High-Opp

De: Frank Herbert

Narrado por: Scott Brick

Published posthumously, this dystopian novel was written between Frank Herbert's classics The Dragon in the Sea and Dune.

EMASI! Each Man a Separate Individual! That is the rallying cry of the Seps, the resistance force engaged in a class war against the upper tiers of a society driven entirely by opinion polls. Those who score high, the High-Opps, are given plush apartments, comfortable jobs, every possible convenience. But those who happen to be low-opped live crowded in warrens, facing harsh lives and brutal conditions.

Daniel Movius, ex-senior liaitor, rides high in the opinion polls - until he loses everything, brushed aside by a very powerful man. Low-opped and abandoned, Movius finds himself fighting for survival in the city's underworld. There, the opinion of the masses is clear: It is time for a revolution against the corrupt superprivileged - and every revolution needs a leader.

©2012 Herbert Properties, LLC (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Dystopia at its best

Looking for a good psychological political thriller? Looking for an intelligent, well developed, intelligent protagonist? Looking for someone who knows their weakness and uses it to their own advantage? And then you’ll love this book.

Entertaining beginning to end

Scott Brick is one of my favorite narrators and I’ve been a Dune fan since I picked up the first book. Seeing High-Opp appear on the included list and it being just over six hours long, it was a perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

fantastic

Scott Brick is one of the greatest narrators. He has brought this dystopian novel to life in a poignant way.

Deep State? Inevitable.

Somewhat dated, in that paper documents and fax machines are key technology, but this was written shortly after 1955. Good story, good performance. It's not "Dune", but still a good ride with some interesting exploration of philosophical concepts about the cyclical nature of society/civilization.

Rage against the machine

Frank Herbert's High-Opp although published posthumously in 2012, was written sometime in the decade between 1955 and 1965. In this futuristic dystopian world, the evolution of computerized polling methodologies has led to opinion polls (the 'Opp' part) to replace elections. This has created a caste system where 'high-opp' individuals (connected with high-opp activities) live as elites, while the low-opps struggle to survive. The main character, Dan has been low-opp'd after a rising star career. This leads him not only to the Sep (short for separatists) movement / resistance as well as other high-opp individuals each fighting to retain their positions and control. He also learns that the polling system has become compromised and that he was specifically low-opp'd so the 'coordinator' could move in on his girl. As a result, he takes over the ragtag band of separatists and reorganizes them to an effective insurgency.

Herbert was prescient for that era (early 60's) in recognizing the evolving sophisticated polling methodology to drive societal preferences by asking questions in specific ways. He also forecasted the growing degree of inequality as a driver for social resentment. Lastly, the developed check and balances in the dispersed governmental structures serve to not only create conflicts among the various bureaus, but also allows for gaming the system to take advantage of the lack of information flow.

The narration is well done with excellent character distinction. Pacing is smooth making for a quick listen.