From the Bookshelf of The Sword and Laser…
Find A Copy At
Group Discussions About This Book
No group discussions for this book yet.
What Members Thought
As a science fiction book, this is unique. I'm not even sure I would have classified it as such if just handed a copy. For one thing, the story follows a monastery through the (mostly low-technology) ages following an apocalypse. The monks and their quite pondering about theology are far from normal science fiction fare. Moreover, religion, while critiqued, is always front-and-center, even more so than the science. That said, both the science and the sociology portrayed appeared very realistic,
...more
Warning! This book is told in three sections set hundreds of years apart. This may bother you if you get attached to characters like I do.
I did not know this, and happily read along with Brother Francis in the first section. I liked him quite a bit, and even though he wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, he was at least entertaining. And then... a whole new section. And new characters! Argh. None of them were as interesting to me, but that might have been because I didn't know a switch was comi ...more
I did not know this, and happily read along with Brother Francis in the first section. I liked him quite a bit, and even though he wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, he was at least entertaining. And then... a whole new section. And new characters! Argh. None of them were as interesting to me, but that might have been because I didn't know a switch was comi ...more
An amazing novel (or trilogy of novelas)!
This book encapsulated many things that hit home to me: anxiety about the future (and far-future), civilization rebooting, the Church as protector and guardian of humans and human heritage, musing about Biblical characters, and if we start colonizing other planets, how soon before we send missionaries as well?
Just an incredible, scholarly book that raises both hopes and fears. It gives a nod to the potential of humanity for good, while also acknowledging ...more
This book encapsulated many things that hit home to me: anxiety about the future (and far-future), civilization rebooting, the Church as protector and guardian of humans and human heritage, musing about Biblical characters, and if we start colonizing other planets, how soon before we send missionaries as well?
Just an incredible, scholarly book that raises both hopes and fears. It gives a nod to the potential of humanity for good, while also acknowledging ...more
I feel like a heretic by giving two stars to this classic -- but then I've never been much of a fan of classics or apocalyptic fiction. I find the overarching despair of repeating disastrous history obnoxious and while the individual stories have some bright points there just isn't much here besides excessive Latin and an attempt to bludgeon the reader.
...more
I wasn't sure when I started if I would like this book. I ended up liking it quite a bit. I'm not sure if I "get" it or not, but it did make me think a lot about faith, our (mis)understanding of history/artifacts, how religion versus reason can both have points and yet completely miss the point, and so on. Funny, sad, and a lot weird.
...more
...more
Geek Out book club title for February 2021. Will update after discussion.
Mar 23, 2010
Mariah
marked it as to-read
April SFF book club selection
Aug 10, 2011
Tanvir Muntasim
marked it as to-read
Dec 22, 2012
Stephanie Griffin
marked it as to-read
Feb 22, 2013
Carrie
marked it as to-read
Mar 03, 2014
Derek
marked it as to-read
Feb 09, 2015
Andrea
marked it as to-read
Sep 12, 2015
Tom
marked it as to-read
