No.68295[View All]
Book discussion. Tell us what you're reading.
Previous threads:
>>64932>>60032>>54504 No.70247
8"Francis felt fright when he first tapped at Aguerra's door, but he saw quickly that the fright was unfounded. The prothonotary was a suave and diplomatic elder who seemed keenly interested in the small monk's life."The Dominicans have finally arrived to check the vault. Life goes on as usual in the monastery. Here we have several little scenes stitched together depicting domestic life in the monastery. Very nice and soothing.
>>70241I don't want to kill a hob thread just for this, it'll just be dead weight when we're done with it in a few weeks. Besides, most of the reviews you see in this thread are mine, there's like 2 or 3 other dudes in here, I don't think we're hurting the pacing of the thread. That's my opinion, anyway. I like to have the reading thread trending at /all/, maybe more people will feel like talking about the books they're reading (they won't).
No.70248
>>70247All right then. Btw I am the only person who have been replying to your daily reports. There is at least one other wiz who joined discussion in the first day but every posts after that has only been us from two. Maybe they're lurking but even if they missed a few days I highly welcome anybody to rejoin or join our book club in the middle. The chapters are short and there hasn't been much to discuss anyway.
No.70253
9"Brother Jeris developed ambitions of building a printing press, but Arkos quashed the plan when he heard of it. There was neither sufficient paper nor proper ink available, nor any demand for inexpensive books in a world smug in its illiteracy. The copyroom continued with pot and quill."And so the process is concluded and Leibowitz is canonized at last. Seems like we'll be visiting New Rome soon.
We're reading A Canticle for Leibowitz.
You can find several editions available to borrow here:
https://archive.org/search?query=A+Canticle+for+Leibowitz&and%5B%5D=mediatype%3A%22texts%22I’ll be using this one, simply because I like the formatting better:
https://archive.org/details/canticleforleibo0000unse_d5n4/mode/2up>>70248I really appreciate you sticking around, wiz. Wizchan is dead, imageboards are mostly dead and the internet I hear is dying, so it's significant we're keeping this small thing here going for the duration of the book. I suppose I should be posting the link to the book, too, so I'll do that from now on.
No.70254
>>70253Guess we'll get to see more of the world outside of the abbey, which means good old worldbuilding. I wonder if the decision to not develop a printing press is wise. Maybe there isn't enough pulp to make paper since it was mentioned that wood is scarce and ink expensive. If someone wants to develop this world, the first order of action would probably be to conquer whole swathe of lands first and ensure safety and stability of trade and travel so talent and resource can be gathered in one place.
No.70257
10"The trip to New Rome would require at least three months, perhaps longer, the time depending to some extent on the distance which Francis could cover before the inevitable band of robbers relieved him of his ass. He would be traveling alone and unarmed, carrying only his bindlestiff and begging bowl in addition to the relic and its illuminated replica."Alright, that’s completely idiotic. You know for a fact you’ll get robbed, and still you send one flimsy guy with not just a piece of art worthy of being a gift to the Pope, but also the irreplaceable, original relic that inspired it?! Ridiculous! I would even call this a plot hole. I can’t conceive of the monks being this stupid. What do you think, wiz? I have no explanation for this behavior.
We're reading A Canticle for Leibowitz.
You can find several editions available to borrow here:
https://archive.org/search?query=A+Canticle+for+Leibowitz&and%5B%5D=mediatype%3A%22texts%22I’ll be using this one, simply because I like the formatting better:
https://archive.org/details/canticleforleibo0000unse_d5n4/mode/2up>>70254Well, apparently the monks are too dense to think about such things. After what they pulled in this chapter, I can't speak for their intelligence.
No.70258
>>70257Yeah that was a weird thing to do. I can't predict how safe travelling would evolve in a lawless world but certainly nobody would entrust something so important to a lone unarmed guy. They could have travel in large groups with weapons or hitch a ride with a caravan travelling the same direction. Hell Francis mentioned in earlier chapters that he is good with a bow and it's common for the Christians of that world to assemble in armies.
No.70262
11The Pontiff moved on, speaking to each pilgrim in the line, and when it was over: the solemn benediction. The audience had ended.And so it ends the first part of the novel. Gotta tell you, as soon as Francis got the money, I knew what was coming to him. I enjoyed the bulk of the chapter that narrates the ecclesiastical procedures and everything that Francis saw, but didn't enjoy the ending for our hero. It felt like the monks got dumbed down a lot in the last two chapters.
