HEAVEN MAKERS

Rating:
Summary: Metaphysical navel gazing and UFOs.
Review: Frank Herbert produced a number of pot boilers, such as the "Whipping Star" series, before creating "Dune" which, excluding some of its sequels, must rank as the definitive alterntaive future history with a unique depth of characterisation and "world building". This book has a couple of gimmicks to it, some salacious imagery, but the metaphysical value of it all escapes this reviewer (apologies to our Dutch contributor). There is a good point about the comparative difference between human/organic potentials and closed, mechanistic systems, but that isn't enough to sustain the read. Read "Dune" or "Dragon under the Sea" (a.k.a "Under Pressure") for better Frank Herbert.

Rating:
Summary: another fascinating novel from the science fiction master!
Review: The feel to "Heaven makers" is similar to that of "Godmakers" and "Whipping Star". Herbert again manages to bring to life a complete future world. In true Herbert fashion, he continues to surprise and fascinate as you try to get your mind around his wonderful, amazing ideas. The Chem are an immortal species, whose greatest fear is boredom. The story focuses on one of their ways to amuse themselves by "experiencing stories", a sf- version of watching movies. Only these stories are the real lives of people, who are being manipulated by the Chem to provide a good "movie". One of the countless people manipulated in this fashion are humans on Earth... As the story unfolds around these main ingredients, Herbert manages to put forward some fascinating, mindboggling views on life, deah and immortality, as well as creating a great deal of suspense. If you like Herbert, you will like this book the same way you liked his others, although still nothing tops "Dune". If you don't know Hebert, here's an excellent way of making your acquaintance.