What an amazing recounting of the most compelling story in the Dune saga! I'm listening to Children of Dune and what a TRAGEDY. Just got to the part where Duncan realises that Alia is completely possessed and grieves as if she was dead.

But the thing is, he COULD have tried to save her. He just didn't believe in her ability to withstand the personalities. Neither did Jessica, who thought "abomination" as soon as she saw her daughter in Children of Dune. Never thinking she could be saved.

Nobody TRIED to save her. Not even the twins. Maybe because they had so many Bene Gesserit genetic memories (and associated bigotry against preborn) inside them. Perhaps it was because she was so powerful they felt afraid to offer her help?

It's just so sad. Even Paul doesn't think she can be saved. Perhaps he was held hostage to the directive to prevent the jihad and then to unmake the myth he created?