Review: Chapterhouse: Dune by Frank Herbert

Blurb:

Frank Herbert's Final Novel in the Magnificent Dune Chronicles—the Bestselling Science Fiction Adventure of All Time

The desert planet Arrakis, called Dune, has been destroyed. The remnants of the Old Empire have been consumed by the violent matriarchal cult known as the Honored Matres. Only one faction remains a viable threat to their total conquest—the Bene Gesserit, heirs to Dune’s power.

Under the leadership of Mother Superior Darwi Odrade, the Bene Gesserit have colonized a green world on the planet Chapterhouse and are turning it into a desert, mile by scorched mile. And once they’ve mastered breeding sandworms, the Sisterhood will control the production of the greatest commodity in the known galaxy—the spice melange. But their true weapon remains a man who has lived countless lifetimes—a man who served under the God Emperor Paul Muad’Dib....

Review:

“Power attracts the corruptible. Suspect any who seek it.”

Full disclosure: I’m pretty obsessed with Dune and everything related to it. The movies? Outstanding. God Emperor of Dune? I actually really enjoyed it. Chairdogs? Okay, maybe not so much. But you get the idea. Despite hearing warnings about a significant drop in quality towards the end of the series, I was still eager to see where this journey would take us. And honestly, despite some dips in pacing, I finished the series with an overwhelming sense of contentment. I’m happy to have reached the end, as these books can be quite the undertaking, but I’m also thrilled to have immersed myself in this galactic masterpiece that has become a staple for many sci-fi fans.

Although Frank Herbert’s sixth and final instalment in the Dune series, Chapterhouse: Dune, may not offer a definitive conclusion to this legendary science-fiction saga, fans who appreciate the series and can overlook some unresolved plotlines should not be discouraged by critics who view the later books as among the weakest in the series. Published just before Herbert’s death in 1986, it remains a significant part of the Dune legacy.

Following Heretics of Dune, Chapterhouse: Dune continues the saga of the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood as they face the threat of extinction from their greatest foes, the Honored Matres. This book introduces us to the planet Chapterhouse, a hidden sanctuary and current home of the Sisterhood. Having lost Dune to their enemies, the Bene Gesserit, now led by Darwi Odrade, are working to transform Chapterhouse into a new desert planet by cultivating sandworms, essential for the production of the vital spice, Melange. But with the conquering Honored Matres looming on the horizon, Odrade must employ every skill in her arsenal to secure the Sisterhood’s future.

Personally, I found the previous book a bit slow due to its extensive exposition. The abundance of plotting, dialogue, and introspection made the pacing feel dragged out until we reach the more action-packed events towards the end. In contrast, Chapterhouse: Dune doesn’t have this issue as much. It delves into familiar themes of the series, such as power and control, and the cycle of destruction and rebirth. The struggle for dominance is prominent, leading to themes of survival and adaptation. The book also continues to explore the human condition, examining how individuals and societies evolve under pressure. And, as with any Dune book, it addresses the intricate relationship between politics and religion, and how their complex dynamics shape the universe.

Although the book concludes on a cliffhanger, leaving many unresolved questions, I and many others see this as a fitting way to wrap up the series. The open-ended nature of the finale invites speculation, and I believe there’s no other way such a vast and complex saga could have concluded. We get a sense that the universe continues on, the characters embark on new adventures, face new perils, and that the story never truly ends when you reach that final page.

This series will always be one of my all-time favourites, and I’ll gladly recommend it to anyone who enjoys diving into intricate science-fiction stories. There are plenty of highs and lows, but every moment spent on these books is absolutely worth it.