Pretty good continuation of the first book of the series. In reference to the Islam analogy, I think this book deviated quite a bit from the historica...morePretty good continuation of the first book of the series. In reference to the Islam analogy, I think this book deviated quite a bit from the historical progression of Islam in the past 50 yrs. That's not surprising, but still, refreshing, as I was growing tired of the analogy...(less)
This book was really good. But... it wasn't as original as everyone who talks it up says it is. For instance, half the religion stuff in this book is...moreThis book was really good. But... it wasn't as original as everyone who talks it up says it is. For instance, half the religion stuff in this book is ripped directly from Islam (which is why I added it to my Middle East bookshelf). So, for that reason, I didn't give it a 5.
Everything else was really great! I loved the novel political structure that exists in the Dune universe (emperor + houses + houses minor over many planets). I liked the idea of a people fighting to protect and improve their planet at whatever cost. A lot of the environmental stuff rang true for me (probably why I gave it a 4).
I would recommend this book to people who aren't even sci-fi buffs as there is not all that much sci-fi to be had in this book.
UPDATE:
So, it seems other people picked up on this Middle East re-framing in our world too. I still think he was ripping from Islam in his ideas for the Fremen religion but it is curious and entertaining to see how easily viewpoints change in 30 yrs. Apparently, when Herbert wrote this book, it seemed he was associating enviro-activism with Islam and the baddies were either the US or the USSR. Considered today, the Fremen (Muslims) would be seen as trade-blocking-terrorism and the baddies (House Harkonnen and the Empire) would still be us but... would we really see ourselves as baddies? After all, all we really want is to keep the world/galactic economy "lubricated" with oil, i mean, spice... Hehe, very interesting.(less)
A pretty good book; I don't actually know why I can't give it a 5, I think it just seems that the shift in the protagonist is a little too abrupt and...moreA pretty good book; I don't actually know why I can't give it a 5, I think it just seems that the shift in the protagonist is a little too abrupt and not very believable. But the book was fun to read and certainly written in an interesting style.(less)
so, instead of writing a paper yesterday, i read children of dune. do i regret it? not yet. i should say though that i like children of dune better th...moreso, instead of writing a paper yesterday, i read children of dune. do i regret it? not yet. i should say though that i like children of dune better than book 2 (dune messiah); somehow, it feels like a more complete book than the second. also, compared to the first (dune), children of dune strikes me as a book that better completes the ideas it offers up. for instance, there is a much clearer environmental message in this book. in addition, i feel that this book is more nuanced than the first two; nobody is portrayed as the perfect human being - each of the characters has his/her own flaws to deal with. given time, i will probably think that this is the best book of the series so far.(less)
Good book, goes fast. My big problem with it was just how depressing this book was. I honestly thought that the most depressing part of the book was b...moreGood book, goes fast. My big problem with it was just how depressing this book was. I honestly thought that the most depressing part of the book was behind me but I was most surely wrong. But still, really good book.(less)
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