I picked up 'A Canticle For Leibowitz' (Walter Miller) in a local bookshop. I was intrigued by the title and the blurb on the back seemed interesting. Accolades from respectable US newspapers. The scenario was good and I was enjoying the way Miller had developed the theme. Frankly, I was thinking "I wonder when this guy will publish a new book".
I was nearly finished when I was looking at the cover design and noticed a side text that said:
60th Anniversary Edition
I am not new to Science Fiction. I have read pretty much all the classic authors: Clarke, Le Guin, Asimov, Heinlein, you name them, I have probably read one (FWIW, EE 'Doc' Smith is awful). I have literally never heard of this book before, or the author.
I am conscious there is a world of more obscure stuff out there, but it doesn't get described (even by publishers) as 'The classic novel of a future dark age' (My emphasis).
So, SciFi readers of r/books, is this a well known book? better known in the US? Have I had my head in a bucket for decades (or been in iso-sleep) ?
By the way, can recommend.
by TabbyOverlord
42 Comments
Yeah its pretty well known and in most peoples top 10 sci fi books.
I discovered this book because as a Babylon 5 fan, I read that one of the segments in the episode “Deconstructing Falling Stars” had been inspired by it, so I thought it would be an interesting read. It’s an interesting idea, and of course very much inspired by the fall of Rome and rediscovery of learning in the Renaissance.
I used it as part of a summative exploring the role of satire in speculative fiction. Great read, should revisit it soon
Should read up on why the author wrote this book. Interesting story.
I think the difference is it’s just one book and all the other authors you mentioned wrote a TON of books, so they tend to get more attention. That said, I read it as a kid and it’s one of my all time favorites. Fantastic book. Takes creative risks far more bold than most other scifi. One of the GOAT endings.
I first read it as a kid, still have that copy. There are so many classics though, every few years I discover one that I wasn’t aware of. Think of it as a treat, getting to discover an amazing work for the first time.
I never read the sequel book, I still want to but with the mixed reviews and all the new stuff I have to get through I don’t know if I ever will.
It won a Hugo and it’s been referenced in various scifi works. If you know the video game Fallout, churches are a sanctuary for knowledge for example.
Absolutely one of my favorite sci-fi books. When I finished it, I had to stop and stare at the wall for a bit.
I loaned my copy (tatty paperback I found in a used bookstore) to my father in law and he loved it so much he kept it and bought me a nicer copy of the same edition as thanks for introducing him to the book.
It was very well known in the late ’60’s, early ’70’s.
I had never heard of this book until my grandmother brought it home in the late 90s when she worked at a second hand shop. My uncle, who was a massive sci/fi-fantasy fan hadn’t heard or read it either, which is strange considering that it’s considered classic, not once mentioned in any of my lit courses I took in secondary school. It was something that my rather devout catholic grandmother, uncle and I all read and discussed together, almost like a book club, which never happens in my family.
It’s a strange book, I read it when I was 14. I’m 40 now, I probably should reread it so I actually understand the thing lol.
First time I’ve seen someone mention this book ever on reddit. You unlocked one hell of a good memory for me OP. Thanks!
Incredible book and yes, it’s in the canon and is well known among sci-fi heads.
It’s well-known but also a bit outside of the contemporary sci-fi mainstream and I’d argue most people making “10 Sci-fi Classics YOU MUST READ” kind of lists are unlikely to have read it (they’ll put Dune, a couple of Asimov books, Heinlein, etc on their list and call it a day).
There’s also a very well done audio version!
I read it in high school at the suggestion of my Grandmother. She mostly read histories & romance, but she came across this book somehow and really loved it.
This was one of the novels assigned in my science fiction English class, along with other classics like *The Left Hand of Darkness.*
I’m not sure how I came across it as a Brit, but I’m also Catholic so that probably raises its profile somewhat. I regularly recommend it to friends, although at this point they mostly confirm that I have indeed recommended it before and they have not indeed read it yet!
I think of it as a classic, but then I am 1) in the U.S. and 2) old.
I literally just finished reading this book yesterday for a class I’m taking on Catholic Literature. It’s definitely a bit of a weird one but had some great ideas and concepts
Yes, it’s a well-known classic, and a Hugo winner for best novel of 1961.
There’s a sequel, written late in Miller’s life and finished after his death by Terry Bisson (Miller’s choice for the job), called *Saint Leibowitz and the Wild Horse Woman*.
I didn’t know about it until a few years ago when I was reading about the influences for the Fallout games. I was reading about Metro 2033 by Dmitry Glukohovsky and went down a rabbit hole.
