Rating: Summary: It's sooo sloooooow. Review: This has to be the most tedious book I have ever attempted to read. Even by the new standards in glacial storytelling set by its predecessors, this stands out as a stupefyingly dull read. After a couple of hundred pages I was forced to start skimming, hoping against hope that something even remotely interesting was about to happen later on: it didn't. You'd have to have the boredom threshold of a slug on valium to make it all the way through this pretentious, verbose bit of authorial self indulgence.
Rating: Summary: Frank Herbert does indeed create "majic" Review: The major thing that can be said about "God Emperor of Dune" by Frank Herbert is that although it isn't one of your usual sci-fi stories, and would certainly be termed an unsuccessful book by modern novel standards (as an example of what you shouldn't do in a modern novel today-i.e. more narration and description instead of more action (that readers nowadays demand), what is the magic that Frank Herbert creates in this most unusual book is that he compels you through his gifted writing skill and most unique and multifaceted character of Leto II to continue reading to find out more about Leto and his world, and especially near the end-what happens to Leto once these plots within plots have been set in motion.This was the first Dune book in the series I felt that I (with my limited knowledge of politics and economics and religious allegories) could understand the workings of this universe better than even the first three books. And felt I understood more of what was going on and what was trying to be accomplished by all of the factions now being held under one ruler, the worm-god emperor of Leto II. The story itself remained a bit implausible in my mind as to how this one bizarre creature, part man and part worm, could hold together this vast empire under his rule for so long. It worked mainly for me because I remembered history not too long ago with another almost god-emperor worshipped by the masses-of Hitler's Germany, and in the near-indestructableness of Leto II in his worm-encased body. For one reader out there who can't be typified or quantified in the usual generalization of "modern reader", as one who prefers the intellectual workings of the mind and character instead of merely the actions of one, I enjoyed "God Emperor of Dune" immensely, and found it one of the most satisfying novels I have ever read.
Rating: Summary: This is what it's all about Review: After I read the first fifty pages of God Emperor Dune, a sudden sadness overtook me. I thought of all my friends that loved Dune, but got stuck in Dune Messiah. I thought of all the other ones that made it through Dune Messiah, but got stuck in Children of Dune. Can we please have a moment of silence for these unfortunate souls. While I did like books 2 and 3 of the series, I'm the first to admit that they were not of "Dune" quality. God Emperor of Dune, however, may be its rival. It is so rare in a series, especially in Book 4, that you think to yourself, all the other books have been leading to this one moment. Leto II's Golden Path indeed shines through. For non-sci-fi people, this series is more than sci-fi. It's an examination of political philosopy, economy, and religion. One could almost call it allegory. Herbert's characters: Maud'dib, Leto II, even Moneo (in God Emperor) are so well developed as to become Messiah's, God's, and friends in their own right. The Dune books force you to think, they entertain, and they sweep the imagination to a world millenia away from now. God Emperor of Dune itself take place 3 thousand years after Children of Dune. If you are thinking of quitting the series, I counsel you to wait until after you have read this amazing fourth book. My idea: there's now way anyone could stop now.
Rating: Summary: Frank Herbert's Masterwork Review: YOU problably have read the three previous books of the Dune cronicles and wonder should I continue. Well the answer is yes. Herbert is the king of creating totally enrapuring characters, but with the exception of Paul Atreids there is no match for Leto II. This book is about the ultimate tyrant with the ultimate gift an incredible life span the knowledge of all his andestors and an army of zealots. I am not a huge Sci- fi fan but I am very loyal to the work of Frank Herbert. Who creates plots with in plots with in plots. Herbert shows what happens when mortals worship other mortals with godlike conviction this is worth reading alone. If you didn't like DUNE then stop here and forget it. But I am guessing that you didn't read three books without liking them. This is Herberts Pinnicle DUNE, DUNE MESSIAH, and CHILDREN OF DUNE were the preface to this book. Only Herbert could stretch the imagination this far.
Rating: Summary: God Emperor of Dune Review: As with the rest of the Herbert's Dune work's, a compilation of history, ecology, religion, furturism, and anthropology that excedes any of the "Fantasy" genre as of Tolkien. Based in true Science Fiction, but with a stretch of time exceded only buy such authors such as Asimov.Imagination plus+...David Williams
Rating: Summary: turning point in the series Review: I have heard many criticisms of this book. It is a big change from the first three in the dune chronicles, and many complain that it is a little inaccessable and well, disturbing. God Emperor does start off much darker than the other books in the series and it is more blatently philosophical than the others. However, it is still interesting to see the purpose behind the character and the setting. It is supposed to be dark, it is not happy and I think it is a break in what people expect from Herbert: usually bitter-sweet solid but satisfying endings. God emperor tacks on an ending to Children that is all but gratifying, and yet getting beyond the initial change in focus it sets up an interesting background for the two books that follow it. THere is no real hero in this book but that is, I think, part of the point. I found the change in focus refreshing; it sparked new interest in the series rather than continueing with the same popular notions that carried the first books. As always, God Emperor is well thought out and equisetly written in a styke that even reflects the harshness of time it is suposed to portray.
Rating: Summary: Not a bad story, but so wordy. Review: A somewhat interesting story is bogged down by wordy and pretentious dialogue. Much of the book is set in Leto's private chambers where he attempts to talk the reader to death. The story itself manages to hold ones attention amazingly long, but after a while all the psuedo-psychological babbling becomes a bore. The original book rose above its pop pschology rantings; this one simply wallows in its.
Rating: Summary: An amazing book Review: The god emperor of dune is simply amazing. At first when I started reading this book I found it very boring. But later on the book becomes really great. Herbert is a very talented maker of personalities for the characters in his books. I loved Leto the second's personality. I started to REALLY like it when Hwi Noree came around. Simply an amazing book.
Rating: Summary: One of the most beautiful novel I've ever read! Review: I've read several novels from some acclaimed authors (Jeffrey Archer for example) but still, Frank Herbert's God Emperor of Dune is the best novel I've ever read. Although there are some plots which can be quite confusing (as well as Frank's confusing English), the rest is absolutely perfect. Probably one of the most memorable characters is Lord Leto II, the God Emperor who is sometimes known as The Tyrant. The son of Paul Muab'Dib who slowly turned into an ugly sandworm, becomes immortal and ruled Rakis with a purpose. Later, more characters are introduced; Siona (first appeared in the beginning of the novel), Hwi , Moneo, the lovable Duncan Idaho, Fish Speakers and so on. Besides, we know that Leto is the loneliest creature in this universe until he meets Hwi Noree (actually she likes Duncan most) who would have become his bride but tragic strikes and that eventually costs their lives. Overall, no other novels can be as beautiful as God Emperor of Dune (along with the rest of the other Dune novels). I really like the story very much because you can imagine that its world is huge and immersing. I also like Leto's beautiful words, even though some of them are quite political of some sort. However, that's the only Dune book I've read so far. Perhaps I should get my hands on Dune: House Atreides to discover how Dune, one of the acclaimed epic of our time, is born.
Rating: Summary: Not what I expected from a Dune Sequel. Review: I read "Dune", and loved it! It was great. So, I bought the second part, and it was good, so I went ahead and bought the next 4 chapters... Book 3 was interesting, although not as good as book 2, IMHO. I just did not like "God Emperor of Dune". It was too pretentious, for my taste. I did not like the transformation of Lord Leto II. And I'm sick of the gholas. I had heard that the best books were 1, 2, 5 and 6. I hope that is so, since so far that comment has been right. And I already have the last two books, anyway. This book was not so disappointing as to make me quit the series, but I expected more from it, or something different, at least.
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