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The Heaven Makers
Kelexel, an immortal alien, journeys to Earth to make sure his colleagues have not been interfering with that planet's affairs
240 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1968
221 people are currently reading
1156 people want to read
About the author
Frank Herbert
547 books16.5k followersFranklin Patrick Herbert Jr. was an American science fiction author best known for the 1965 novel Dune and its five sequels. Though he became famous for his novels, he also wrote short stories and worked as a newspaper journalist, photographer, book reviewer, ecological consultant, and lecturer.
The Dune saga, set in the distant future, and taking place over millennia, explores complex themes, such as the long-term survival of the human species, human evolution, planetary science and ecology, and the intersection of religion, politics, economics and power in a future where humanity has long since developed interstellar travel and settled many thousands of worlds. Dune is the best-selling science fiction novel of all time, and the entire series is considered to be among the classics of the genre.
The Dune saga, set in the distant future, and taking place over millennia, explores complex themes, such as the long-term survival of the human species, human evolution, planetary science and ecology, and the intersection of religion, politics, economics and power in a future where humanity has long since developed interstellar travel and settled many thousands of worlds. Dune is the best-selling science fiction novel of all time, and the entire series is considered to be among the classics of the genre.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
December 14, 2020
While this doesn't reach the heights of Dune, nor does it really overlap at all, this novel closely follows the classic's publication, so it bears mention.
Here's the skinny: it's a novel about immortality, boredom, and the draw that us short-lived mortals hold for the long-lived.
Granted, I've read an armful of books about this subject and have watched many movies that do the same, but this IS Frank Herbert. His take on it is not only solid -- but complicated. One of the main characters is a psychologist, after all, and this isn't a stylistic fluke. Herbert prods and pokes at everything, not just psychosis and murder investigation, but the hindbrain stuff that spreads across species and race. This is still the '60s-level science, mind you, but it reads like a psychological thriler.
It's fun and fast and obviously of heavy interest to us mortals. It's no simple cash grab despite the short length. Murder mystery? Immortality? Boredom? Sex? Yes.
Definitely worth the read, and if it hadn't been by this master writer that people have been fixated on for Dune, this one might have been heralded as a classic in its own right.
Here's the skinny: it's a novel about immortality, boredom, and the draw that us short-lived mortals hold for the long-lived.
Granted, I've read an armful of books about this subject and have watched many movies that do the same, but this IS Frank Herbert. His take on it is not only solid -- but complicated. One of the main characters is a psychologist, after all, and this isn't a stylistic fluke. Herbert prods and pokes at everything, not just psychosis and murder investigation, but the hindbrain stuff that spreads across species and race. This is still the '60s-level science, mind you, but it reads like a psychological thriler.
It's fun and fast and obviously of heavy interest to us mortals. It's no simple cash grab despite the short length. Murder mystery? Immortality? Boredom? Sex? Yes.
Definitely worth the read, and if it hadn't been by this master writer that people have been fixated on for Dune, this one might have been heralded as a classic in its own right.
May 17, 2014
Frank Herbert is of course best known for his science fiction epic Dune, arguably the bestselling science fiction book of all time.
"The Heaven Makers" is about 1/3 the size of Dune, about 1/5 as complicated, and feels stylistically very much like a mass market sci-fi paperback, the kind of thing you can find 100 of in any used book store.
However, Frank Herbert does something really unusual in "The Heaven Makers." It's complicated and philosophical, but it's also gripping and hard to put down. The philosophical questions the book raises about immortality, corruption, and whether we are alone in this universe are fascinating and compelling. The most unusual and original alien I have come across in a long time.
While some books tackle hard issues but have very thin characters, "The Heaven Makers" is populated by characters who feel pretty real and whom you come to care about.
Bottom line, because the book is short it isn't as good as Dune, but it does the very best it can with its chosen medium. It's like a Doctor Who episode without the silly plot twists and lot more punch.
"The Heaven Makers" is about 1/3 the size of Dune, about 1/5 as complicated, and feels stylistically very much like a mass market sci-fi paperback, the kind of thing you can find 100 of in any used book store.
However, Frank Herbert does something really unusual in "The Heaven Makers." It's complicated and philosophical, but it's also gripping and hard to put down. The philosophical questions the book raises about immortality, corruption, and whether we are alone in this universe are fascinating and compelling. The most unusual and original alien I have come across in a long time.
While some books tackle hard issues but have very thin characters, "The Heaven Makers" is populated by characters who feel pretty real and whom you come to care about.
Bottom line, because the book is short it isn't as good as Dune, but it does the very best it can with its chosen medium. It's like a Doctor Who episode without the silly plot twists and lot more punch.
September 2, 2021
This is a book for everyone who feels like we are not really in control of our lives. In it, Herbert posits that a group of immortal aliens, struggling against the ever-present weight of boredom, have been secretly manipulating events on earth for thousands of years in order to provide entertainment dramas for their race. These aliens are responsible for humans becoming civilized, developing religion, fighting with each other on both a grand and personal scale, and basically everything else that has ever happened on our planet. One of the major storylines of the story involves an investigator coming from the alien government to learn why the owner of this planet (and the creator of these most famous entertainment spectacles) is still interested in this planet after thousands of years. The answer to that is the great mystery of the novel.
The second plot is more personal. It focuses on a psychologist (Herbert loves to have psychologists as main characters) whose ex-girlfriend’s father has just murdered her mother with a saber. This psychologist has just suffered an accident involving radiation which damaged his eyes. The unique eyeglasses that correct his damaged vision also permit him to see through the cloaking devices of the aliens and notice them. The psychologist attempts to find out how and why the aliens are playing with people’s emotions and causing so much damage.
