Dune : the intrigue

Dune is one of the most renown science fiction saga, and its first novel (which is also named Dune) is the world's best selling science fiction novel. It was written by Frank Herbert, who was also a journalist interested in ecology. This interest can be seen in Dune, as much as his defiance for charismatic leader.

The first Dune takes place in the Imperium, a huge empire of thousands of planets, ruled by the Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV.  The Noble Houses are his representatives on the planets and their practical rulers. The novel tells the story of the family Atreides. Their new fief is planet Arrakis, as known as Dune. It is a very important place, because it is the sole source of spice, a very important ressource, which is needed by the Space Navigators. However, it is an almost entirely covered by a very inhospitable desert, in which there are giant worms. The entire planet is used to drasticaly spare water, and the inhabitants don't understand the meaning of words like "sea", "to rain" or "to drawn".

The Atreides mortal ennemies, the Harkonnens, are the former rulers of Arrakis, and they exchange their fief. So they go to Caladan. The hate between the two families is hereditary. Whereas family Atreides is a far cousin of the Emperor, their opponents have bought their title, and one of the Harkonnens ancestor has been condemned for cowardice a long time ago on the behalf of an Atreides.

The two families are described as totaly opposed : the Atreides rule by fairness, and loyalty of their people ; the Harkonnens are devious, cruel and want to be feared. The old Harkonnen baron is depicted as a homosexual and a pervert ; Leto Atreides loves his wife Jessica, and regrets that he can't marry her.

At the beginning, the exchange of fiefs, seen by the eyes of the child and hero Paul Atreides, seems a good one for House Atreides. But later it becomes very clear that it is a trap set up by both Harkonnens and the Emperor, who fears the growing influence of Leto Atreides upon the Noble Houses.