Frank Herbert

✍ Scribed by William F. Touponce

• Publisher: Twayne
• Year: 1988
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 151
• Series: Twayne's United States Authors Series 532
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

Frank Herbert examines what Touponce terms the “Dostoyevskian complexity” of Herbert’s characters, the “polyphonic” quality of the novels, and the evocative themes that permeate his works and reveal a profound questioning of roles that heroes play in our discovery of human potential and limitations. Touponce offers an analysis of Herbert’s concept that the Dune cycle may be comparable to an “ecological fugue,” in which many different voices are heard, and describes the profound effect of Dune on the development of the science fiction novel. Touponce’s investigation includes the approach of reader-response criticism, making this an accessible, comprehensive, and up-to-date volume suitable for college courses as well as for readers who are interested in the evolution of this prolific and masterful science fiction writer.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

William F. Touponce is the author of two other books: Ray Bradbury and the Poetics of Reverie and A Reader s Guide to Ray Bradbury. He is the recipient of a National Endowment for the Humanities award, and a University of Massachusetts fellowship. Currently, Dr. Touponce is an assistant professor of English at Indiana University-Purdue in Indianapolis.