A Thorn in the Bush

by Frank Herbert

Everything of beauty must have at least one flaw in it. Otherwise people do not realize how beautiful it truly is.

Mrs. Ross is an expatriate American who has found a quiet life in the small Mexican village of San Juan, a place where she can be content, a place where no one knows the secrets of her shadowy past life. Until an ambitious American painter takes up residence in San Juan, attempting to depict—and expose—everything about the sleepy Mexican town. But he may have underestimated the lengths a seemingly harmless old woman will go to protect her secrets.

A Thorn in the Bush is one of four previously unpublished short novels written by famed Dune author Frank Herbert. Early in his career Herbert moved his family to Mexico where he struggled to survive as a writer. This novel came from those life-changing experiences.

Genres: Fiction

145 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 12, 2014

About the author

Franklin Patrick Herbert Jr. was an American science fiction author best known for the 1965 novel Dune and its five sequels. Though he became famous for his novels, he also wrote short stories and worked as a newspaper journalist, photographer, book reviewer, ecological consultant, and lecturer.
The Dune saga, set in the distant future, and taking place over millennia, explores complex themes, such as the long-term survival of the human species, human evolution, planetary science and ecology, and the intersection of religion, politics, economics and power in a future where humanity has long since developed interstellar travel and settled many thousands of worlds. Dune is the best-selling science fiction novel of all time, and the entire series is considered to be among the classics of the genre.

Reviews

[Alyssia Cooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

This seemed to finish before it had started. I turned the final page with an inhale, only to discover that was the end. That said, what is here is beautifully written and truly draws you in. This out of all four unpublished works is the only one I think is truly unfinished.

[Gilbert Stack · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a non-science fiction novel published after Herbert’s death. I’m not sure what genre I would place it in. It is the story of an American woman living in Mexico who worries that her scandalous past may come to light and embarrass her. So, to prevent this possibility, she appears to go to great lengths to drive American artists out of her town. Frankly, I never quite understood her motivation here, other than she likes to be in control and is not a nice person.

The story, however, is interesting as she uses her gossip network to try and learn what the artist is doing. To the reader, it is fairly obvious, he is painting a beautiful young woman who unfortunately cannot walk unassisted. Apparently, her lame legs are a minor scandal. For the modern reader, that is hard to understand.

Watching the protagonist create the very problem she is trying to avoid was interesting. The tale is short and it’s a fast and enjoyable read.

[Jacob · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, they can't all be winners. I quite enjoyed the other 3 "unpublished" novels by Frank Herbert that came in this collection, but this one fell flat for me. It was too much O'Henry, without much substance behind it. I suppose you could argue that it shows what can happen when you dwell excessively on fear, but I'm a character driven reader and the characters here were cardboard cut-outs. Oh well - still get this set of 4 when it comes on sale for the Kindle, but don't expect much from this last one...

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I currently live in the Lake Chapala area where this story takes place. i enjoyed reading it from that perspective and also found the character study of Mrs. Ross multi-layered and interesting. The time period is unclear but i am told it was written 1953.

[Todd Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ultimately not too amazing but the writing itself is beautiful.

[Travis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmm, not really my kind of story. It was ok, but nothing I'd rave about. Unfortunately, no matter how hard I try, I just can't seem to really like Frank Herbert's non-dune stuff. Although, I did like the first book in his god series, the rest bore me to no end, I can tolerate his other books, but I just can't find that spark that drew me and made me love dune so much. This book is ok, but that's all I can say for it. Somewhat amusing to be sure, but merely somewhat. I suppose it's to be expected, but still, it makes me feel bad I can't muster more enthusiasm for this story.