- Paperback: 224 pages
- Publisher: New English Library; 2 edition (1 Sep 1972)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0450022854
- ISBN-13: 978-0450022852
- Product Dimensions: 17 x 11 x 1.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 246,577 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Dune Messiah
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Product Description
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 )
'One of the landmarks of modern science fiction . . . an amazing feat of creation.' (Analog on DUNE )
Analog on DUNE
‘One of the landmarks of modern science fiction . . . an amazing feat of creation.'
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
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.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I think that a lot of readers were disappointed in this book because it is so different from Dune: rather than achieving power - a far more compelling plot - Paul is wielding it. This latter makes from a much more complex, even mundane, story, for it is about maintining political equilibrium, personal rumination, and the mechanics of fate.
Thus, as a political junkie, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is written from the perspective of a profound grasp of human history, in particular from a religious point of view. Paul is seem as a messiah, an oracle who is shaping human destiny. While molding the next phase in the evolution of man, he feels trapped by the necessity of fate. Interestingly, he compares himself to Christ, but also Genghis Khan and Hitler. How many scifi books could ever boast such a scope? Very few. Only Asimov and Octavia Butler come to mind, the absolute top tier of scifi writers.
This is a book for mature readers, not those seeking some swashbuckling shoot-em-uper. Paul's character matures, as humankind is on the brink of enormous change that is only alluded to.
The additions to the Dune unverse are also fascinating. You get the Tleilaxu and their gholas as well as allusions to IX and the suborndinated guild and Bene Geserit. Very fun and complex.
Warmly recomended.
Thus, as a political junkie, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is written from the perspective of a profound grasp of human history, in particular from a religious point of view. Paul is seem as a messiah, an oracle who is shaping human destiny. While molding the next phase in the evolution of man, he feels trapped by the necessity of fate. Interestingly, he compares himself to Christ, but also Genghis Khan and Hitler. How many scifi books could ever boast such a scope? Very few. Only Asimov and Octavia Butler come to mind, the absolute top tier of scifi writers.
This is a book for mature readers, not those seeking some swashbuckling shoot-em-uper. Paul's character matures, as humankind is on the brink of enormous change that is only alluded to.
The additions to the Dune unverse are also fascinating. You get the Tleilaxu and their gholas as well as allusions to IX and the suborndinated guild and Bene Geserit. Very fun and complex.
Warmly recomended.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
It's been over 8 years since I last read Dune but it's amazing how quickly it all comes back. Dune is one of those books whose scenes, details and atmosphere live in the reader's mind for years to come, maybe a whole lifetime. I'm not sure if this sequel will have a similar effect.
It starts off slowly and the prose is that same sort of dense, dialogue-heavy stuff in which every character - in unlikely fashion - carefully crafts everything he or she says and where every word is loaded with meaning and subtext. It can get tiring. However, the plot thickens and does genuinely arouse interest. Paul, now haunted and hounded by his prescient visions of the future, has become the emperor of the known universe and a host of devious and interesting characters - among them a guildsman in his floating tank of spice gas, a 'face dancer' who can mould his features to mimic others, the old reverend mother and the Princess Irulan - are conspiring against him. Each represents different interests and wants different things and it's very difficult to keep track and figure out what each player's agenda is and how each event and development will impact on it.
Paul at times appears like the Pacino character in The Godfather Part II, someone who has become the corrupt force he previously resisted, fought against and overcame. At other times he seems like somebody trying to do his best to rule his world justly, regretful that billions of people are killed in his name, but resigned to the inevitability of this.
This is a good sequel. Not as huge and inspirational as its predecessor, it nevertheless offers a convincing and fascinating snapshot of things 12 years after the end of Dune and it doesn't betray the principles of the first book. I'm tempted to pick up Children of Dune now, but it's much longer than this slim volume and I feel like I might need a rest from that dense, loaded dialogue.
It starts off slowly and the prose is that same sort of dense, dialogue-heavy stuff in which every character - in unlikely fashion - carefully crafts everything he or she says and where every word is loaded with meaning and subtext. It can get tiring. However, the plot thickens and does genuinely arouse interest. Paul, now haunted and hounded by his prescient visions of the future, has become the emperor of the known universe and a host of devious and interesting characters - among them a guildsman in his floating tank of spice gas, a 'face dancer' who can mould his features to mimic others, the old reverend mother and the Princess Irulan - are conspiring against him. Each represents different interests and wants different things and it's very difficult to keep track and figure out what each player's agenda is and how each event and development will impact on it.
Paul at times appears like the Pacino character in The Godfather Part II, someone who has become the corrupt force he previously resisted, fought against and overcame. At other times he seems like somebody trying to do his best to rule his world justly, regretful that billions of people are killed in his name, but resigned to the inevitability of this.
This is a good sequel. Not as huge and inspirational as its predecessor, it nevertheless offers a convincing and fascinating snapshot of things 12 years after the end of Dune and it doesn't betray the principles of the first book. I'm tempted to pick up Children of Dune now, but it's much longer than this slim volume and I feel like I might need a rest from that dense, loaded dialogue.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A diiferent but wothwhile sequel
After the sweeping scale of the brilliant Dune, this book finds Paul Atriedes trapped in his own creation. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Andrew Smith
Review of Dune Messiah
I downloaded Dune Messiah as soon as I finished reading the orginial. Dune is one of the best books I've read, but I found Dune Messiah somewhat lacking the energy of the... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Noor Jahangir
A worthy continuation.
After the epic Dune, Dune Messiah looks at the new Emperor's struggles to change everything around him, and his dark choices. It's a must have.
Published 12 months ago by elvispt
Not as good as Dune
It's a lot shorter than the original.
That was the first thing which struck me when I opened the packet and the book came out. Read more
That was the first thing which struck me when I opened the packet and the book came out. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Singularity
Epic Proportions
One of the most recent editions of the Dune series (2007) by Frank Herbert saw the addition of new introductions to each of the titles by his son Brian Herbert. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Fantasy Lore
A bigger fan would love it more.
I really wanted to like this book. I bought it (and the other sequels) back in the 90's and had been saving them for some unknown reason and after finding Dune itself to be a... Read more
Published on 4 Mar 2010 by Chris Sams
"Dune Messiah"
The second in the Dune series is a startling turnaround for the future that Paul Muad'dib envisioned in "Dune". Read more
Published on 15 Feb 2010 by David Brookes
Good, but too short
Book two in the Dune series is quite a bit different from its predecessor. There are still the good, strong characters, but too little time is devoted to any of them, and the book... Read more
Published on 20 Nov 2009 by Blackbeard
Great book, over quickly though
Same very high standard as Dune, though only half the length. Feels more like a continuation of the first book than a separate work, which is a good thing.
Published on 2 Oct 2009 by Mr. Edward Spencer
The Sequel
Frank Herbert is a great writer, he had a wealth of material for the Dune stories, I'm quite simply taken to another world by his well laid out and captivating storylines. Read more
Published on 10 Sep 2009 by Bookworm
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