29 May Book Review: Chapterhouse: Dune by Frank Herbert

When I picked up Chapterhouse: Dune, I felt like I was reconnecting with an old friend—albeit one who had undergone some serious life changes. Having journeyed through the intricate corridors of the Dune universe, I was eager to see where Frank Herbert would take us in this sixth installment. Given my penchant for character-driven narratives set against richly imagined worlds, I anticipated a deep dive into the psyches of the Bene Gesserit and the evolving political landscape.

What’s it about?

In Chapterhouse: Dune, the once-desert planet Arrakis has been obliterated by the ruthless Honored Matres, a violent matriarchal order emerging from the Scattering. In the aftermath, the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood stands as one of the last bastions against the Matres’ relentless conquest of the Old Empire. To ensure their survival and maintain control over the invaluable spice melange, the Bene Gesserit undertake the ambitious project of transforming their homeworld, Chapterhouse, into a new desert planet capable of sustaining sandworms—the creatures essential for spice production.

Mother Superior Darwi Odrade leads the Sisterhood during these tumultuous times. Recognizing the existential threat posed by the Honored Matres, Odrade devises a multifaceted strategy:

1. Terraforming Chapterhouse: Under the supervision of Sheeana, a woman with a unique ability to communicate with sandworms, the Bene Gesserit accelerate the desertification of Chapterhouse. Their goal is to create an environment conducive to sandworm proliferation, thereby securing a new source of spice.
2. Ghola Resurrection: The Sisterhood possesses the last Tleilaxu Master, Scytale, who holds the secrets of ghola (cloned) reproduction. In exchange for his safety, Scytale provides the Bene Gesserit with the means to produce gholas. Their first creation is a ghola of Miles Teg, a brilliant military tactician, whom they hope will lead them against the Honored Matres.
3. Captive Assets: Among their captives are Duncan Idaho, a recurring figure with countless ghola incarnations, and Murbella, a former Honored Matre. Murbella undergoes Bene Gesserit training, blurring the lines between the two orders and presenting opportunities for infiltration and understanding of the Matres’ tactics.

As the Honored Matres continue their campaign of destruction, they annihilate Lampadas, a prominent center for Bene Gesserit education. Reverend Mother Lucilla escapes the massacre, carrying the collective memories of millions of her sisters. Seeking refuge, she lands on Gammu and encounters a hidden group of Jews who have preserved their traditions in secrecy. The Rabbi offers her sanctuary but, under duress, betrays her to the Honored Matres. Before her capture, Lucilla transfers her precious memories to Rebecca, a “wild” Reverend Mother unaffiliated with the Bene Gesserit, ensuring the preservation of their knowledge.

Back on Chapterhouse, tensions rise as Odrade confronts Duncan Idaho, revealing his latent Mentat (human computer) abilities and the retention of memories from his numerous past lives. Simultaneously, Murbella undergoes the grueling spice agony, emerging as a full-fledged Reverend Mother. Her dual identity as both Bene Gesserit and Honored Matre becomes a pivotal element in Odrade’s overarching plan.

In a bold move, Odrade orchestrates an assault on the Honored Matres’ stronghold on Gammu, appointing Miles Teg as Supreme Bashar to lead the offensive. The battle is fierce, with initial successes overshadowed by unforeseen Honored Matre countermeasures. Odrade is captured during the fray and brought before the Great Honored Matre, Dama. In a climactic confrontation, Murbella infiltrates the enemy ranks, challenges Dama, and ultimately kills her, asserting dominance over the Honored Matres. By absorbing Odrade’s memories before her death, Murbella positions herself as the new leader of both the Bene Gesserit and the Honored Matres, aiming to unify the two orders.

Meanwhile, dissent brews within the Sisterhood. Sheeana, along with Duncan Idaho, Scytale, and a group of dissenters, absconds with a no-ship (a vessel undetectable by prescient vision) carrying precious cargo: sandworms destined for a new home. Their departure signifies a divergence from Murbella’s vision and hints at alternative paths for humanity’s future.

What This Chick Thinks

Diving into Chapterhouse: Dune felt like navigating a labyrinth of political intrigue, philosophical musings, and character complexities.

Character Dynamics

The evolution of the Bene Gesserit under Odrade’s leadership is fascinating. Her pragmatic approach, willingness to embrace emotions, and innovative strategies contrast sharply with the traditional stoicism of the Sisterhood. Murbella’s transformation from a captive Honored Matre to a Reverend Mother—and her subsequent ascension as a leader—adds depth to the narrative, highlighting themes of identity and allegiance.

Themes of Survival and Adaptation

Herbert delves deep into the survival instincts of organizations. The Bene Gesserit’s adaptability, seen in their terraforming endeavors and genetic experiments, underscores their resilience. The Honored Matres’ brutal methods reflect a different survival paradigm, one rooted in domination and fear. The interplay between these philosophies offers a rich exploration of power dynamics.

Narrative Structure

The multi-threaded plot, while intricate, occasionally meanders. Certain subplots, such as Lucilla’s encounter with the hidden Jewish community, introduce intriguing concepts but feel somewhat underexplored. However, these diversions contribute to the tapestry of the universe, adding layers of cultural and philosophical depth.

Philosophical Undertones

Herbert’s exploration of consciousness, memory, and collective knowledge is thought-provoking. The concept of shared memories among the Bene Gesserit and the ethical implications of ghola reproduction are just two examples of the deeper questions Herbert embeds in the narrative. It’s not just about political survival or space feuds—Chapterhouse: Dune constantly prods at what it means to be human, and how far we’re willing to go to control or escape our own evolution.

Final Thoughts

Chapterhouse: Dune is dense, layered, and—like much of the Dune series—requires patience. But for those who’ve followed the series this far, it offers a rewarding and deeply philosophical continuation. It’s less about explosive plot twists and more about internal shifts, cultural transformations, and ideological brinksmanship. Some storylines end with more questions than answers (and then of course, Herbert passed away before writing a true conclusion), but the emotional and intellectual journey here is still immensely satisfying. I’d give it a solid 8 out of 10.

Try it if you like:

• Foundation by Isaac Asimov – A series focused on large-scale societal change and the manipulation of future events, much like the long-game strategies of the Bene Gesserit.
• The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin – For readers who appreciate slow-burn world-building, gender exploration, and complex political relationships.
• Anathem by Neal Stephenson – A deeply philosophical sci-fi epic that, like Chapterhouse: Dune, is more interested in the internal lives and ideologies of its characters than in fast-paced space action.