I was -- I guess still am -- on a reading slump, not being able to finish full length novels. I had The Second Great Dune Trilogy by Frank Herbert borrowed from the library for months and eventually had to return it half-finished. It didn't help that it's a massive hardcover 3-in-1 book that's difficult to hold comfortably. The second book in this trilogy, Heretics of Dune, didn't exactly grab me either. But I did at least get through the one before it.
The epigraphs (if they're technically that -- they don't seem start on a new page in English Dune books unlike in the Finnish translations) in this novel are by Leto himself, from his intentionally leaked journals and are as thoughtful as ever. I also liked the live Leto ponderings. Other characters find him terrifying -- for his appearance and how the bestial Worm in increasing frequency overtakes Leto's human mind.
The book's ending is kind of lame and telegraphed a good way before it. There is one final revelation, I suppose, but the story kind of dragged on to its inevitable conclusion.
Over the thousands of years, different factions have tried to overthrow Leto. The attempts continue, one of them being the occasional Duncan Idaho ghola -- still being cloned by Tleilaxu from the remains of the original man by the request of Leto himself.
The Duncans hilariously find Leto's current army, the all-female Fish Speakers, a preposterous development. One of my favorite epigraphs in the book was about that, although mainly because of the last two sentences. Even in the fourth book, it's still easy to find these larger-than-life quotes.
"The Duncans always think it odd that I choose women for combat forces, but my Fish Speakers are a temporary army in every sense. While they can be violent and vicious, women are profoundly different from men in their dedication to battle. The cradle of genesis ultimately predisposes them to behaviour more protective of life. They have proved to be the best keepers of the Golden Path. I reinforce this in my design for their training. They are set aside for a time from ordinary routines. I give them special sharings which they can look back upon with pleasure for the rest of their lives. They come of age in the company of their sisters in preparation for events more profound. What you share in such companionship always prepares you for greater things. The haze of nostalgia covers their days among their sisters, making those days into something different than they were. That's the way today changes history. All contemporaries do not inhabit the same time. The past is always changing, but few realize it."
-- The Stolen Journals
No comments:
Post a Comment