J.R.R. Tolkien Absolutely Hated ‘Dune’ — but Why?
The opposing religious and world views of authors Frank Herbert and J.R.R. Tolkien are likely why Tolkien didn't like Dune.
J.R.R. Tolkien'sThe Lord of the Rings and Frank Herbert's Dune are some of the most influential works of literature of all time. These stories are etched into the DNA of high fantasy and science fiction, their worlds—Middle-earth and Arrakis—shaping the industry for generations. On the surface, both authors are regarded as pillars of modern speculative fiction, rich in lore, history, and sociopolitical intricacy. Yet Tolkien himself once famously admitted to a fan, with uncharacteristic bluntness, “In fact I dislike Dune with some intensity."
