A Canticle for Leibowitz

Walter M Miller Jr.

Written at the height of the cold war (1959), Miller takes this opportunity to look at a possible future resulting from the likely nuclear holocaust decisions that he saw in his political leaders toying with. But instead of looking at the world dealing with the aftermath of a radiation event, we are treated to a historical detective story. Miller takes us on a sweeping journey through three, 500 year intervals in the three novellas that make up this book. Set in the Southwest (former) United States in an Abbey dedicated to the historical scientist/engineer Leibowitz, the monks are charged with preservation of ancient documents. They are some of the few literate people in a largely hunter/gather society. It is fascinating now, at the start of the 21st century, to think about what life will be like at the start of the 31st century. And to look back to the 11th century for clues about how dramatically life can change. Miller also asks us to think about the correlation between civilization and religion, the relationship between levels of technological advancement and secularism or religious influence. He asks us to evaluate our (American) belief in progress. The themes are intriguing and, even 50 years later, remarkably relevant. The story across the long view (1000's of years) provides a unique point of view and perspective that is fun to engage. And yet... I have had more fun thinking about this book and the implications of it that I did reading it. Somehow, I was not engaged, it was not a page turner for me. So put it somewhere you can pick it up on occasion, read through it slowly, and enjoy the unfolding revelations.

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