Book reviews: God Emperor of Dune, Heretics of Dune and Chapterhouse: Dune by Frank Herbert.

 Hello, readers! This February I reviewed the first three books in the Dune series: Dune, Dune Messiah and Children of Dune. Today I will review the three remaining novels in this series: God Emperor of Dune, Dune Heretics and Chapterhouse: Dune. Naturally, since I'm reviewing sequels and comparing them one to another, there are bound to be some spoilers. Do skip these reviews if you want to avoid spoilers completely. If you are a fan of Frank Herbert, I also reviewed  and recommended some other works of his such as novels The White Plague and The Godmarkers, so feel free to read those reviews as well. Scroll down to read the fourth, fifth and sixth novel in Dune Chronicles. 

GOD EMPEROR OF DUNE, BOOK #4 IN THE DUNE CHRONICLES

I absolutely loved this book even if some see it as a weaker work. God Emperor of Dune is different from others novels in the series, and while I can understand why it might be off putting to some, for me this is the most beautiful and personal narrative in the whole series. I applaud Herbert for trying out something different and going for a book that was so heavily focused on an individual...and what an individual he is! A god who dislikes religion, because: “Religious institutions perpetuate a mortal master-servant relationship,” Leto said. “They create an arena which attracts prideful human power-seekers with all of their nearsighted prejudices!” Leto II is one of my all time favourite characters. I feel that his personal  is truly touching.  I read this book years ago, but so many thoughts from God Emperor of Dune are still with me. I can't tell you how many times my mind has remembered something Leto II has said. If you want to avoid spoilers, now is a good time to stop reading this review. It is impossible to say something coherent about it without referring to the third novel in the series, so if you haven't read that one, there might be spoilers for it here as well. This novel is fourth in Dune's series, and although it is in some ways different from others, I would still recommend you to read the others as well- and best to do in a chronological order. This book is best understood in the context of Dune universe. I suppose that in some ways God Emperor of Dune might be an interesting read on its own, especially since it is a more personal narrative, but as I said, it is best read as a part of a series. This novel is set in a very different universe, one that is thousands of years away from where the third novel left off. Leto II has access to complete historical records, which allow him to study human evolution- an important theme for this book. At the start of this book, Leto II has ruled the known universe for 3, 5000 years, and the son is nothing like the father (even if he has ever been). Leto II has destroyed Paul's Fremen army and their identity, replacing it with his own Fish Eaters, an all female army. Many known powers from the old universe are either destroyed, suppressed or kept on a very tight leash in this world ruled by one power. That's not the only thing that makes God Emperor of Dune different from the books predating it- a large portion of books is written in the form of quotations, monologues and speeches of Leto II. Apparently, Herbert wrote the first draft of the novel as a first person narrative of Leto II. It definitely shows in the writing. I found this personal perspective very appealing, but some readers might struggle with it. I loved learning more about God Emperor of Dune as the novel progressed. At first I didn't know how to feel about him. I mean Leto II is a three thousand year old giant worm, a god of sorts, who also happens to be a ruthless and absolute dictator of the known world, a powerful tyrant who is - wait for it- actually saving the human race by suppressing them until they can't take it any longer and become ready to scatter into space, thus saving themselves from the threat of extinction.  Alright, that was a long sentence but that is what it is. Ultimately, Leto II is acting on behalf of mankind. He saw the extinction of mankind in violence and he resorted to becoming a worm slash human slash God slash dictator so that he could have mankind from itself.  That's basically what The Golden Path is. A systemic plan of one man to save humankind by causing it to scatter into the unknown Universe.  If Leto II wasn't written so brilliantly as a character, this would have been a dull novel. Fortunately, the God Emperor is endlessly fascinating and touchingly human in his strangeness. Another odd but interesting detail was Leto II transformation. He is part animal, part human. As a human, he is more than any human has ever been (having lived for thousands of years as well as having access to full history of human race) but there is also an anima-l like characteristic to him. When Leto II gets angry, he kills. This kept me on edge as the novel progressed. It created a weird contrast between his highly intelligent and absolutely wild persona. Leto II might be this God Emperor but by transforming himself into a giant worm, he became part animal. Leto II take on politics is just as fascinating. Take what he says about conservatives and liberals: “Scratch a conservative and you find someone who prefers the past over any future. Scratch a liberal and find a closet aristocrat. It’s true! Liberal governments always develop into aristocracies. The