Saint Leibowitz and the Wild Horse Woman by

Set in the 32nd century after a devastating nuclear war, the novel explores a world where America has fractured into warring nations and the Dark Ages have returned. The story follows Brother Blacktooth, a peace envoy of the Catholic Church, as he travels through this dangerous landscape. The Church is the only remaining influence capable of mediating between the warring factions, and Brother Blacktooth's mission is fraught with challenges and uncertainties. The novel delves into themes of faith, survival, and the struggle for peace in a world on the brink of chaos. /n/n The narrative is rich with historical and religious undertones, offering a unique perspective on the aftermath of global catastrophe. As Brother Blacktooth encounters various factions and navigates the complexities of his mission, the story unfolds with a blend of adventure and introspection, highlighting the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Reviews

NESFA · Mark R. Leeper · 2025-10-22

acceptable 3.00

The story of Brother Blacktooth's spiritual quest is an acceptable post-holocaust narrative but not exceptional. The political intrigue and power struggles within the Church are more compelling.

The reviewer found the story of Brother Blacktooth's spiritual quest to be an acceptable post-holocaust narrative, but not exceptional. They felt the story is much more about the political intrigue and power struggles within the Church, which they found more compelling. The reviewer appreciates the depth of the political and religious themes but feels the overall story could have been more impactful.

Quick quotes

The story, of Brother Blacktooth's spiritual quest, is an acceptable post- holocaust story, but it isn't great.

This is much more a story of politics and power struggles within the Church.

The political intrigue and power struggles within the Church are more compelling.

English NetMassimo · NetMassimo · 2012-02-09

pessimistic 3.50

The novel is marked by a strong sense of pessimism, despite moments of irony. The reviewer appreciates the depth of the themes but finds the overall tone somewhat bleak.

The reviewer notes that the novel is marked by a strong sense of pessimism, which is somewhat balanced by moments of irony. They appreciate the depth of the themes explored, particularly the struggle between faith and survival in a post-apocalyptic world. However, they find the overall tone of the novel to be somewhat bleak, which may not appeal to all readers. The reviewer acknowledges the skillful writing and the intricate plot but feels that the pessimistic tone dominates the narrative.

Quick quotes

In “Saint Leibowitz and the Wild Horse Woman” the pessimism of Walter M. Miller Jr. seems to be stronger despite moments of irony.

The reviewer appreciates the depth of the themes explored, particularly the struggle between faith and survival in a post-apocalyptic world.

The reviewer acknowledges the skillful writing and the intricate plot but feels that the pessimistic tone dominates the narrative.

The New York Times · Gary K. Wolf · 1997-12-21

brilliant 4.50

The novel is a brutal, brilliant, and thrilling tale of mystery and adventure. It is a dark and compelling exploration of faith and survival in a post-apocalyptic world.

The reviewer describes the novel as a brutal, brilliant, and thrilling tale of mystery and adventure. They highlight the dark and compelling exploration of faith and survival in a post-apocalyptic world. The reviewer appreciates the depth of the characters and the intricate plot, which they found both passionate and magnificent. The novel's exploration of the human condition in a harsh world is particularly noteworthy.

Quick quotes

Picaresque and passionate, magnificent, dark, and compellingly real, Saint Leibowitz and the Wild Horse Woman is a brutal, brilliant, thrilling tale of mystery, ...

It is a dark and compelling exploration of faith and survival in a post-apocalyptic world.

The novel's exploration of the human condition in a harsh world is particularly noteworthy.

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