Interesting concepts but incoherent.

Humans had some character development. The aliens not so much. Lacking any coherence! From apparent immortality relying upon mechanical devices.They were apparently all connected in a borg like manner, and yet needed investigators to discover massive infractions?

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classic science fiction

I enjoyed the retro feeling of this book. Quite spell binding. and of course it had to have little green men!

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1 person found this helpful

A bit of a struggle!

I had to really persevere with this audiobook, I have a 30-40 minute commute so rattle through books reasonable quickly but, it was a real trudge to get through it. when I discovered the book was written over 50yrs ago, it made more sense, but numerous times I could have put it down.

The story itself, is of it's time, but still interesting, The narration was my biggest dislike of this particular book. The Dune books can often be confusing as to who is actually talking (due to a mix of narration and cast production) but this was another level, not enough difference in character voices to make it easy to follow.. lose concentration for 10 seconds at a set of lights and you can easily not notice that the chapter is a new and you're listening to a totally different character, then having to rewind to catch up. If in a thoughtful / day-dreamy mood, do not listen to the book, you need to sit and put your concentration head on!!

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The Heaven Makers

Others have said that you really need to concentrate to follow this and it's not a light read but this wasn't my experience. It was pretty easy to follow and definitely not a heavy read.
I do always listen to books somewhere between 1.7 and 2.7 though so perhaps that is why.

I correctly guessed this book was written in the 60's - It just feels very 60's sci fi!

The ideas were interesting although there were a few annoying plot holes. I didn't really feel invested in any of the characters - maybe the psychologist a bit but that's it.

I didn't feel that I had enough understanding of the aliens - both in terms of their species and on an individual level - what is their story? What makes them different to us (other than immortality). Pretty much all we know is that they are immortal, their overriding emotion and motivator is boredom, and they have some technology that we don't have. That's all I've gleaned after the entire book.

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A gem

Thank you Audible for making this book available.

It is the only Frank Herbert I have not been able to find in over 50 years of reading sci-fi/fantasy.

The story line is gripping, what is coming in each chapter is unguessable and the philosophy mind bending.

The cherry on the cake is the inimitable narrator, Scott Brick.

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3 people found this helpful

interesting exploration of mortality and psycholog

this is not a light read.
it was an interesting look into the matter idea of a mortal existence mixed with psychological effects of outside stimulus one both mortal and seemingly immortal beings.

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Starts a little slow

Feels a bit like hard work in the beginning but develops well.
It's not Dune but then nothing is :)

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A fascinating and gripping story

I loved it. First book for ages I haven't been able to put down. A new twist on alien immortals and a planet called earth

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More like purgatory than heaven

None of the characters were sufficiently well developed for me to feel any emotional interest in them. Story is an interesting idea but there was no pacing or drama. I’m a huge fan of the authors dune books (except god emperor) and some of his other works too but this falls well below his usual level. One to miss unless you want to waste 10 hours of your life.

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Great story let down by mediocre reading

From Frank Herbert I expect a fascinating story and this book delivers. I find it prompting questions and considerations that I might seldom or never spend much time on.

Sadly, the reader leaves quite a lot to be desired. The reading is very slow and dull. Only the quality of the story managed to keep me going. I wonder how much better this could be in the hands of a better reader.

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