bureaucracies betray the true intent of people who form such governments. Right from the first, the little people who formed the governments which promised to equalize the social burdens found themselves suddenly in the hands of bureaucratic aristocracies. Of course, all bureaucracies follow this pattern, but what a hypocrisy to find this even under a communized banner. Ahhh, well, if patterns teach me anything it’s that patterns are repeated. My oppressions, by and large, are no worse than any of the others and, at least, I teach a new lesson. —” I can't forget this jewel of a thought either: "“Remember that there exists a certain malevolence about the formation of any social order. It is the struggle for existence by an artificial entity. Despotism and slavery hover at the edges. Many injuries occur and, thus, the need for laws. The law develops its own power structure, creating more wounds and new injustices. Such trauma can be healed by cooperation, not by confrontation. The summons to cooperate identifies the healer.” What Leto II thinks of police and military is fascinating as well: “Police always observe that criminals prosper. It takes a pretty dull policeman to miss the fact that the position of authority is the most prosperous criminal position available.” “Unceasing warfare gives rise to its own social conditions which have been similar in all epochs. People enter a permanent state of alertness to ward off attacks. You see the absolute rule of the autocrat. All new things become dangerous frontier districts—new planets, new economic areas to exploit, new ideas or new devices, visitors—everything suspect. Feudalism takes firm hold, sometimes disguised as a politicbureau or similar structure, but always present. Hereditary succession follows the lines of power. The blood of the powerful dominates.” Why did the Leto II create the golden path? Because he understood the need. The world he was supposed to rule was deeply unstable. His father Paul unleashed religious fantastic onto the world, the Bene Gesserit were growing increasingly powerful as were other fractions and power allegiances controlling the human race. Let us not forget that Dune society of old is basically a feudal system and as such bound to be unjust. There is so much sense in what God Emperor did- but does that justify him? Leto II is a tyrant but there is logic in his seeming madness. It was fantastic seeing the story unfold. There are a lot of moral dilemmas in this one, lot of things to wrap your head around. I'm not sure how I felt about Duncan ghola to be honest. I feel like there is more to Duncan that I was able to see. At times he seemed to be there only as recipient of Leto's messages, but at times Duncan seems like something more. I think I still need to figure him out, and the emperor's use of Duncan as well. Why is he so important to him? I mean besides the obvious reason revealed by the end of the book. Update: once I read the sequels to that, I actually understood why Duncan is such an important recurring character.  To conclude, this is another novel in the series that I can recommend.  HERETICS OF DUNE, BOOK #5 IN DUNE CHRONICLES  Heretics of Dune, the book fifth in the Dune series, is a sequel to God Emperor of Dune but it takes place a long time after the rule of God Emperor Leto II. When I say a long time, I mean one thousand five hundred years after the rule of Leto II Atreides (that also lasted for a rather long time). In that sense, the universe it describes is quite different. As a reader, you need to be aware of that books five and six in the series are somewhat different from the rest. The previous novel covered a long period of time (3, 500 years long reign of Leto II) , but it was a time dominated by a single man/god/tyrant so it was pretty monotonous (even if very interesting from some points of view). In contrast, the world of Heretics of Dune is full of unknown. You could even say that this book requires some imagination and patience from its reader. It demands of its reader to understand the Golden Path and its implications. Still, there are many familiar players. You could say that the known world is reverting to its old Dune ways, for example with the spice remaining as important as ever). The Bene Gesserit are stepping on the stage again. The sisterhood is perhaps the only force that is fully aware of the golden path. However, they might struggle with deciding on their role. The sisterhood must evolve or perish. Heretics of Dune witnesses humanity in a new light, no longer imprisoned by Leto II's rule but rather walking on the Golden Path. Even if nobody is really sure what the future will bring, it seems that emperor Leto's plan to save humanity from destruction has worked out- at least to an extent. By imprisoning the human race under his rule for more than three thousand years, Leto II caused humans to 'go boldly forward where no man has gone before' i.e. the Scattering- his plan all along. The human kind has scattered into space we are made to see- but we are not shown what it really means, but rather as readers we are invited to ask some questions ourselves. Moreover, as this novel opens some of the scattered are coming back- and they do not hold much love for the Old Empire. The Honored Matres, a violent female organization that enslaves males sexually so it could control them, seek to destroy the sisterhood and just about anyone who opposes them. The Honored Matres are extremely dangerous and