It's a very enjoyable story, but the first storyline involving the alien investigator really doesn’t stand up to scrutiny. The aliens have been watching stories about humans for many thousands of years and can’t wait for the next ones to come out. Why then is it surprising that the creator of these stories is also still interested thousands of years later? Yet, without that investigation, the whole novel falls apart, so you have to look past that and just enjoy the ride.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
The second plot is more personal. It focuses on a psychologist (Herbert loves to have psychologists as main characters) whose ex-girlfriend’s father has just murdered her mother with a saber. This psychologist has just suffered an accident involving radiation which damaged his eyes. The unique eyeglasses that correct his damaged vision also permit him to see through the cloaking devices of the aliens and notice them. The psychologist attempts to find out how and why the aliens are playing with people’s emotions and causing so much damage.
It's a very enjoyable story, but the first storyline involving the alien investigator really doesn’t stand up to scrutiny. The aliens have been watching stories about humans for many thousands of years and can’t wait for the next ones to come out. Why then is it surprising that the creator of these stories is also still interested thousands of years later? Yet, without that investigation, the whole novel falls apart, so you have to look past that and just enjoy the ride.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
October 6, 2017
گاهی خیلی نامفهوم و گنگ میشد
July 27, 2025
Another well written book by Herbert. This one has some solid classic SF themes but bears Herbert's signature fascination with cultures, individuals and outlier behaviours.
Kelexl (or something like that, I kept reading it as Axolotl) is a member of a group of immortal aliens, who has been sent by a policing organisation to investigate a superstar of movie/3D entertainments on a planet far from their home.
As an immortal, heavily regulated civilisation, this species consistently struggles against the ever-present, crushing weight of boredom, this particular operator has been suspected many times of breaking contact and intervention laws but all the investigators report that everything is fine. This does little to allay suspicion however, as they all leave the organisation as soon as they have turned in their report and decamp to their own planets. His provided entertainment dramas, which his race adores, include wars, violence and immoderate religions. We learn they are responsible for humans developing civilisation in the first place.
Our investigator from the alien government is seeking malpractice which exists, but in a way that surprises both him AND the reader.
The second plot is one developed by the alien to distract the investigator: It focuses on a psychologist whose ex-girlfriend’s father murders his wife in the most gory fashion, and by demanding his presence involves him in the affair, charging him to protect his daughter (from what and why? we never really are told).
Now this guy, still in love with his ex, has had an accident involving radiation which damaged his eyes. The unique eyeglasses that correct his damaged vision also permit him to see through the cloaking devices of the aliens and notice them. This is the second, and better developed of the stories.
Far from flawless, I did enjoy the concept of the entirely amoral aliens but I felt that with a species wide sensory net allowing individuals to monitor other peoples emotions AND with all the time in the universe, they may have been a bit more subtle. Though the arrogance seemed likely. I could have done with more aliens and less humans, but still a good interesting story from an excellent author who was heavily into the speculative nature of classic SFF.
Kelexl (or something like that, I kept reading it as Axolotl) is a member of a group of immortal aliens, who has been sent by a policing organisation to investigate a superstar of movie/3D entertainments on a planet far from their home.
As an immortal, heavily regulated civilisation, this species consistently struggles against the ever-present, crushing weight of boredom, this particular operator has been suspected many times of breaking contact and intervention laws but all the investigators report that everything is fine. This does little to allay suspicion however, as they all leave the organisation as soon as they have turned in their report and decamp to their own planets. His provided entertainment dramas, which his race adores, include wars, violence and immoderate religions. We learn they are responsible for humans developing civilisation in the first place.
Our investigator from the alien government is seeking malpractice which exists, but in a way that surprises both him AND the reader.
The second plot is one developed by the alien to distract the investigator: It focuses on a psychologist whose ex-girlfriend’s father murders his wife in the most gory fashion, and by demanding his presence involves him in the affair, charging him to protect his daughter (from what and why? we never really are told).
Now this guy, still in love with his ex, has had an accident involving radiation which damaged his eyes. The unique eyeglasses that correct his damaged vision also permit him to see through the cloaking devices of the aliens and notice them. This is the second, and better developed of the stories.
Far from flawless, I did enjoy the concept of the entirely amoral aliens but I felt that with a species wide sensory net allowing individuals to monitor other peoples emotions AND with all the time in the universe, they may have been a bit more subtle. Though the arrogance seemed likely. I could have done with more aliens and less humans, but still a good interesting story from an excellent author who was heavily into the speculative nature of classic SFF.
September 26, 2022
An interesting and well written story, built from the core concept of Immortality and the impact that would have on a civilisation/race.
This story boasts some really interesting psychological concepts, as well as a handful of scenes that absolutely nailed the sense of horror that would come from alien contact.
Much like a lot of older science fiction, and Herbert's work in general I suppose, this is an "idea story". The characters - however well they served the story and it's themes - weren't much to write home about, and just a week after finishing this story I have already forgotten their names.
This is a minor complaint though, and I knew enough to somewhat expect this.
Overall this was very interesting and engaging and I will certainly be reading more from Herbert in the future, both the rest of the Dune series and more of his standalone novels.
This story boasts some really interesting psychological concepts, as well as a handful of scenes that absolutely nailed the sense of horror that would come from alien contact.
Much like a lot of older science fiction, and Herbert's work in general I suppose, this is an "idea story". The characters - however well they served the story and it's themes - weren't much to write home about, and just a week after finishing this story I have already forgotten their names.
This is a minor complaint though, and I knew enough to somewhat expect this.
