A Canticle for Leibowitz is a post-apocalyptic science fiction novel by American writer Walter M. Miller, Jr., first published in 1960. Based on three short stories Miller contributed to The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction; it is the only novel published by the author during his lifetime. Considered one of the classics of science fiction, it has never been out of print and has seen over 25 reprints and editions. Appealing to mainstream and genre critics and readers alike, it won the 1961 Hugo Award for best science fiction novel.
Set in a Roman Catholic monastery in the desert of the Southwestern United States after a devastating nuclear war, the story spans thousands of years as civilization rebuilds itself. The monks of the Albertian Order of Leibowitz take up the mission of preserving the surviving remnants of man's scientific knowledge until the day the outside world is again ready for it.
Inspired by the author's participation in the Allied bombing of the monastery at Monte Cassino during World War II, the novel is considered a masterpiece by literary critics. It has been compared favorably with the works of Evelyn Waugh, Graham Greene, and Walker Percy, and its themes of religion, recurrence, and church versus state have generated a significant body of scholarly research. Miller's follow-up work, Saint Leibowitz and the Wild Horse Woman, was published posthumously in 1997.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A CANTICLE FOR LEIBOWITZ by Walter M. Miller, Jr.,
By thepaxdomini "The Book Review" (Tulsa, OK) - See all my reviews
This review is from: A Canticle for Leibowitz (Hardcover)
A Canticle for Leibowitz is a 1959 science fiction novel by Walter M. Miller, Jr.; it won the 1961 Hugo Award for Best Novel. In the centuries after a nuclear holocaust, a monastic order works to preserve the remnants of scientific knowledge as civilization rebuilds. The book is comprised of three parts, essentially novellas, which take place in the 26th, 32nd, and 38th centuries, respectively.
Miller's themes are prominent, and will be obvious to even the casual reader. Primarily, there is recurrence: Miller's novel spans so many hundreds of years because he is setting up a cyclical history for humanity, and the periods of his story reflect the focus and worldview of different historical eras. And there is the timeless issue of church versus state and faith versus reason: Miller's future generations explore the same theological and moral issues humanity has wrestled with all along. Many books in the postapocalyptic genre, when confronted with the issue of religion, dismiss, punt, or avoid entirely. But Miller addresses religion thoughtfully, respectfully, and satisfyingly. He focuses specifically on Catholicism, but his issues and points are applicable to Christianity broadly. Miller's story unfolds rather slowly, and the casual reader may wonder what the point is, exactly, of the book's first two sections in particular. Admittedly, they aren't always interesting on their own (particularly part two). But they are necessary to set up the book's finale, and they are a key part of the Miller's bigger picture. A Canticle for Leibowitz's third section is superior, not only because it features the culmination of Miller's buildup, but because it has an excellent protagonist. In part one, "Fiat Homo," the bumbling Brother Francis is carried along by circumstances that develop the story with little force of his own. Part two, "Fiat Lux," neglects character focus and is instead a rather obvious struggle between the church and secular science. But in "Fiat Voluntas Tua," Abbot Zerchi is both a principle actor upon the story and a grounded, strong and well-rounded Christian figure, and he is eminently realistic. He is Miller's best character, and gives the book's conclusion some vital punch. In the end, A Canticle for Leibowitz is an always thoughtful and occasionally poignant look at the history, struggles and prospects of humanity.
5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Leibowitz -- A Classic,
By Sci-Fi Fan "Vince" (Simi Valley, CA USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: A Canticle for Leibowitz (Hardcover)
Without doubt, this was the late Walter M. Miller Jr.'s finest work. It was rejected by Galaxy Science Fiction as potentially blaphemous to the Roman Catholic Church, and accepted by Catholic editor Tony Boucher for The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction as praiseworthy and respectful. I agree with the latter opinion. Serious collectors of science fiction should have a copy of A Canticle for Leibowitz on their bookshelves.
2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A reason for reading,
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This review is from: A Canticle for Leibowitz (Hardcover)
I treasure this book.I don't recall how many copies
I've purchased over the years...all lent out and likewise loved. I believe it to be ,with The Lord of the Rings,one of the two great books of the past one hundred years.
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