David H. - , reviewed on 4/30/2016 + 174 more book reviews

One of the 20th Century Classics of Science Fiction by a master stylist, this novel is amazing for two otherwise unexpected plot devices: the Catholic Church is depicted in its long-traditional but mostly undiscussed role as the keeper of knowledge and inquiry; and the novel contains a modern re-telling of the Story of the Wandering Jew as an ambiguous character who directs (or maybe doesn't) efforts to keep the old ways alive. A fascinating novel, a great story re-told, a brilliant tour de force. Miller wrote only two or three novels and story collections, all worth finding and keeping. His second novel, "Saint Leibowitz and the Wild Horse Woman", is a strangely compelling re-telling of the Walter Reade novel about Abelard and Heloise, "The Cloister and the Hearth"; if you know that book, then Miller's re-telling is one to investigate; if you don't know Reade's book, the reading Miller's may lead you to the worthwhile effort read Reade's.

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