US reader here.
I read some of this in high school ca. 1997 and didn’t finish it. Time to revisit!
That book was a supernova in the night sky. Unexpected, beautiful and rarely seen again.
​
Edit: I REALLY want to see the illuminated holy documents the monks made from his circuit plans.
You could say I liked the book. Way back in the early dawn of the internet I started calling myself Lebo after the title. Oh look. I still am.
The sequel is a great read as well
It was mentioned by James Michener in his book ‘Space’ .
It’s a known classic here, glad you found it! What stood out to you
Don’t know how you missed it. But things happen. Today you’re one of the 10k.
I sincerely recommend checking out http://www.sfreviews.net
His five and 4.5 star books should keep you busy for a while.
Favorite novel of all time. Not just sci-fi. I never recommend it. I’m not a huge fan of any organized religion of any type, but the quiet monk life and slow work over long periods of time for the betterment of mankind always gets my respect.
>So, SciFi readers of r/books, is this a well known book? better known in the US? Have I had my head in a bucket for decades (or been in iso-sleep) ?
Absolutely famous, regarded as one of the greats of the genre–but, since Miller was kind of a one-hit wonder (do yourself a favor, *don’t read the sequel*), it’s in a weird place in the cultural memory.
*Canticle*’s a great book–thematically tight, works theology into the plot well, interesting historiography, and I like the artistry of how the Flame Deluge is discussed centuries after the fact, from the shelter of the demon Fallout to the Book of Job pastiche history in the second part.
It really is a true classic, and one of the very few books i’ve read more than once. I think the combination of it being pretty old, yet rarely ever mentioned when “top” lists are drawn up, and the fact that the author wasn’t nearly as prolific (nor successful) as his peers in the genre (Heinlin, Asimov, Clark… etc.) makes this particular work fly under the radar.
I find that It’s a hard-sell to get first-timers interested in it because a quick description of the story is usually met with furrowed brows.
Never heard of it. Not sure why since everyone here apparently knows it.
The book is incredibly well-known book among those not new to science fiction.
I read it many decades ago. I don’t remember all the details, but I remember being pretty apathetic about it (didn’t hate or like it).
I was introduced to it through my book club. I listen to audiobooks while I’m working or commuting, and I think that helped with the end. I could see what was coming, but the slow inevitability and the finale gave me goosebumps.
Have to echo the other sentiments here; it’s one of my top 5 science fiction novels. Incredibly powerful, mournful, and yet somewhat optimistic.
I’ll rec an obscure but fun book: *Bridge of Birds.*
Here’s someone else’s review. https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comments/me4h3p/a_chinese_guys_review_of_barry_hugharts_chinese/
I found out about it reading another fantastic book called “a boy and his dog at the end of the world”(highly recommend). The protagonist engages in “liebowitzing”, which is their term for scavenging useful items.
It’s well-known. Other never- mentioned classics : the short story “When the Machine Stops.”
Have you read Olaf Stapleton, Edmond Hamilton, Alfred Bester, Robert Sheckley, and Cordwainer Smith?
I was in a similar situation to you: i read a short story called “A Canticle For Leibowitz” by miller in one of the many paperback anthologies and loved it!
Whenever I saw it mentioned (not often), I thought of the really interesting 30-ish page short story and had no idea until about 3 years ago that Miller had turned it into to a full on three-part novel!! i read it and loved the whole thing.
it was like finding a hidden door in a house you’ve lived in for decades!
I’ve known about it since I was about 14 years old, and I’m in my 50s now. Yes. It’s a classic of Golden Age science fiction.
[Check out the dramatized, radio version!](https://archive.org/details/NPRPresentsACANTICLEFORLIEBOWITZIn15Parts)
I feel like a lot of you are overstating that this is “a well known classic”. I grew up in a book loving family and read a lot of genre books myself. Lots of bookish friends. Despite that, my exposure to this book didn’t happen until my late 20’s when my local library put it on a staff recommendation shelf. Had never heard of it but I thought the cover was cool so decided to give it a go. Very thankful the library did that, it blew me away and is now one of my all time favorites.
Thank you for making this post! I was literally just thinking of this book about a month ago but could not remember the title. I read it 40 years ago for a college class. The story has always stuck with me, even if the title did not! Now I can find a copy and re-read it! Amazing book.
It was popular enough that philosopher Alasdair MacIntyre chose to begin his work “After Virtue” with a reference to it. Then again, the references of philosophers are probably not a great indication of popularity. I had personally never heard of it before attempting MacIntyre’s work and had to track it down. Definitely recommend.