Overall this was very interesting and engaging and I will certainly be reading more from Herbert in the future, both the rest of the Dune series and more of his standalone novels.
April 22, 2022
Gorgeous writing!
Ever felt like someone was pulling your strings? Or, watching you?
This is a ‘what if’ scenario which serves as a platform to explore our notions of autonomy, morality and mortality.
Great characters, both alien and human, great dialogue and philosophising of the thought provoking rather than the pontificating variety. It speaks to the human in us all.
Ever felt like someone was pulling your strings? Or, watching you?
This is a ‘what if’ scenario which serves as a platform to explore our notions of autonomy, morality and mortality.
Great characters, both alien and human, great dialogue and philosophising of the thought provoking rather than the pontificating variety. It speaks to the human in us all.
July 9, 2023
"What is time to the Chem?"
"Time is our toy."
The Chem, immortal humanoid aliens, are bored - they have all the time in the world and not much to do with it. For centuries they've been mucking up the lives of humans on Earth for sport and recreation: starting wars, causing natural disasters, dramas of all types. They gather around to watch from their screens in the sky.
Humans = Alien ant farm.
While the book shows its age in several sections (namely sexism and hyper-sexualization of the sole woman character), there are some cool concepts here surrounding first contact. I liked the switches in perspective from the Chem and from the human side.
Definitely not the epic that Herbert is known for, but if you're curious about some of his lesser known / minor works, this one is a quick read that piques interest.
"Time is our toy."
The Chem, immortal humanoid aliens, are bored - they have all the time in the world and not much to do with it. For centuries they've been mucking up the lives of humans on Earth for sport and recreation: starting wars, causing natural disasters, dramas of all types. They gather around to watch from their screens in the sky.
Humans = Alien ant farm.
While the book shows its age in several sections (namely sexism and hyper-sexualization of the sole woman character), there are some cool concepts here surrounding first contact. I liked the switches in perspective from the Chem and from the human side.
Definitely not the epic that Herbert is known for, but if you're curious about some of his lesser known / minor works, this one is a quick read that piques interest.
April 15, 2012
short and sweet classic herbert
wasn't sure at first seemed a little dated but thankfully stuck with it and realised like most of herberts (non dune) works that the plot is really a vehicle for the themes he explores...really enjoyable and has a very satisfying finish. probably his most accessable book i've read
wasn't sure at first seemed a little dated but thankfully stuck with it and realised like most of herberts (non dune) works that the plot is really a vehicle for the themes he explores...really enjoyable and has a very satisfying finish. probably his most accessable book i've read
August 19, 2016
A classic. Ludicrously described on the cover as "a gripping novel of the far future" while the action centres on 1960s mid-America (plus aliens), but don't let publishers put you off. The techno trappings are well enough done -- though we'd imagine micro-drones nowadays, for instance -- but the real focus is on individual and group psychology ... of humans and Chem.
One of Herbert's best.
One of Herbert's best.
December 22, 2025
Extremely male (often gratuitously so), which is pretty surprising because I feel like Frank Herbert can write women and their stories well (or at least much better than this). Kinda boring, some philosophical ideas about free will, but not great overall.
February 28, 2022
Really delightful little sci-fi book, with some interesting meditations on existentialism. Basically, it is the Epic of Gilgamesh themes but in science fiction. It was quite a lovely universe of ideas Herbert had here. It seems like he didn't fully know where he wanted to go with them story-wise and so didn't stick with the world, but I wish he would have. Oh well. Book didn't end as well as it started, but a pleasant surprise nevertheless.
December 15, 2020
Heaven Makers is a short sci-fi novel that was originally serialized in a magazine. It’s a much simpler concept than the Dune series so don’t expect the complexities of the Atreides family in this one. It’s a pretty straightforward story but Herbert does a good job in writing in those introspective thoughts and questions about life along with minor criticisms of government that are prominent in a lot of his books. While it may not be his best or most famous work it’s worth the read for how short it is.
I was extremely close to giving this book 3 stars when I first started it because I was not connecting or liking the characters of the Chem one bit. Thankfully that changed. Not that the Chem became more likable, the reader was just introduced to the human world and we spent more time learning about the human characters than the Chem. For immortal beings, you’d think they would be more interesting but the humans were far more entertaining which in essence makes a whole lot of sense since that’s what the Chem were using humans for. Their own personal entertainment.
I enjoyed the book the most when we were following along with the two lead human characters; Andy and Ruth. They were smart, strong-minded people who were easy to like off the bat. Probably a big reason why the Chem focused on their particular story. As the Chem are immortal beings they needed all the entertainment they could get to put off boredom. Earth was just a series of Netflix shows for them.
Andy plays the role of the psychologist in a small town where there’s been a tragic murder by his ex-lover’s father. His ex-lover is Ruth who becomes the target of a Chem’s affections but none of these humans know of the Chems or the role they play in the lives of humans. But, Andy is immune to the Chem’s tricks and sees them consistently out of the corners of his eyes. As he struggles with his own possible insanity he deals with the insanity of the murder that Ruth’s father committed.
Herbert is not one to write a story without underlying themes and discussions of life concepts. Through Andy, the psychologist, he hits on multiple theories of the human psyche. Through the Chems, he hits on the theme of immortality. There’s a lot more of these interesting concepts he manages to fit into less than 200 pages. It’s a short enough read to find out what they are yourself.
I was extremely close to giving this book 3 stars when I first started it because I was not connecting or liking the characters of the Chem one bit. Thankfully that changed. Not that the Chem became more likable, the reader was just introduced to the human world and we spent more time learning about the human characters than the Chem. For immortal beings, you’d think they would be more interesting but the humans were far more entertaining which in essence makes a whole lot of sense since that’s what the Chem were using humans for. Their own personal entertainment.
