I read this book immediately after Dune. It skipped ahead several years as Paul had already been on the throne for a while. I think the overarching theme of this book was Paul becoming disgusted with what he had done. He had set himself up as a god and launched a jihad across the galaxy.
This jihad had been in Paul’s visions in the first book. He kept saying how he saw armies conquering worlds flying his banner. You could clearly see how it repulsed him, but he went ahead with it anyway. I believe Paul, deep in his heart, wanted to do the right thing for Arrakis, the Fremen, and his family. What he ended up doing was becoming the thing he abhorred, the emperor.
I’m not sure at what point in the story that Paul formed his plan to become the preacher and disappear. He knew the attack on him was going to come and he didn’t find a way out of it. He met the danger head on knowing he would lose his eyes. It could have been when Chani died and he couldn’t make himself go on anymore.
I was disappointed with the way the book ended. I don’t believe Paul would commit suicide because he lost the love of his life. I’m pretty sure he had a plan, but it remains hidden.