violent, so drunk on power that they are willing to turn entire planets into dust on any provocation. Heretics of Dune is closely tied to its sequel Chapterhouse: Dune. Don't expect a clean ending in this one. Many of the subplots will be develop in the following novel. This novel introduces us to a new Dune universe that will be expanded (but possibly not fully explained) in the final novel. There are many interesting characters in this novel. Like its sequel, the emphasis is on female characters, with the exception of Miles Teg and Duncan Idaho. The leather of Bene Gesserit in this novel is Taraza, a strong Mother Superior who seems to always be one step ahead of others. A Fremen girl Sheena who learns that she can control the worms will became an important figure once Bene Gesserit gets hold of her as well. As always, there are Atreides characters. Miles Tag, the genius military strategist working for the sisterhood and his unorthodox daughter Odrade. Taraza and Odrade become closely associated, known under nicknames Tar and Dar, despite doubts that sisterhood places in Odrade who remains something of a romantic. ..“Taraza cleared her throat. “No need. Lucilla is one of our finest Imprinters. Each of you, of course, received the identical liberal conditioning to prepare you for this.” There was something almost insulting in Taraza’s casual tone and only the habits of long association put down Odrade’s immediate resentment. It was partly that word “liberal,” she realized. Atreides ancestors rose up in rebellion at the word. It was as though her accumulated female memories lashed out at the unconscious assumptions and unexamined prejudices behind the concept. “Only liberals really think. Only liberals are intellectual. Only liberals understand the needs of their fellows.” How much viciousness lay concealed in that word! Odrade thought. How much secret ego demanding to feel superior.”. I found this novel a fascinating and a quick read. The events take place quite quickly and the plot makes sense. Miles Teg, in particular, was a very dynamic and interesting character. However, perhaps I enjoyed the sequel to Heretics of Dune a bit more than this book, just because it was a bit more philosophical. Moreover, in the final book, there is a more detailed analysis of power, government and Bene Gesserit. Still, I would recommend this one just as much. These two novels would be really hard to understand one without the other. It is always best to read the Dune books (I mean the original Frank Herbert series) in the chronological order, that is, the way they were published- and especially so with these two. In some sense, Heretics of Dune and Chapterhouse: Dune feel like the same novel to me, perhaps because they feature almost the same set of characters. Apart from those characters that are killed or perish, all the main characters repeat in the sequel Chapterhouse: Dune, so these two novels are definitely closely connected. I recommend taking on the sequel right after you finish Heretics of Dune, or you could forget some important details. To conclude, this is another novel in the Dune series that I enjoyed immensely. CHAPTERHOUSE:DUNE, BOOK #6 (FINAL) IN THE DUNE CHRONICLES Chapterhouse: Dune opens with Mother Superior Darwi Odrade's excitement over the birth of her father, the legendary Miles Teg or rather- a Teg ghola. With Dar's top advisers by her side: the withdrawn Tam and the violent Bell, the novel doesn't waste any time in setting the scene or showing us the principal characters within the Bene Gesserit. After being suppressed by the Divine Emperor/Tyrant, the Bene Gesserit are ready to take on more responsibility and become the key players in Dune's universe again. The Reverend Mothers and Mother Superior are first to 'take the stage' and this is no accident. The sisterhood is in grave danger, threatened to extinction by blood-thirsty Honored Matres. Upon returning from the Scattering, possibly fleeing from something, the Honored Matres have been casually conducting genocide and war in the Old Empire, sometimes destroying billions without much thought. Can one of the unusual Mother Superiors, the romantic Dar, be a match for such a thread? Besides the above mentioned characters (Teg, Dar, Tam and Bell), there are other important characters finding themselves on Chapterhouse: Dune, such as the youngest ever Mother Superior Sheena and an unusual couple: an imprisoned Honored Matre Murbella, now in training to become a Mother Superior and a Duncan Idaho ghola hiding many talents (that sisterhood is suspicious of). There is also the last Tleilaxu Master Scytale, apparently the only one of his kind left alive after the Honored Matres destroyed his native planet and all of the know Tleixahu civilization. He is now imprisoned by the Bene Gesserit and forced to give up his secrets slowly. Like in some other Herbert's novels, the planet itself is almost a character. The sisterhood is terraforming the planet Chapterhouse to Dune because they need sandworms (as always the spice must flow). With Dune being destroyed, Chapterhouse must become a new home to sandworms. Sheeana leads this project because of her unique connection with the worms, but she also presents a thread to her sisterhood because of her religious potential. There are many other interesting and powerful characters that emerge as the story evolves. For example, when the sisterhood's Lampadas planet is destroyed by the Honored Matres, we are introduced to a fascinating character of Reverend Mother Lucilla, carrying with herself the minds of millions of Reverend Mothers. Lucilla seeks refuge with the Jews on planet Gamu. The introduction of Jews in Chapterhouse: Dune is an interesting concept as is their connection with the sisterhood. There seems to be mutual respect between the two. Lucilla meets a wild Reverend mother among the Jews- Rebecca. This is another female character that has fascinated me. Is Rebecca Bene Gesserit or not? To what extent does her memory influence Rebecca? Many fascinating questions there, not all of them answered, but that doesn't matter. I feel like this is a novel that calls us to be active readers and ask questions ourselves, not just to observe events. In words of Darwi Odrade: ...