I enjoyed the book the most when we were following along with the two lead human characters; Andy and Ruth. They were smart, strong-minded people who were easy to like off the bat. Probably a big reason why the Chem focused on their particular story. As the Chem are immortal beings they needed all the entertainment they could get to put off boredom. Earth was just a series of Netflix shows for them.
Andy plays the role of the psychologist in a small town where there’s been a tragic murder by his ex-lover’s father. His ex-lover is Ruth who becomes the target of a Chem’s affections but none of these humans know of the Chems or the role they play in the lives of humans. But, Andy is immune to the Chem’s tricks and sees them consistently out of the corners of his eyes. As he struggles with his own possible insanity he deals with the insanity of the murder that Ruth’s father committed.
Herbert is not one to write a story without underlying themes and discussions of life concepts. Through Andy, the psychologist, he hits on multiple theories of the human psyche. Through the Chems, he hits on the theme of immortality. There’s a lot more of these interesting concepts he manages to fit into less than 200 pages. It’s a short enough read to find out what they are yourself.
November 21, 2024
Herbert’s non Dune books are more miss than hit. I can only recommend two- Soul Catcher and The White Plague. I didn’t know “The Heaven Makers” existed until last year. I sat down to read it with the hopes that this might be the third book outside the Dune Saga to get a recommendation.
Sadly, this was not to be.
It has some interesting ideas but his habit of writing characters with deep psychological issues and putting them in the present day (well the late 60’s) just never seems to mesh. It works fine in the far future dynasties of Dune, not so fine in a 20th century family with trashy beginnings. The premise of the book is that we are all playthings of advanced aliens and are often molded into who we are by them. This doesn’t help.
There’s also a very unpleasant section where an alien uses mind control to make an earth woman his lover. I really hated this part.
I wanted to like it, it’s just not for me.
Sadly, this was not to be.
It has some interesting ideas but his habit of writing characters with deep psychological issues and putting them in the present day (well the late 60’s) just never seems to mesh. It works fine in the far future dynasties of Dune, not so fine in a 20th century family with trashy beginnings. The premise of the book is that we are all playthings of advanced aliens and are often molded into who we are by them. This doesn’t help.
There’s also a very unpleasant section where an alien uses mind control to make an earth woman his lover. I really hated this part.
I wanted to like it, it’s just not for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2021
This book was so forgettable that I kept finding myself drifting off while literally in the middle of it. It’s certainly not on the same level as Dune, although it does at least include a few different ideas in here, as well as stuff like forbidden love between races.
The characterisation was good and so was the worldbuilding, but the plot left a lot to be desired and as far as enjoyment and “stickability” goes, it was pretty unimpressive. It had the potential to be a great little read but ended up just being one of those that I struggled through so that I could say I got to the end. Interesting to learn a little bit more about Herbert through his writing, though.
The characterisation was good and so was the worldbuilding, but the plot left a lot to be desired and as far as enjoyment and “stickability” goes, it was pretty unimpressive. It had the potential to be a great little read but ended up just being one of those that I struggled through so that I could say I got to the end. Interesting to learn a little bit more about Herbert through his writing, though.
June 30, 2025
با دید تلماسه نباید بهش نگاه کرد داخل کتابخانه دیدم و گفتم کم حجمه بخونم
خلاصه پشتش هم خوب بود
اما هربرت میخوسات زود اشنا بشیم
زود هم تموم کنه
در هاله ای از ابهام
خدابیامرز دوست داشت اذیت کردن رو
خلاصه پشتش هم خوب بود
اما هربرت میخوسات زود اشنا بشیم
زود هم تموم کنه
در هاله ای از ابهام
خدابیامرز دوست داشت اذیت کردن رو
September 13, 2024
weird af
September 16, 2020
This book was an early humans-as-aliens story, building from the premise that we were created by aliens as an amusement to while away eternity. It has some good points, in particular the casual references to historical and religious figures. It has some bad points, which honestly have always made me cringe, but in this more enlightened age are horrid (racial, ethnic and misogynistic slurs).
The tale starts with the arrival of an official Investigator, Kelexel, who was sent to delve into some irregularities in the reporting of the planet where Fraffin creates 3d movies with sensory addition for the amusement of his fellow Chem beings. Interestingly enough, the Chem refer to themselves as "human" and the people of Earth are "creatures" or "subjects" or other terms that relegate them to a lesser status than intelligent, reasoning beings.
The tale continues as Fraffin seeks to discredit the Investigator, aided by his entire movie crew. I can't quite decide if this is a poke at the attempts by Hollywood to change history and our perception of the policitical atmosphere via movies.
Kelexel, like many Chem, feels it is fine to own an Earthling as a pet, in his case sex slave, since they aren't really people. Again, this feels relevant since recent news reports tell of a slave ring here in the United States, selling children as sex objects.
Towards the end of the book, the interaction with the people of the planet affects everyone on the storyship, and the tale comes to a halt with a powerful impact, the conclusion of which is different in this version than in the one I initially read. The author made multiple changes to the story after it was initially released, so that is to be expected.
Overall, a very good story with powerful points that show ways we could improve socially and personally. How can you dislike someone who grows even as they protest that they are perfect?
The tale starts with the arrival of an official Investigator, Kelexel, who was sent to delve into some irregularities in the reporting of the planet where Fraffin creates 3d movies with sensory addition for the amusement of his fellow Chem beings. Interestingly enough, the Chem refer to themselves as "human" and the people of Earth are "creatures" or "subjects" or other terms that relegate them to a lesser status than intelligent, reasoning beings.
