The series originally began with Dune in 1965 and expanded to include six novels followed by additional prequels and sequels co-authored by Brian Herbert, Frank's son, and Kevin J. Anderson (following Frank's death). This expansion has prompted a recurring question among new and returning readers:
Should one read Dune in chronological order?
Reading the series in chronological order can enhance the depth of narrative context but there is sooo much to get to before you'd even read a sentence of the 1965 novel.
The prequels set the stage for the universe detailing the historical events that lead to the socio-political climate of the original series. This approach offers a comprehensive understanding of the series' complex universe, including the origins of key factions like the political manipulators, the Bene Gesserit, the Spacing Guild, and the Mentats. For readers who appreciate a deep dive into world-building, starting from the very beginning of the chronological timeline can be enriching.
The Argument for reading in Dune's Publication Order!
The merits of reading in chronological order must be balanced against the argument for reading the series in the order of publication. Frank Herbert's original was crafted to introduce readers to the universe without the need for prior knowledge, weaving exposition seamlessly into the narrative.
This is the only reason you need. Start with the original and then decide for yourself, like some kind of weird Star Wars machete order approach.
... and while we are talking Star Wars - take a quick side step into the Dune universe's inspiration on George Lucas' original scripting for what became A New Hope.
The original series sets up mysteries and reveals that might be spoiled by reading the prequels first. Moreover, the writing style and thematic focus evolve over time, with some arguing that the original works offer a more compelling entry point to the universe.
This is the only reason you need. Start with the original and then decide for yourself, like some kind of weird Star Wars machete order approach.
... and while we are talking Star Wars - take a quick side step into the Dune universe's inspiration on George Lucas' original scripting for what became A New Hope.
The original series sets up mysteries and reveals that might be spoiled by reading the prequels first. Moreover, the writing style and thematic focus evolve over time, with some arguing that the original works offer a more compelling entry point to the universe.
List of Dune Novels in Order of Release
| Name of Novel | Year of Publication | Author(s) | Year in Universe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dune | 1965 | Frank Herbert | 10,191 A.G. |
| Dune Messiah | 1969 | Frank Herbert | 10,196 A.G. |
| Children of Dune | 1976 | Frank Herbert | 10,206 A.G. |
| God Emperor of Dune | 1981 | Frank Herbert | 10,256 A.G. - 13,725 A.G. |
| Heretics of Dune | 1984 | Frank Herbert | 15,202 A.G. |
| Chapterhouse: Dune | 1985 | Frank Herbert | 15,204 A.G. |
| House Atreides | 1999 | Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson | 10,154 A.G. |
| House Harkonnen | 2000 | Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson | 10,187 A.G. |
| House Corrino | 2001 | Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson | 10,193 A.G. |
| The Butlerian Jihad | 2002 | Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson | 201 B.G. |
| The Machine Crusade | 2003 | Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson | 164 B.G. |
| The Battle of Corrin | 2004 | Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson | 88 B.G. |
| Hunters of Dune | 2006 | Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson | Approx. 15,216 A.G. |
| Sandworms of Dune | 2007 | Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson | Approx. 15,216 A.G. |
| Paul of Dune | 2008 | Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson | Interquels of 10,191 A.G. and 10,196 A.G. |
| The Winds of Dune | 2009 | Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson | Interquels of 10,196 A.G. and 10,206 A.G. |
| Sisterhood of Dune | 2011 | Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson | 83 B.G. |
| Mentats of Dune | 2014 | Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson | 10,176 A.G. |
| Navigators of Dune | 2016 | Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson | 10,178 A.G. |
| The Duke of Caladan | 2020 | Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson | 10,190 A.G. |
| The Lady of Caladan | 2021 | Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson | 10,190 A.G. |
| The Heir of Caladan | 2022 | Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson | 10,190 A.G. |
List of Dune Novels in Chronological order
If you want to read Dune as the events unfold in the universe, here's the order!
| Name of Novel | Year of Publication | Author(s) | Year Set in Dune Universe |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Butlerian Jihad | 2002 | Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson | 10,000 BG - 210 BG |
| The Machine Crusade | 2003 | Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson | 210 BG - 200 BG |
| The Battle of Corrin | 2004 | Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson | 200 BG - 88 BG |
| Sisterhood of Dune | 2011 | Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson | 10,470 AG |
| Mentats of Dune | 2014 | Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson | 10,490 AG |
| Navigators of Dune | 2016 | Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson | 10,506 AG |
| House Atreides | 1999 | Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson | 10,140 AG |
| House Harkonnen | 2000 | Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson | 10,154 AG |
| House Corrino | 2001 | Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson | 10,164 AG |
| The Duke of Caladan | 2020 | Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson | 10,185 AG |
| The Lady of Caladan | 2021 | Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson | 10,186 AG |
| The Heir of Caladan | 2022 | Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson | 10,187 AG |
| Dune | 1965 | Frank Herbert | 10,191 AG |
| Paul of Dune | 2008 | Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson | 10,193 AG - 10,196 AG |
| Dune Messiah | 1969 | Frank Herbert | 10,196 AG |
| The Winds of Dune | 2009 | Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson | 10,196 AG - 10,204 AG |
| Children of Dune | 1976 | Frank Herbert | 10,204 AG |
| God Emperor of Dune | 1981 | Frank Herbert | 10,220 AG - 13,725 AG |
| Heretics of Dune | 1984 | Frank Herbert | 15,202 AG |
| Chapterhouse: Dune | 1985 | Frank Herbert | 15,216 AG |
| Hunters of Dune | 2006 | Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson | 15,220 AG+ |
| Sandworms of Dune | 2007 | Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson | 15,220 AG+ |
Please note the use of "BG" (Before Guild) and "AG" (After Guild) to indicate the years relative to the establishment of the Spacing Guild, a key event that marks the division between eras in the Dune universe.
The timeline provided here serves to place each novel within the broader context of the series' complex history, offering readers a chronological framework to understand the sequence of events and their significance within the expansive and detailed Dune saga.
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