| | Herbert's novels are amazing because he takes the longest view of human history I have ever seen in a writer. He explores such matters as jihad, environmentalism, feudalism, religious orders, drug use, terrorism, political assassination, eugenics, cross-cultural misunderstandings, sexuality and so forth, and integrates them with intricate plots, and extremely well developed characters. His characters are brilliant but flawed, rather than Randian ideals. His politics is realpolitik rather than eutopian. In this sense his work is more naturalistic than Romantic, yet one still roots for his heroes and loves to despise his villains. While Rand and Tolkien each exceed him in their way, his backstories are textured and layered in the manner of Tolkien, and his plots have Rand-like intricacies.
Consider that Dune was originally published 40 years ago, but it seems ripped from the headlines. How many other sci-fi books of its day would compare?
His White Plague, criticized by some for a plot digression in the middle which allows him to explore the Irish national character, tells another story which might be ripped from the headlines, a biologist who sees his family killed by ethnic terrorists designs a plague meant to destroy the feuding countries, but which inevitably spreads, with world-shattering results.
None of his novels are simple fun or Grisham-like page turners. Some investment is required. But the investment is repaid with dividends.
Ted Keer
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