Dune Messiah (Dune Chronicles, Book 2) by Frank Herbert Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Dune Messiah (Dune Chronicles, Book 2)
Book Review: A good sequel of a monumental book
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a very good sequel for the best science fiction book ever written. For those of you who haven't read the first book, do so. For the rest, Dune Messiah continues the plot in an interesting and unexpected way. Overall a good book.Book Review: Painful to read.
Summary: 1 Stars
I *loved* the original. It was a profound, interesting exploration of various aspects of human nature that found an extremely rare balance between Fantasy and Sci-fi that prevented it from being exclusive to either audience.Dune Messiah is the thing I hate most of all; A mouthpiece for the author. What was subtly and gently suggested along with alternatives in Dune is thrown in your face here, as Paul moralises on behalf of the author and reader. Well thanks Frankie, but I prefer to think for myself.
On top of all that (and who didn't see this coming?), the book is just boring. The characters are far less developed than in Dune, despite having already been establised. The story is fairly nonsensical, at least compared to the magic of the original. This is probably subjective, but quite honestly I found the events and characterisation of the book to be wholly unbelieveable.
I've seen some good reviews for this, and I went into it fully expecting to like it, but in the end it was only sheer momentum from the first book that got me through to the end of this drivel.
Book Review: Brilliant Until It Stops
Summary: 3 Stars
This book's reputation lead me to expect an inferior work but in fact it's every bit as well-written as the later sequels to Dune. It builds nicely, generates a healthy sense of tension then suddenly finishes.The hallmarks of a book cut short (by ill health I think) are stamped all over Dune Messiah. There are obvious 'missing scenes' such as the executions of the ambassadors that Frank Herbert could have easily written. That he didn't is a little tragedy.
Having said this Dune Messiah grapples with some heavyweight ideas. Paul Atreides prophetic ability threatens to eliminate any plot but Herbert makes it work. The ghola gambit seems strange and dumb until the final confrontation when Herbert pulls a literary rabbit out of a hat.
Dune Messiah would have warranted more stars if it was 'complete'.
Book Review: Dune was better
Summary: 3 Stars
Dune was a brilliant book, an epic work of SF that put Frank Herbert on a par with such greats as Arthur C Clarke and Tolkein. Dune Messiah still contains Herbert's tightly-written narrative style and complex, intriguing characters and settings, but somehow it seems far less of a monumental acheivment. Maybe it's just the fact that it's a sequel, but Messiah seems to set the trend of the Dune sequels - steadily downward.Book Review: The genius continues
Summary: 4 Stars
Whilst not as broad in its scope or as daring in its aims, this sequel to one of the best sci-fi books ever is a real gem and a lot more than I was expecting. Up until about halfway I felt that Herbert was rambling, but once the endgame kicked in, I was treated to a dazzling story which tied up all of the loose ends. The fine balance between religious fanaticism, statecraft and the power of the human spirit is something to behold. I found myself with a wry smile on my face as the final act ended and Muad 'dib's fatalistic plan was finally realised. Bravo to Frank Herbert, truly a genius at work.