A Canticle for Leibowitz

By: Walter M. Miller Jr.

Narrated by: Tom Weiner

Length: 10 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

Critic reviews

“Chillingly effective.” (Time)

Borderline Catholic Propaganda

Given the high praise for the novel I was surprised how oriented the book was towards a Catholic vision of the world. While it provides valid insights, the different periods of the story do not allow the listener to have a coherent experience. It is mildly entertaining, and has its moments of intrigue. Overall it is nothing special and certainly not a classical listen or read unless you are one that can really get caught up in the undertones of darkness that could only be saved through redemption by God.

History repeating...

This famous science fiction story deserves its praise as far as I am concerned. It imagines a post-atomic war future that recapitulates the presevation of agent learning in Christian monasteries. In this case the Albertian order of Leibowitz preserves science texts without necessarily fully understanding them. The story takes place in three time periods and settings one six hundred years after the war as a young monk uncovers some material relating to the order's founder, then jumping forward six hundred years to a new Renaissance where a scientist visits and begins reviving some of the texts that have been carefully preserved often uncomprehending by the monks, another six centuries pass and the world is once again on the brink of atomic war and the monks must prepare. It is an engaging book that plays enjoyable with concepts from history and science.

I am not sure whether the treatment of Catholicism is supposed to be sympathetic or unsympathetic, but it is probably enough of both to be unappealing to different people for one or the other reason. The occasional mystical element weaves into the story with some ambiguity and unorthodoxy.

The performance is well done with the narrator managing to do different voices for speakers that more or less suit them.

Stands the test of time

I first read this book in the 1980's and never forgot it. Re-reading it now confirmed my long-ago memories of it as a remarkable work that stands the test of time. The narrator did an excellent job differentiating the many characters.

Good but not for everyone

I enjoyed the themes and many of the characters in this book, but I found it easy to get distracted from what was happening by the drawn-out prose(maybe it just shows it's age a bit). Also, the Latin could be a bit much sometimes.

It helps knowing that the book was originally written as three novellas.

Really good but depressing.

Great story, but depressing since the author touches on issues that we are still dealing with today. Also, there's quite a bit of Latin without translation.

Great Boom

The book is a great story, portraying well the timelessness of the Catholic Faith and the struggles of man without God. The performance is done exceptionally well, with the various voices enhancing the story.

An unusual post-apocalypse story

I have mixed feelings about this story. It is definitely unique in the genre. In this case the title should be taken literally, as most of the story revolves around religion's role in the post-apocalyptic world. The story is a bit slow at times, but it is a good read and easily deserves its Hugo award. There is also ample sprinkling of humor throughout, most of it of the tongue-in-cheek variety. It helps if you know some Latin, as many of the phrases go by pretty quick and you can miss some subtle humor based on the religious interpretation of events!

pretty good...for the 60s

an interesting thought experiment with only 2 women, and only one of them is named!

Amazing.

A must read. The best audiobook I have ever heard, Tom Weiner makes the story even more incredible immerisve.

I had forgotten how great this book is ....

Would you consider the audio edition of A Canticle for Leibowitz to be better than the print version?

No, they are both great and worth reading/listening to. This is a different and highly pleasurable experience, particularly since the narration is fantastic.

What other book might you compare A Canticle for Leibowitz to and why?

Any number of Heinlein's books would do, or the original Frank Herbert Dune books (not the trash spewed by his son). I love science fiction; it is my favorite genre, but let's face it, there is so much trash, which can often be fun and entertaining, but is not great literature. This IS great literature and the proof is in the pudding. This book was written in the early 60's. I read it probably over 40 years ago. It is as good today as when I first read it, and I suspect someone reading it a 100 years from now will feel the same way about it.

What about Tom Weiner’s performance did you like?

I have come to the conclusion that audio books depend heavily on the narrator to bring out the heart of the book. Not all narrators can do this and not all are compatible with the book they are reading/performing. Mr. Weiner is a perfect fit for this book. He brings it to life and I so much enjoyed listening to him do so.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It took me back in time in my own life. If there are any drawbacks to young readers listening to this audio book, it is that they do not have a feel for the atmosphere and background of the era when the book was written. Not that I believe this will detract from their enjoyment of it, but it will be a different experience for them, which is how it should be.