The tale continues as Fraffin seeks to discredit the Investigator, aided by his entire movie crew. I can't quite decide if this is a poke at the attempts by Hollywood to change history and our perception of the policitical atmosphere via movies.
Kelexel, like many Chem, feels it is fine to own an Earthling as a pet, in his case sex slave, since they aren't really people. Again, this feels relevant since recent news reports tell of a slave ring here in the United States, selling children as sex objects.
Towards the end of the book, the interaction with the people of the planet affects everyone on the storyship, and the tale comes to a halt with a powerful impact, the conclusion of which is different in this version than in the one I initially read. The author made multiple changes to the story after it was initially released, so that is to be expected.
Overall, a very good story with powerful points that show ways we could improve socially and personally. How can you dislike someone who grows even as they protest that they are perfect?
April 16, 2021
If you’d like to ruin mythology and faerie lore, this is the perfect book, if criminal twists wrapped up in sci-fi novels is you flavor, this is the book for you. The story plays around two human beings in love. One has had her family destroyed by gnomes called the Chem, the other is a distant progeny of the Chem. The story unwinds down a corridor of unknowns and legends throughout human history and also toying with paranoia that everyone feels of being watched and controlled by aliens. (An especially common theme in the birth of Hard Science Fiction)
In the end I did want to give this story 5 stars but it should be noted the racial language is outdated in one chapter and that a paragraph about Jesus Christ easily could have been removed from this story to brighten the fiction. The fact that those are in there may cause many readers to glaze over a fulfilling story that truthfully kept me interested.
If you can manage to get through the shear confusion of the first few chapters you will be in for a roller coaster ride and a novel treat.
In the end I did want to give this story 5 stars but it should be noted the racial language is outdated in one chapter and that a paragraph about Jesus Christ easily could have been removed from this story to brighten the fiction. The fact that those are in there may cause many readers to glaze over a fulfilling story that truthfully kept me interested.
If you can manage to get through the shear confusion of the first few chapters you will be in for a roller coaster ride and a novel treat.
January 21, 2017
Well... I still don't like the manner of writing ( it is kind of disgusting for me) but may be it is the translator's fault. The book itself appeared to be very interesting, made me rethink about some existential problems I thought I already had answer to. What is it like to be an eternal being? On which stage of your eternal life moral dogma's borders "normal" people have become to fade away or you just born with this way of thinking? What is madness? What is freedom? ... This book really leaves you things to think about even if you're an adult and already "have all the answers". Definitely, "The Heaven Makers" is a very good choice for a thinking person.
October 7, 2023
a different Frank Herbert story
I have never read this and I have followed the author since the 60’s. A great psychological story of trusts and turns of alien being who think they are gods using earth and humans as toys.
I have never read this and I have followed the author since the 60’s. A great psychological story of trusts and turns of alien being who think they are gods using earth and humans as toys.
January 30, 2020
Loved it. My favorite passage: If I was put here at the whim of some superbeing who wants to watch me squirm - I'm not giving him the satisfaction!
August 8, 2024
"We never actually attain a thing. We merely approach various conditions."
July 1, 2011
Brilliant, as expected from Frank Herbert.
December 28, 2020
Read on Aug 17. 3.5/5 stars. Recommended science fiction suspense novel.
First... Goodread blurb mega spoilers will ruin any review, usually ruin any book. But that's why I talk so little about books I am reviewing on Goodreads. They've already done the heavy lifting by spoiling the book in the blurb. Now, about The Heaven Makers...
An immortal being, much like a police investigator, visits another immortal being who's profession, of sorts, is providing stories. Immortality is such a long time. Boring! The "story teller" controls Earth, or one such planet with a Berlin and other common Earth names. The investigator is playing an undercover merchant bent on entrapping the story teller in some illegality among their race of immortals. He knows the criminal behavior is there. Not precisely, but again, immortality is a long time and one develops a sense for such things almost as acute as hearing or seeing.
The story teller character has been probed exactly this way by dozens of undercover detectives before this one arrived. This one is such a bore, but he is disrupting operations.
When I trained to be a writer one of the first things I learned is a story is two dogs fighting over a bone. No story gets much more complicated in reality. But in reviewing the details, an author weaves, twists, diverts, and does slight of thought tricks to keep the reader interested. This can and often stretch the author's mind, burning as many calories in brainpower as any marathon runner burns calories. This often leaves the author ravenously starving & exhausted after such machinations over imaginations of how, when, where, what, and who has the most advantage over possessing the bone at the end of any given scene.
At dinner, even during sleep... who among these hallucinations of people will do what to cause such grief during tomorrow's scene, which may go this way... perhaps better if it goes that way.
Then we reviewers sit down and say the author's 4 weeks, 6 months, or as in George Martin's case, after decades of hallucinations, "You've earned 4 stars." Perhaps we scribble out 500-1500 words on why, we, the consumers of hallucinations decide how well we suspended our disbelief against the author's hallucinations of what their pretend characters did... imaginary characters who they may have even cried over, or wanted to murder, but couldn't because they needed that creepy ass in a scene two days ahead of this day's hallucinations.
The Heaven Makers is a excellent book, even exquisite. 5 stars? Is it as good of Frank Herbert's Dune? Compare one of his novels to another of his novels? What are we comparing to when we hand out our ratings?
🤔🤨
Second... this is grandmaster Frank Herbert. So 3.5/5 is rounded up. Probably to 5, but I'm odd with math sometimes, particularly when it comes to review star ratings. I can always recommend Frank Herbert, even without reading it.
