I’m a Duner. As much as Children of Dune turned me off to the series a few years ago, I want to read through all of them. God Emperor of Dune calls me. My reread of the second installement was more delightful than the confusing slog it was for me a few years ago. Although there are some baffling plot conveniences and questionable decisions made by the characters, Dune Messiah is the sobering next step of the “messiah’s” journey. Herbert crushes it, nailing themes of “The king in plain clothes”, and “don’t trust the messiah”. I haven’t read Hyperion so take a drink.

Beginning the narrative with a Q+A between a decenting prisoner and a Freman executioner is a striking cold open. The prisoner’s admission under the yoke of death that he doesn’t trust the messiah sets the tone of conspiracy for the whole novel. And I think its awesome. Though the narrative can be slow or disjointed because most of the chapters are scenes of space feudalists talking to one another, the atmosphere of conspiracy is felt throughout. The tension of violence breaking out against Paul or other members of the empirium is present at all times. You truly can understand why Paul feels the way he does, bitterness toward his own deification and all.

I’m uncertain how much Herbert wants the reader to sympathize with Paul. A millionaire on the internet can bitch about how hard their life is and it will be a split audience paying them sympathy vs. people clowning on them. The same could be true at different times for how the reader sympathizes with Paul Atreides. Yes, a jihad is being faught in his name and he has the blood of billions on his hands because of the fanaticism that the Freman have for him. He feels like he is out of control of his life. Heavy is the head that chose to wear the crown.

And also, cry me a river Muad’Dib. Heavy is the head that CHOSE to wear the crown. the jihad didn’t start spontaneously. You started it and fed the flames when you ascended to the imperial throne. Who built those temples in Arakeen praising your name? They didn’t spring up from the sand. You commissioned them. Herbert creates these inconsistances in Paul’s self knowledge to show that that he is his own worst enemy despite the conspiracy plotting against him from the jump.

I think it also illustrates his inability to be reflective of his actions in a meaningful way. There is a scene in the beginning of the book where Paul and Chani are laying in bed. Paul feels distant from his love because of the deity that he has become to the universe. He repents of his hubris and vows to free himself of his chains. But he can no longer free himself. He needs to be freed through loss and adversity from others.

The theme of “being human” is thick in the text. Paul wants to be human again because he has elevated himself in the eyes of the fremen. Hayt doesn’t want to be human despite the fact that his percieved identity is Duncan Idaho. Most of the members of the conspiracy are human adjacent. Edric is a spacing guild frog. Scytale is a Tlelaxiu shapeshifter. Gaius Helen Mohiam is a Bene Gesserit Reverend Mother. The text is about “becoming human again” when maybe you’ve lost it.

If you read my last post, you know this theme is pretty relevant for me right now. Get your ass into the desert Paul. Better to ride with the worms than fraternize with the yuppies.

Have no fear

C Randir