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Discovering Dune

Essays on Frank Herbert's Epic Saga

Donald E Palumbo author Donald E Palumbo editor Dominic J Nardi editor N Trevor Brierly editor

Format:Paperback

Publisher:McFarland & Co Inc

Published:18th Aug '22

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

Discovering Dune cover

Frank Herbert's Dune is one of the most well-known science fiction novels of all time, and it is often revered alongside time-honored classics like The Lord of the Rings. Unlike Tolkien's work, the Dune series has received remarkably little academic attention. This collection includes fourteen new essays from various academic disciplines--including philosophy, political science, disability studies, Islamic theology, environmental studies, and Byzantine history--that examine all six of Herbert's Dune books. As a compendium, it asserts that a multidisciplinary approach to the texts can lead to fresh discoveries. Also included in this collection are an introduction by Tim O'Reilly, who authored one of the first critical appraisals of Herbert's writings in 1981, and a comprehensive bibliography of essential primary and secondary sources.

Discovering Dune: Essays on Frank Herbert’s Epic Saga offers a welcome addition to critical analyses of Herbert’s Dune series. Spanning topics from politics, history, and religion to science, technology, and philosophy, this collection of essays brings fresh perspectives to bear on this best-selling science fiction universe. Some authors take advantage of new analytical approaches, such as using game theory to explore prescience or discussing Paul Atreides through the lens of disability studies. Others focus on characters and themes that deserve extended critical attention, including Princess Irulan, Leto II, and Arabic and Islamic influences. As a whole, the collection presents itself as relevant to 21st-century concerns and will likely prompt readers to want to reread the series equipped with new insights. We need more thoughtful engagements with all of the books in Herbert’s epic saga, and this essay collection delivers.”—Kara Kennedy, author, Women's Agency in the Dune Universe
“A welcome addition to the scholarship on the Dune novels. Seeing them refracted through this volume's diversity of critical approaches and disciplinary lenses is valuable for everyone.”—Joshua Pearson, California State University, Los Angeles
“Whether you’re an old or new Dune fan, the recently published essay collection Discovering Dune: Essays on Frank Herbert’s Epic Sage will have something to interest you…This book is written in a way that new fans of the series—intrigued by the new film adaptations and pop culture attention—can pick it up and discover something interesting about Herbert’s work.”—Dune Scholar

ISBN: 9781476682013

Dimensions: 229mm x 152mm x 14mm

Weight: 376g

284 pages