This book, while I did both read the ebook and listen to the audiobook simultaneously, it was a first for me in completing an audiobook I had purchased from Chirp Audiobooks! Great deal! $3 for the audiobook. AND performed by no less than Scott Brick! I had the ebook.
I HATE DRM. THAT'S THEFT IMO. I've yet to crack Chirp audiobook DRM, but I will, eventually, then I will actually own the books I pay for! Sorry, pet peeve. Not like I publish them for anyone to steal. I would like to HAVE the one I bought though. Meanwhile, I keep buying their bargain books that are so often irresistible.
First... Goodread blurb mega spoilers will ruin any review, usually ruin any book. But that's why I talk so little about books I am reviewing on Goodreads. They've already done the heavy lifting by spoiling the book in the blurb. Now, about The Heaven Makers...
An immortal being, much like a police investigator, visits another immortal being who's profession, of sorts, is providing stories. Immortality is such a long time. Boring! The "story teller" controls Earth, or one such planet with a Berlin and other common Earth names. The investigator is playing an undercover merchant bent on entrapping the story teller in some illegality among their race of immortals. He knows the criminal behavior is there. Not precisely, but again, immortality is a long time and one develops a sense for such things almost as acute as hearing or seeing.
The story teller character has been probed exactly this way by dozens of undercover detectives before this one arrived. This one is such a bore, but he is disrupting operations.
When I trained to be a writer one of the first things I learned is a story is two dogs fighting over a bone. No story gets much more complicated in reality. But in reviewing the details, an author weaves, twists, diverts, and does slight of thought tricks to keep the reader interested. This can and often stretch the author's mind, burning as many calories in brainpower as any marathon runner burns calories. This often leaves the author ravenously starving & exhausted after such machinations over imaginations of how, when, where, what, and who has the most advantage over possessing the bone at the end of any given scene.
At dinner, even during sleep... who among these hallucinations of people will do what to cause such grief during tomorrow's scene, which may go this way... perhaps better if it goes that way.
Then we reviewers sit down and say the author's 4 weeks, 6 months, or as in George Martin's case, after decades of hallucinations, "You've earned 4 stars." Perhaps we scribble out 500-1500 words on why, we, the consumers of hallucinations decide how well we suspended our disbelief against the author's hallucinations of what their pretend characters did... imaginary characters who they may have even cried over, or wanted to murder, but couldn't because they needed that creepy ass in a scene two days ahead of this day's hallucinations.
The Heaven Makers is a excellent book, even exquisite. 5 stars? Is it as good of Frank Herbert's Dune? Compare one of his novels to another of his novels? What are we comparing to when we hand out our ratings?
🤔🤨
Second... this is grandmaster Frank Herbert. So 3.5/5 is rounded up. Probably to 5, but I'm odd with math sometimes, particularly when it comes to review star ratings. I can always recommend Frank Herbert, even without reading it.
This book, while I did both read the ebook and listen to the audiobook simultaneously, it was a first for me in completing an audiobook I had purchased from Chirp Audiobooks! Great deal! $3 for the audiobook. AND performed by no less than Scott Brick! I had the ebook.
I HATE DRM. THAT'S THEFT IMO. I've yet to crack Chirp audiobook DRM, but I will, eventually, then I will actually own the books I pay for! Sorry, pet peeve. Not like I publish them for anyone to steal. I would like to HAVE the one I bought though. Meanwhile, I keep buying their bargain books that are so often irresistible.
March 3, 2023
The Heaven Makers is a short novel, but which encapsulates the essence of another facet of Frank Herbert, his cruelty. He is able to do what few authors can: to write compelling empathetic characters, then completely ignore their importance or feelings in order to tell stories bigger than any of them. It was thus with Dune, and yes Pandora, although I hated that series. Most authors are either in love with their characters and can't get the story right because it would inconvenience their infatuation, others are sadistic torturers of their characters in order to get a cheap thrill. Some manage to get trough by telling a personal story, one they can't change much and which they know exactly how it felt. I believe that Herbert is neither of these. His characters are not incidental to the story, but neither are they the pillars of the plot. He uses them like others would write about chairs or the weather.
This book is about an alien abduction and, indeed, it plays like that for most of its length. Only to then clobber the reader with a deep deep philosophical musing about the meaning of life, the value of death and both the insignificance and paramount importance of the individual in relationship with society and eternity. The style is quite archaic, the setup something that feels from the 50s rather than the end of the 60s, the small American town, the slice of life that one might imagine many American authors to write about. And yet, Herbert's unique way of thinking rises like a giant even in this book which seemingly is a serialized work for a magazine.
I mentioned the style, which is sometimes hard to swallow, but there are several other things that make this book less than it could have been. The characters are really, really weird. Forget the aliens. The people Herbert describes feel autistic, the world they live in small, limited and petty. They are not bad characters or formulaic, they're just nuts.
Bottom line: I think the book is a must read for a Frank Herbert fan, but it is neither his best or his worst work. A patchwork of deep philosophy and poor worldbuilding, great ideas and caricaturesque characters, it is short enough to be read quickly and enjoyed for the brilliant bits in it.
This book is about an alien abduction and, indeed, it plays like that for most of its length. Only to then clobber the reader with a deep deep philosophical musing about the meaning of life, the value of death and both the insignificance and paramount importance of the individual in relationship with society and eternity. The style is quite archaic, the setup something that feels from the 50s rather than the end of the 60s, the small American town, the slice of life that one might imagine many American authors to write about. And yet, Herbert's unique way of thinking rises like a giant even in this book which seemingly is a serialized work for a magazine.
