The Worlds of Dune

The Worlds of Dune presents a deep dive into the many different strands of inspiration, from Zen Buddhism to Indigenous American tribal ritual, that Frank Herbert wove into Dune and its sequels - collectively the worlds bestselling science-fiction epic.

Some writers build worlds. Others birth entire universes. In the decades since its publication, Frank Herbert's Dune has become arguably the best-selling and certainly the best-known science fiction novel ever written. So how did an ex-Navy newspaperman from Washington State come to write such a world-conquering novel? And how was he able to pack it with so many layers of myth and meaning? Herbert's influences for his legendary creation came from far and wide, they range from his interest in Zen Buddhism and indigenous American lore, to Shakespearian drama and 60s New Age thinking. Beginning on Arrakis and going planet by planet, The Worlds of Dune offers a supremely deep dive into Herberts universe - detailing along the way the many diverse strands that he wove into his epic creation to offer a visually rich accompaniment to this sci-fi legend.

About the Author

Tom Huddleston is an author, journalist and musician based in North London. His novels include several science fiction and fantasy stories for younger readers including the eco-futuristic FloodWorld trilogy. He spent a decade on the Film desk at Time Out magazine and is now a freelance Film & TV journalist writing for, among others, The Guardian and Little White Lies.