Product Description

Paul Atreides, ruler of a thousand planets, great victor of a holy war, prince turned revolutionary leader, messiah of a fanatical religious sisterhood, is to be brought low by the very forces that created him. Yet foreseeing the plans of his enemies, he determines to drive on towards his own, shockingly different, vision of the future.

The amazing second Dune novel.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #17859 in Books
• Published on: 1972-09-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

Arthur C. Clarke on DUNE
‘Unique among SF novels . . . I know nothing comparable to it except The Lord of the Rings.'

Review
‘Unique among SF novels . . . I know nothing comparable to it except The Lord of the Rings.’ (Arthur C. Clarke on DUNE )

‘One of the landmarks of modern science fiction . . . an amazing feat of creation.’ (Analog on DUNE )

About the Author
Frank Herbert was born in 1920 and spent most of early life in the Pacific Northwest of America. He was a professional photographer, journalist and occasional oyster-diver; he also had stints as a radio news commentator and jungle survival instructor. Though he is best known for Dune, he was also the author of several other important science fiction novels including The Green Brain, The Dragon in the Sea and The White Plague. He was awarded the Nebula and Hugo Awards - the highest literary accolades in the world of science fiction - for Dune. He died in 1986.

Customer Reviews

The genius continues
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.

Oh, is that it?
That I went out and bought Dune Messiah, is a tribute to the fact that I thoroughly enjoyed Dune. Obviously anyone else considering Dune Messiah should also have read Dune and enjoyed it (if you didn't, don't bother with Messiah).

Even if you did, take care. I confess to being disappointed by this book. Dune is an epic set in a new and interesting world, keeping you reading to uncover the revelations in the story and the universe. Dune Messiah is essentially a short story set in the Dune universe. It feels like it was rushed out, an outline for one thread of a greater book. The book carries one, rather basic when it's boiled down, storyline which frankly fails to keep the interest or impress. It lacks the depth of character of Dune and also lacks much in the way of further development of the world of Dune. Because it doesn't explore the characters, their motivations and aims are far from clear.

If you loved Dune you may enjoy Dune Messiah, but don't expect to feel the same as you did when reading Dune.

Brilliant Until It Stops
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'.