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A Canticle for Leibowitz

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A Canticle for Leibowitz

By: Walter M. Miller Jr.
Narrated by: Tom Weiner
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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. Classics Dystopian Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction Witty Thought-Provoking Funny
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Critic reviews

“Chillingly effective.” (Time)
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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.

A good, not great book read competently.

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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.

Brilliant

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Very well written, the perspective was very well viewed and it is real good for thought and makes you think about not only the potential future in real life, but about history too

Superb

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This book is three loosely related short stories jammed together fairly roughly (which is historical fact, not my opinion). The tone of the stories is rather ponderous, which does not make for interesting or lively listening.

It IS an interesting artefact of Sci Fi history... as a post nuclear apocalypse tale from the late 1950s. My Latin is actually quite good, but not adequate to understand much of the Latin statements in the book when spoken (as opposed to seen).

Disappointing and dated

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I absolutely loved this! Can't believe I hadn't found this earlier. Took a little while to get used to the reader but really grew on me as he went on. The story is just incredibly interesting (and given its vintage has been really influential) and has really stuck with me since finishing due to many layers of story and some surprising conclusions (as I read them anyway). Also surprisingly funny despite the dark subject matter. Highly recommended.

Brilliant!

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