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A Canticle for Leibowitz

Written by: Walter M. Miller Jr.
Narrated by: Tom Weiner
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Publisher's Summary

Hugo Award Winner, Best Novel, 1961

Winner of the 1961 Hugo Award for Best Novel and widely considered one of the most accomplished, powerful, and enduring classics of modern speculative fiction, Walter M. Miller’s A Canticle for Leibowitz is a true landmark of 20th-century literature - a chilling and still-provocative look at a post-apocalyptic future. 

In a nightmarish, ruined world, slowly awakening to the light after sleeping in darkness, the infantile rediscoveries of science are secretly nourished by cloistered monks dedicated to the study and preservation of the relics and writings of the blessed Saint Isaac Leibowitz. From there, the story spans centuries of ignorance, violence, and barbarism, viewing through a sharp, satirical eye the relentless progression of a human race damned by its inherent humanness to recelebrate its grand foibles and repeat its grievous mistakes. 

Seriously funny, stunning, tragic, eternally fresh, imaginative, and altogether remarkable, A Canticle for Leibowitz retains its ability to enthrall and amaze. It is now, as it always has been, a masterpiece.

©1959 Walter M. Miller, Jr. (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

What the critics say

“Chillingly effective.” (Time)

What listeners say about A Canticle for Leibowitz

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Vivid and Dynamic

While I first shied away from this title fearing it to be either too "simplistic" or too pessimistic in its take on the world, I was delightfully surprised by its depth. The writing itself is stylish and engaging; the characters are memorable and human. Likewise, the story portrays a plausible future of humanity that is rife with delightful comic relief.

The portrayal of Catholicism in this book is not imbued with an overly positive Catholic sentiment, but reveals all the same the heart of the Church for what it really is and how this is expressed in a world that is volatile. What we receive is a Church with all her zits, yet filled with mysterium and mission.

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great performance

The narrator needs a medal, he really went all in with the character voices. Additionally, the story presented a very fascinating concept.

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Almost magical, that’s how good

This is one you’ll think about for many days afterwards, couldn’t give a higher rating.

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1 person found this helpful

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Great listen for the end of days.

Simpletons gather round and and hold close your memorabilia its listenin time. 11/10 from a re-re-re-repeat listener.

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A classic that will test your Latin...

This one had been on my “have to read” list for so many years that I am mostly just happy to have the t-shirt. It is not an easy book and not one I am likely to recommend. If the 3 story arcs, the first was the best and cleanest tale - Brother Francis is an engaging character and their is both humour and empathy. The following parts were confusing and never really achieved the promise of that first story arc. And did I mention the long sections in Latin? Not sure if they are translated in the written book, but in the audio book obviously the are not. Every time there was a passage in Latin I found myself wondering if that was a prerequisite for the narrator getting the job. So all in all read it to fill the hole in your bucket list of post-apocalyptic novels.

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One of my favourites

I've read this book numerous times, but hadn't ever listened to it. Tom Weiner's performance really gave life to the Abbots of the Abbey of Leibowitz in a way that reading it hadn't. I didn't think I could enjoy this book any more, but listening to his performance just made it that much better. Such a wonderful book and such a cautionary tale for humanity! #Audible1

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  • MLD
  • 2023-06-29

A must read before you die

Answers a lot about todays society. People are so afraid of death and pain. So quick to give our lives to the governments.

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A eternal classic

i was blown away. as someone still finding his stance on strong topics such as religion, the future of technology, euthansasia, faith and death i found this book both strengthened and loosened some of my beleives. i feel more holy and more open to these topics

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  • Amy
  • 2023-02-23

Brilliant

Well-written and completely engrossing. Beautiful creation of characters whose personalities make the perfect witness to the fallibility of human ambition. Enjoy the sickly satisfying critical eye of humanity’s self-involved, rash, and naive pursuit of so-called greatness.

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This is now one of my favorite books

Beautifully narrated, despite my schedule not allowing it I essentially finished it in one go. a dark story filles with lessons that isn't just despair porn. I know this is a story I will find myself considering parts of at random for the rest of my life.

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