A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller Jr.

Hello, Stranger.

Let's talk about Walter M. Miller Jr.'s A Canticle for Leibowitz.

The Short of It

Plot: The Order of Leibowitz does its best to make sure that next time will be different.

Page Count: 338

Award: 1961 Hugo

Worth a read: Yes
Primary Driver: (Plot, World, or Character)
Bechdel Test: Fail
Technobabble: Minimal
Review: I love the first section of this book, greatly enjoy the second, and found the third decent. That said, if it was only the first third, the point of the book would still be clear. Characters are very well written and distinct.

The Medium of It

Spoiler Free!

This book is divided into three segments of diminishing quality. Apparently it was originally three short stories, which were stitched together to create this book. The thing about short stories is that, if they're any good, they have a full story arc and make their point known by the end. Such is the case here.

The stories are each set in a different epoch; we never bond with any characters because practically everyone changes from one to the next. This leads to characters who lack any depth; they need to be defined by one trait. 

Pacing also suffers; we must meet the new cast at the beginning of each story, which kicks us back to square one. 

The first third is excellent. It is worth reading; whether or not you want to read the remainder of the book I leave to you, Stranger. 

If you'd like to give it a whirl, it'd be great if you could use the link below. I get a few cents to fill the shelves with glorious books at no cost to you!

I am the one to click upon!

The Long of It

Spoilers Ahead!

The theme of the first part is that humanity exists in a cycle of ignorance and violence from which we struggle to break free. The theme of the second part is that humanity exists in a cycle of ignorance and violence from which we struggle to break free. The theme of the third part - pull your socks on tight, they're about to get blown off - is that humanity exists in a cycle of ignorance and violence from which we struggle to break free.

Miller wrote a sequel which came out in 1997. I haven't read it, but I'd bet a dollar I can guess the theme.

This repetition leads to some frustration as the reader. 

That said, the first third truly is excellent. We are plunged into the Dark Ages, joining a monk as he fasts. There is no technology to speak of, just an abbey in the middle of a wasteland. And then bam! I was completely unprepared for the discovery of the bunker and the revelation that Saint Leibowitz was just some tech whose name is on blueprints.  What a great twist! Crucially, what a perfect way of showing the consequences of violence and war. The added nuance of prayers to protect from the beasts known as Fallouts are just icing on the cake. It's such a perfectly realized world.

Part II is more of a colonial era, and we basically do the same whole song and dance.

Part III offers us another nuclear conflict just beginning, and another group of monks being sent off to create a refuge for learning.

In effect, everything that was implicit in Part I is made explicit in the latter segments, and is not nearly as engaging.

It's still worth a read, but consider reading just the first third. You've done it. That's all you need.

Let's avoid being ignorant or violent, Stranger.

And don't forget to read a book!