Dune Messiah
by Frank Herbert · first published 1969
36% recommend49% neutral15% critical
Why HN recommends it
Sequel that completes Dune's story: it shows the cost of the hero's journey and the danger of trusting a supreme leader or predicting the future. Suits readers of Dune who want Herbert's full intent.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
Book Two in the Magnificent Dune Chronicles—the Bestselling Science Fiction Adventure of All Time Dune Messiah continues the story of Paul Atreides, better known—and feared—as the man christened Muad’Dib. As Emperor of the known universe, he possesses more power than a single man was ever meant to wield. Worshipped as a religious icon by the fanatical Fremen, Paul faces the enmity of the political houses he displaced when he assumed the throne—and a conspiracy conducted within his own sphere of influence. And even as House Atreides begins to crumble around him from the machinations o
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In my opinion: Yes! Here's the advice I give to people about the entire Dune series: Read Dune. If you don't like it, stop. Read Dune Messiah. If you don't like it, stop. Read Children of Dune. If you liked Messiah you'll probably like this as well. Read God Emperor of Dune. This one stands alone. Lots of people hate it. Whether you like…
on “The Secret History of Dune” ↗Dune, Dune Messiah and Children of Dune by Frank Herbert are my favorites. the sequels God Emperor, Heretics of Dune and Chapterhouse were good as well but I like the 1st three the most. Dune was about how people shouldn't…
on “Ask YC: What's the most inspiring sci-fi book you've read?” ↗Those who walk away from omelas. The left hand of darkness. Foundation series. Blodchild and other stories. Enders game. Dune. God emporer of dune. Dune chapterhouse. Dune messiah. The traitor baru cormorant. World war z. Ursula K le guin. Octavia Butler. Isaac Asimov. Philip K Dick. Frank Herbert. Etc.
on “Satellites give clues about the coming global harvest” ↗The original is an absolute classic, but the first sequel, Dune Messiah is probably also worth reading - without it, you don't really get a good picture of what Herbert has to say about the hero's journey.
on “Dune Genesis (1980)” ↗I don't think I could get through all 6 books again. I did read all of the prequels and "Dune 7" but they were utter crap (not written by Frank Herbert but based on his notes). Dune, Dune Messiah, and Children of Dune are worthwhile. But the sex-witches-fleeing-the-machines combined with everybody's a Kwizatz Haderach got a little tiresome. (I now picture Oprah gleefully shouting, "You're a Kwisatz…
on “Why reading a book 100 times is a great idea” ↗Read Dune and Dune Messiah together, and then skip the rest and read God Emperor of Dune. That more-or-less provides what you need.
on “Dune, 50 years on” ↗My personal recommendation, if you like the first, is to at least read the next two (Dune Messiah and Children of Dune). If you're still liking the series, finish the next three (the tone does change with God Emperor and again with the last two). It should be noted, the first three books form a trilogy.…
on “Ask HN: What are you reading this weekend?” ↗…been Alejandro Jodorowsky's Dune if so inclined.) Watch the Sci-Fi Channel's Frank Herbert's Dune. (Probably watch the Villeneuve Dune due out in December this year.) If you happened to like it, read Dune Messiah and Children of Dune. You'll probably like these books as well. (If you didn't like Dune, it's okay to stop here.) Watch the Sci-Fi Channel's Children of Dune. If you happened to like those, try God…
on “Mentat Wiki: exploring ways to become a better thinker” ↗Do read Dune Messiah, the sequel to Dune. I believe it was written specifically for those who failed to get the negative implication from Dune. Hence, it was not so well received. It is my favourite in the series (well,…
on “Dune Genesis (1980)” ↗> it's also the kind of book that should never have had a sequel The first two books are meant to be read as one. I recommend, at minimum, Dune and Dune Messiah.
on “Dune, 50 years on” ↗If you've already sloged through Dune Messiah and Children of Dune then you should consider giving God Emperor of Dune a chance because it's very different from the first two sequels. The setting has dramatically changed, so there is a lot of new…
on “Dune, 50 years on” ↗…Democrat, the local paper for the region in which I now live.) I interviewed him several times, and, in a small way, we became friends. His ideas came to influence me deeply. I had always loved Dune and Dune Messiah, and especially the idea that predicting the future too closely can lead to a kind of paralysis. But the deeper I went, the more substance I found. Ecology, mysticism, and a kind of hard-headed insistence…
on “The Secret History of Dune” ↗Not sure if we still need a "spoiler alert" for 1969, but if you've read Dune without also reading Dune Messiah, you've unfortunately missed the whole point. The first book is merely a setup. If I may be allowed to mix my sci-fi metaphors, "It's a trap!" The first novel was never intended by Herbert to be "self-contained",…
on “In Dune, Paul Atreides led a jihad, not a crusade” ↗I agree. I found the sequels both not as compelling and harder to read than the original (the notable exception being Dune Messiah, which was still quite interesting and closer to the original): Plans within ploys within ruses within plans for pages on end, contemplations of a literal Godking in an even more distant future made the…
on “Dune, 50 years on” ↗…exception of REAMDE (which I personally found rather forgettable). I would also recommend Dune, but unlike some of the other commenters, I would recommend the entire series. At the very least, read Dune and Dune Messiah together. (I found the first 100 pages or so of Dune a bit tough going, but once you get into it, it's fantastic.)
on “Neal Stephenson – Announcing Termination Shock” ↗