If you enjoyed Timothée Chalamet in ‘Dune,’ consider reading Frank Herbert’s book series in order next
Similar to how “Lord of the Rings” is essential to fantasy, the “Dune” series is a cornerstone of modern science fiction. It even may have influenced “Star Wars”—the creator of “Dune,” Frank Herbert, once humorously started a fictitious group called the “We’re Too Big to Sue George Lucas Society.”
The “Dune” fandom has flourished for decades but saw a significant revival in the 21st century following the release of Denis Villeneuve’s film adaptation starring Timothée Chalamet and the anticipated series “Dune: Prophecy.”
Are you considering diving back into the series or starting it for the first time? Here’s a helpful beginner’s guide.
How many ‘Dune’ books exist?
While Frank Herbert authored six “Dune” books during his lifetime, the total number of “Dune” books is actually 26. After Herbert’s passing, his son Brian Herbert and author Kevin J. Anderson worked together to create an additional 20 titles that further expand the “Dune” universe.
The order of the ‘Dune’ books
The original “Dune” series encompasses the six novels crafted by Frank Herbert, along with two additional tales created by his son and Anderson. Here’s the series in order:
- “Dune” by Frank Herbert
- “Dune Messiah” by Frank Herbert
- “Children of Dune” by Frank Herbert
- “God Emperor of Dune” by Frank Herbert
- “Heretics of Dune” by Frank Herbert
- “Chapterhouse: Dune” by Frank Herbert
- “Hunters of Dune” by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson
- “Sandworms of Dune” by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson
If you’re feeling adventurous, explore the complete series in chronological order.
This sequence includes all novels published by both Herberts and Anderson, but it excludes the short stories available in three collections that take place at different points in the “Dune” timeline. The six original “Dune” titles are highlighted:
- “The Butlerian Jihad”
- “The Machine Crusade”
- “The Battle of Corrin”
- “Sisterhood of Dune”
- “Mentats of Dune”
- “Navigators of Dune”
- “House Atreides”
- “House Harkonnen”
- “House Corrino”
- “Princess of Dune”
- “The Duke of Caladan”
- “The Lady of Caladan”
- “The Heir of Caladan”
- “Dune”
- “Paul of Dune”
- “Dune Messiah”
- “The Winds of Dune”
- “Children of Dune”
- “God Emperor of Dune”
- “Heretics of Dune”
- “Chapterhouse: Dune”
- “Hunters of Dune”
- “Sandworms of Dune”
Additionally, there are three collections of “Dune” stories. “Tales of Dune” features eight short stories from various times in the “Dune” universe. “Sands of Dune” contains a series of novellas. Lastly, “The Road to Dune” is a posthumous joint work by all three authors that includes unreleased manuscripts from Frank Herbert along with a short story novel by Brian Herbert and Anderson.
What is the story of ‘Dune’?
“Dune” follows Paul Atreides (portrayed by Chalamet in the film), a young man born into a noble family governing the desert planet Arrakis. As the heir to this harsh interplanetary realm, which is the only source of “spice”—a substance that prolongs life, sharpens awareness, and is essential for safe interstellar travel—Paul’s life changes drastically when his family is betrayed and destroyed. He embarks on a quest to save humanity through a grand and seemingly unattainable vision.
When was the original ‘Dune’ published?
The first “Dune” novel was released in 1965, and Herbert continued to work on the series until 1985. He passed away in 1986. However, with the 20 additional works, the “Dune” literature has spanned nearly six decades. The latest book in the expanded universe, “Princess of Dune,” was published in 2023.
What is the length of ‘Dune’?
According to Goodreads, “Dune” contains 658 pages.
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