In December, I had this idea to start a book club with my close friends and see where it goes, because I need to connect with other bookworms 😂 December was Science Fiction month and after a vote in the book club we decided for : A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M Miller Jr.
After a few first pages reading this book, one thing for sure, it is not an easy read. You start from having no clue what’s this world about but the only reasonable thing to do is to adapt and cope and hope for the better. The rhythm then came naturally to me and I was absorbed by the humour and witty replies.
“Comparable in theme and prose to Dune and Foundation, A Canticle for Leibowitz deserves its spot in that sci-fi toplist. Following the story of a monastery through the ages as a preserver of faith, hope and knowledge, Miller Jr. tells a timeless tale that draws parallel with the actual historical role of religion.”
– William
The pace is definitely not for everyone, it’s heavily religious and slow building.
“Although A Canticle for Leibowitz is considered by many a science fiction classic, I found the Walter M. Miller Jr. slow approach to easing readers into the overarching storyline and predictability to be a hindrance namely to the author’s testament to the age-old adage that history inevitably repeats itself and consequently to what could have been my overall enjoyment of the novel.”
– Alexa
The book is separated into three sections which can be seen as novellas. The separation of the three marks the different in times and the denunciation of a endlessly cycle of humanity.
“A beautiful sociological view on the importance of mundane people and things, the novel tackles philosophical questions like human nature, the inevitability of progress and the struggles of conviction in three beats: humorously, serious politically and poignantly nihilistically, but with a glimmer of hope.
A must read for die-hards of non-hard-science science fiction.”
– William
The major genius move of the book resides in the dichotomy of religion vs science. One thing Miller is trying to convey is that the extreme spectrum of one and the other is what makes the world goes into wars. The author believes that for the self-destruction of humanity to stop, religion and science have to come hand in hand.
This is basically a book about knowledge with a dark and almost meditative approach. However, the humour did help a lot to bring this story alive.
“Telling the story of the inevitable self-destructive nature of mankind, this bleak three-parter is about knowledge and science through the eyes of religion. The subtle humour interspersed throughout the book alleviates some of the pessimism and makes for an entertaining read.”
– Anton
MY RATING : 4/5
Have you read this book? What do you think about it ? 🙂
My Dark Theories 
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