Play Book Tag discussion

A Canticle for Leibowitz byWalter M. Miller Jr. - 5 stars - My Review

“Listen, are we helpless? Are we doomed to do it again and again and again? Have we no choice but to play the Phoenix in an unending sequence of rise and fall?” – Walter M. Miller, Jr., A Canticle for Leibowitz

This book is a trio of interrelated episodes, set hundreds of years apart. All are set in the Leibowitz Abbey, a monastery in the southwestern desert of what was formerly America. The first episode opens in the 26th century, 600 years after the Flame Deluge has wiped out most of civilization. The remaining people are largely illiterate. Some are deformed due to radiation fallout. The monks of the abbey, working by candlelight, are dedicated to preserving the written Memorabilia of the pre-apocalyptic society, which Leibowitz, a 20th century scientist, tried to preserve during the Flame Deluge. The book closes in the 38th century.

The narrative is filled with irony. For example, the monks carefully preserve documents that the reader will recognize as a shopping list, common circuit diagram, and portions of Einstein’s Theory of Relativity. They cannot tell the trivial from the profound, so they preserve everything. The author explores the relationships among religion, scientific knowledge, and humankind’s violent inclinations. It is rich in symbolism, subject to a variety of interpretations, and can be read on many levels. There are theological, historical, literary, scientific, political, and ethical overtones, which may be analyzed or ignored depending on the reader’s inclinations.

Due to the subject matter, it will not come as a surprise that this book is not cheery, but the dark humor, irony, and tiny rays of hope help soften it. There are only a few women and children depicted, but when they appear, their impact is significant. The reader may want to keep a Latin translation tool handy. Published in 1959, it is obviously influenced by the Cold War era, but holds up remarkably well. It is thought-provoking, well written, and deserving of its status as a classic of apocalyptic science fiction.

I looked this book up recently because it was mentioned in A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World, which I enjoyed very much. I'm glad to see that you enjoyed it.

It will remain on my radar.

I loved this one, too! I remember when I asked for it at the library, the library staff person had to descend into the bowels of the library to find it. I guess it doesn't get a lot of circulation! Maybe this will help it get more love for a sci fi classic.

I also loved this one. I needed some handy dandy articles to help explain all the symbolism to me, but it was great! So glad you enjoyed it!

I know I read this when I was a teen, but can remember nothing about it. Perhaps it's time for a reread. I am not sure why I put 2 stars here--I must have tried to reread it and didn't like it nearly as much as I did the first time.