Rating: 
Summary: Food for thought
Review: I'm not all that deeply religious and this book made me think about this quite a bit. This book isn't for fans of action oriented SF, if you find yourself reading the Foundation books by Isaac Asimov over and over again this is probably more your speed, like those books (and most books by Asimov) there's little action (most of it being off stage anyway) and the plot mostly centers around people standing arguing over the central point. Here the point is whether we can grant the existence of original sin to a race of creatures that has no concept of faith or belief and who exist basically by reason alone. The priest protagonist has to worry about this and in the beginning you wonder what his problem is but Blish manages to snag you in if you're willing and unravel everything. His tone is measured and calm and he takes his time laying everything out and even if you go in with a certain point of view, he may not change your mind but he'll at least give you cause to stop and think for a moment about your beliefs, whether you're religious or an athiest. Desersedly a winner of the Hugo award a long time ago (this was published in the late fifties I think) these days it's no longer in print for whatever reason which is a shame because in these days of flashy adventure book, we need more novels based on solid ideas that take those ideas to logical ends and make the reader think along the way. If you thought all that James Blish did was those Star Trek books, stop here and see how much better he can be.
Rating: 
Summary: Not Hard Hitting Sci-Fi but Entertaining
Review: In A Case of Conscience, James Blish lays out an interesting set of ideas however its quite obvious that his concerns are from a different time - a time of Cold War fears and nuclear terror. However, the story he writes is a compelling one. While these topics - what happens to an alien race when humans want their planet for something else, the desire for other sources of resources, man's incredibly strong penchant for killing themselves - have all been dealt with in countless science fiction books and television shows, Blish eloquently deals with these subjects using four unique characters and four unique points of view. Possibly falling into the category of a modern parable, A Case of Conscience remains an interesting and provocative novel.It's a light book but fulfilling and a genuinely good read.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best, most significant SciFi books ever written.
Review: James Blish, in "A Case of Conscience" has managed to capture and convey the struggles of an individual who is both a man of profound faith, and a man of profound intellect -- and demonstrates that it is possible (albeit difficult, at times) to be both. This book requires thought. It raises questions. It conveys truth about human nature. It can't be quickly digested and forgotten. The ending left me literally trembling (and still does). This book needs to be back in print.
Rating: 
Summary: hope you like Blish alot
Review: some cool stuff going on and good ideas as usual with the Blish 'non-star-trek' books, but the chatacters don't hold as strongly as they do in the Cities novels. I kept it in the bathroom so I finally finished it.
Rating: 
Summary: Catholic SciFi
Review: Strange book. The author sets secular humanism against Catholicism, and never once considers any other viewpoint, e.g. Protestantism, much less Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, agnosticism. In Blish's world you're either Catholic or atheist. Was Blish a practicing Catholic? I regretfully disagree with those people who say the story is ambiguous -- I think Blish makes it clear we are to believe that the priest's take on Lithia is the right one. I could recommend this book to orthodox Catholics, or alternatively to nonCatholics who are willing to accept Catholicism as a premise. But as an *ex*-Catholic myself, this book left a bad taste in my mouth. I usually enjoy SciFi for the sense of opening up new imaginitive avenues, but this book seems more intent on closing them. Depressing.
Rating:
Summary: Catholic SciFi
Review: Strange book. The author sets secular humanism against Catholicism, and never once considers any other viewpoint, e.g. Protestantism, much less Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, agnosticism. In Blish's world you're either Catholic or atheist. Was Blish a practicing Catholic? I regretfully disagree with those people who say the story is ambiguous -- I think Blish makes it clear we are to believe that the priest's take on Lithia is the right one. I could recommend this book to orthodox Catholics, or alternatively to nonCatholics who are willing to accept Catholicism as a premise. But as an *ex*-Catholic myself, this book left a bad taste in my mouth. I usually enjoy SciFi for the sense of opening up new imaginitive avenues, but this book seems more intent on closing them. Depressing.
Rating:
Summary: Incredibly tedious unless you deeply love theological debate
Review: The book has very little plot, even less characterization. Yes, it seriously discusses religious themes - endlessly and monotonously. Almost no science fiction whatsoever in it. For all that we're discussing aliens, it could just as easily be a primitive tribe of humans who aren't Christians; that's how little difference it makes for this long excuse for priests, souls, etc. You want plot, catch _Cities in Flight_. Forget this one except as sleep fodder.
Rating:
Summary: Knowledge and Heresy
Review: There were two trees in the Garden of Eden - the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge. Like many before him, Father Ruiz-Sanchez, a primary character of "A Case of Conscience" by James Blish, sought to eat of both trees. He was a priest who is also a scientist. As most of those before him who have done the same, he found himself in danger of separation from God - or, at least, the Church. He found himself a heretic. But, have not many great creations and improvements (even revolutionary changes) in the quality of life of mankind been brought about by (at least, those labelled) heretics? I greatly enjoy reading science fiction that was written before I was born - 1965. I believe that reading such texts widens my perspective when considering history. It helps me to see what may have been lost or gained in the attitudes of men since the time of publication. It affords me a view of the past from a perspecitve that I could not otherwise achieve. As so many science fiction writers, especially in earlier decades, have been labelled heretics or blasphemers, I think reading their works affords me a view from more objective eyes - from the eyes of those who were so labelled or shunned because they did not simply accept what they were taught or continue to accept dogmatic traditions. From such eyes, I believe that lost truth can sometimes be found. I found all of these attributes and joys that I desire upon reading "A Case of Conscience". In all ages, it seems, men have struggled with reconciling their desire for BOTH the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge - even when there is no temptress or serpent around. This story describes such a struggle in a time beyond our own, but written by a man from a time before our own. I find that interesting and thought-provoking and I think that you will, too.
Rating:
Summary: Knowledge and Heresy
Review: There were two trees in the Garden of Eden - the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge. Like many before him, Father Ruiz-Sanchez, a primary character of "A Case of Conscience" by James Blish, sought to eat of both trees. He was a priest who is also a scientist. As most of those before him who have done the same, he found himself in danger of separation from God - or, at least, the Church. He found himself a heretic. But, have not many great creations and improvements (even revolutionary changes) in the quality of life of mankind been brought about by (at least, those labelled) heretics? I greatly enjoy reading science fiction that was written before I was born - 1965. I believe that reading such texts widens my perspective when considering history. It helps me to see what may have been lost or gained in the attitudes of men since the time of publication. It affords me a view of the past from a perspecitve that I could not otherwise achieve. As so many science fiction writers, especially in earlier decades, have been labelled heretics or blasphemers, I think reading their works affords me a view from more objective eyes - from the eyes of those who were so labelled or shunned because they did not simply accept what they were taught or continue to accept dogmatic traditions. From such eyes, I believe that lost truth can sometimes be found. I found all of these attributes and joys that I desire upon reading "A Case of Conscience". In all ages, it seems, men have struggled with reconciling their desire for BOTH the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge - even when there is no temptress or serpent around. This story describes such a struggle in a time beyond our own, but written by a man from a time before our own. I find that interesting and thought-provoking and I think that you will, too.
Rating:
Summary: Thought provoking and, ultimately, profoundly disturbing
Review: This book was fine science fiction, but that was not its attraction. The central theme of the story is a question of good and evil, and the author's resolution of this question is stunning. This story compelled me to retreat from religous certainty to humble introspection. I very much want to find another copy of this book, as mine was lent out and not returned.
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