The Santaroga Barrier (1968)

An unusual story that promised more than it delivered. Didn't like the ending. I was hoping for more. ( )

...I guess thematically and stylistically The Santaroga Barrier is a book of it's time. It leans very heavily on the ideas Herbert used as an inspiration. What makes this book stand out is the depth of these ideas. To Herbert they were not merely interesting concepts. He delved deeply and conveyed part of that interest and understanding in this book. It does not have the epic scope and wide variety of themes of the Dune saga but of all his works outside that setting, The Santaroga Barrier is probably the most underrated. It's a short but challenging read. If you are looking to explore Herbert's work beyond Dune, this book would be a good choice.

Full Random Comments review ( )

This is my favorite Herbert novel, besides Dune, and it's a deceptively simply story of a young man trying to find out why the valley where his girl hails from is so singularly insular. Natives are not friendly to outsiders, products from the valley don't travel well, and outside businesses just never get off the ground. Herbert built levels with his character names and the time period invites some speculation about various types of hallucinogenics (LSD is a specific reference), but there's more to the apparent hive mentality. Besides, it's all about the Jaspers. ( )

A clinical psychologist, Dasein, is sent to investigate an insular town, and reunite with the love of his life, who is a local there. Previous investigators have had fatal "accidents" and he soon has two, but Dasein's connection with this girl keeps him alive, and allows him to discover the drug-like secret that binds that town together and unites it against the rest of the country.

There is the characteristic Herbert incisive psychology pervading this, and characters fleshed out more than the standard sci fi fare. But ultimately this is little more than a story about an unusual drug, with only a whiff of science fiction, and any tension generated by the attempts on Dasein's life get rather repetitive after a while and predictable after a while. I also felt that the discussion of the drug jaspers wasn't a million miles away from the spice melange in Dune, and so I was frustrated by the lack of originality here.

In srhort, this novel is mildly interesting for its faintly sci fi exploration of drugs and addiction, and the connection between consciousness and unconsciousness, but ultimately, I found it all a tad dull and disappointing. ( )

An investigator is sent to a town to find out why advertising and marketing is a complete failure there.

Soon, he discovers a substance that they take, and also falls foul of an increasing number of accidents.

A place that really doesn't like being sold, and prefers to shop local.

http://notfreesf.blogspot.com/2008/12/santaroga-barrier-frank-herbert.html ( )