’s life is turned upside down when the BeneGesserit witches, through an elaborate scheme, remove his mother Tessia, while simultaneously it is revealed that Rhombur Venius is not truly his paternal father. A confused and suddenly adrift Bronso makes the impetuous decision to run away to explore new horizons, and Paul, sworn to protect his friend concludes that honor decrees he go along on what becomes a life changing adventure. It is on this journey that Herbert & Anderson introduce the Wayku, a race forbidden to set foot on any planetary surface, condemned to remain always on “Heighliners”, the interplanetary vehicles of the spacing guild. It is from these cosmic gypsies that Paul and Bronso learn the true meaning of selfless friendship and trust, a lesson that is sorely tested to the very end of each of their lives. When the boys’ ill conceived adventure comes to an end, a thwarted assassination tests Bronso’s newly found faith in others and it is shattered. Bronso is consumed with feelings of betrayal and refuses to continue his friendship with Paul. This short lived friendship turns into a bitter grudge, and helps to shape events that spiral through history itself. In Dune speak “ripples upon ripples” but is there a hidden twist? Well, that goes without saying, this is a Dune novel after all.
As the novel switches back to the original time frame, the “plots within plots” have multiplied, and nothing is what is appears to be. Deceptive masks, vague implications hold sway, who can be trusted, and who is being misled leaves the new regent, Alia, in a constant state of agitation. Alia has a bewildering time deciding who to trust and in this confused state begins to doubt Jessica’s loyalty. Fortunately for Alia, Jessica’s devotion to her daughter is constant, and proven when she uncovers a plot, hatched by the Qizarate priest who believes Alia’s martyrdom will serve to ensure the lasting myth of Paul’s divinity, as well as successfully put them in charge of the destiny of the universe. While Alia, and those loyal to the memory of Maud’ Dib continue to exert every effort to keep Paul’s vision for the universe intact, they also must fight a losing battle to defend his messianic memory. Bronso is doing all he can to destroy the myth that is Maud’ Dib. Bronso who has been in hiding for years is considered by many to be, “The Defiler of Maud’ Dibs memory” the ultimate myth buster; unfortunately many others are beginning to accept his views. Alia’s response is extreme violence, harsher and harsher reprisals, and mass executions of anyone who stands for anything but blind loyalty to her and the memory of her brother.
Herbert & Anderson remind us that revolutions such as Maud’Dib’s Jihad are born to overthrow tyranny, and violence is a precursor to creating a more just society. However, when the revolution leads to a more repressive regime, such as the one Joseph Stalin created in Russia, a mere perceived threat can lead to a purge, which in turns leads to discontent, and still more bloody purges. Alia unfortunately goes down this road and in doing so may be creating just the kind of climate that will destroy all that Paul has accomplished to free human spirit throughout the many worlds that were struggling under the corrupt rule of Shaddam Corrino. Ultimately, this novel is about cause and effect, “Ripples upon Ripples” and how to find the smallest price to pay, to solve those problems that society will inevitably face in the cause of freedom. What is measured cruelty, as opposed to what is just plain cruelty and who can be trusted to make that decision. The authors ask each reader to decide if any amount of violence and cruelty can be accepted in the cause of freedom, considering that once one starts on that path, it is extremely difficult to reverse the engine of destruction.
Sci-Fi escapism is actually one of my favorite kinds of novels, and on one level “The Winds of Dune” fills that bill completely, but there is definitely a lot more going on in this novel, as there has been for more than forty years in the entire Dune Series. Unquestionably, Herbert & Anderson can spin a great yarn; while technically producing a vivid, mystifying universe, filled with characters that are both endearing, and loathsome. I recommend this one highly, but be warned, if this is the first Dune book you are reading, get ready to hit the bookstore, because I promise you, it will not be the last!
What a joke – Keith and Bobo continue to piss all over the ashes of Frank Herbert with these abominations. Paul, as stated by Frank, was born on Caladan, and first left that planet when he went to Arrakis at age 15. In these ‘interquels,’ or whatever they’re called, the two authors have him gallivanting all over the universe with a troupe of jongleurs, having previously fought in the War of Assassins. Well done guys, you’ve finally succeeded in turning Dune into a Young Adult franchise.
Hmmm.. you state that KJABH “are extremely diligent in their efforts to make sure that this baggage is consistent and time lines are meticulously correct.”
Have you read Dune? Have you read Dune Messiah? apparently they havent either, its an old, and somewhat worn point, but will state it anyway.
“as they claim to be the number one fans of Dune… Book one, page one, epigraph one… PAUL WAS BORN ON CALADAN… His first trip off world was to Arrakis. Period, end of discussion.”
Leto II was the the GodEmperor.
IX never had a Major House.
Everything else you state pretty much is pointless isnt it?
While I havent read WOD yet, and will shortly after release. Couple WOD with POD and you have nothing more that a vehicle that promotes the continued contradiction and confusion these two write.
Paul runs of to the circus, which is led by a guy in a white’n'diamonds-outfit!
This, and the other novels by Kevin and Brian, are hilarious send-ups of Dune. Tongue firmly in cheek, they add increasingly silly elements from young-adult sci-fi action-romps to one of the most finely crafted literary universes. Predictably, sparks and insane inconsistencies fly everywhere
Only nitpick is that this could all have been done much shorter – it was fun for a while to pretend that this was meant as a serious attempt to follow in Frank Herberts footsteps. But it is time to shift gear and just go all-out without the halfhearted attempt to try to sound like one is writing a serious novel.
i am a huge dune fan – and i like the fact that brian and kevin have given us more of the duniverse…but it’s getting harder and harder to accept these as fun, quick back stories and events surrounding frank’s orginals when some stories could never have happened. they should have stuck to the main time line and been creative WITHIN the boundries of Frank’s dune world.
Please don’t believe the hype that is the mystery of Muad’Dib. First of all even though it says Paul was born on Caladan, IN FACT, Paul was born at royal court on Kaitain.
Why don’t you all try reading the books for enjoyment instead of trying to critque every word of it because it’s not living up to your
standard of it’s original author. I’m just so thankful the story lives on. If you think you can do better… Create your own universe. But nawww, you just rather rip on everyone else that actually tries.
I love ALL the books in the dune series. Keep it up guys.
Leaving aside for a moment the rather, ah, “over-optimistic” tone of the review, all I’d like to say is that in my opinion the book should have been titled ‘The Wind of Dune’ (even though, as we all know, toilet humour is simply not funny and very immature). Yes.
The prequels regarding the Titans and their demise, the Butlerian Jihad, etc. and the Sequels rounding out the Golden Path to Ghola Duncan’s rise as a “saviour” are excellent additions and completions to the thoughts spelled out in Frank’s notes…The errant fleshing out of Paul’s story is just a crass cash-in by greedy publishers and two lesser sons of sci-fi greats. If the Herbert and Anderson progeny wish to continue, how about they create an original saga rather than continually disinterring and desecrating the body of Frank Herbert.