I mentioned the style, which is sometimes hard to swallow, but there are several other things that make this book less than it could have been. The characters are really, really weird. Forget the aliens. The people Herbert describes feel autistic, the world they live in small, limited and petty. They are not bad characters or formulaic, they're just nuts.
Bottom line: I think the book is a must read for a Frank Herbert fan, but it is neither his best or his worst work. A patchwork of deep philosophy and poor worldbuilding, great ideas and caricaturesque characters, it is short enough to be read quickly and enjoyed for the brilliant bits in it.
December 22, 2023
Aunque empecé la lectura de este libro con mucha expectativa, e incluso me pareció interesante en las primeras páginas, al avanzar en su lectura/audición, la historia me resultó bastante decepcionante. A partir de la mitad del libro como que levanta un poco el nivel, pero no deja de dar la impresión de ser un libro que ha envejecido muy mal. Haciendo un símil con la pelis antiguas, parece menos que una peli Serie B, pero de las malas malas.
El estilo de este curioso y decepcionante libro me ha hecho acordar más al de Philip K. Dick de aquellos años (pero un Dick muy muy menor, al estilo de "Ubik"), que a un libro de Herbert. No se puede creer que Frank Herbert, que más o menos en la misma época escribió masterpieces como los libros de "Dune" o "Los creadores de Dios", haya escrito esto. Sí podría haber sido un libro de Dick, que era muy desparejo: podía escribir una masterpiece en forma más o menos contemporánea a un libro absolutamente olvidable...
La historia narrada es muy dickeana, sin la menor cordura interna, y con una estética que hace chirriar los dientes: una especie extraterrestre inmortal, cuyos individuos tienen el aspecto de enanos contrahechos, ha tomado posesión de la Tierra desde tiempos inmemoriales y manipulan la historia y las voluntades de los hombres a su antojo, y como simple entretenimiento para su aburrimiento "filman" pelis de acontecimientos históricos, o macabros en general, para difundir entre los miembros de su especie como si fuera algo así como una Serie de tv... El desenlace, previsible en el contexto de Serie B en que se desarrolla la historia, deja la impresión de que: o bien el autor nos ha tomado el pelo todo el tiempo, o bien es un escritor de cuarta, o alguna droga, de las que se administraban muchos de los intelectuales y escritores de la época, le quemó el cerebro.
Escuché "Los Hacedores de Paraisos", en versión traducida en forma automática por el traductor de Google a partir del epub en italiano, usando el sintetizador de voz de Google, desde la app lectora de epubs de mi celular en la opción de audiolectura. La traducción se entiende bien en general, pero requeriría una buena pasada de corrección por lectura.
El estilo de este curioso y decepcionante libro me ha hecho acordar más al de Philip K. Dick de aquellos años (pero un Dick muy muy menor, al estilo de "Ubik"), que a un libro de Herbert. No se puede creer que Frank Herbert, que más o menos en la misma época escribió masterpieces como los libros de "Dune" o "Los creadores de Dios", haya escrito esto. Sí podría haber sido un libro de Dick, que era muy desparejo: podía escribir una masterpiece en forma más o menos contemporánea a un libro absolutamente olvidable...
La historia narrada es muy dickeana, sin la menor cordura interna, y con una estética que hace chirriar los dientes: una especie extraterrestre inmortal, cuyos individuos tienen el aspecto de enanos contrahechos, ha tomado posesión de la Tierra desde tiempos inmemoriales y manipulan la historia y las voluntades de los hombres a su antojo, y como simple entretenimiento para su aburrimiento "filman" pelis de acontecimientos históricos, o macabros en general, para difundir entre los miembros de su especie como si fuera algo así como una Serie de tv... El desenlace, previsible en el contexto de Serie B en que se desarrolla la historia, deja la impresión de que: o bien el autor nos ha tomado el pelo todo el tiempo, o bien es un escritor de cuarta, o alguna droga, de las que se administraban muchos de los intelectuales y escritores de la época, le quemó el cerebro.
Escuché "Los Hacedores de Paraisos", en versión traducida en forma automática por el traductor de Google a partir del epub en italiano, usando el sintetizador de voz de Google, desde la app lectora de epubs de mi celular en la opción de audiolectura. La traducción se entiende bien en general, pero requeriría una buena pasada de corrección por lectura.
August 19, 2025
Herbert is a great writer and deserves to be known for more than Dune.
This book opens with a covert observers who has been carefully set up by an agency to visit the facility of a famous media artist in order to uncover any illegalities in his practices. The reader forms a very clear and not very complementary image of the investigator (name, sound like Klaxon). We learn a little in natural increments from inside his head about the advanced, interstellar, virtually immortal civilization from which he comes. Now, the way Herbert sets up this early part it is not instantly obvious that we are talking about an alien civilization and I think he blurs those lines very cleverly.
It becomes clear that the planet that is being manipulated in order to provide entertainment for the aliens is Earth. An Earth contemporary Earth to the time of writing and from here on the plot focuses on several humans whose lives are changed by the aliens in numerous, mostly highly unpleasant ways. The aliens have 'rays' they use to manipulate people into doing things, and the things the aliens find entertain tend toward to gory and violent. Not of this is illegal or what the investigator is looking for however - his species cares nothing about other races which they consider as purely useful for their entertainment and whims.
After setting up the aliens so subtly, I was a tiny bit disappointed that the majority of the book stayed with various humans. Toward the end, when human and alien converge there are a few elements that have dated a little bit, but overall I got the feeling that Herbert was actually referencing several themes that are still of contemporary social interest. There is a huge element of slavery debate, and personal autonomy. Morality and whether longevity is likely to result in an excessively self centric world view.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, maybe not his best written, it has got a whole heap of really fascinating speculative notions, a few wild explorations of classic SF themes and some very interesting aliens.
