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A Canticle for Leibowitz cover art

A Canticle for Leibowitz

By: Walter M. Miller Jr.
Narrated by: Tom Weiner
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Summary

Hugo Award Winner, Best Novel, 1961

Winner of the 1961 Hugo Award for Best Novel and widely considered one of the most accomplished, powerful, and enduring classics of modern speculative fiction, Walter M. Miller’s A Canticle for Leibowitz is a true landmark of 20th-century literature - a chilling and still-provocative look at a post-apocalyptic future. 

In a nightmarish, ruined world, slowly awakening to the light after sleeping in darkness, the infantile rediscoveries of science are secretly nourished by cloistered monks dedicated to the study and preservation of the relics and writings of the blessed Saint Isaac Leibowitz. From there, the story spans centuries of ignorance, violence, and barbarism, viewing through a sharp, satirical eye the relentless progression of a human race damned by its inherent humanness to recelebrate its grand foibles and repeat its grievous mistakes. 

Seriously funny, stunning, tragic, eternally fresh, imaginative, and altogether remarkable, A Canticle for Leibowitz retains its ability to enthrall and amaze. It is now, as it always has been, a masterpiece.

©1959 Walter M. Miller, Jr. (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Chillingly effective.” (Time)

What listeners say about A Canticle for Leibowitz

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Interesting

The story is both interesting and thought-provoking. It gradually becomes more contemplative, and at moments is even mystical. It isn't for everyone, however. It shows its age, and its ideological underpinnings may be problematic for some readers. The book is deeply Catholic (apart from one Wandering Jew, no other religions are mentioned) and male-dominated. On the gates of the monestary on which the novel centers there is a sign forbidding women entrance , and this seems to apply to the novel too (apart from a short, intriguing moment towards the end.) The Catholics are the undisputed good guys; atheism, even when well-meaning, leads to ruin. If the reader can accept this and suspend her disbelief, the book is recommended.

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8 people found this helpful

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Very Badly Read

What would have made A Canticle for Leibowitz better?

A good reader was needed. Mr Weiner read it with as much feeling as reading as if it was a Seed Catalogue.

What didn’t you like about Tom Weiner’s performance?

Almost everything was wrong. He had no expression in his voice nor was he able to differentiate between characters in the book for the listener. He spoilt a very good novel.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

This is a book I enjoyed immensely some years ago. I was looking forward to hearing it as an audio cd. It is a great Sci Fi Novel.

Any additional comments?

I am so disappointed that a very good novel, one I had enjoyed reading in the past, was spoilt by very bad reading. Lesson to be learnt - always hear a sample before you buy.

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7 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

classic.

Great story, set over millennia. It was very thought provoking too. Good characters and a nice pace.

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5 people found this helpful

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Really liked this book.

It's a very good audiobook. It makes you think about human nature, how short termed our collective memory as a species is, and the fact that we never really learn from our mistakes however horrible they might be.

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3 people found this helpful

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Fantastic

I read this book many years ago. I was going to a party and took the book with me. I was so enthralled I spent the night reading curled up in other people coats. This book is a classic and has stood the test of time. May I recommend it and the narrator. Enjoy

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3 people found this helpful

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Great Writing and Perfect Narration

This is the story of Earth, North America specifically, after a future war and how civilisation might shape and rebuild itself in its aftermath. It is told from the perspective of the occupants of a religious monastery over incremental periods of time, stretching many hundreds of years, starting in a pre-technological age and progressing to a highly industrial society. Sure, there is a close enough similarity between this fictional advancement as recounted by the author and what really occurred in our own history, with Mr Miller providing some rationalisation in respect of the good and the bad that befall the main characters.

I didn’t know what to expect when I purchased this book, other than it came highly recommended, and noting that it was published in 1959. What the reader gets is a witty, gripping, fast paced novel; a real page-turner that is perfectly narrated. Certainly, the author’s own religious beliefs and political opinions leak through at certain points, but not in a heavy-handed way. Although the sequel to this book, written 36-years later mind you, has not been received as warmly, I thoroughly recommend A Canticle for Leibowitz to anyone seeking light, enjoyable entertainment.

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3 people found this helpful

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Brilliant

Rightly considered a great novel. Thought provoking but not preachy. I've read and listened to it many times, and never get bored. It should be on everyone's read list.

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2 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

A flawed classic.

I wanted so much to enjoy this ‘classic’ sci fi novel but it was often a frustrating experience. I am one of those people who must finish a book and I don’t enjoy admitting I was relieved when I did finally get thru it. The narration was adequate and nothing more. I found the book itself to be very dated and if I’m honest cannot really understand why it’s so revered. I understand Miller was addressing the cyclical nature of human history and the struggle between secular and religious philosophies especially Catholicism. There were passages of brilliance but for me they were few and far between. My high school Latin wasn’t up to the standard required to translate the many many quotes and I didn’t care enough to search out further meaning. I’m sure the book was heavily influenced by Miller’s wartime experiences and his subsequent adoption of the Catholic faith but for me it’s simply a novel devoid of any memorable characters or plot and sad to say I often found my attention wandering. I’ll keep it in my Audible library but I doubt I’ll revisit it. There are far better ‘classic’ novels out there.

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    3 out of 5 stars

A good, not great book read competently.

Although falling under the category of science fiction, this is an allegorical tale. One that , I think, would have been better if it hadn’t attempted to be so literary.

Then extensive use of Latin, while contributing a certain atmospheric verisimilitude, was largely unnecessary, perhaps even pretentious in its classical aspirations.

On the whole the book was intelligently written, at times clever and entertaining but diminished by the author’s overriding intention to deliver its message.

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2 people found this helpful

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  • mr
  • 20-01-23

bleak, funny, humane, comforting.

Very much worth sticking with this story, intimate and epic by turns. bleak, funny, humane, comforting. rightly considered a classic.

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1 person found this helpful