We're reading A Canticle for Leibowitz.
You can find several editions available to borrow here:
https://archive.org/search?query=A+Canticle+for+Leibowitz&and%5B%5D=mediatype%3A%22texts%22I’ll be using this one, simply because I like the formatting better:
https://archive.org/details/canticleforleibo0000unse_d5n4/mode/2up>>70258They never heard of convoys, caravans, nothing. If they were an isolated monastery without any awareness of the outside, then I would kind of get it, but they get visitors and pilgrims with some regularity, it seems, so there's really no excuse I can think of.
No.70264
>>70262The monks were so dumb I had to look up the author to see what's up with him. According to wikipedia:
>During World War II, he served in the Army Air Forces as a radioman and tail gunner, flying more than fifty bombing missions over Italy. He took part in the bombing of the Benedictine Abbey at Monte Cassino, which proved a traumatic experience for him.[1] Joe Haldeman reported that Miller "had post-traumatic stress disorder for 30 years before it had a name", and that Miller displayed a photograph he had taken of Ron Kovic (some kind of anti-war activist I think) prominently in his living room.[2]
>After the war, Miller converted to Catholicism.Apparently after the success of A canticle for Leibowitz he became a depressed recluse and didn't publish anything until his death when a manuscript for the sequel was found. So it seems that he hated war and is mentally tortured by his experiences. Maybe the monks is stand in for the naive love-conquers pacifists of his time. Perhaps Francis death serves as a criticism or a catharsis for the author by depicting viewpoints he hated gets proven wrong. I don't know. I can only speculate. Oh well, at least Francis is done with. Maybe the next character will be less frustrating.
No.70268
12Marcus Apollo became certain of war's imminence the moment he overheard Hannegan's third wife tell a serving maid that her favorite courtier had returned with his skin intact from a mission to the tents of Mad Bear's clan.This chapter makes me think that maybe the end of the last chapter was to emphasize how dangerous the tribes roaming this world are? Somebody has to die to show they mean business. Let's see how this war goes.
We're reading A Canticle for Leibowitz.
You can find several editions available to borrow here:
https://archive.org/search?query=A+Canticle+for+Leibowitz&and%5B%5D=mediatype%3A%22texts%22I’ll be using this one, simply because I like the formatting better:
https://archive.org/details/canticleforleibo0000unse_d5n4/mode/2up>>70264That's interesting. I didn't check his wiki or the book's, I was afraid there might be spoilers in there somewhere.
No.70269
>>70268Leaving the abbey was a nice change of pace. Finally we have the perspectives of people who seem to be intelligent. I am ready for some post-apocalyptic Texan warring states period or at least our characters' subplot before the war.
No.70271
13"It's true! The old wretch nearly cleaned me out, and then refused to allow me credit. I had to stake my glass eye against the goat. But I won everything back."By far my favorite part of this chapter is the poet character. His conversation with Dom Paulo is quite amusing and like Dom Paulo suspects of Marcus Apollo's letter, I suspect there's something between the lines with this poet guy, living in what appears luxurious conditions (several rooms to himself, apparently he doesn't work, steals wines and nobody cares, etc.) Well, he'll be moving from the guest house now, we'll see how the next chapter goes.
We're reading A Canticle for Leibowitz.
You can find several editions available to borrow here:
https://archive.org/search?query=A+Canticle+for+Leibowitz&and%5B%5D=mediatype%3A%22texts%22I’ll be using this one, simply because I like the formatting better:
https://archive.org/details/canticleforleibo0000unse_d5n4/mode/2up>>70269I get a feeling we'll be seeing the war as background to the events in the monastery rather than the frontlines, but that's fine.
No.70272
>>70271"If he's lonely, why does he insist on living like a hermit?""To escape loneliness– in a young world."The young priest laughed. "That perhaps makes his kind of
sense, Domne, but I don't quite see it.""You will, when you're my age, or his." Poet, hermit, electrical guy. After the total bore of part one's characters we finally see colorful sorts. We'll see how Kornhoer generate electricity next. Probably going to be a hand powered generator but would be funny if it's some kind of cartoon stationary bike.