This book opens with a covert observers who has been carefully set up by an agency to visit the facility of a famous media artist in order to uncover any illegalities in his practices. The reader forms a very clear and not very complementary image of the investigator (name, sound like Klaxon). We learn a little in natural increments from inside his head about the advanced, interstellar, virtually immortal civilization from which he comes. Now, the way Herbert sets up this early part it is not instantly obvious that we are talking about an alien civilization and I think he blurs those lines very cleverly.
It becomes clear that the planet that is being manipulated in order to provide entertainment for the aliens is Earth. An Earth contemporary Earth to the time of writing and from here on the plot focuses on several humans whose lives are changed by the aliens in numerous, mostly highly unpleasant ways. The aliens have 'rays' they use to manipulate people into doing things, and the things the aliens find entertain tend toward to gory and violent. Not of this is illegal or what the investigator is looking for however - his species cares nothing about other races which they consider as purely useful for their entertainment and whims.
After setting up the aliens so subtly, I was a tiny bit disappointed that the majority of the book stayed with various humans. Toward the end, when human and alien converge there are a few elements that have dated a little bit, but overall I got the feeling that Herbert was actually referencing several themes that are still of contemporary social interest. There is a huge element of slavery debate, and personal autonomy. Morality and whether longevity is likely to result in an excessively self centric world view.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, maybe not his best written, it has got a whole heap of really fascinating speculative notions, a few wild explorations of classic SF themes and some very interesting aliens.
June 9, 2024
Firstly, I will start with why I read this book. I had came across it while at a book store and being a fan of Dune I decided to read the back of the book and see what it was about. Upon reading this summary I was enticed by the idea of an alien species called the Chem observing the stories of Earth and many other planets for a form of staving off boredom. With this I bought the book and brought it home with me.
Now I will go over what the book was like.
The story began with the world of the Chem to establish the reader into the world they are peering into. The establishment of the Chem and why they are interested in the world of Earth. The story further goes onto the underlying story currently being told on Earth from the perspective of the humans.
This point of view builds the background for the “play” that is being told to the Chem and how its human actors are being influenced from the Chem. The book alternates between the view of a Thurlow, a human psychologist and the view of Kelexel snd Fraffin.
These aspects of the story were interesting to read but there were a few lacking sections in the book. The stage that Fraffin had set up in the background seemed to be more of a throw away plot to give a reason for the main aspects of the story. It felt like it would not even be something that the Chem would normally enjoy compared to the other plots Fraffin is supposedly responsible for. Furthermore, the lack of what seemed to be overall explanation of some aspects of the technology which was something I was looking forward to. This second one is more of something I was disappointed in but the first one seemed like a lacking aspect of the book.
Overall I would recommend it as a short read that provides an interesting idea on “UFOs are watching” and how they would probe our society. But it was more on the lines of implying this than actually showing this to us on a major scale.
Now I will go over what the book was like.
The story began with the world of the Chem to establish the reader into the world they are peering into. The establishment of the Chem and why they are interested in the world of Earth. The story further goes onto the underlying story currently being told on Earth from the perspective of the humans.
This point of view builds the background for the “play” that is being told to the Chem and how its human actors are being influenced from the Chem. The book alternates between the view of a Thurlow, a human psychologist and the view of Kelexel snd Fraffin.
These aspects of the story were interesting to read but there were a few lacking sections in the book. The stage that Fraffin had set up in the background seemed to be more of a throw away plot to give a reason for the main aspects of the story. It felt like it would not even be something that the Chem would normally enjoy compared to the other plots Fraffin is supposedly responsible for. Furthermore, the lack of what seemed to be overall explanation of some aspects of the technology which was something I was looking forward to. This second one is more of something I was disappointed in but the first one seemed like a lacking aspect of the book.
Overall I would recommend it as a short read that provides an interesting idea on “UFOs are watching” and how they would probe our society. But it was more on the lines of implying this than actually showing this to us on a major scale.
November 4, 2024
Herbert, in my opinion, delivers once again. The Chem were being written as a venture to question life, our emotions, our morality, and our mortality. Herbert questions society by having Kelexel question himself, ultimately forcing the reader to grapple with our own infinite circle. Even in a perfectly evolved life, as the Primacy or Imperial America falsely believe, there is a humanness in each of us that questions what would we do for liberation. Liberation from death, from oppression, from society, from an endless circle repeating on and on with no seeming or appearing end. A broken mind talking with an intellectually competent psychologist may be convinced death is liberation, and in Kelexel’s case it is. His death liberates the wild Chem and put an end to Fraffin’s Nazi-esque, potentially Epstein inspired terror hold on earth. But please question yourself what it means for us. For those who put down the book and are now left to think, what would end the snake eating itself? What is your own infinite circle that you cannot liberate yourself from? For me right now it is the guilt I feel for living in a country that acts like Fraffin. While he started war out of boredom our oligarchs do it for the right price. While he blackmailed and entrapped fellow Chem investigating him our oligarchs do the same for the right price. While he captures, films, and disseminates human angst, death, hurt, betrayal, destruction, loss, etc. our oligarchs give us phones, t.v.’s, radios, and social media to watch the same exact fucking thing, always for the right price. This is not the sole theme of The Heaven Makers, nor do I believe it is what Herbert initially set out to do, but this is how it currently rings with me and I’ll liberate myself for a moment by recording on Good Reads how a 182 page book made me feel on a Sunday in the beginning of November.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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