God Emperor of Dune is the fourth book in the Dune series by Frank Herbert and it takes a different track than the previous stories. Its predecessors were stories about a myriad of characters that were all vying for power. In this book, there is only one character with power and they have had it for over 3500 years. Leto II, son of Paul Muad Dib, has transformed into a mostly giant, mostly immortal sandworm that has only the face of the boy that became a god remaining. While there are other characters and we get to listen in on their endeavors the book has a much more singular vision than any of the books that came before. This is signified by the quotes that begin each chapter. In the previous books, the quotations were from a variety of sources and about a variety of topics but in God Emperor of Dune, all of the quotes are from Leto's lost journals that were obviously found by someone. No matter what occurs in the book it is all in relation to the God Emperor and this gives the book a more streamlined narrative that is easier to follow.
The God Emperor has been in complete control of the known universe with his powers of foresight, his control over the supernatural spice melange, and his army of devoted female soldiers. At the beginning of the story, we find out that he has been continually resurrecting versions of his faithful military commander Duncan Idaho, who was turned into a Ghola, or clone, for the first time in the second book and by now has been recreated hundreds of times. Each one is slightly different than the last but all of them seem to develop fatal flaws that see them sabotaging their own survival but this iteration of Duncan seems different. More cunning, more patient, but equally disgruntled.
Over the 3500 years, the God Emperor has been engaging in two major systems of control. One is a breeding program that selects for characteristics that he deems valuable and just so happens to favor his own family line of Atreides genetics. This breeding program allows him to continuously improve on the effectiveness of his minions, including his all-female army, the Fish Speakers, and his second-in-command Moneo, who was once a rebel but is now his most trusted aid. Moneo and his daughter Siona are both Atreides but Siona is the leader of the current rebellion and seeks the God Emperor's demise. Will she find out how to defeat the despotic God or will she be converted to his side like her father?
The other form of control is through his militant religion that takes despotism to a new and terrifying level. He rules with sheer force and destroys those that offend him. His prescient vision allowed him to plan his attacks with brutally effective countermeasures and win aggressive strategic victories. Some of his subjects attempt to conceal their actions while feigning allegiance, while others simply comply to his every whim knowing he will see their treachery coming. Previously powerful families and factions are reduced to simple pawns of the Emperor and his rule is complete, or is it? Can a living god live forever or are there flaws to be exploited?
God Emperor of Dune is like previous entries in that its characters are drawn with elaborate detail and they come alive as we learn of their emotions, motives, and vulnerabilities. If you like Frank Herbert's writing then this does not stray from that form but it is different in that the intrigue comes from a central place that spreads outward instead of the peripheral power struggles in the past that all were leading toward an assumed central location. The God Emperor Leto II is that central location and has occupied that position for long enough to shape the rest of human history. The Golden Path is still his goal but his grasp on it is slipping.
This entry might be my favorite so far and I really enjoyed the political and psychological philosophy it demonstrates. Eternal conflicts of power justified through moral reasoning and the way the powerful manipulate others to see their goals met are major themes in this book. How the powerful see themselves as above their subjects and how subjects always rebel against tyranny are lessons that this book illuminates. Human motivations can often be short-sighted but true wisdom comes from the vision to see the long game. If you are reading the Dune series then I think you will enjoy this book and I recommend the series in general. It is a sci-fi masterpiece so far and I can't wait to read the next one.
Read my previous reviews of Dune books here:
