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masong63's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
spitzig's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this, but I didn't love it. It had Herbert's usually characters plotting against each other, but the plots weren't as complex as is his usual.
He did have some interesting SF ideas, though I don't want to ruin it by giving away too much. The main SF concept is genetic engineering, though given the publication date of the book not exactly scientifically accurate.
I'm usually happy with the characters in Herbert's novels. No exception here. It was short, so not many characters, though. Not much character change, but they were believable-not made of paper like too many old school SF writers.
He did have some interesting SF ideas, though I don't want to ruin it by giving away too much. The main SF concept is genetic engineering, though given the publication date of the book not exactly scientifically accurate.
I'm usually happy with the characters in Herbert's novels. No exception here. It was short, so not many characters, though. Not much character change, but they were believable-not made of paper like too many old school SF writers.
scheu's review against another edition
5.0
For me, this book was a kick for two reasons. First, it's a 1960's vision of genetic engineering, and as a biologist I found the differences (and similarities) to modern molecular biology entertaining. Second, TEOH is another fine example of a theme that runs through nearly all of Herbert's work: what makes humans human? Are 40,000-year-old immortal product of genetic manipulation human? What happens when they guide the whole world in their favor and the word 'death' is forbidden?
Fun, fun read.
Fun, fun read.
hyperbooktivity's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A favourite of mine from when I was a teenager. This is probably the book that got me loving sci-fi as a genre.
larsinio's review against another edition
4.0
A fun, quick read revolving a future dystopian earth run by genetic super beings.
What did Frank herbert meticulously research for this novel? Organic/Biological chemistry
Many of the same themes from Dune crop up here, made it more enjoyable to see the foil.
- Long-living super men
- stability/lack of change causing long-term issues
Reads like a Frank Herbert novel, which is a great thing
What did Frank herbert meticulously research for this novel? Organic/Biological chemistry
Many of the same themes from Dune crop up here, made it more enjoyable to see the foil.
- Long-living super men
- stability/lack of change causing long-term issues
Reads like a Frank Herbert novel, which is a great thing
rebecita's review against another edition
3.0
Mostly gripping, but peters out. Cool ideas about genetic engineering and enduring humanity. No one is quite what they seem, with layers of reveals about who's really in control and what the stakes really are. Some gender-norm intrigue. But what's with the whole promise of "nature reasserting itself?" Could it be more conveniently vague and unresolved? And the convenient last-minute utopian solution? Just as nightmarish as the problem, if you ask me. (Maybe Herbert intended this as a cynical or cautionary note, but it doesn't read that way and is just plain weird.)
lauren_endnotes's review against another edition
2.0
"That's the trouble with endless life... With too much repetition, everything loses meaning."
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From THE EYES OF HEISENBERG by Frank Herbert | 1966
A future Pacific Northwest US governed and ruled by the "immortal" Optimen, genetically engineering/breeding selected humans, sterilizing the larger population via a breathable gas, and an underground network of cyborgs / modified humans who partner with others and revolt against the Optimen.
It's an intriguing world, but never quite fleshed out how I had hoped. Like so many others, I came to Frank Herbert through #Dune, where there is a distinct culture and world so carefully and intricately crafted... And here, we just kind of jump in and sink or swim.
The narrative is disjointed, and it is obvious that this was an early work (1966). There were some nascent ideas that Herbert comes back to in his magnum opus, notably the communication/linguistics, modified/recreated humans and their consciousness, and the general idea of immortality.
.
From THE EYES OF HEISENBERG by Frank Herbert | 1966
A future Pacific Northwest US governed and ruled by the "immortal" Optimen, genetically engineering/breeding selected humans, sterilizing the larger population via a breathable gas, and an underground network of cyborgs / modified humans who partner with others and revolt against the Optimen.
It's an intriguing world, but never quite fleshed out how I had hoped. Like so many others, I came to Frank Herbert through #Dune, where there is a distinct culture and world so carefully and intricately crafted... And here, we just kind of jump in and sink or swim.
The narrative is disjointed, and it is obvious that this was an early work (1966). There were some nascent ideas that Herbert comes back to in his magnum opus, notably the communication/linguistics, modified/recreated humans and their consciousness, and the general idea of immortality.
mesocricetus's review against another edition
3.0
Fun but flawed. Some great dialogue and occasional attention to detail.
dawncox's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this. Short but sweet. Interesting ideas. Thought provoking in terms of genetic engineering.
haddocks_eyes's review against another edition
1.0
Either Dune is worse than I remembered or Frank Herbert lost all of his writing ability between 1965 and 1966, because the best thing about this book is the sheer godawfulness of his biology jargon.