ckcombsdotcom's review against another edition
This is the second (or third) time I've read Canticle. The first time was in the mid 80s, when I was in my middle 20s. The imminent threat of nuclear war, which was very present when I was in grade and middle school, was less of a factor by that time. I still appreciated the book for it's insights and the expert story telling.
I have been searching for the book in my house off and on for the past couple of years, wanting to reread it. Still haven't found my copy but I found it at my local library, with a forward by Mary Doria Russell written in 2005. Twelve years later, her observations about the ongoing relevance of this novel remains: in 2017, with the leadership we have in the White House and houses of Congress, with a recent ramping up in the threatening dialogue between our nation and North Korea, this novel hits close to home. Almost too close.
This is one of my all time favorite sci fi/speculative fiction stories. This latest reading did nothing to diminish it's place on my favorites list.
*** slight spoiler warning *****
It doesn't end on an optimistic note, which adds to it's realism. The old adage that those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it is just as clear to us now as it is in the fictional timespace of the novel. The fact that we have far more resources for researching history now than the characters in the novel makes our current, very non-fictional time, even more sad and depressing. Can we make a happy ending of reality? Or are we, like the characters in this centuries-spanning novel, doomed to stay on the treadmill of repeating our gravest mistakes.
I have been searching for the book in my house off and on for the past couple of years, wanting to reread it. Still haven't found my copy but I found it at my local library, with a forward by Mary Doria Russell written in 2005. Twelve years later, her observations about the ongoing relevance of this novel remains: in 2017, with the leadership we have in the White House and houses of Congress, with a recent ramping up in the threatening dialogue between our nation and North Korea, this novel hits close to home. Almost too close.
This is one of my all time favorite sci fi/speculative fiction stories. This latest reading did nothing to diminish it's place on my favorites list.
*** slight spoiler warning *****
It doesn't end on an optimistic note, which adds to it's realism. The old adage that those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it is just as clear to us now as it is in the fictional timespace of the novel. The fact that we have far more resources for researching history now than the characters in the novel makes our current, very non-fictional time, even more sad and depressing. Can we make a happy ending of reality? Or are we, like the characters in this centuries-spanning novel, doomed to stay on the treadmill of repeating our gravest mistakes.
pandaorb's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. I am in the habit of writing reviews as soon as I can after finishing book, and 'wow'.
This book is so exquisitely Catholic.
It's already a stunningly well authored narrative that reflects on the nature of man and our place in the world - one filled with memorable characters, deliberate symbolism, and weighty discourse. But layer on top of that the nuance that Miller weaves throughout his story through the use of Latin, Hebrew, history, motif, and myth. So much beauty on the viewpoints of Catholicism (and some of Judaism) were expounded upon in this novel, most strikingly in the areas of scientific discovery and the suffering of humanity.
There is so much I could say about this book, but I won't because that would divulge spoilers. All I can do is advise you to read it! Read it now! (With this helpful guide - thank you for sharing David!)
This book is so exquisitely Catholic.
It's already a stunningly well authored narrative that reflects on the nature of man and our place in the world - one filled with memorable characters, deliberate symbolism, and weighty discourse. But layer on top of that the nuance that Miller weaves throughout his story through the use of Latin, Hebrew, history, motif, and myth. So much beauty on the viewpoints of Catholicism (and some of Judaism) were expounded upon in this novel, most strikingly in the areas of scientific discovery and the suffering of humanity.
There is so much I could say about this book, but I won't because that would divulge spoilers. All I can do is advise you to read it! Read it now! (With this helpful guide - thank you for sharing David!)
iknewziggy's review against another edition
2.0
Big fan of post apocalyptic fiction, found this one a struggle to get through.
gullevek's review
5.0
Wonderful book, although written quite some time ago, the whole story can be perfectly applied to our current affairs worldwide.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
cheimuli's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This is a weird book, and maybe that says something about how the end of the world will be weird. Really thoughtful for its incorporation of religious symbols and themes.
sufubr's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I have read this book many times in my life, starting from 7th grade, when it was definitely too deep for me to fully understand. Now, at 67, it’s still too deep for me to fully understand, which is why I keep reading it. Although apocalyptic, I find it leaves me with a sense of hope and a deep desire to try to understand the mysteries of faith and the universe.
wavepattern's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.0
sarahxsimon's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Sometimes, you read books from the fifties and marvel at how far our taste in literature has drifted. And sometimes, you read books from the fifties and despair that we’ll never write works of such genius again. This book was the latter.