No.70274
14Now a Dark Age seemed to be passing. For twelve centuries, a small flame of knowledge had been kept smoldering in the monasteries; only now were their minds ready to be kindled.This was a pretty good chapter, lots of things going on here. There's hope for humanity and sure enough, the lamp is re-invented, an object that has been the representation of human thought and genius since its inception. Fingo's statue finally finds its audience, a religious symbol is removed from the library, which I'm sure is a nod to the Renaissance, and an old man is now carrying the cross.
>>70272No more candles for those guys, the lamp is here.
No.70275
>>70274Does the chalice have to be now right this very minute Lord or can I wait awhile? But crucifixion is always now. Now ever since before Abraham even is always now. Before Pfardentrott even, now. Always for everybody anyhow is to get nailed on it and then to hang on it and if you drop off they beat you to death with a shovel so do it with dignity old man. If you can belch with dignity you may get to Heaven if you're sorry enough about messing up the rugPoor Dom Paulo. Understandably stressful that your little desert abbey which was frozen in time and had continued the same routine for 40 generations suddenly discover electricity and is about to be visited by a cousin of the emperor. I still wonder how they're going to power the electricity though. Is there strong enough river for hydropower? Do they know about coal? Maybe warlords will just make slaves push on a giant mill out of Conan the Barbarian.
No.70278
15"Water! Ye gods, why can't we drink water, Thon Taddeo? There's such a thing as too much conformity!" He spat dryly. "Blood! Blah! It sticks in the throat. Why can't we have one little sip of—"In this short chapter we get to see some of barbarians. They felt rather generic to me but I liked the parts with Taddeo. And just like that we're halfway through the book.
We're reading A Canticle for Leibowitz.
You can find several editions available to borrow here:
https://archive.org/search?query=A+Canticle+for+Leibowitz&and%5B%5D=mediatype%3A%22texts%22I’ll be using this one, simply because I like the formatting better:
https://archive.org/details/canticleforleibo0000unse_d5n4/mode/2up>>70275It would be funny to generate electricity by wheel of pain. You would need an electric dynamo to convert mechanical energy to electrical. If the monks could come up with that, then they certainly could think of water wheels or perhaps wind turbines.
No.70280
>>70278Interesting. The pastoralists vs farmers conflict for water and land is also happening in Africa right now. I wonder if it was a historically common relation around the world. The only drinking blood thing sounds ridiculous. No way they can have enough blood for everyone. Maybe it's just a rule that high-ranking warriors follow and even then blood clot, rot and cannot be stored but it was an opportunity for Thon Taddeo to show the reader his rationality and open mindedness. Hongan Os is as generic as a savage as he can be.
No.70281
Just read "My Twisted World". It was an interesting read although Rodger's attitude throughout the book is quite repulsive. He really is the quintessential failed normalfag. I honestly think he could have gotten what he wanted if he had actually tried approaching succubi rather than expecting succubi to ask him out. Also, I feel grateful that I was never really bothered by my lack of a sex life. He really seems to have had a torturous existence leading up to his "Day of Retribution".
No.70282
16"Godspeed, old man. After Brother Kornhoer reinvents the flying machine, I'll send up some novices to drop rocks on you."We finally get a closer look at the mysterious hermit. Some religious banter between Christianity and Judaism ensues.
We're reading A Canticle for Leibowitz.
You can find several editions available to borrow here:
https://archive.org/search?query=A+Canticle+for+Leibowitz&and%5B%5D=mediatype%3A%22texts%22I’ll be using this one, simply because I like the formatting better:
https://archive.org/details/canticleforleibo0000unse_d5n4/mode/2up>>70280I'm sure it is. Limited resources and all that.
No.70284
>>70282Love my religious references. I was never raised in an Abrahamic household, so like the Japanese animators, I find abrahamic religions exotic and interesting. Benjamin's story is sad. It's one thing to be lonely because you can't fit in with your tribe and another because you are the last of your tribe and there is nobody else in the world who knows your languages, your beliefs, your memories of communal ceremonies or whatever. It's like if you tell someone of the same culture your stories of celebrating a cultural holiday, you may not know each other but just by saying things like christmas tree or ramadhan dinner, people living across the world will be able to recall their own memories of experiencing those things along with their emotions associated with it. Being the last of your tribe means there is nobody else in the world who can understand. Explaining to other people is like if an African bushmen tries to explain to us that they have to hunt lions as a coming of age ritual. We can logically understand and imagine how it works but as there is no lived experience, it means nothing to us. We might as well be listening to something a schizo hallucinated.
