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Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780345438355
Edition: 1
ISBN: 0345438353
Label: Del Rey
Manufacturer: Del Rey
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 256
Publication Date: September 05, 2000
Publisher: Del Rey
Release Date: September 05, 2000
Studio: Del Rey

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Editorial Review:

Amazon.com Review:
The citizens of the planet Lithia are some of the most ethical sentient beings Father Ramon Ruiz-Sanchez has ever encountered. True, they have no literature, no fine arts, and don't understand the concept of recreation, but neither do they understand the concepts of greed, envy, lust, or any of the sins and vices that plague humankind. Their world seems darned near perfect. And that is just what disturbs the good Father.

First published in 1959, James Blish's Hugo Award-winning A Case of Conscience is science fiction at its very best: a fast-paced, intelligent story that offers plenty of action while at the same time explores complex questions of values and ethics. In this case, Blish has taken on the age-old battle of good vs. evil. Lithia poses a theological question that lies at the heart of this book: is God necessary for a moral society? The Lithians are nothing if not moral. Not only do they lack the seven deadly sins, they also lack original sin. And without any sort of religious framework, they have created the Christian ideal world, one that humans would be eager to study and emulate. But is it too perfect? Is it in fact, as Father Ruiz-Sanchez suspects, the work of The Adversary? And what role does Egtverchi, the young Lithian raised on Earth, play? Is he an innocent victim of circumstance, or will he bring about the Dies Irae, the day of the wrath of God, upon the earth? The fate of two worlds hinges on the answers to these questions, and will lead to an ancient earth heresy that shakes the Jesuit priest's beliefs to their very core.

A Case of Conscience is a brilliant piece of storytelling, and it packs a lot into a scant 242 pages. Most readers will probably finish the book in one sitting, unable to stop until the spectacular denouement. But the questions posed by this little-known gem will stay with you for days afterward. --P.M. Atterberry

Product Description:
Father Ruiz-Sanchez is a dedicated man--a priest who is also a scientist, and a scientist who is also a human being. He has found no insoluble conflicts in his beliefs or his ethics . . . until he is sent to Lithia. There he comes upon a race of aliens who are admirable in every way except for their total reliance on cold reason; they are incapable of faith or belief.

Confronted with a profound scientific riddle and ethical quandary, Father Ruiz-Sanchez soon finds himself torn between the teachings of his faith, the teachings of his science, and the inner promptings of his humanity. There is only one solution: He must accept an ancient and unforgivable heresy--and risk the futures of both worlds . . .




Rating: - An Interesting Failure
I like a good novel of ideas now and again and can become annoyed with books that are devoid of ideas.The novel of ideas tends to suffer from certain problems.Most are not especially well written .Novelists of ideas tend to think of their ideas as being so important that literary style doesn't matter.Characters tend to be paper thin projections rather than live beings.Even plots tend to be subordinate to the message.A Case of Conscience suffers from all these problems.The style is to use a reviewer ... Read More

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Rating: - Like a movie with a promising trailer
Father Ruiz Sanchez is catholic priest 50 light years away from Earth. He and his companions have discovered a utopian planet with no violence, no money, no slavery and no God. A case of Eden on the surface, but... what is really lurking underneath? Don't miss Case of Conscience coming soon from Sony Pictures.

Promising ah?

But no. Despite the Hugo, despite the introduction by Greg Bear, despite the good intentions, Case of Conscience does not deliver. This starts from a very ... Read More

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Rating: - Reads More Like an Intellectual Exercise than a Novel
I wanted to like A CASE OF CONSCIENCE, which attempts to tackle a lot of interesting theological issues in an SF context. Unfortunately, after a decent beginning, this novel stumbles badly in its second half as Blish forgets his obligations as a storyteller. As another reviewer pointed out, this novel ultimately goes into too many different directions at once, and it eventually loses narrative coherence. It also doesn't help that all of the book's characters are dry as sawdust, and for the most part ... Read More

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Rating: - Awful
For those interested in the intersection between Christianity and the science fiction of the late 1950s, this novel makes an intriguing companion piece to A Canticle for Leibowitz. On its own terms, considered as an SF novel, I found it simply dreadful, with no sufficient excuses to be found on the basis of its age.

The story begins as follows: Ramon Ruiz-Sanchez, a Jesuit priest and biologist, is one of a party of four scientists investigating a newly discovered planet and its race of technologically ... Read More

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Rating: - Great Beginning
This classic starts off strong, with thought provoking ideas about a peaceful alien culture that may or may not need a dose of human religion. The latter part of the story wanders in different directions though. I couldn't tell if it wanted to be about the gap between science and religion, stability of future society, real devils, imaginary devils, cults of personality, the noble savage dilemma, alienation, Catholic dogma, or perils of the arms race. I'll give it a mild recommendation for its award winning status and ... Read More

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