I wanted to give this book a low rating because the first 70 pages are painfully boring and unintelligible... on the first read and the ending is kind of blah... Nevertheless, it has some unbelievably redeeming qualities (if you're a Dune fanatic)... and I even suspect that these 70 pages might yield whole new insights upon the second reading. I'd even go so far as to say that this is a must read for any serious Dune afficianados because the text provides one more point of entry into that universe... and that is priceless and more than worthy of 4 stars!Actually, It's mind-boggling to me that none of the other commenters have really touched on the fact that this book is so closely related to the Dune Saga. Oddly, most of the reviews like to point out how unrelated this book is to that series. I mean, I know this is actually the 3rd book in another series (which I have absolutely no interest in reading, as it seems the preceeding books expand on the parts of the universe that bored me), but by the time it was over, I was seriously considering (and still am) a re-read of 'Chapterhouse Dune' as further confirmation of my suspicions. In fact, I'm convinced that a back-to-back re-reading of these two books would provide some seriously deep insight into the mythology/origins of some of the pivotal races in the Dune universe.See below my brief/oversimplified thoughts on why I'm convinved that 'The Dosadi Experiment' was, ultimately, Herebert's playground for working out many of his ideas that would later come to fruition in Dune series: ****SPOILER ALERT for this and Dune series books (especially Chapterhouse Dune)****(view spoiler)[The Benegeserit/Honored Maitres = Dosadi-The Dosadi are essentially tested and tempered by the crucible of their own planet-Jedrik is the product of a generations long breeding experiment-When Jedrik and Mckie join, there's the issue of being nearly driven crazy because of the difficulty in managing the linkage to multiple consciousnesses at once. -When Jedrik dies, her consciousness is able to maintian its own space within him and continue to thrive and it is implied that it will be able to 'advise' or posess McKie, as necessary.-Rule through the exploitation of addiction.-The cruel methods of child rearing as a means to an end.-The complex system of hand movemements to convey meaning, not just in battle.-The terse communication methods implying multiple levels of meaning-Wheels within wheels = plots within plotsFacedancers = (forgot their names)-The multifaceted eyes -The abilities to morph into other life forms-The possibility that they might be able to take over the existing bodies without the awareness of their hosts.The Beneteilax = Gowachin-The male priviledge and suppresion of females-The secrecy surrounding the hidden females definitely smacks of the whole axlotl tank mystery. -The idea of a consciousness that can move from body to body to prolong lifespan.-The ritualistic secretive nature of their society. ...and those are just the obvious correlations that I can make without looking too deeply... I keep coming back to one final question though... "what does this book have to say about the idea of men having benegeserit powers?" That Leto I, II and Tig are dangerous, abominations in this respect is one of the main levers for the entire Dune series, and one that is never answered explicitly and I keep trying to figure out if this book gives further insight into where Herebert was going with that, but I can't put my finger on whether this is addressed here via the McKie character (maybe I missed it) without another reading. (hide spoiler)]
I have learned about myself that I don’t (as a principle) like series. This seems to be the new vision of science fiction and fantasy writers as any browsing of new books will see Book 2 of this and number 4 of the series in that. I would like to say to writers, “Present an original idea, say what you want to say, have some fun with it, do it well, and slap a The End on the back and move on to something else.” Now, having said that, I still do read series; too many talented writers are spending too much time making great works, creating interesting characters and having fun (and making money!) with their creations. But a copy of a copy of a copy gets worn out; a fresh idea gets diluted and stale.And so I come to Frank Herbert’s Dune. The original book was a masterpiece, not just of the genre but of literature, it was and remains an amazing achievement. The second book was good, the third pretty good, and the fourth OK, and so on. To the fans of the entire series and I understand that Herbert’s son (?) has continued to sell many books, I say simply “enjoy”. If you like all those books, find in them an inspiration or just an enjoyable diversion from the mundane trials of life, then read on by all means. But I did very much like Dune.And so I come to Frank Herbert’s 1977 novel The Dosadi Experiment. I read a review I liked and recalled the quality of his writing that I had enjoyed so much and thought it time to give him another try, this time away from Arrakis. The idea, that of a social and biological experiment conducted on an epic, planetary scale, is similar in tone, if not style, to Philip K. Dick’s The World Jones Made. But where PKD’s novel is thematically surreal and emblazoned with his signature otherworldliness, Herbert’s novel is darker, more brooding. Herbert sets the stage for a fascinating legal drama , albeit a weird, baffling, alien but nonetheless hypnotic drama. Herbert’s use of mysterious alien legal and cultural frameworks would make Alfred Bester scratch his head, but he somehow pulls it off. Dosadi is much akin to Arrakis, a small world where a spartan, violently simplistic society breeds a possible change agent that may affect everything else.Finally, this makes me think that, along with the Dune novels, that Herbert belongs in the ranks of Dick, LeGuin, and Bradbury and the “soft science fiction” side of the house because unlike hard science fiction Heinlein, Asimov, and Clark, Herbert’s story lines revolve around legal, political. economic and cultural elements and often involve a future so far forward that the plot is purely fantastic.
What do You think about The Dosadi Experiment (2002)?
This may be my favorite of Herbert's books outside of the Dune series and the Jesus Incident trilogy. I almost wish that this universe he created, it could be expanded to a series. Much is left to the imagination and the insinuation of the reader, in a way Herbert does early on with Dune.Many similar aspects between Dune and this universe are seen... chairdogs, Galach language, etc, except that this one includes multiple sentient, and 1 supersentient, species. The overall theme is typical Herbert: the scope of the human condition in fantastic situations. Instead of the geriatric drug of Dune, this takes into account the forced-confinement and resulting advancement of a human/alien binary populous. Very well written, similar in style to the Jesus Incident trilogy in how things are presented: enough to explain, but never enough to really understand without thinking for oneself.
—Chris
What an extraordinarily absorbing work of speculative fiction! 'The Dosadi Experiment' proves, yet again, that Frank Herbert is sf's most profound visionary. The book is like Gnostic overload, so proceed with all due caution. As soon as I started reading 'The Dosadi Experiment' I was soon aware of genuine literary magic effervescing in my giddy, thirsty for more cranium.Saboteur Extraordinary Jori X. McKie, and his convoluted machinations against the mind-jiggering complexities of Gowachin law transmogrifies into a truly immersive and unforgettable tale of multitudinous delights.
—Zantaeus Glom
I almost held this at 3 stars because the first 100 or more pages are terribly slow and the ending was a little odd and flat. However, the parts that take place on Dosadi, the majority of the book, were exciting, fast paced, and interesting. The Dosadi portion and the SF ideas throughout make this an above average book. Herbert throws in a ton of wild concepts, several of which he had already used a form of in his 3 earlier Dune series and refined in later Dune books. Having read Whipping Star prior to this, it was easier to follow some of what transpires. Even so, this isn't an easy read and the plot seems a little ridiculous or comical, but not to the degree of the previous book. I don't think just because someone liked Dune that they would enjoy The Dosadi Experiment. I think this would appeal more to readers that are into lots of SF and philosophical ideas being tossed around while tolerating a below average plot.
—Brad
