A Canticle for Leibowitz

Human civilizations rise and fall over millenia like birth-deaths in some radioactive imitation of reincarnation. Faith in God, preserved by the Catholic Church, is the surviving thread that keeps people going. Such is the premise of A Canticle for Leibowitz. A STORY OF CYCLIC FALLS The story, first published in 1959, opens in our near-future (relative to 1959—around 1980 or so), and covers a stretch of about eighteen hundred years. It is written in three acts, each entitled in Latin. In fact, there is a lot of Latin used in this book, along with Catholic conventions and ideas. The author, Walter M. Miller Jr., was a convert to Catholicism after serving in World War II. Knowing Latin or Catholicism, however, is not necessary to understanding the story, though either would probably help. The first act is set in the Utah desert in a roughly medieval-level world. Brother Francis, a monk of the Leibowitz Abbey, is fasting in solitude for Lent in a rocky outcropping close to the abbey. Enough tropes from post-apocalyptic science fiction are spread around to orient the reader as to time and place. These include familiar place names used with unfamiliar connotations (Brother Francis of Utah), roads of “broken stone,” deformed human wanderers, references to the nuclear apocalypse (”Flame Deluge”), and terms common to us but mystifying to the characters (”fallout shelter” as a place to hide from the fallout creatures). The book’s driving plot device is launched when Brother Francis discovers an old fallout shelter containing artifacts relevant to the life of his abbey’s patron saint candidate, Leibowitz. It seems I. E. Leibowitz was an electrical engineer who converted from science to the Catholic faith. This science/faith duality is a major theme of the book. Most of the first act is Brother Francis coming to terms with the artifacts he has found (which include a blueprint drawn by Leibowitz) and how they affect his vocation, relations with his abbot, the Vatican (in New Rome, North America), and the prospective sainthood of Leibowitz. The second act is set a few centuries later, in 3174 CE, still around the locale of the Leibowitz Abbey in Utah. Technology has not advanced much, but the abbey has become the keeper of ancient knowledge with a vast basement library. Its holdings, especially regarding Leibowitz, is known as “the Memorabilia.” The plot in the second act centers around the work of a visiting scholar, Thon Taddeo. He wants to review the Memorabilia as part of the studies he is doing for New Rome. His work in the dark basement library is facilitated by an arc-lamp built by Brother Kornhoer and powered by several monks pushing a wheel. The light works well, as long as the powering monks can hold out. The science/faith theme comes heavily into play, with an initial tolerance by the adherents of both sides (monks vs scholars). That tolerance breaks down towards the end, however, curiously mediated by the neutral character of the Poet. The third act takes us to the year 3781 CE, when civilization has recovered beyond the technological height it had reached before its previous fall. Now, interstellar space travel is possible. The action still centers around Leibowitz Abbey in Utah, which is now a modern building adjoining the historic one. Humanity has rediscovered nuclear power. When war threatens, the Vatican launches its plan to preserve Catholicism among the human colonies in space. The current Leibowitz Abbey abbot, Dom Jethrah Zerchi, contributes to the working of that plan from his abbey. He must also contend with refugees fleeing a nuclear blast, complicated by the local medical authorities advocating euthanasia for those terminally irradiated. As nuclear war escalates, the book draws to a very metaphysically symbolic end. INTELLECT VS FAITH THEME IN EPIC SCOPE A Canticle for Leibowitz is epic in its scope, connecting characters and themes across millenia. One thread is that of the character, Lazarus, aka: the pilgrim, Benjamin, Old Lazar, and The Old Jew of the Mountains. His life is longer than the span of the story and offers hope for humanity, or disappointment, depending upon how you view his “search.” Also, the death of every major character is presented, both violent and natural. This depicts, I think, the brevity of human life within the cycles of civilizations. While the book is full of characters of faith and obedience to God’s Law, there is no assurance of life beyond death. Only the Lazarus character asserts an immortality of sorts. Even then, the emphasis is on long physical life. This immortality question melds with the science vs faith theme. Lazarus keeps looking for Jesus, but can’t find him. Dom Zerchi braves death with faith, but wavers when his end is certain. Scholars, worshiping science, have to admit their moral bankruptcy when they endorse tyranny for the sake of underwriting their love of tech. As the years progress in a given civilization cycle, it seems the gap between science (intellect) and faith widens. Which side wins? I think Mr. Miller comes down on the side of faith, though with reservations. See if you agree. WELL-HANDLED TROPES FROM 1950S PERSPECTIVE Though long in text and literary scope, A Canticle for Leibowitz is easy to read in spite of all the Latin. There is enough action, suspense, and engaging characters to keep readers engrossed. Those characters are mostly sympathetic, with conflicts coming from differing agendas and opinions rather than just good vs evil. This promotes some thoughtful themes and ideas that linger, possibly even leading to insight. I liked Mr. Miller’s working of post-apocalypse tropes. Though written from a 1950’s viewpoint, the novel reads pretty much like a current one. The projection of tech is evidently old, however, such as the absence of personal computers and the “power switch” nature of the tech described in the last act. I found this quaint and not a problem. EXPRESSIONS OF FAITH IN THE FACE OF NONE A Canticle for Leibowitz reminds me a lot of Neil Shute’s On the Beach in its condemnation of nuclear war’s potential for human extermination. Both novels offer a kind of triumph of the human spirit, though Mr. Shute’s is a spiritual triumph rather than physical. Mr. Miller avers the physical survival of humanity but offers some doubt about a spiritual triumph. He suggests the possibility of delusion. I much liked A Canticle for Leibowitz and agree that it is a classic of its genre (post-apocalyptic science fiction). Its expressions of faith within harsh environments and hopeless situations make it a story likely to resurface in readers’ minds for a long time. As a consideration of the apocalyptic nature of human technical progress, it offers insight, if not hope, for our time.

