Author Topic: A Canticle for Leibowitz  (Read 335 times)

Offline titanic3

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A Canticle for Leibowitz
« on: December 13, 2012, 10:24:56 PM »
Wow, just finished the first part of the 3 part novel. I'm moved, torn, and the ending was a total surprise. Best book I've read in a while, I just wish I had picked it up sooner. Working on part 2 now.

For those who haven't read it, it's a 1959 novel about the aftermath of a nuclear war, 700 years after. People blame technology and science for the war and has spent the last hundreds of years "simplifying" the world. Books are burned and intellectuals are hunted and killed. An order of monks tries to preserve as much knowledge as they can by keeping a book of memories, based off of whatever was left after the "Simplification". The Catholic Church survived the nuclear holocaust and plays a big role in the novel.

Great read so far, there's some Latin terms involved but most you can figure out on your own from context if you don't know it. For a book that talks a lot about religion, I never felt like I was being preached to, just a very moving and great book. And I've only finished part one! I can't wait to read the rest. I suggest anyone who hasn't give it go.

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Offline doright

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Re: A Canticle for Leibowitz
« Reply #1 on: December 15, 2012, 01:47:37 AM »
I read that book in High School for SciFi English class. It has remained one of my favorites. Don't remember it being that old of a book then...hum...
Anyway if you like that book I would suggest "Anathem" by Neal Stephenson.
Armaments 3:9 "Fireth thee not in their forward quarters lest thee be beset by 200 imps and be naughty in their sight."

Offline MrRiplEy[H]

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Re: A Canticle for Leibowitz
« Reply #2 on: December 15, 2012, 02:08:01 AM »
Wow, just finished the first part of the 3 part novel. I'm moved, torn, and the ending was a total surprise. Best book I've read in a while, I just wish I had picked it up sooner. Working on part 2 now.

For those who haven't read it, it's a 1959 novel about the aftermath of a nuclear war, 700 years after. People blame technology and science for the war and has spent the last hundreds of years "simplifying" the world. Books are burned and intellectuals are hunted and killed. An order of monks tries to preserve as much knowledge as they can by keeping a book of memories, based off of whatever was left after the "Simplification". The Catholic Church survived the nuclear holocaust and plays a big role in the novel.

Great read so far, there's some Latin terms involved but most you can figure out on your own from context if you don't know it. For a book that talks a lot about religion, I never felt like I was being preached to, just a very moving and great book. And I've only finished part one! I can't wait to read the rest. I suggest anyone who hasn't give it go.

Historically speaking the catholic church hasn't needed a nuclear holocaust to start burning books and trying to limit peoples knowledge.
Definiteness of purpose is the starting point of all achievement. –W. Clement Stone

Offline Nathan60

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Re: A Canticle for Leibowitz
« Reply #3 on: December 15, 2012, 02:11:56 AM »
I read that book in High School for SciFi English class. It has remained one of my favorites. Don't remember it being that old of a book then...hum...
Anyway if you like that book I would suggest "Anathem" by Neal Stephenson.
You had a SciFi class??!?!?
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Offline doright

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Re: A Canticle for Leibowitz
« Reply #4 on: December 15, 2012, 01:00:09 PM »
You had a SciFi class??!?!?

Yep. It was a single semester elective english class. Only english class I ever enjoyed.
« Last Edit: December 15, 2012, 01:01:51 PM by doright »
Armaments 3:9 "Fireth thee not in their forward quarters lest thee be beset by 200 imps and be naughty in their sight."

Offline Auger

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Re: A Canticle for Leibowitz
« Reply #5 on: December 15, 2012, 05:13:41 PM »
I had a SciFi class in high school also.  1 semester, read Childhood's End by Clarke, Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451, and what must have been a wholly forgettable book as I have forgotten it.  Then again, it was the 70s.

Offline SmokinLoon

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Re: A Canticle for Leibowitz
« Reply #6 on: December 15, 2012, 06:46:44 PM »
You had a SciFi class??!?!?

I did, too.  But I found that listening to 20+ college chicks (in a class of 25) giggle and try and be coy in "Human Sexuality" class was enjoying as well.   :aok 
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Offline Nathan60

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Re: A Canticle for Leibowitz
« Reply #7 on: December 15, 2012, 07:28:41 PM »
I did, too.  But I found that listening to 20+ college chicks (in a class of 25) giggle and try and be coy in "Human Sexuality" class was enjoying as well.   :aok 
Yeha UI had the Sex and Society class in college, was all good til they discussed the STD's and posted pics.
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Offline Pigslilspaz

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Re: A Canticle for Leibowitz
« Reply #8 on: December 15, 2012, 07:59:10 PM »
The name Leibowitz... Sounds so familiar but I can't place a finger where I heard it last

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Offline bozon

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Re: A Canticle for Leibowitz
« Reply #9 on: December 16, 2012, 05:45:29 AM »
It is a great book, extremely well written, one of my favorites. It is both religious and criticizes religion at the same time. I also found it hilarious at parts.
I think the original intention of the author was to pass some religious message, but the book just made me even more Atheist than I was before.
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