"Dune" is a science fiction novel written by Frank Herbert in 1965. It is considered one of the greatest science fiction novels of all time and has since become a cult classic. The story is set in a distant future where noble houses fight for control of a desert planet called Arrakis, home to the valuable substance known as melange or "spice". The protagonist, Paul Atreides, finds himself at the center of political intrigue and prophecy as he navigates the treacherous landscape of Arrakis. The novel explores themes of power, religion, ecology, and human resilience in the face of overwhelming odds.