is Dune still the GOAT science fiction novel

[theworldismine13]

I may be being too harsh,but I think that fanboy is being too soft as well. While Herbert obviously dwells on the corruptible nature of power, the novels implicitly carry the assumption that certain people are better, stronger, or more equipped than others to hold power and these are the ones who change the direction of civilization. Duke Leto, Paul, Leto II, they're all heroes even with their flaws, and it's almost impossible to read those books without idolizing them. Even Leto's Golden Path was supposed to "teach humanity" not to put their faith in a central power, but notice that it was the most powerful figure in the world who was "teaching them" that and he did it by taking on incredible, unprecedented power. Even Chapterhouse: Dune (as far as I got in the series) ends with Murbella taking on ultimate power in fusing the Bene Gesserit and Honored Matres together.

is that herbert's personal issue or was he just reflecting the reality that thoroughout history certain humans with the right skills and charisma end up dominating

 

[Professor Emeritus]

is that herbert's personal issue or was he just reflecting the reality that thoroughout history certain humans with the right skills and charisma end up dominating

You ever read War and Peace by Tolstoy? His take on it is rather different. Funny cause Tolstoy was 100 years earlier but I think he had a much more accurate view of war and fate and human nature and leadership, perhaps because he had been in war himself.

Like I said, in Herbert's book the "good" heroes are flawed but they are still heroes, they become heroic by taking power, and they save the universe by wielding that power. Herbert thinks power is dangerous yet his writing still demonstrates his inherit faith in it. That passage at the end of the first book, from "My brother is coming" to where the emperor yields, that whole passage is so cold I've probably reread it more than any other passage in any book. It MAKES you feel like Paul should have everything, all the power in the world, you're rooting for him. And no matter how many horrific atrocities the Atreides line commits over their reign, you never stop rooting for them, even I didn't.

That's what I'm referring to regarding Herbert's faith in power. No one good ever really "gives up" power, they keep finding ways to control the world through their line, even if those ways are unorthodox. And no one out of power is really ever in the picture - from beginning to end (well, at least in the first six books), only the powerful matter.

 

[Take It In Blood]

got free audible credits and leaning towards copping this