Letters From Arrakis
Let's Read Dune Together
Fear is the mind-killer.
You may know the phrase, even if you have never read, seen or heard of Dune.
Dune is everywhere, books, video games, board games, movies, series, there’s a new one coming in 2024 on HBO (Dune: Prophecy). No one could have predicted Dune would become this behemoth, not even Frank Herbert himself, yet the appeal of Arrakis, its power, is greater than the mightiest Shai-Hulud, and it keeps us spellbound throughout the ages.
Why Dune? Why now?
No matter what one may think of Herbert’s prose, love it, or hate it, the world of Dune hasn’t lost an iota of its allure since it was first published in 1965. Why is that? What better time than now to read (again) and take a closer look, before Part 2 hits the cinemas in March 2024.
and I have decided — actually, Claudia came up with the idea, at least that’s what Nathan told me, and, of course, I said yes, I mean, having seen Dune: Part 1, I had to say yes, there was no other choice — that we shall (re)read the book, which is divided into three parts (Book I, II, III) and we will talk about its aspects, themes and impact, focussing on world-building in the first part (Book I).My interest this time is largely centred around the cinematic aspect, the choices, and changes, the adaptation for the screen, and whether it delivers on the original vision.
Here’s what my fellow writers have to say about our little experiment:
Claudia: “Dune … continues to fuel my imagination and influence my fiction writing. I watched the new Dune film at least six times, and this will be my third time reading the book. I’m so excited to share one of my favorite books with you!”
Nathan: Claudia asked me to. Or maybe I asked her? No, I think it was her asking me. Anyway. Sand. Also, I haven't ever reread a book before. I usually panic that there are still all the books left to read. But when Claudia asked me (I'm convinced it was her asking me), I figured sure, why not? After all, Dune is often hailed as the SciFi book, and Denis Villeneuve’s Part 1 is a masterpiece of film.
Vanessa: “It's my first time rereading a book I didn't particularly enjoy. Why not join us and watch me criticize Herbert to death or revise my opinion after all?”
Why not join us?
Read With Us
Letters from Arrakis – Part One will be published on December 15th and will cover Book I of Dune, which is roughly 200 pages, should you fancy reading along with us.
Not a Science Fiction fan? Frank Herbert said he writes SF not only for people who like SF but for people who don’t read Science Fiction. Can you confirm? Let’s see, I mean, read!
We will cover Parts II and III each successive month, January, February, and a Wrap-up on March 15th, for the release of Villeneuve’s Dune: Part 2.
Everyone is welcome to join us in our little Sietch and (re-)experience the marvel that is Dune.
Remember, Remember, the 15th of December, spice melange, treason, and plot. I see no reason why Harkonnen treason should ever be forgot.
Spread the word, far and wide. You don’t need to be a Mentat to read 200 pages in four weeks, nor do we ask you to put your hand in a box, neither will we send a Hunter-Seeker after you, never, but you must know… The Spice Must Flow.
“He who controls the spice controls the universe.”
― Frank Herbert, Dune
Who are we?
Writer, scientist, dreamer. Possibly not in that order. Possibly not at all. But I'm here for the writing. I hope you are, too. Nathan Slake
Nathan writes Serial Fiction that is otherworldly, dreamy, and brimming with humour. Brae's meteorite is one of my favourite stories on Substack.
SFF writer, video game translator, japanophile, walking the line between history & futurism. Vanessa Glau
Vanessa recently moved to Japan! Be sure to check out her recent posts on Tokyo and while you’re there, you may want to check her low fantasy & high intrigue serial Requiem of the Moth, too.
A tea-fueled climate fiction writer. Born at 340 ppm. Claudia Befu
Claudia writes a climate fiction newsletter, and a series of cli-fi short stories about life on a planet devastated by climate change and the things that give people hope.
Writer, Photographer, Netizen Alexander Ipfelkofer
I write weekly speculative fiction, flash fiction and serial fiction and world building posts on my journey writing my dystopian novel Spherean. Check out some of the futuristic vehicles like the JCAB, designed in collaboration with my friend and beta reader Joe, a world class car designer.
This is great . As there are so many editions, does the one you're using start with "A beginning is the time for taking the most delicate care that the balances are correct. This every sister of the Bene Gesserit knows. To begin your study of the life of Muad’Dib, then, take care that you first place him in his time: born in the 57th year of the Padishah Emperor, Shaddam IV. And take the most special care that you locate Muad’Dib in his place: the planet Arrakis. Do not be deceived by the fact that he was born on Caladan and lived his first fifteen years there. Arrakis, the planet known as Dune, is forever his place." ?
Just awoken from inside my stilltent to emerge from the sand. Great to see all of these sync-posted (<that's clearly a term Frank would have added to the appendix had Substack and email etc existed in his time).
Presently, the spice must flow. (And by spice, I mean some form of caffeine.)