Frank Herbert's worst novel

martinburo · Post by **martinburo** » 26 Jul 2008 15:25

I'd be interested to know what you all think is the worst novel by Frank Herbert. I think it's Direct Descent, which are two story lines that aren't really connected, and neither of them goes anywhere.

After that I'd probably say The White Plague, though that's actually a well written book, with an interesting idea behind it, and it's an exploration of one of the themes that run's through much of FH's work: that the energy that a single person can wield has been steadily increasing since the agricultural revolution, and he's extrapolated that trend in several interesting ways, in TWP with biological "warfare". But I guess this book was too much of a detective story for me (though not a who done it, which is always clear).

orald · Post by **orald** » 26 Jul 2008 16:16

This thread is an abomination in the eyes of God and his prophet, Frank Herbert! I say we lock it and burn the infidel!

From those I've read, definetly The God Makers- quite lame overall IMO, and with no point whatsoever.

A Thing of Eternity · Post by **A Thing of Eternity** » 26 Jul 2008 17:54

orald wrote:This thread is an abomination in the eyes of God and his prophet, Frank Herbert! I say we lock it and burn the infidel!

Didn't see that coming

The Green Brain, it just wasn't that good. I honestly think that if it didn't have FH on the cover no one would think very much of it.

Phaedrus · Post by **Phaedrus** » 26 Jul 2008 19:22

orald wrote:This thread is an abomination in the eyes of God and his prophet, Frank Herbert! I say we lock it and burn the infidel!

So are you saying that all of Frank Herbert's books are equally good?

Wouldn't that mean that the books without Lord Leto are just as good as the ones with him?

orald · Post by **orald** » 27 Jul 2008 03:08

Of course! All of FH's words are GODLY!

Phaedrus · Post by **Phaedrus** » 27 Jul 2008 03:52

So, we finally find the truth...there is a greater God than Leto in Orald's mind.

Spicelon · Post by **Spicelon** » 27 Jul 2008 11:04

Now that's just carzy talk.

orald · Post by **orald** » 27 Jul 2008 16:09

You're kinda annoying, Phaed, ya know? Can't you just let me praise FH and God Leto? What's it to you? Are you some damn preek trying to earn some credit to get into bed with Kevin?

Phaedrus · Post by **Phaedrus** » 27 Jul 2008 17:30

orald wrote:You're kinda annoying, Phaed, ya know? Can't you just let me praise FH and God Leto? What's it to you? Are you some damn preek trying to earn some credit to get into bed with Kevin?

Me, a preek? Ha. Going to accuse SandChigger and Freakzilla next?

No, I just thrive on breaking down the inconsistencies and contradictions in other people's worldviews.

orald · Post by **orald** » 27 Jul 2008 17:38

Phaedrus wrote:other people's worldviews.

Oh yes, now it's a "worldview".

Phaedrus · Post by **Phaedrus** » 27 Jul 2008 18:27

Was it ever not?

TheDukester · Post by **TheDukester** » 28 Jul 2008 01:57

martinburo wrote:After that I'd probably say The White Plague, though that's actually a well written book ...

I certainly haven't read them all, but I'd agree that TWP was a difficult slog.

Nekhrun · Post by **Nekhrun** » 28 Jul 2008 08:38

I haven't read them all, but I thought The Heaven Makers was a little painful.

Spicelon · Post by **Spicelon** » 28 Jul 2008 14:08

After Destination: Void, I think the followups with Bill Ransom were pretty weak.

A Thing of Eternity · Post by **A Thing of Eternity** » 28 Jul 2008 15:13

Spicelon wrote:After Destination: Void, I think the followups with Bill Ransom were pretty weak.

This emoticon does nothing to explain how shocked I am that someone just made that statement. SHOCKED.

Spicelon · Post by **Spicelon** » 28 Jul 2008 15:50

A Thing of Eternity wrote:
Spicelon wrote:After Destination: Void, I think the followups with Bill Ransom were pretty weak.
This emoticon does nothing to explain how shocked I am that someone just made that statement. SHOCKED.

I know, I am badd.

orald · Post by **orald** » 28 Jul 2008 15:58

A Thing of Eternity wrote:
Spicelon wrote:After Destination: Void, I think the followups with Bill Ransom were pretty weak.
This emoticon does nothing to explain how shocked I am that someone just made that statement. SHOCKED.

Indeed!

Mr. Teg · Post by **Mr. Teg** » 29 Jul 2008 10:27

Spicelon wrote:After Destination: Void, I think the followups with Bill Ransom were pretty weak.

Same here.

