Key Takeaways:
– ‘The Lord of the Rings’ author J.R.R. Tolkien expressed a strong disapproval of Frank Herbert’s ‘Dune’ novels.
– Their tales of fantasy and sci-fi blends religious themes but from opposing perspectives, which might have fueled Tolkien’s distaste.
– Both ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘Dune’ garnered renewed popularity due to successful screen adaptations over the last years.
Tolkien vs. Herbert: A Conflict of Themes
Frank Herbert’s ‘Dune’ and J.R.R. Tolkien’s ‘The Lord of the Rings’ are monuments of the 20th-century sci-fi and fantasy literature, respectively. Both have shared similar themes, yet there was an undercurrent of tension brewing beneath the surface. Tolkien, it seems, harbored an intense dislike for Herbert’s sci-fi masterpiece, a fact he didn’t conceal in personal letters to a friend.
Tolkien and His Cold Shoulder Toward Dune
Tolkien’s antipathy towards Dune came to light through correspondence with some of his friends. Though he refrained from elucidating the reasons, many have speculated that Tolkien’s standpoint sprouted from the contrasting ways in which both novels addressed religious themes. Unveiled through a letter to his friend John Bush in 1966, Tolkien voiced his strong disapproval of the Dune novel that Bush had, surprisingly, sent to him. On a harsher note, he confessed his “intense dislike” for Herbert’s work, choosing to keep silent rather than worsting the blow.
Recent Fame in Adapted Screenplays
The commonality between ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘Dune’ became more pronounced through their renewed popularity in recent years. This trend owes largely to the screen adaptations that graced our digital screens. The 2000s film adaptations of Tolkien’s novels by Peter Jackson won global acclaim. However, Amazon Prime’s series ‘The Rings of Power’ didn’t garner a similar impact. Conversely, Dune’s most recent adaptation, labelled ‘Dune: Part Two’, achieved colossal success.
Influence of ‘Dune’ on Iconic Sci-Fi Works
Frank Herbert’s ‘Dune’ not only preserves a space in the annals of science fiction but it has also profoundly influenced several legendary works. Noteworthy among these are Ridley Scott’s ‘Alien’ and ‘Blade Runner’ and George Lucas’s ‘Star Wars’.
Yet, the same novel that inspired giants in science fiction literature could not elicit appreciation from Tolkien. In fact, in a 1965 fan interaction, Sterling Lanier sent a copy of Dune to Tolkien with the optimism that the famed author might enjoy it. However, Tolkien soon sent a letter back, saying he’d read the book in his next holiday, which may hint at his lack of enthusiasm.
Religion: An Undeniable Bone of Contention
Even judicious fans concur that while Tolkien’s novels breathe positivity, Herbert’s works thrive on their precise yet chilling approach. The crux of this opposing perspective hinges heavily on their respective view of religion – a key aspect the two books share, but treat quite differently.
Tolkien, a fervent Christian, painted religion in warm hues through his ‘The Lord of the Rings’ series. Some readers often associate the character Gandalf’s sacrificial act and subsequent resurrection to the narrative of Jesus Christ.
In vivid contrast, Herbert’s ‘Dune’ navigates through murkier waters, showcasing how the protagonist, Paul Atreides, exploits religion as a tool of deception, leading a community to wage war under false pretexts. Fans opine that this cynical portrayal of religion and hope might have unsettled Tolkien, a man of faith and a World War I veteran.
The Cinematic Reception of the Two Works
Regardless of the pronounced differences in the novels’ religious aspect, the global audience has embraced Tolkien’s and Herbert’s works with ardor. Denis Villeneuve’s ‘Dune’ is available for streaming on platforms like Netflix and Max, and its sequel currently enjoys a successful run in theaters. Meanwhile, ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy can be streamed on Max, making these epic works accessible to a wider audience.
