I don’t know what I love about this story but it’s freaking sweet. I know that’s not much into the book, only about a sixth, but I don’t care. Just had to say something!
Enjoy! I found it on my parents’ bookshelf about 30 years ago, among the Bible and the Catholic Digests and the Lives of the Saints and stuff. Coulda knocked me over with a feather when I cracked it and found science fiction.
SHH!!! It is being shipped to me RIGHT NOW! I’ll catch up fast, if it can lure me more than A Suitable Boy or Trinity.
Oh my goodness, my books are coming! YAY!
My favorite bit was the completely gratuitous self-indulgent poetry at the beginning of Part 3 (Fiat Voluntas Tua.) 
I read it at 15 and was hooked.
Don’t bother with the sequel (St. Leibowitz and the Wild Horse Woman) though. It’s crappity crap crap crap.
(I really want to read Boedullus’ history, though.)
Interesting. I got about that far into the book (maybe 40 pages) and I thought I was missing something. For whatever reason it failed to grab me and I put it down. Perhaps, I’ll pick it back up and start again.
Wow, I wish I could read it again for the first time. I’m not as huge a fan of the second part, but the first and the third parts are just amazing. I might even call it my favorite book, and it’s rare for me to admit a favorite like that.
The Vatican’s selection of St. Isidore of Seville as the patron saint of the Internet just had to be an homage to this book. No way it could be a coincidence.
There was a radio drama (that I rememeber listening to) but it seems to be out of “print”.
Brian
Glad to here I’m not crazy.
A while back there was a “recommend me some post apocalyptic fiction” thread, and I mentioned this book. Apparently a lot of people didn’t like it.
Certainly one of my favorite books.
How can there be a sequel?
:dubious:
The radio drama mentioned previously is fantastic. The first 11 minutes of it are available here.
It is available on CD through the same site. This story is chilling.
It is a fantastic book. I should dig it out and re-read it.
Sorry, clicking on the picture goes to a dead link, and any seach on the real university bookstore says “product has been discontinued”
It definitely WAS available at one point. (ZBS had it for a bit)
Brian
To the OP, did you get the urge to read the book from this thread by any chance? I ask because I’ve had “Canticle” sitting in my collection for years and only got around to reading it after that thread reminded me I had it.
Whatever your answer, as someone who just finished the book today for the first time let me say that I found it to be fantastic novel. I was about 50 pages in yesterday, roughly the same amount you are now (or were), and I had a similar reaction to yours. Let us know your overall opinion when you finish it.
Yeah, sorry, I realized that shortly after I posted. I contacted my friends at Wisconsin Public Radio and hope to hear from them soon. Norman Gilliland, one of the actors and producers of the radio drama, still works for Wisconsin Public Radio and can be heard almost daily. I’m sure I’ll hear back from them soon.
If WPR can’t get me a copy - nobody can.
Listen to the first 11 minutes if you get the chance. You may want to hear the rest. I, for one, would dearly love to have a copy for myself. I’ll check back if I hear from them soon.
Actually, my father, The Surb got the book for me for Christmas when he saw it on the list! I didn’t get to read it much today. More tommorow hopefully.
It’s one of the best books I’ve ever read. (Partly because it caught me by surprise–I thought it might be a fun, quick read…and instead got immersed in some pretty deep and cynical insights about human nature).
(To the OP: it took you a whole 50 pages?—I got hooked after 2 or 3…and then it gets better and better.)
But there are a couple things I still need help to understand:
- what’s the point behind the Poet (Sirrah!) ,with his fake eye?
- what’s the point behind the two-headed lady at the end of the book? Wouldn’t one head have been enough?