So I finished the God emperor of dune, and while I enjoyed it for the most part certain points are quite jarring. I think my two biggest issues are the nonsensical word vomit of Leto in dialogue and the obsession with Sex.

I think about 1/4 of the quotes really landed and when they did they were pretty good, but the other times it felt like watching a comedy of a senile sapient elephant and his zoo keeper trying not to get squashed in the interactions. He talks gibberish and any attempt to call him out is always turned around except for Malky. I’m sure it adds to the mystique but most of it felt like white noise.

Then the books CONSTANTLY talks about sex; men being gay is trauma while women being gay is fine? Duncan’s surprise homophobia despite being with fremen who wouldn’t have cared less, and finally Leto’s homicidal sexually frustrated rage about not having a wiener when he has all of human history from his ancestors and didn’t once think about foreplay with his hands and mouth? If you want to discuss such topics that’s fine, but I’d expect some actual research into it if you’re going to make grand statements.

Overall I love the perspective of Leto but hated the actual events which felt foolish for an adult and a post human do get into a jealous rivalry. Good book but I’m not picking it up to trudge through the nonsense again

I have started on the book after watching the movies and a question arose to which I cannot find an explanation. Why do people not use shields? By that I do not mean energy shields, but rather large shields made of common materials to block strikes. It would seem an easy solution especially to the style of fighting shown to us in the books.

Is there a logical explanation for why such a form of protection is never used?

Forgive the grainy vr camera, please 😅