Just finished A Canticle for Leibowitz and..

[wyndslash]

I'm horribly depressed, but I enjoyed the book. I liked the underlying humor, and it's quite entertaining when you know something that the characters in the book do not (like some of the monks' rituals). But the ending was quite sad, especially when I think about how relevant this book still is.

Any thoughts? Would love to hear others' opinions to give me a better understanding of the book.

[melmac]

It was the book club selection late last year https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=157810
Thread is very short though I don't think many finished it or perhaps like me read it but didn't post

[dwig]

Originally Posted by wyndslash

I'm horribly depressed, but I enjoyed the book. ...

Which did you read, the original "A Canticle for Leibowitz" (1955 short story) or A Canticle for Leibowitz (1959 novel)?

Both are excellent reads, though the novel is the best presentation of the whole story. The three major sections of the novel originally appeared as short stories.

I first encountered the story as an NPR/WHA serialized radio play when it was first broadcast by my local (Dallas TX at the time) NPR station back in the early 1980's. I later tracked down and read the short story and then the novel. I found all three excellent, moving pieces.

[wyndslash]

Originally Posted by dwig

Which did you read, the original "A Canticle for Leibowitz" (1955 short story) or A Canticle for Leibowitz (1959 novel)?

Both are excellent reads, though the novel is the best presentation of the whole story. The three major sections of the novel originally appeared as short stories.

I first encountered the story as an NPR/WHA serialized radio play when it was first broadcast by my local (Dallas TX at the time) NPR station back in the early 1980's. I later tracked down and read the short story and then the novel. I found all three excellent, moving pieces.

the novel but I must admit, I enjoyed the first short story the best

[jgaiser]

Originally Posted by dwig

I first encountered the story as an NPR/WHA serialized radio play when it was first broadcast by my local (Dallas TX at the time) NPR station back in the early 1980's. I later tracked down and read the short story and then the novel. I found all three excellent, moving pieces.

Glad to see the radio adaptation mentioned. I've read the novel at least three times and found the NPR adaptation very nice. If you haven't listened to it yet, you should grab a copy.

[bill_mchale]

Its been a while since I read it... and yeah, it some sense it is a downer. On the other hand, I think it does leave the door open to hope.

I have to think though that many readers today will look on the attitudes of the monks in the last part of the book very differently today than they would have when the book first was released.

--
Bill

[dwig]

Originally Posted by jgaiser

Glad to see the radio adaptation mentioned. I've read the novel at least three times and found the NPR adaptation very nice. If you haven't listened to it yet, you should grab a copy.

Yes, it is a must hear.

While it is definitely an abridgment of the novel, it is very well done and looses little of the message. It also does a fantastic job of setting the mood and style of the story. I'm sure having heard it first flavored my later reading. I still hear the voice of the narrator anytime I think of the book.

[wyndslash]

oh, i'll try to get it

[VaporPunk]

Its been a while for me too, but I remember enjoying this one a lot. Not so sure about the relevance today tho, I think this one has special meaning for those of us who grew up in the Cold War.

I love the whole monks as keepers and guardians of knowledge thing. When I read Neal Stephenson's "Anathem" a while back the monastery setting/knowledge theme reminded me a bit of "Canticle".

[Ninjalawyer]

I read the book a few years ago and enjoyed it immensely. Although the threat of nuclear annihilation isn't at the forefront of thought anymore, I still can't help but think of the book whenever I hear politicians spew anti-science rhetoric or impliedly describe the educated as snobs; it always reminds me of the Simplification from the book.

[DrNefario]

I'm sure I've read this, but I can barely remember it at all. Time for a re-read, maybe.

[Rob Lister]

Wonderful book; one I'll read again.

[bill_mchale]

Originally Posted by Ninjalawyer

I read the book a few years ago and enjoyed it immensely. Although the threat of nuclear annihilation isn't at the forefront of thought anymore, I still can't help but think of the book whenever I hear politicians spew anti-science rhetoric or impliedly describe the educated as snobs; it always reminds me of the Simplification from the book.

You know, the funny thing is, while the Cold War may be over, it may, in the long run, increase the risk of nuclear annihilation. Several more countries have nukes now, and they may not be as reluctant to use them as the United States and the Soviet Union were.

--
Bill