Dune
Set on the desert planet Arrakis, a young nobleman must navigate deadly political intrigue and lead a rebellion to fulfill a prophecy and secure the most valuable resource in the universe.
Where Dune keeps showing up
Seven of our editors' lists feature this novel.
Books in conversation with Dune
A few of the closest reads from our full list.
What you might want to know about Dune
The questions readers send us most often, answered without spoilers.
Fifteen-year-old Paul Atreides moves with his noble family to the desert planet Arrakis, sole source of the spice that powers interstellar travel. A trap is waiting, and the desert peoples have their own prophecy.
Dune throws readers into a complex political and ecological setting with invented vocabulary, multiple noble houses, and shifting points of view. The first hundred pages can be difficult, but a glossary is included and most readers find it gets easier as the world clicks into place.
Frank Herbert wrote six original Dune novels: Dune, Dune Messiah, Children of Dune, God Emperor of Dune, Heretics of Dune, and Chapterhouse: Dune. His son Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson have written more than 15 prequels and sequels expanding the universe.
Denis Villeneuve's 2021 and 2024 films cover the events of the first novel and are widely considered the most faithful adaptations to date. Earlier versions, including David Lynch's 1984 film and the 2000 Sci-Fi Channel miniseries, took more liberties with plot and characterization.
Dune is widely considered the greatest science fiction novel ever written. Published in 1965, it pioneered ecological worldbuilding, deep political intrigue, and integration of religion and technology that influenced nearly every major science fiction work since, from Star Wars to The Wheel of Time.
Dune was written by Frank Herbert by Ace Trade.
Dune is 592 pages in standard print editions, though page counts vary slightly between hardcover, paperback, and large-print formats.
At an average reading pace of about 250 words per minute, Dune takes most readers 9 to 13 hours to finish.
Yes. Dune is book 1 in the Dune series by Frank Herbert.
Dune is available in hardcover, paperback, ebook, and audiobook formats from Amazon, Bookshop.org, ThriftBooks, and most major bookstores.