No.70287
i waiting for my book to arrive
No.70292
17"Man the walls! Close the gates! Let down the shield! Break out the—"
"Wait, they're not all nomads, Domne."
"Oh?" Dom Paulo turned to peer again.Alright so this chapter gives us some clues about this war and its geographical location. We have Laredo, Mad Bear's nomads, the State of Chihuahua, and Hannegan's Texarkana. It seems we're in the US–Mexico border region. There were clues before but this chapter settles it, I believe.
We're reading A Canticle for Leibowitz.
You can find several editions available to borrow here:
https://archive.org/search?query=A+Canticle+for+Leibowitz&and%5B%5D=mediatype%3A%22texts%22I’ll be using this one, simply because I like the formatting better:
https://archive.org/details/canticleforleibo0000unse_d5n4/mode/2up>>70284It's true, the idea of lost culture permeates the whole book, hell, I think it's the main theme!
No.70293
>>70292I haven't been reading this book but i imagined this i don't know why
No.70295
>>70292We grand strategy gaming now. Dom Paulo is scared of his order's mission taken over by secular scholars and becoming useless. I say there is no glory in copying and memorizing books anyway. Pass it over to the seculars and let the monk be free.
>>70293Warring empires in post apocalyptic great plains region? Just typical boy's imagination.
No.70298
18The vigil on the stairs descended to take their posts. Four monks manned the treadmill. The fifth monk hovered over the dynamo. The sixth monk climbed the shelf-ladder and took his seat on the top rung, his head bumping the top of the archway. He pulled a mask of smoke-blackened oily parchment over his face to protect his eyes, then felt for the lamp fixture and its thumbscrew, while Brother Kornhoer watched him nervously from below.We're reading A Canticle for Leibowitz.
You can find several editions available to borrow here:
https://archive.org/search?query=A+Canticle+for+Leibowitz&and%5B%5D=mediatype%3A%22texts%22I’ll be using this one, simply because I like the formatting better:
https://archive.org/details/canticleforleibo0000unse_d5n4/mode/2up>>70293A lot of this book has been incorporate in video games, movies and TV series, so if you've played/watched post-apoc stuff, chances are you're familiar with some of the ideas in there, even if you didn't read it.
>>70295Well look at that, it wasn't Conan's wheel of pain, but the treadmill of pain.
No.70302
>>70298oh, I see, i didn't think of that.
how many guys are reading this book in this thread? any idea?
No.70304
19"It's Kornhoer himself I don't understand. That gadget—" he waggled a forefinger at the dynamo "—is a standing broad-jump across about twenty years of preliminary experimentation, starting with an understanding of the principles. Kornhoer just dispensed with the preliminaries. You believe in miraculous interventions? I don't, but there you have a real case of it. Wagon wheels!" He laughed. "What could he do if he had a machine shop? I can't understand what a man like that is doing cooped up in a monastery."Secular and technical knowledge slowly gains importance. Something that began with the removal of the cross in the library, now we have this idea floating around that technical skill surpasses a life dedicated to God.
We're reading A Canticle for Leibowitz.
You can find several editions available to borrow here:
https://archive.org/search?query=A+Canticle+for+Leibowitz&and%5B%5D=mediatype%3A%22texts%22I’ll be using this one, simply because I like the formatting better:
https://archive.org/details/canticleforleibo0000unse_d5n4/mode/2up>>70299Looks cool!
No.70306
>>70304That's some grim foreshadowing. After they keep mentioning it I don't think the abbey will escape a war between Hannegan and Denver now. At least it looks like they are about to finish their mission of preserving old world knowledge until it can be used again. Thon Thaddeo will carry the torch now so it won't really be a burning of Alexandria.
