A Canticle for Leibowitz

Written in 1959, Miller's post apocalypse story is as relevant and meaningful in 2007 as when first off the press. Richly layered, even to the form of the book following the form of a canticle, this book is frightening yet hopeful, both at the same time. One phrase singing over and over in my mind is "man's attempt to maximize security and minimize suffering". Isn't that what our Inner Child...more

Written in 1959, Miller's post apocalypse story is as relevant and meaningful in 2007 as when first off the press. Richly layered, even to the form of the book following the form of a canticle, this book is frightening yet hopeful, both at the same time. One phrase singing over and over in my mind is "man's attempt to maximize security and minimize suffering". Isn't that what our Inner Child screams constantly? Another thought from Canticle...except for brief appearances (a 2 headed mutant, allusions to "Emily" and a couple of pregnant radioactive women) there are no females in the book. Hmmmm....   hide

In which LAV finally gets around to a sci-fi classic. I can tell right from the first chapter just how much I'll like this, and why.

This is an amazing and disturbing look into human nature. I highly recommnd it for those of you that have a taste for post-apocalyptic fiction.

Just re-read this book, since I was feeling all doom-and-gloom, end-of-the-world, apocalyptic anyway. So. Good. It's a 1960 sci-fi book about life after a global nuclear war.

The definitive post-nuclear holocaust sci-fi novel. It's basically a retelling of the European Dark Age following the destruction of civilization in a nuclear war. It is broken up into three sections corresponding to time periods several hundred years apart: - Fiat Homo ("Let There Be Man"), in which all remaining knowledge is retained and transmitted by a small order of monks who...more

The definitive post-nuclear holocaust sci-fi novel. It's basically a retelling of the European Dark Age following the destruction of civilization in a nuclear war. It is broken up into three sections corresponding to time periods several hundred years apart: - Fiat Homo ("Let There Be Man"), in which all remaining knowledge is retained and transmitted by a small order of monks who memorize and recopy pre-war texts. In this age, the aftermath of the war is interpreted in biblical/superstitious terms (e.g., princes striking each others' kingdoms with flaming swords, God's wrath causing genetic mutations). - "Fiat Lux" ("Let There Be Light"), in which a renaissance of learning and rationality occurs. In the background, kingdoms formed from the ruins of civilization battle for dominion of the American continent.- "Fiat Voluntas Tua" ("Thy Will Be Done"), in which the world is more advanced than it was prior to the war, but now stands again on the brink of another nuclear war.   hide

I love post-apocalyptic reads. This is one of the best.... the spirit lives on!

As a novel this is greatly entertaining, well constructed, and fun to read. What nagged me throughout, however, is that Miller obviously harbors some quite pessimistic views about science that are in pretty sharp relief in this novel.* The tone readable between the lines comes across as a little alarmist, and doesn't really do justice to the issue of scientific and technological responsibility....more

As a novel this is greatly entertaining, well constructed, and fun to read. What nagged me throughout, however, is that Miller obviously harbors some quite pessimistic views about science that are in pretty sharp relief in this novel.* The tone readable between the lines comes across as a little alarmist, and doesn't really do justice to the issue of scientific and technological responsibility. If you don't mind that, though, or if you can put it aside and take it as given, it's a good read. *He expounds on these views in the notes to the collection of short stories Beyond Armageddon: Twenty-One Sermons to the Dead, which anyone who's into the genre should enjoy, although I believe it's out of print.   hide

Really relevant read, looking at the path we are heading.

Excellent classic!