A review by trilbynorton
God Emperor of Dune by Frank Herbert

challenging dark mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I appreciate what Frank Herbert is doing in God Emperor of Dune intellectually more than creatively. This, of course, is famously the book in which Paul Atreides' son has turned himself into a sandworm, part of the longest of long term plans for humanity to avoid some foreseen catastrophe. Instead of describing this plan, though, Herbert, through Leto II, engages in long philosophical discussions and koan-like aphorisms in order to get those around him (and the reader) to come naturally to an understanding of his "Golden Path". Intellectually, it's a fascinating way of writing speculative fiction, but it often doesn't make for particularly engrossing reading. Like many of the Dune books, God Emperor will probably benefit from rereads.