No.70308
20"It may take generations to evaluate and understand some of these things. It is unfortunate that they must remain here in this inaccessible place, for it will take a concentrated effort by numerous scholars to make meaning of them. I am sure you realize that your present facilities are inadequate—not to mention 'inaccessible' to the rest of the world."This chapter plays like a miniature of the Renaissance, at least as far as its main theme. Science must rise, based on the old world, organized theology did its part keeping ancient knowledge safe to cross safely the gab of the dark ages and now it must be 'returned' to the world.
We're reading A Canticle for Leibowitz.
You can find several editions available to borrow here:
https://archive.org/search?query=A+Canticle+for+Leibowitz&and%5B%5D=mediatype%3A%22texts%22I’ll be using this one, simply because I like the formatting better:
https://archive.org/details/canticleforleibo0000unse_d5n4/mode/2up>>70306This chapter definitely plays on the things you're talking about.
No.70309
>>70308Alright this is the part where I think the symbolism went over my head. What's up with Benjamin and the Thon? I think Benjamin was waiting for a Messiah of sort. Idk what the messiah is supposed to save him from in this case, his loneliness? His burden? He came to verify if Thon Thaddeo, which I assume represents science and progress, is the messiah for him and determine that he was not. So science and learning is not the savior he is looking for but again savior from what? War as an extension of the original sin? Thon Thaddeo make a speech about how the path to ignorance being replaced by truth is going to be bloody and violent but the world is already violent as it is. Is the author's message here that humans are doomed to their original sin, that is to always wage war, regardless if they live in primitive ignorance or high tech enlightenment and that science will not be the one to save them from their sin? For Benjamin, to save himself from his burden of carrying the history of his people, which Dom Paulo equated to the original sin of humans? That is my best interpretation of the event so far. There is definitely something meaningful in the interaction between characters. The poet probably represent something too I am not sure. Sounds like he is just pointing out the absurdity of everybody.
No.70313
21"No, no—Twelve centuries ago, not even the survivors profited. Must we start down that road again?"The cycle of humanity goes through is fully exposed in this chapter. Rebirth and destruction, or, to quote a video game that appropriated a lot from this book; War. War never changes.
We're reading A Canticle for Leibowitz.
You can find several editions available to borrow here:
https://archive.org/search?query=A+Canticle+for+Leibowitz&and%5B%5D=mediatype%3A%22texts%22I’ll be using this one, simply because I like the formatting better:
https://archive.org/details/canticleforleibo0000unse_d5n4/mode/2up>>70309This one has a lot of narrative about Poet again. If you're looking for an auxiliary reading, check out this site;
https://www.coursehero.com/lit/A-Canticle-for-Leibowitz/. It gives you a summary of each chapter with an analysis to go along with it, pretty interesting stuff. I'm using it myself.
No.70315
>>70313I get the feeling the author hates the fact that scientists are not political enough. He's sounding like one of those "We can all solve this problem, if only YOU care!" activists.
No.70321
22Whereas a certain foreign prince, one Benedict XXII, Bishop of New Rome, presuming to assert an authority which is not rightly his over the clergy of this nation, has dared to attempt, first, to place the Texarkanan Church under a sentence of interdict, and, later, to suspend this sentence, thereby creating great confusion and spiritual neglect among all the faithful, We, the only legitimate ruler over the Church in this realm, acting in concord with a council of bishops and clergy, hereby declare to Our loyal people that the aforesaid prince and bishop, Benedict XXII, is a heretic, simoniac, murderer, sodomite, and atheist, unworthy of any recognition by Holy Church in lands of Our kingdom, empire, or protectorate. Who serves him serves not Us.Religious and secular powers clash for dominance. There's a direct reference here to Henry VIII and the Church of England. There are lots of little things going on in this chapter, and I quite like it, especially the vultures part.
We're reading A Canticle for Leibowitz.
You can find several editions available to borrow here:
https://archive.org/search?query=A+Canticle+for+Leibowitz&and%5B%5D=mediatype%3A%22texts%22I’ll be using this one, simply because I like the formatting better:
https://archive.org/details/canticleforleibo0000unse_d5n4/mode/2up>>70315I have scientists in my immediate family and I don't think people fully grasp how being a scientist really is just another crummy desk job. Fiction have completely distorted the picture.
