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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
"Here lies a toppled god. His fall was not a small one. We did but build his pedestal, A narrow and a tall one"
Completely different tone compared to Dune and I like this one more
Completely different tone compared to Dune and I like this one more
I hated this, until I loved it.
It is a much sadder book than the first. Gone are the epicness, the revenge, the grandeur. We are left in a world where there is torment, anguish, regret, plotting, and betrayal. It is honestly boring and hard to engage in for roughly half. The tendency of Herbert to leave important events off camera and to indulge in long conversation with a philosophical penchant do not help the reader to get engaged to the book.
Which is a shame, as the events of the first would have called for a "the rise and fall" kind of story. We are left only with a slow fall, with only hints of the rise. I believe the movie, if it happens, will fix this.
Yet, no matter how dark and depressing Dune Messiah can be, the end is beautifully sad. It redeemed the rest of the book, even if I needed a few hours to assimilate what I read and comprehend it fully. It did not make total sense on a first read, but then it clicked, and it fits perfectly with the rest of Paul's story. Not a hero, neither a villain, rather a victim of fate.
It is a much sadder book than the first. Gone are the epicness, the revenge, the grandeur. We are left in a world where there is torment, anguish, regret, plotting, and betrayal. It is honestly boring and hard to engage in for roughly half. The tendency of Herbert to leave important events off camera and to indulge in long conversation with a philosophical penchant do not help the reader to get engaged to the book.
Which is a shame, as the events of the first would have called for a "the rise and fall" kind of story. We are left only with a slow fall, with only hints of the rise. I believe the movie, if it happens, will fix this.
Yet, no matter how dark and depressing Dune Messiah can be, the end is beautifully sad. It redeemed the rest of the book, even if I needed a few hours to assimilate what I read and comprehend it fully. It did not make total sense on a first read, but then it clicked, and it fits perfectly with the rest of Paul's story. Not a hero, neither a villain, rather a victim of fate.
adventurous
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I watched Dune part 2 yesterday, and the ebullient reception of the film and my own mixed feelings left me cold and confused. I just didn't understand what was enjoyable about the story. Decided to read Dune Messiah, 10 or 11 years after reading the first novel, to see what I'd missed. As it turns out, nothing.
This is a less a review of a book than a plea from those who liked it to tell me -- why? How was this an enjoyable story? How did you manage to give a shit about paper thin characters and relentless midwit philosophising and nothing making any sense? The stakes are so high that the deaths of billions are utterly inconsequential to the stilted, meandering conversations of the characters. Nobody really gives a shit, so I don't either. And no-one in the films every really acted like a human.
I've never understood the "imaginative appeal" of a sci fi world invented by a writer with such a narrow and limited understanding of human emotion. Without the stunning visuals of the films, there is nothing in this book to recommend at all.
This is a less a review of a book than a plea from those who liked it to tell me -- why? How was this an enjoyable story? How did you manage to give a shit about paper thin characters and relentless midwit philosophising and nothing making any sense? The stakes are so high that the deaths of billions are utterly inconsequential to the stilted, meandering conversations of the characters. Nobody really gives a shit, so I don't either. And no-one in the films every really acted like a human.
I've never understood the "imaginative appeal" of a sci fi world invented by a writer with such a narrow and limited understanding of human emotion. Without the stunning visuals of the films, there is nothing in this book to recommend at all.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
In terms of overall enjoyment, I’d say this one is probably even with the first Dune book for me. However I feel that if I had to choose between the two I would choose this one. While Messiah may drag a bit, and I found myself only able to read about one or two chapters at a time for a majority of it, I feel that the things I enjoy about a book are much stronger here than they were in the first one. This book primarily focuses on three characters, those being Paul, Alia, and Duncan Idaho. Each of these characters felt fully realized and their internal struggles were incredibly engaging. Seeing Paul have to struggle with the choices he’s made, tormented by his inability to live outside of his future sight was just top notch, and a much improved realization of his character than what I saw in the first book. This book feels like a perfect ending to the Dune story and the story of Paul, and for that I think that I am happy leaving this series where it is for now. One day I’ll probably get around to Children of Dune and God Emperor, but for now I feel satisfied and have no necessary need for more.
Well that was certainly a thing.
I wish David Lynch had made a Dune Messiah movie. I’d like to see that.
I wish David Lynch had made a Dune Messiah movie. I’d like to see that.
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes