Book Review – The Winds of Dune by Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson

Title: The Winds of Dune
Author: Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson
Publisher: Tor
Publication Date: August 4, 2009

In the “Winds of Dune” Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson, deliver another epic chapter in the Dune saga, continuing the story where Frank Herbert left off some forty years ago at the end of his now classic “Dune Messiah”. The novel opens with the Lady Jessica receiving news in the throne room on Caladan, the Atreides ancestral home world, that her son, God Emperor Paul-Maud’ Dib has boldly walked into the searing desert wastes of Dune, and is cataclysmically presumed dead. His disappearance sends ripples across the entire universe and the political machinations begin in earnest. The deposed Emperor Shaddam IV, the Landsraad, made up of the major ruling planetary leaders, the Qizarate yellow-robed priest of Paul’s Jihad, instantly begin to vie with Alia, Paul’s sister and heir, for control of the regency that rules the known universe. The struggle for power to control the destinies of vast populations is a preeminent theme in the works of Herbert and Anderson, and is the basic tenant upon which the entire Dune series is built. In reading a novel like “The Winds of Dune” it is easy to see the contemporary correlations that must surely have influenced the authors, and it is these correlations that make their novels intriguing, and relevant. When Herbert & Anderson develop a character like, Bronso of Ix, to question the ultimate myth that is Paul-Maud’ Dib, they take on both in their fictional world as well as in our current time, leaders that seem sacrosanct, when they state “The quality of a government can be measured by counting the number of its prison cells built to hold dissidents.” There can be no question that this is more than mere Sci-Fi escapism but an open window on society that stretches back for more than forty years.

Part two of the novel, opens in the year 10,188 A.G., Paul is now age twelve, and it is three years before House Atreides leaves Caladan for Arrakis, “Dune”. Once again Herbert & Anderson take us to a different period of time in order to develop history pertinent to the current action. Everything we do brings the “baggage of history with it”, the authors are extremely diligent in their efforts to make sure that this baggage is consistent and time lines are meticulously correct. This section of the novel tells the story of young friendship between Paul and Bronso, who is 11 years old, when they begin their adventure together on Ix, the home world of House Vernius. Almost immediately upon Paul’s arrival on Ix, Bronso’s life is turned upside down when the BeneGesserit witches, through an elaborate scheme, remove his mother Tessia, while simultaneously it is revealed that Rhombur Venius is not truly his paternal father. A confused and suddenly adrift Bronso makes the impetuous decision to run away to explore new horizons, and Paul, sworn to protect his friend concludes that honor decrees he go along on what becomes a life changing adventure. It is on this journey that Herbert & Anderson introduce the Wayku, a race forbidden to set foot on any planetary surface, condemned to remain always on “Heighliners”, the interplanetary vehicles of the spacing guild. It is from these cosmic gypsies that Paul and Bronso learn the true meaning of selfless friendship and trust, a lesson that is sorely tested to the very end of each of their lives. When the boys’ ill conceived adventure comes to an end, a thwarted assassination tests Bronso’s newly found faith in others and it is shattered. Bronso is consumed with feelings of betrayal and refuses to continue his friendship with Paul. This short lived friendship turns into a bitter grudge, and helps to shape events that spiral through history itself. In Dune speak “ripples upon ripples” but is there a hidden twist? Well, that goes without saying, this is a Dune novel after all.

As the novel switches back to the original time frame, the “plots within plots” have multiplied, and nothing is what is appears to be. Deceptive masks, vague implications hold sway, who can be trusted, and who is being misled leaves the new regent, Alia, in a constant state of agitation. Alia has a bewildering time deciding who to trust and in this confused state begins to doubt Jessica’s loyalty. Fortunately for Alia, Jessica’s devotion to her daughter is constant, and proven when she uncovers a plot, hatched by the Qizarate priest who believes Alia’s martyrdom will serve to ensure the lasting myth of Paul’s divinity, as well as successfully put them in charge of the destiny of the universe. While Alia, and those loyal to the memory of Maud’ Dib continue to exert every effort to keep Paul’s vision for the universe intact, they also must fight a losing battle to defend his messianic memory. Bronso is doing all he can to destroy the myth that is Maud’ Dib. Bronso who has been in hiding for years is considered by many to be, “The Defiler of Maud’ Dibs memory” the ultimate myth buster; unfortunately many others are beginning to accept his views. Alia’s response is extreme violence, harsher and harsher reprisals, and mass executions of anyone who stands for anything but blind loyalty to her and the memory of her brother.

Herbert & Anderson remind us that revolutions such as Maud’Dib’s Jihad are born to overthrow tyranny, and violence is a precursor to creating a more just society. However, when the revolution leads to a more repressive regime, such as the one Joseph Stalin created in Russia, a mere perceived threat can lead to a purge, which in turns leads to discontent, and still more bloody purges. Alia unfortunately goes down this road and in doing so may be creating just the kind of climate that will destroy all that Paul has accomplished to free human spirit throughout the many worlds that were struggling under the corrupt rule of Shaddam Corrino. Ultimately, this novel is about cause and effect, “Ripples upon Ripples” and how to find the smallest price to pay, to solve those problems that society will inevitably face in the cause of freedom. What is measured cruelty, as opposed to what is just plain cruelty and who can be trusted to make that decision. The authors ask each reader to decide if any amount of violence and cruelty can be accepted in the cause of freedom, considering that once one starts on that path, it is extremely difficult to reverse the engine of destruction.

Sci-Fi escapism is actually one of my favorite kinds of novels, and on one level “The Winds of Dune” fills that bill completely, but there is definitely a lot more going on in this novel, as there has been for more than forty years in the entire Dune Series. Unquestionably, Herbert & Anderson can spin a great yarn; while technically producing a vivid, mystifying universe, filled with characters that are both endearing, and loathsome. I recommend this one highly, but be warned, if this is the first Dune book you are reading, get ready to hit the bookstore, because I promise you, it will not be the last!

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