No.70322
>>70321>I don't think people fully grasp how being a scientist really is just another crummy desk jobMake sense. This chapter like the science vs religion debate commonly seen in like early 2010s internet. In this case the debate are between advocate or activists. Priests on the side of religion and science champions on the side on science. In reality most scientists are probably closer to the rank-and-file monks that just do their jobs and obligations in the abbey. They are probably biased towards their side but not as invested as the abbot or Thon Thaddeo or the science vs religions debaters.
No.70325
23Then, after the generations of the darkness came the generations of the light. And they called it the Year of Our Lord 3781—a year of His peace, they prayed.And that's it. Corpses in the fields, time goes on.
We're reading A Canticle for Leibowitz.
You can find several editions available to borrow here:
https://archive.org/search?query=A+Canticle+for+Leibowitz&and%5B%5D=mediatype%3A%22texts%22I’ll be using this one, simply because I like the formatting better:
https://archive.org/details/canticleforleibo0000unse_d5n4/mode/2up>>70322We're on the last stretch now!
No.70327
>>70325Another part ending with death and buzzards. Onto the next.
No.70328
24The world's been in a habitual state of crisis for fifty years. Fifty?" What am I saying? It's been in a habitual state of crisis since the beginning—but for half a century now, almost unbearable. And why, for the love of God? What is the fundamental irritant, the essence of the tension? Political philosophies? Economics? Population pressure? Disparity of culture and creed? Ask a dozen experts, get a dozen answers. Now Lucifer again. Is the species congenitally insane, Brother? If we're born mad, where's the hope of Heaven?Well the world in on crisis again, bombs falling and all that. I didn't much care for this chapter, we've seen this cycle in the previous parts of the novel. Let's hope there's something new here, other than dressing it in sci-fi.
We're reading A Canticle for Leibowitz.
You can find several editions available to borrow here:
https://archive.org/search?query=A+Canticle+for+Leibowitz&and%5B%5D=mediatype%3A%22texts%22I’ll be using this one, simply because I like the formatting better:
https://archive.org/details/canticleforleibo0000unse_d5n4/mode/2up No.70329
>>70328It's a complete sudden jump from an interesting post apocalyptic world into just our current world but slightly different tech. But the writer does not seem to care for genre fictions nor worldbuilding and only see the setting as a vehicle to deliver his message.
No.70330
25Centuries old, but recently widened, the highway was the same road used by pagan armies, pilgrims, peasants, donkey carts, nomads, wild horsemen out of the East, artillery, tanks, and ten-ton trucks. Its traffic had gushed or trickled or dripped, according to the age and season. Once before, long ago, there had been six lanes and robot traffic. Then the traffic had stopped, the paving had cracked, and sparse grass grew in the cracks after an occasional rain. Dust had covered it. Desert dwellers had dug up its broken concrete for the building of hovels and barricades. Erosion made it a desert trail, crossing wilderness. But now there were six lanes and robot traffic, as before.Space Jesus, Christians mutants, nuclear bombs and the cycle of civilization. It's hard to imagine Christianity having any real foothold in the world stage in a highly advanced, technocratic civilization. We're barely out of the woods now in 2025, Christianity is rapidly fading and the Pope doesn't really have any political power anymore.
We're reading A Canticle for Leibowitz.
You can find several editions available to borrow here:
https://archive.org/search?query=A+Canticle+for+Leibowitz&and%5B%5D=mediatype%3A%22texts%22I’ll be using this one, simply because I like the formatting better:
https://archive.org/details/canticleforleibo0000unse_d5n4/mode/2up>>70329I feel like this part of the book were written to make it into a full novel.
No.70331
>>70330Lucifer has fallen. Billions must die.
Let's see if this message gets through. My cousin's ISP is range banned by wizchan apparently so I am using mobile data. I have to attend some family gatherings for a few days so I might get tired these next few days. Hopefully I still can keep up with the daily reading.
No.70332
26Look, you'll have to decide. You have less experience with star ships than any of the others. None of the others is ordained. Someone has to be partially released from technical duties for pastoral and administrative duties.There's an interesting mishmash of imagery here, of ancient sounding churchy stuff and high tech talk.
We're reading A Canticle for Leibowitz.
You can find several editions available to borrow here:
https://archive.org/search?query=A+Canticle+for+Leibowitz&and%5B%5D=mediatype%3A%22texts%22I’ll be using this one, simply because I like the formatting better:
https://archive.org/details/canticleforleibo0000unse_d5n4/mode/2up>>70331Good luck with the family stuff, hopefully you can stick around, we're almost done with this one.