A Thing of Eternity · Post by **A Thing of Eternity** » 29 Jul 2008 11:49

Mr. Teg wrote:
Spicelon wrote:After Destination: Void, I think the followups with Bill Ransom were pretty weak.
Same here.

You guys are killing me! How can you not love those books just for the style of prose alone? I can grasp not loving Lazarus or Ascension, but TJI? Was there anything in particular you guys didn't like or was it just an over sense of not being drawn in/liking it? I know you guys have good taste (you like Dune, hate new Dune - that prooves it in theory

) I'm just curious as to why you didn't like these, because they come in close second for me.

Spicelon · Post by **Spicelon** » 29 Jul 2008 12:14

A Thing of Eternity wrote:
Mr. Teg wrote:
Spicelon wrote:After Destination: Void, I think the followups with Bill Ransom were pretty weak.
Same here.
You guys are killing me! How can you not love those books just for the style of prose alone? I can grasp not loving Lazarus or Ascension, but TJI? Was there anything in particular you guys didn't like or was it just an over sense of not being drawn in/liking it? I know you guys have good taste (you like Dune, hate new Dune - that prooves it in theory ) I'm just curious as to why you didn't like these, because they come in close second for me.

To be honest, it's been a long, long time since I read them, and I wouldn't
rule out a re-read.

From what I remember, after D:V the books resembled more of an
sinister/adventure story and weren't really presenting any new BIG ideas,
something I prefer from FH. I could be wrong, though. I firmly DO
remember not being drawn in when I read them, for whatever reason. I
have read the White Plague and Dosadi, and I distinctly remember liking
them more than the DV books.

Post by **Freakzilla** » 29 Jul 2008 12:30

I didn't much like TJI. I guess I was expecting more of Ship to be in it. Other than that I can't really put my finger on anything. It's been so long since I read the rest of that series I can't remember them.

Now that I've finished reading all six of FH's Dune books at the same time, I may pick up where TJI left off.

Post by **Freakzilla** » 29 Jul 2008 12:57

Baraka Bryan wrote:
Freakzilla wrote:I didn't much like TJI. I guess I was expecting more of Ship to be in it. Other than that I can't really put my finger on anything. It's been so long since I read the rest of that series I can't remember them.

Now that I've finished reading all six of FH's Dune books at the same time, I may pick up where TJI left off.

the D:V books have been elusive to me. I've tried to get them out of either library system i'm in and they have no copies. and having just moved to Toronto, i don't know where a good used book store is. AToE... you're in TO right, do you know of any?

I think I have them all in electonic format.

Post by **Freakzilla** » 29 Jul 2008 13:15

Baraka Bryan wrote:
Freakzilla wrote:
Baraka Bryan wrote:
Freakzilla wrote:I didn't much like TJI. I guess I was expecting more of Ship to be in it. Other than that I can't really put my finger on anything. It's been so long since I read the rest of that series I can't remember them.

Now that I've finished reading all six of FH's Dune books at the same time, I may pick up where TJI left off.

the D:V books have been elusive to me. I've tried to get them out of either library system i'm in and they have no copies. and having just moved to Toronto, i don't know where a good used book store is. AToE... you're in TO right, do you know of any?
I think I have them all in electonic format.
reaaalllllyyyyy...

I don't have them here at work but I'll try to send them to you tonight. If you don't get them by morning, remind me.

Spicelon · Post by **Spicelon** » 29 Jul 2008 13:37

Freakzilla wrote:
Baraka Bryan wrote:
Freakzilla wrote:I didn't much like TJI. I guess I was expecting more of Ship to be in it. Other than that I can't really put my finger on anything. It's been so long since I read the rest of that series I can't remember them.

Now that I've finished reading all six of FH's Dune books at the same time, I may pick up where TJI left off.

the D:V books have been elusive to me. I've tried to get them out of either library system i'm in and they have no copies. and having just moved to Toronto, i don't know where a good used book store is. AToE... you're in TO right, do you know of any?
I think I have them all in electonic format.

PM sent.

A Thing of Eternity · Post by **A Thing of Eternity** » 29 Jul 2008 13:45

Baraka Bryan wrote:
Freakzilla wrote:I didn't much like TJI. I guess I was expecting more of Ship to be in it. Other than that I can't really put my finger on anything. It's been so long since I read the rest of that series I can't remember them.

Now that I've finished reading all six of FH's Dune books at the same time, I may pick up where TJI left off.

the D:V books have been elusive to me. I've tried to get them out of either library system i'm in and they have no copies. and having just moved to Toronto, i don't know where a good used book store is. AToE... you're in TO right, do you know of any?

No, I'm in Van. Sorry.

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Frank Herbert's worst novel

Frank Herbert's worst novel

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