A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller Jr is a post-apocalyptic science fiction novel written in 1959. Life, as it existed post-WWII, led many to fear a nuclear holocaust, so it stands to reason that a futuristic story would depict life after such a flame deluge (global nuclear war) destroyed civilization as we know it. Some Catholic monks, keepers of knowledge, survive, and New Rome, someplace near Missouri, is the headquarters for the post-apocalyptic Catholic church. Initially published as three separate novellas, each of the three sections could stand alone.
Miller includes many interesting characters—monks, scientists, doctors, thieves, etc. The first section, Fiat Homo (Let There Be Man), takes place in the future, 600 years after the global nuclear war destroyed civilization. My favorite character, Francis, was a novice monk in the novel’s opening. He discovered an ancient fallout shelter and the remains of Leibowitz, a scientist and founder of the religious order. At first, the veteran monks think Francis is mad. Moreover, Francis seems doomed since he also reported the sighting of a pilgrim. But then, those from New Rome begin to realize that his chance finding of the remains and accompanying artifacts lead Leibowitz to become a saint, and Francis, a recognized hero, attends the canonization ceremony.
The second section, Fiat Lux (“Let There Be Light”), supposedly takes place another 600 years later. In this segment, the reader realizes that the pilgrim Francis saw is probably the wandering Jew of myth. Conflicts between Christians and Jews, as well as conflicts between religious beliefs and secular scientists, are highlighted as electricity is rediscovered. Librarians are preservers of documents rather than studiers.
The final installment, Fiat Voluntas Tua (“Thy Will Be Done”), is set in the year 3781 and is another 600 years beyond the previous section. In this last section, we see the effects of a technological society. Moral issues and decisions become commonplace, and conflict runs rampant. Opposing forces are prepared to create another worldwide disaster. Will people learn lessons from history?