No.70335
27 "Look at them. They're sick, hurt, fractured, frightened. The children too. Tired, lame, and miserable. You'd let them be herded off down the highway to sit in the dust and the sun and—"Humanity never learns. state-sponsored suicide, Poet became a saint and the devil is always running loose.
We're reading A Canticle for Leibowitz.
You can find several editions available to borrow here:
https://archive.org/search?query=A+Canticle+for+Leibowitz&and%5B%5D=mediatype%3A%22texts%22I’ll be using this one, simply because I like the formatting better:
https://archive.org/details/canticleforleibo0000unse_d5n4/mode/2up No.70338
28'If you love your child, spare her the agony. Go to sleep mercifully as quick as you can.'A discussion about euthanasia. It feels played out, didn't care one bit for it. It's weird bringing this up when it's so close to the end, I feel like these last chapters should be used to wrap things up.
We're reading A Canticle for Leibowitz.
You can find several editions available to borrow here:
https://archive.org/search?query=A+Canticle+for+Leibowitz&and%5B%5D=mediatype%3A%22texts%22I’ll be using this one, simply because I like the formatting better:
https://archive.org/details/canticleforleibo0000unse_d5n4/mode/2up No.70339
>>70338Finally got enough time to myself to catch up with the chapters. Huh, I remember that whole text about Zeke the cat posted in an old wizchan thread about interesting quotes. Man that is so long ago. Reading it back now, I can only think about how this wouldn't be a problem if Zerchi just killed his cat competently. Very anti euthanasia chapter with Zerchi unable to set aside his faith for an emergency.
No.70340
29More than five tons back there. Eighteen centuries back there. The blast had broken open the crypts, for he noticed a few bones caught between the rocks. He groped with his free hand, encountered something smooth, and finally worked it free.The living meet the dead in the cycle of life. I think this novel is a long way of saying there's nothing new under the sun. It's the pessimistic side of Christianity I suppose.
We're reading A Canticle for Leibowitz.
You can find several editions available to borrow here:
https://archive.org/search?query=A+Canticle+for+Leibowitz&and%5B%5D=mediatype%3A%22texts%22I’ll be using this one, simply because I like the formatting better:
https://archive.org/details/canticleforleibo0000unse_d5n4/mode/2up>>70339Good to see you're back. Just in time for the shortest final chapter I've ever seen in a novel.
No.70341
>>70340War. War never changes.
It's the same theme of Fallout games though this book has a strong Christian message in it too. Rachel is supposed to be Jesus I think and is supposed to give a vindication to the abbot for staying true to God even with so much suffering in the world. He believes that God doesn't give a burden that they cannot bear and if you just remain steadfast there'll be a reward. The euthanasia in the last chapter seems to represent the opposite view of giving in to suffering and nihilism, the ethics of killing part is less important.
No.70342
>>70340Are you going to be doing another wizchan reading? I would like to try and join in next time. I missed the canticle of leibowitz one
No.70343
30The last monk, upon entering, paused in the lock. He stood in the open hatchway and took off his sandals. "Sic transit mundus," he murmured, looking back at the glow. He slapped the soles of his sandals together, beating the dirt out of them The glow was engulfing a third of the heavens. He scratched his beard, took one last look at the ocean, then stepped back and closed the hatch.That's a suitable ending for a novel expressing cycle. Good point to wrap things up. Overall I enjoyed it. It didn't wowed me to be honest. The central idea, rise and fall of civilizations, is common currency in fiction. The first part is where it shines in my opinion, and then it was a slow descent towards the end. Still, pretty good, and it's a classic science fiction novel, definitely a must-read if you want to be well read in the genre.
>>70341How did you like the novel?
>>70342I wasn't planning to start another one right now, wiz. Maybe soon.
No.70344
>>70343>How did you like the novel?It's the first novel I've read in a long time. There is more symbolism than I am used to but I seem to understand most of it. I think it may be a bit heavy handed with the moralizing but maybe back in 50s it was pushing new ideas. WW2 was still fresh in memory after all so people could appreciate anti war messaging more. This kind of non-partisan government-critical pacifism probably contributed to the hippie movement later. In any case, I think it was interesting.