Gary F. (garythefowler) reviewed A Canticle for Leibowitz (St. Leibowitz, Bk 1) on + 65 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
Excellent and groundbreaking novel, constantly in print since first in 1959. Three sections: postapocalyptic North America, 26th century, after the "simplification," and deep in a dark age; 600 years later, when "memorabilia" faithfully preserved in an isolated monastery becomes the seed for the resurrection of lost information and technology; and 600 years after that, when... Well, ya just gotta read it!
While it slow in a few places it give a wonderful view of humanity and how we do not change. I am also partial to any book that takes organized religion seriously.
Gerhard O. (nccorthu) reviewed A Canticle for Leibowitz (St. Leibowitz, Bk 1) on + 569 more book reviews
A Very interesting story. Read it 40 or so years ago and always remembered it. I think people will like it
Thought provoking and imaginative.
Naiche A. (Naiche) reviewed A Canticle for Leibowitz (St. Leibowitz, Bk 1) on + 91 more book reviews
I have very mixed feelings about this book.
In the first section (it's written in three sections), it's centered around a post-nuclear war Catholic monastery which has attempted to retain as much of the knowledge and technology of the pre-war era as it can get its hands on, with mixed and hilarious results. This section is witty, provocative, and an interesting and thoughtful exploration of both the positive roles of the church as a stabilizing and civilizing force in barbaric times and the negative roles of the church as closed-minded and focused on rote repetition. It's also very funny.
However, the following sections of the book, however, lose this nuanced view and the theme turns into: "What is really wrong with all human societies is that they don't follow the (specifically Catholic) church" and "Without the Catholic church, humans are doomed to despair and savagery". I found this a little hard to swallow, and the depiction in the later sections of the book of Catholic leaders as universally wise, principled, and self-deprecating was a little much. I found these sections both less interesting and less believable.
Overall, I'm glad I read it, but I can't overwhelmingly recommend it.
In the first section (it's written in three sections), it's centered around a post-nuclear war Catholic monastery which has attempted to retain as much of the knowledge and technology of the pre-war era as it can get its hands on, with mixed and hilarious results. This section is witty, provocative, and an interesting and thoughtful exploration of both the positive roles of the church as a stabilizing and civilizing force in barbaric times and the negative roles of the church as closed-minded and focused on rote repetition. It's also very funny.
However, the following sections of the book, however, lose this nuanced view and the theme turns into: "What is really wrong with all human societies is that they don't follow the (specifically Catholic) church" and "Without the Catholic church, humans are doomed to despair and savagery". I found this a little hard to swallow, and the depiction in the later sections of the book of Catholic leaders as universally wise, principled, and self-deprecating was a little much. I found these sections both less interesting and less believable.
Overall, I'm glad I read it, but I can't overwhelmingly recommend it.
Big fan of post apocalyptic, but didn't really enjoy this book.
Down the long centuries afte the Flame Deluge scoured the earth clean, the monks of the Order of St. Lebowitz the Engineer kept alive the ancient knowledge. In their monastery in the Utah desert, they prserved the perecious keepsakes of their founder: the blessed blueprint, the sacred shoppping list, and the holy shrine of Fallout Shelter.
Watched over by an immortal wanderer, they witnessed humanity's rebirth from ashes, and saw reenacted the eternal drama of the strggle between light and darkbess,life and death.
Watched over by an immortal wanderer, they witnessed humanity's rebirth from ashes, and saw reenacted the eternal drama of the strggle between light and darkbess,life and death.