A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller Jr is a post-apocalyptic science fiction novel written in 1959. The book is a product of its time period. In 1954 the U.S. had completed the nuclear test on Bikini Atoll with a hydrogen bomb that yielded 14.8 megatons. The Soviets followed in 1955 with a 1.6 megaton test. In 1959 the Cold War was heating up. The two superpowers were racing towards mutual destruction. Each of the three stories that comprise A Canticle for Leibowitz, take place approximately 6 centuries apart, at the Abbey of the Albertian Order of Leibowitz, located in the American Southwest. The first third of the book introduces us to the world that is left after the “Flame Deluge”, which was the nuclear war that laid waste to civilization. The Jewish weapons engineer, Leibowitz, founds a Roman Catholic monastery for the purpose of safeguarding and preserving human knowledge. There is a lot of Latin in the story, which adds to the story, but does not detract from the story, if you just skip over those parts. The second section takes place in the 32nd Century and shows humanity struggling to emerge out of the dark ages. The third and last section takes place in the 38th Century. Humanity is again in full technological brilliance and seems ready to give the Earth another nuclear war. Miller does a wonderful job of creating this world with believable characters. The story is dark, with pessimism, but there is also hope and optimism woven in. He examines art, society, the nature of war, the right to life, and euthanasia. This is not your ordinary science fiction story. There is much moral philosophy. It is a deep read, but not one to struggle through. The story carries you along. I highly recommend it.

Hey there, book lovers! It’s your old pal, Ninetoes, coming to you from Ninetoes Loves Books Headquarters. Today, I am looking at Walter M. Miller Jr’s A Canticle for Leibowitz. I have coffee in my system and my thinking cap on, so let’s get to it! In the spirit of transparency, this is my second read of this book. I first read it when I found it at a flea market in 1980. The man I bought it from sang its praises, so I plunked down fifty cents and buckled up for the weekend. I thought I was prepared for this book. I was not…and that is a good thing! The first thing to note about this book is that it is a Post-Apocalyptic novel. It is set around a Catholic monastery in the desert southwest and spans thousands of years. The monastery is the Albertinian Order of Leibowitz, and they are tasked with preserving the knowledge of past scientific knowledge until mankind is ready to use it again. It is comprised of three previously published short stories in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. The stories are: Fiat Homo (Let There Be Man), Fiat Lux (Let There Be Light), and Fiat Voluntas Tua (Thy Will Be Done). It won the 1961 Hugo Award for best science fiction novel. Now, I have to be honest, this book is a bit of a slog to get through. Some moments felt smooth, and others felt like I was moving through molasses. If you are looking for a book that gives the feel of the FALLOUT gaming franchise, this is not the book for you. Yes, there are roving bands of thieves and ne’er-do-wells, but as far as action, action, action is concerned, it lacks. Let’s face it, the book is set in a monastery. You will get a lot of religion, words in Latin, and church politics. For me, that was all well and good, and did not really take away from the overall enjoyment of the book, but for others, it might be considered a drag. What I really enjoyed was that it brought me back to the fifteen-year-old kid who read it for the first time. This was one of the first post-apocalyptic books I have read. Back then, it held a magical trance over me. A lot of the reason is because of the church politics in an age where the world has to be rebuilt. An engineer with the last name of Leibowitz is on the threshold of being named a saint by New Rome, and a member of the order finds some of the saints’ documents, including a blueprint, in a basement. This is where everything starts, and if nothing else, it expanded my imagination. That was then. Now, it was good for a refresh of the memory, but it did not hold the punch it had back then. This one is perfect for fans of post-apocalypse stories, church politics, tales of wasteland life, and good writing. I give this one 4 bookmarks out of 5. Until the next time, I bid you happy reading.

This book is a must read for anyone who likes science fiction, but really anyone at all. If you want to know about the propensity of history to repeat itself, this book makes it very clear. I purchased this copy because I'd re-read or lent out my previous copies, and needed a new one. I will never allow myself to go for very long without a copy of this book in my possession.

Miller successfully takes on the challenge of captivating the reader not only once, but thrice. He connects the past of the future and the future of the past in a brilliant way

Me gusta el tamaño que tiene esta edición del libro porque es perfecto para llevar a todas partes ya que no ocupada nada de espacio. Más aún, creo que hasta puede caber en tu bolsillo de pantalón sin molestar demasiado. En cuanto al libro, aún no lo termino, sin embargo, me está gustando bastante. El personaje principal es adorable y la historia muy interesante. Lo recomiendo ampliamente!

This book should be required reading. A true classic - it combines unforgetable heros with an incredible story. I believe it is one of the best books I've ever read.

I really enjoyed this. Perhaps younger readers will not feel this book the way the older "cold war" generation do. The spectre of nuclear annihilation was strong at the time this was written, and the story, set in the far future, revolves around the idea that M.A.D. had indeed taken place in what was for the narrators a distant past. The story traces the slow recuperation of humankind beginning in a post-war dark age, proceeding to a renaissance based upon fragments of, to the persons living at that time, very ancient knowledge. For a very long time monks are the guardians of this knowledge - even though few of them have any idea just what exactly it is they are preserving. In the end....well, read it and find out for yourself.