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Summary: A trilogy of novellas covering one grand human cycle.
Review: A morte perpetua, Domine, libera nos.A sweeping tale of Man's struggle with Lucifer as he seeks to regain an Eden lost to the Flame Deluge. The stories of Brother Francis, Dom Paulo, and Father Jeth Zerchi, monks of the Albertian Order of Leibowitz, span the eighteen century road back.
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Summary: Already read it? Read it again.
Review: I first read this book eight years ago (after meaning to read it for many years before that). Having just finished reading it again, I am happy to report that it wonderfully bears multiple readings. When one reminds oneself that this was written in the late 1950s, one is struck by Miller's prescience (though the world has not destroyed itself--yet). When one forgets the book's particular historical context, one is then struck by its timelessness. This is a marvelous meditation on the frequent foolishness of the wise, but it is something more as well. It reminds us that those who enjoy quoting Alexander Pope ("A little knowledge is a dangerous thing") should not neglect, as they so often do, to finish the couplet: "Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring."
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Summary: Rod Serling connection?
Review: In Chapter 4, Miller talks about Brother Francis' recognition of "an intermediate twilight zone" which included "whatever he could see but could not understand." Considering that the book was published in 1959, but excerpts were published as early as 1955, is it possible that Serling got the title for his television series from Miller? If you would like to respond, please e-mail.
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Summary: Latin no problem now with Web
Review: To the preceding review, I might add that, while the book has no footnotes translating the many Latin phrases, the Web contains many sites with study guides that do, and all free for the asking. The Latin is mainly quotes from the Bible, but it adds to your enjoyment to be able to understand it so use a search engine and download and save the translations before beginning your reading.
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Summary: A haunting masterpiece that will linger in your mind
Review: The most thought provoking book I've ever read. Its deeply detailed characters and scenes will remain with you for many years. It is a story that cannot be summarized in 10 words or 10,000.
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Summary: Friends romans countrymen lend me your extra head
Review: This book is certainly a must-read for anybody at all interested in 20th century novels on atomic warfare and its potentials. The pro-Catholic slant is what sets is apart, since most sci-fi writers are anti-religious and carry union cards. The book might serve as the biggest intro. to the bizarre logicism of Catholic thinking anti-religious people will ever get, ironically. It was astronomically arrogant to include so many Latin sentences and not supply translations in footnotes or anywhere else. People should get even by just skipping the Latin completely on a first reading, for Miller must not have really wanted it to be read anyway except as an in-joke for others inside the CC. The saying is that the more the CC changes the more it stays the same, and that's the reality here too, that all science and technology and politics are just so much background scenery to the 'real' CC, and even if mankind blows up the planet, it will just send out spaceships and start somewhere else. So it is profoundly anti-science and anti-technology in its final message. I believe Miller really took Catholicism seriously when he wrote it, that's why his suicide in 1997 should be taken as his final belly laugh. The world did not blow itself up, the Communist party self-destructed even, but he gave up on his faith. Or maybe the royalties dropped. :) In sum, read it, and weep. Legite libre ad astra per aspera. :)
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Summary: A Masterpiece of Creativity
Review: Upon the recommendation of my husband, I picked this book up at the end of the summer when I was searching for something... different to read. I'd attempted to read Leibowitz a few months ago, but school demanded much of my attention at the time, so I had to put it down. I wish I hadn't, in a way, because it's really a spectacular book. Set about a half a century after a devastating nuclear war, the book tells the story of an abbey dedicated to Leibowitz, a scientist and engineer of the twentieth century, who, upon the destruction of his world and life after the bomb dropped, became devoted to the Church and a bookrunner -- one who gathers texts to ensure the protection of history for the human race. Walter Miller's attention to detail and graceful prosiac style engaged me immediately in the story, and I knew I was hooked at the end of the first section when something incredible happens. No, I won't spoil it for you, because you have to invest the time and emotions just like I did to really feel the impact and continue with the tale. In two subsequent sections, each set some six or seven hundred years after its predecessor, the story continues to unfold as man rebuilds society following the Bomb. What I found most remarkable about this story was the investment and care Miller took in describing, with the utmost respect, various religious aspects of the story. Specifically, life at the abbey, the monks who reside there, and the moral dilemmas each must consider with regards to the Lebowitz papers... and progress. Ultimately, the question must be asked: does history really repeat itself or does Man? Read this book and find out? :)
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Summary: Science fiction can be literature.
Review: It's a sad commentary on literary types that the only way they can take this seriously is by denying it's science fiction. It's just as sad that science fiction types accept dressed-up dark fantasias like Hyperion as science fiction & list this as "fantasy". And you guys wonder why these days fantasy is getting more literary respect than sf. To be honest ,though, I didn't entirely enjoy this. Much science fiction is dark, but this is bleak. However it's nice to read SF with a Catholic perspective & it actually had some funny moments. In an anthology I read a different version of the Brother Francis section that was less bleak & I must say I liked it better. Still, since I have a strong dislike for post-nuclear holocaust stories the fact that this could break through that says a great deal.
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Summary: A Masterpiece, simply terrific, in its own way.
Review: I attempted to read this book a year ago, but found it all too troubling and confusing to follow. Though, now at 15, and a Latin scholar, i adored the book. The message of mankind killing itself and re-building...only to destroy again, should be one known by all world leaders today. In fact, if it were possible, reading this book should be international law for all who enter the field of nuclear technology! Besides the actual message, i found the following of the same characters, through eons extrememly interesting. abbot Zerchi noticing Francis' skull in the last chapter does much to tie things together. In addition, the mystery of the wandering jew and a number of other inferences add great intrigue to the book. Miller never comes right out and says something, instead always using an indirect, implied method. I found this one of the best aspects of reading the Canticle. It is among the best books i've evr read, and i strongly reccomend it to everyone!
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Summary: Finest book that I ever read.
Review: I have nothing but the highest praise for this book. It works so well at so many different levels - story line, dialogue, characterization, philosophical and theological asides. There are many powerful and memorable scenes in this story. If you are looking for a thoughtful and thought provoking story of the highest quality, don't miss this one!
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