Notes on Style

[Freakzilla]

SUBTLETY! Wheels within wheels, plans within plans. I swear I've read the series once a year for the last 5 years (after dabbling in it as a teenager), and I STILL don't know exactly what's happening, the full extent of Leto's Golden Path or Taraza's plan for the ghola and Sheena.

It still gets me after doing it for 20 years.

[pcqypcqy]

SUBTLETY! Wheels within wheels, plans within plans. I swear I've read the series once a year for the last 5 years (after dabbling in it as a teenager), and I STILL don't know exactly what's happening, the full extent of Leto's Golden Path or Taraza's plan for the ghola and Sheena.

It still gets me after doing it for 20 years.

Let us know if you work it out. I gots nothing.

[Nanaida]

I totally agree with you about Frank’s ability to always keep readers on edge. The twists in Dune never felt cheap, they were always tied to the characters or the political game at play, which made them so impactful. For the OHDC, I think embracing those unpredictable moments is key, but we need to make sure the twists feel organic—like they come from the characters’ decisions or the world around them, not just for shock value. I’ve always found the most memorable stories are the ones that build up slowly and then throw something at you that feels surprising, but also makes perfect sense when you look back at it.

[openmind]

I think you've hit the nail on the head about Frank's ability to constantly subvert reader expectations. His genius wasn't just in plot twists, but in how those twists emerged organically from deep character motivations and the complex sociopolitical landscape he created. The unpredictability felt natural, not forced.