A Canticle for Leibowitz

Walter Miller Jr fought in World War 2, mostly as a radio operator and rear gunner, and was present at the destruction of what was then the oldest Abbey in the world at Monte Cassino. Fifteen years later he wrote A Canticle for Leibowitz, a science fiction novel clearly inspired by his wartime experiences.

Split into three parts, the first part opens with a monk, Brother Francis, enduring a hermitage in the desert amongst the ruins of a former civilisation when he encounters a old man who disturbs his peace, causes him to break his vow of silence and leaves after pointing him to an underground bunker where he finds relics of the blessed Saint Leibowitz. These take the form of blueprints and other artefacts of the 20th Century. For there has been a nuclear war and the remnants of humanity have been blasted back to barbarism after “The Simplification” where scientists are persecuted and books burned. Only the rump of the Catholic Church remains to carry the light of reason and knowledge (even if that knowledge can no longer be deciphered) for future generations.

There is great debate over the veracity of the Leibowitz relics, causing Brother Francis much hardship from his somewhat vindictive Abbott. Eventually New Rome holds a hearing and gives judgement. They are considered real and are added to “The Memorabilia” as the monks call them.

Next we jump forward in time several hundred years. Humanity has made advances in rediscovering old knowledge. But a warlord called Hannegan, who seems himself as a would-be emperor, pushes for war to consolidate his power, even as electricity is rediscovered and the natural philosophers unlock the secrets of the world. In the Abbey a new Abbott receives Thon Taddeo, greatest of the new natural philosophers so that he can study the Memorabilia. The world is emerging from darkness into the light again, albeit slowly.

Finally we enter a new modern age. Six lane highways and self driving cars. Huge cities, mass communication and the old Abbey surrounded by new extensions and new troubles. Because inevitably mankind has rediscovered the means to destroy itself and the world once again teeters on the brink. But there is a plan hatched by the Church to save what they can and head off world, towards Alpha Centauri. Can they save the light for the future?

Miller's novel is one of the classics of Science Fiction, deeply prescient, deeply pessimistic and highly thought provoking. The cycle of destruction seems a fatal flaw in Man's psyche, doomed to repeat the same pattern over millennia. Miller's novel is also deeply philosophical, religion examined under the microscope of impending annihilation. There's a passage towards the end that infuriated this staunch atheist, but then I guess that's the hallmark of a novel that makes you think. Does suffering bring you nearer to God, or is it more merciful to end suffering if there is no hope of recovery?

Miller also hints that one of his characters, the old man, is The Wandering Jew, Lazarus, alive for millennia awaiting the return of Jesus Christ. He provides a somewhat cynical counterpoint to the monks, while also pointing mankind in the direction of recovery.

Sometimes you find the so-called classics age badly and become stale, unreadable. But A Canticle is a fine exception. Well worth your time.