A Canticle for Leibowitz (1959) (edit title/settings)

Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit see section history

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Characters edit see section history

• Isaac Edward Leibowitz: Founder of the monastic order "Albertian Order of Leibowitz".
• Brother Francis Gerard: Novice of the Albertian Order of Leibowitz in the 26th century.
• Father Cheroki: A member of the Albertian Order of Leibowitz in the 26th century.
• Brother Fingo: A monk of the Albertian Order of Leibowitz in the 26th century.
• Dom Arkos: Abbot of Leibowitz Abbey in the 26th century.
• Brother Homer: A elderly monk who is a master-copyist for the Albertian Order of Leibowitz in the 26th century.
• Brother Jeris: A member of the Albertian Order of Leibowitz during the 26th century, he is a copyist.
• Monsignor Malfreddo Aguerra: Postulator for the Beatus Leibowitz during the 26th century.
• Monsignor Flaught: The "devil's advocate" in the canonization process for the Beatus Leibowitz.
• Leo XXI: Pope of the Roman Catholic Church in the 26th century.
• Marcus Apollo: The Vatican nuncio to the Court of Hannegan in the year 3174.
• Brother Claret: Add a description of this character.
• Thon Taddeo Pfardentrott: A secular scholar and the cousin of the ruler of Texarkana in the year 3174.
• Dom Paulo: Abbot of Leibowitz Abbey in 3174.
• Father Gault: Prior of the Abbey of Saint Leibowitz in 3174.
• The Poet: A guest of the Order of Saint Leibowitz in 3174, he is an elderly man with a glass eye and a sarcastic tongue.
• Brother Kornhoer: A member of the Order of Saint Leibowitz in 3174, he is a talented engineer.
• Brother Armbruster: The librarian for the Abbey of St. Leibowitz in 3174.
• Mad Bear: A warrior and leader of a nomadic clan.
• Benjamin Eleazar bar Joshua: A Jewish hermit known as the "Old Jew", he is a friend of Dom Paulo.
• Dom Jethra Zerchi: Abbot of Leibowitz Abbey in 3781.
• Brother Joshua: A member of the order of St. Leibowitz in 3781, he was an astronaut before taking holy orders.
• Brother Patrick: Dom Zerchi's secretary.
• Mrs. Grales / Rachael: A mutant two-headed tomato peddler.
• Doctor Cors: A medical worker, he is a member of the Exposure Survey Team of the Green Star humanitarian organization.

Quotes edit see section history

• “...but in a dark sea of centuries wherein nothing seemed to flow, a lifetime was only a brief eddy, even for the man who lived it. There was a tedium of repeated days and repeated seasons; then there were aches and pains, finally Extreme Unction, and a moment of blackness at the end - or at the beginning, rather. For then the small shivering soul who had endured the tedium, endured it badly or well, would find itself in a place of light, find itself absorbed in the burning gaze of infinitely compassionate eyes as it stood before the Just One. And then the King would say: "Come," or the King would say: "Go," and only for that moment had the tedium of years existed.”

• “But why must it all be acted again?The answer was near at hand; there was still the serpent whispering: For God doth know that in what day soever you shall eat thereof, your eyes shall be opened: and you shall be as Gods. The old father of lies was clever at telling half-truths: How shall you"know" good and evil, until you shall have sampled a little? Taste and be as Gods. But neither infinite power nor infinite wisdom could bestow godhood upon men. For that there would have to be infinite love as well.”

• “Because a doubt is not a denial. Doubt is a powerful tool, and it should be applied to history.”

• “<...> as if by determining the validity of the oyster, they might establish the possibility of the pearl.”

Setting & Locations edit see section history

• Abbey of St. Leibowitz
• New Rome: Located in the American Midwest, it is the location of the Vatican after the Flame Deluge.
• Sanly Bowitts: A town that grew up near the Abbey of St. Leibowitz.
• Texarkana

Organizations edit see section history

• Albertian Order of Leibowitz: A monastic order dedicated to preserving knowledge by hiding books, booklegging, and copying books.

First Sentence edit see section history

Table of Contents edit see section history

Series & Lists edit see section history

Followed by Saint Leibowitz and the Wild Horse Woman.

Preceded by Stand on Zanzibar, and followed by The Left Hand of Darkness.

Preceded by The Stars My Destination, and followed by Childhood's End.

Preceded by The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress, and followed by The Time Machine.

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

1. Walter M. Miller, Jr. (Author)

First Edition edit see section history

Awards edit see section history

• Hugo Award (1961: Best Novel)
• Locus Poll Award (1975: All-Time Best Novel, #5)
• Locus Poll Award (1987: All-Time Best SF Novel, #7)
• Locus Poll Award (1998: All-Time Best SF Novel before 1990, #7)

Classification edit see section history

• Library of Congress: PZ4.M6496 Can6 PS3563.I4215
• Dewey: 813.54

Notes for Parents edit see section history

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Subjects edit see section history

• Books › Science Fiction & Fantasy › Science Fiction
• Books › Literature & Fiction › Contemporary

Links to Supplemental Material edit see section history

• Study Guide for A Canticle for Leibowitz
• Wikipedia page for "A Canticle for Leibowitz"

More Books Like This edit see section history

Books Influenced by This Book edit see section history