Has anyone else read this book sometimes I recommend it and feel like the only one. It’s probably one of my favorite in the post-apocalyptic genre and science fiction genres. The whole idea that the world and history is cyclical is one of my favorite themes in the book and parts remind me of “the long tomorrow “. Those who have read it what are your thoughts on the novel and why?
by RobitussinaintSyrup
29 Comments
Yes, very good book. Very funny too often in a subtle kind of way.
Loved it. Very sad. A good companion might be Riddley Walker, another masterpiece.
I read it and liked it a lot. Sad and ironic that the author ended up committing suicide
Amazing book that I sometimes just think about. I’m also one of the people who goes around recommending it a lot.
I am a medieval historian, so probably have a bit of a bias towards it, but damn it’s amazing. So many clever allusions an imagery – the wandering jew (the guy with the girded loins), the changing role of the monastery in the different stories, and then of course the two-headed mutant somehow being the Messiah. The monks in the first story running into an ambush is incredibly touching, despite how foreign his mindset is.
I love how religion and faith are depicted as a complex phenomenon rather than just purely evil or purely good. The papal court and the process of discovering history is eerily well done, and made me actually rethink a lot about my field of research.
I love that book!
I love how the author recognizes knowledge as the treasure it is, even though the keepers of that knowledge don’t understand what it is they are preserving. I find it hilarious that Brother Francis illuminates a copy of a blueprint because the monks don’t understand what blueprints even are.
It also paints the Church as a human organization full of people with their own lives who, in general, aren’t trying to be terrible people but are just trying to do the best with the lot they’ve been given. It’s a much more realistic portrayal than the majority of depictions you find now.
Also the poet and his glass eye make me laugh.
If you liked Canticle, you should read Anathem.
It’s a fantastic read. You’re not alone in this!
I grew up catholic (am now an apostate) so I enjoyed some of the religious familiarity. My favorite characters where the old hermit jew who lived on the mesa. The poet who had these curious moments of deeply lucid insights and the moral spiritual conundrum the final abbot has about dealing with those who are suffering and seeking relief that goes against his belief and values. He has a really honest and painful spiritual battle with the horror of the situation around him.
Oo and last but not least is the crazy old lady in the final story that has a second head. The way she speaks tickles my delight. “Beggin’ your ‘shrivness.”
All in all, I want to read it again someday because I feel like there’s more meaning in there that I missed.
One of my favorite books of any genre. I read it in high school waaaay back in 1968. I recently replaced my copy for the second time and I love to re-read it every 20 years or so.
Honestly I got bored. I’ve heard a lot of great things about it and powered through it just to see what I was missing, but it’s not memorable for me. The satirical elements mostly fell flat, and I found it to either be heavy-handed in some parts and trying to be too clever in others. Not trying to detract from others who enjoyed it; it just wasn’t my cup of tea.
I’m rereading it right now. I had lost my copy many years ago, and finally decided to grab a new copy.
I always recommend it, but usually get blank stares about the book.
I’m pretty sure the first time I found it was in a library in the Midwest when I was about 20. It had a huge impact on me. It was probably the first post-apocalyptic book I ever read, and started me on a long journey.
It was recommended during Fallout 4’s release, as the book is one of the influence for Fallout’s Brotherhood of Steel.
There’s an excellent audio version of this book too.
This book was one of my favorites of my high school required reading.
It is a fantastic book – a true one-off.
This is on my to-read list, but my local library doesn’t have it! Not even a copy through Libbu/Overdrive.
I’ve been recommending this book for over 30 years. I’ve read it four or five times; I think it’s a masterpiece.
There is an [NPR adaptation of the book in 15 parts](https://archive.org/details/NPRPresentsACANTICLEFORLIEBOWITZIn15Parts) that was exceptionally done.
I really liked the allegory with the fall of the Roman Empire, the rising of the different nation-states and the role of The Catholic Church in being keepers and transmitters of wisdom and tradition through their work in the monasteries.
The last sight of the ship departing into space is full of awe and hope to perpetuate Christ’s Love in space despite Earth’s shadows. It echoes Tolkien: The shadows are small and passing things, there is light and high beauty for ever beyond their reach.
Hey, [what a coincidence](https://www.reddit.com/r/books/comments/16rq9e2/comment/k24qgsp/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)!
I listened to the radio play version, which is abridged but was *amazingly* well done! I highly recommend it.
Read it as a teenager… back around 1987? Something like that…. Loved it then… probably time for a reread 🙂
It’s got a slower pace but I feel like it’s worth reading for sure. Very unique and really full look at the intersection between power, faith, and science. I took my time reading it but there’s some really brilliant bits and the ultimate payoff at the ending is really satisfying.
Yea it’s one of my favorite books of all time tbh
I’ve read it twice, loved it!
I loved that book! I had to read it for a random class in college, and it’s about the only thing I enjoyed about that class.
I read it years and years ago. I found it odd and difficult to read, but speculative, post-apocalyptic is definitely NOT my jam. It wasn’t terrible, but it didn’t grab me the way the person suggesting it to me hoped it would.
Although for some reason, I really loved The Sparrow, by Mary Doria Russell, which is also speculative sci-fi.
That’s an absolutely brilliant book. It rewards re-reading. Always finding something new.
Read it and loved it when I was 20ish.
Re-read it at 50 and it wasn’t as compelling. The narrative itself seemed sluggish, the post-apocalyptic world-building seemed “smaller” and less sweeping than I remembered. I know there is a ton going on around historiography, faith-based teaching and living, human credulity, etc. And more. And that is well-done and makes the book substantive. I’m just describing my gut reaction and they way it “hit” me on re-reading.
I still appreciate it as a novel, but didn’t love it the second time around.
My god. I first read that book in high school after it was recommended to me by my Speech & Debate teacher/coach. That book is one of my al-time favorite sci-fi novels alongside “Lest Darkness Fall” and a couple others.
The characterizations are incredible and the moral doesn’t feel like it’s crammed down your throat to me.
One of my favorites!