“Confine yourself to observing and you always miss the point of your life. The object can be stated this way: Live the best life you can. Life is a game whose rules you learn if you leap into it and play it to the hilt. Otherwise, you are caught off balance, continually surprised by the shifting play. Non-players often whine and complain that luck always passes them by. They refuse to see that they can create some of their own luck. When I reread Chapterhouse: Dune in January, I realized how little I actually cared about the plot of the novel. Not that the plot isn't good, the 'action' that takes place is well orchestrated but I principally cared about the characters, their monologues and dialogues- and the topics they discussed. Indeed, I didn't even recall some small details despite the fact that Chapterhouse: Dune is a novel I reread many times, more than any other book in the Dune series. What impresses me the most about this book are the philosophical parts of it, often discussed in monologues and dialogues. The careful examination of power and politics, in particular, is one of the strengths of this novel. As Honored Matres and Bene Gesserit try to learn more one about another, there is much talk of democracy, power and governments. The Spider Queen leading the Honored Matres is another strong female character and it is hard not to be fascinated by her, despite her obvious cruelty. As Bene Gesserit sisters try to communicate one with another, with themselves or with outsiders, there is much talk of power. ...“Power attracts the corruptible. Suspect any who seek it.” Sometimes they repeat and echo lessons learned in the previous Dune novels, but often they get more specific and speak of governments and traps of power in more detail. How fascinating are those moments when power and laws are so discussed. Not many writers are capable of such subtle analysis, of creating a detailed future society we can teach us so much about our own society and its flaws: ... “All governments suffer a recurring problem: Power attracts pathological personalities. It is not that power corrupts but that it is magnetic to the corruptible.” “Clinging to any form of conservatism can be dangerous. Become too conservative and you are unprepared for surprises. You cannot depend on luck. Logic is blind and often knows only its own past. Logic is good for playing chess but is often too slow for the needs of survival. “Give me the judgment of balanced minds in preference to laws every time. Codes and manuals create patterned behavior. All patterned behavior tends to go unquestioned, gathering destructive momentum. For most part, Chapterhouse: Dune revolves around female characters. Two societies of women are at war. However, there are two important men in this novel: Duncan Idaho and Miles Teg. The Mentat specialization is also examined in more detail than I remember encountering in any novel. There is much talk of Mentats in this one. I was always fascinated by them so it was interesting to learn more about them. I sometimes wonder whether this whole novel is not a Mentat projection- and you can recognize it is true by the questions it delivers. Moreover, love is another important topic in this one. What is love? What is duty? Where one ends and the other begins? The cold sisterhood distrusts love, but can it be avoided all together? They must realize that love is one of the things that makes us human. The sisterhood has a cold view of parenting, often taking away the children from their parents. However, look at the love of Teg's mother for him that survives in his ghola, the love of Dar's substitute parents at the sea planet- it's that kind of love that gives Dar her personal sense of sanity. Similarly, the sisterhood distrusts romantic love. However, they tolerate Murbella and Duncan Idaho's love- as long as it serves them. Can such romantic love ever last? There is love in this book, despite the odds. The sisterhood has a strange relationship with love, but there is love within it, even if the sisters deny it. T Perhaps the most important lessons that this novel has to teach us is hidden in this quote: “Revenge is for children and the emotionally retarded.” That's definitely a line that often makes me think as I can sometimes be quite revengeful in a passive sort of way. Revenge (passive or not) is definitely something to be avoided if you possess any maturity. To conclude, I took my time rereading this novel and found much to admire in it. Highly recommended!

That would be all for today.  Now that I'm all done with reviewing novels from Dune Universe, you can expect even more book reviews from various authors. As always, thank you for reading and visiting!