Book Review #014 - Dune Messiah

 
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Rating: 3/5 convoluted trappings of idol worship

Author:
Frank Herbert

Amazon Link: referral program on hold :(

Frank Herbert’s second entry in the Dune series takes a fundamentally different view of the central protagonist of the first book and provides much needed depth to the characters and world of the Dune universe. Herbert's talent for creating technical fiction are apparent in Dune Messiah, but in attempting to strike a different path with the overall tone of the narrative, Herbert does not produce the kind of intriguing character development that set his first Dune book apart from other contemporary science fiction. Where Dune is a flawed masterpiece, Dune Messiah is the necessary foundation for further extrapolation (or exploitation?) of the Dune narrative, and thus presents less intrinsic value when independently appraised.

That isn’t to say that the novel is devoid of intrigue or joy. There are many facets here to gaze into and get lost in Herbert’s expertly crafted world. The political overtones, dense character motivations, and less-vague-than-previous religious commentary provides a variety of full bodied routes through the narrative. Herbert does tend to get lost in his own story weaving, at times almost actively avoiding the action-adventure elements that so well suited the first entry in the series. He does seem to improve his empty gender roles from the last book, actually creating some agency in his female characters this time around.

I was initially worried that pushing past the masterpiece that is Dune, into the belly of a series that has a reputation for being an entirely downhill endeavor, would only serve to spoil the collective ordeal. By probing the scenery surrounding the main stage of this production, I’ve found the illusion to be thin and now inescapably apparent. I would not recommend Dune Messiah for anyone who still has the intact illusion of Dune’s complex and massive universe. The sequel is decent, but the cost to something better left to stand alone is just too high.

Book Review #011 - Dune

 

Rating: 5/5 mind-melting spice trips

Author:
Frank Herbert

Amazon Link:
referral program on hold :(

Dune is a literary classic and a foundation for modern science fiction. The importance and impact of the novel on the themes of popular science fiction today cannot be understated and deserve to be discussed and appreciated (see the "Jodorowsky's Dune" documentary). Herbert created a vivid, complex world and rich characters that mange to weave together many different layers of story into a cohesive and compelling tale which engages the reader and draws them into the deep universe of the story. Themes of religion, revolution, love, loyalty, morality, politics, and classic action-adventure are all present and ingrained in one another. This creates a varied novel that has some bit of interest for every reader to engage in. Herbert's work still stands as an excellent adventure story in a modern context and is absolutely astounding when evaluated against the popular tropes of science fiction at the time it was published. That being said, it does have a few weak points.

Perhaps the most direct criticism that could be leveled against Herbert's magnum opus is that the character development is somewhat shallow. Paul lacks any human shortcomings and therefore any conflict lacks authentic narrative tension, as the reader is aware of his infallibility early in the story. The cast of women lack any real agency and are treated as tools by their male counterparts, which is likely a reflection of Herbert's own flawed view of gender roles. Much of the dialog is either very flat or extremely pretentious, but that is also a trope of the genre and can be forgiven. If the reader can stomach the one-dimensional characters and appreciate the world building and high level concepts presented, Dune is absolutely worth reading.

There are few tales with such complex and ambitious social analogies woven through them. Dune's central themes are timeless and reflects mankind's recurring struggle to resent oppression and the true value derived from personal hardship. Herbert's Dune is a masterpiece in spite of its tired central narrative of a perfect savior that destroys an oppressive regime. It's deeper explorations of social themes carry the novel to an elevated position among it's peers and permanently fix the novel as a true classic of science fiction.

Source: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2278...