Dune, written by Frank Herbert, was first serialized in Analog magazine and, after being rejected by about twenty publishers, was released as a book in 1965. An epic story set in the far future about warring noble houses fighting for control of the vital spice melange—only found on the barely habitable desert planet Arrakis, aka Dune,—the book went on to win the prestigious Nebula and Hugo Awards. A growing fanbase over the decades has made it one of the best-selling science fiction books of all time. 

The recently released film adaptation, directed by Denis Villeneuve, runs over two and a half hours long but only covers roughly half of the first Dune book. Whether you've just seen the movie and want to immerse yourself in the world of Dune, or you want to initiate yourself with the book (or books) before you see it, the Library can hook you up.

So strap on your stillsuit, watch out for sandworms, and get out your library card.

Read the original series 

Frank Herbert wrote five additional Dune books after the original:

Dune
Dune Messiah
Children of Dune
God Emperor of Dune
Heretics of Dune
Chapterhouse: Dune

 

 

 

Listen to an audiobook

Going on a trip or a verrrrry long run? Find many of the Dune books as e-audiobooks on our app SimplyE or through the catalog.

 

 

 

 

 

Try a prequel or sequel

Frank Herbert's son, Brian Herbert, has penned over a dozen Dune books with science fiction writer Kevin J. Anderson. The most recent is Dune: The Lady of Caladan. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Get a fresh take with the graphic novel

Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson adapted Dune into a graphic novel. It's illustrated by Raúl Allén and Patricia Martín with cover art by Bill Sienkiewicz.

Dune: The Graphic Novel, Book 1  

 

 

 

 

Prefer another language?

NYPL has Dune in Spanish, French, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, and Hebrew.

 

 

 

 

 

 

For Dune deep thinkers

Dune and Philosophy: Weirding Way of the Mentat edited by Jeffery Nicholas

Dune and Philosophy raises intriguing questions about the Duniverse in ways that will be instantly meaningful to fans. Those well-known characters—Paul Atreides, Baron Harkkonen, Duncan Idaho, Stilgar, the Bene Gesserit witches—come alive again in this fearless philosophical probing of some of life's most basic questions. (Publisher summar)

 

 

Watch David Lynch's Dune

Missed the first Dune film adapatation? Kyle MacLachlan's big screen debut, Sting in a codpiece, music by Toto and Brian Eno—borrow it on DVD.

 

 

 

 

 

Learn about the Dune that wasn't

In pre-production for over two years, Alejandro Jodorowsky's film adaptation of Dune was to have starred Orson Welles, Mick Jagger, David Carradine, and Salvador Dali. Borrow Jodorowsky's Dune on DVD for a look at his ill-fated vision for the Duniverse.