[UNI]⇒ Libro A Case Of Conscience SF MASTERWORKS eBook James Blish

A Case Of Conscience SF MASTERWORKS eBook James Blish

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A Case Of Conscience SF MASTERWORKS eBook James Blish

"A Case of Conscience" by James Blish is an interesting science ficton novel which has held up fairly well. Originally written in the 1950s, the story involves a mission to another planet, Lithia, where a race of intelligent beings exist. These beings are rational, logical, and welcoming. They are physically somewhat like a bipedal reptile with a pouch. The plot follows (mainly) the journey of a Catholic Priest/scientist Ruiz-Sanchez. I read the book the first time in the late 1970s and then again jsut recently.

Positives: The alien's society is well crafted, Good dialogue. Interesting characters. Somewhat of an unexpected climax.
Negatives: for a protestant person, I was unfamiliar with the heirarachy of the Roman Catholic Church. Catholic readers may be better able to relate to some of the ecclesiastical orders and such better than I did. Nonetheless, the novel is an interesting read.
I did find the passages when the team come back to Earth, (trying to avoid spoliers here) less compelling than the interactions on the foreign planet.

My grade, a nice B novel. Worth the time and effort, but as I said, a Catholic reader will probably appreciate it more and have a better background for this novel.


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A Case Of Conscience SF MASTERWORKS eBook James Blish Reviews

A Case of Conscience is a fine novel written around a concept delivered through a an evocative story. The elements of the story that were cast forward in time are well contrived, especially when considering the publication was released over a half century ago. Mr. Blish pulled out all the stops in his use of documented incidences in the development of religious culture on Earth. The book seems like it was the one the author wanted to write.
James Blish was one of the sci-fi masters who did not deal with God and religion by ignoring them. Instead, he addressed them directly in several stories and novels. A CASE OF CONSCIENCE is one of those novels. Featuring a main character who is both a scientist and a priest, the novel postulates a planet which may be a trap for humanity. At one point in the novel, Satan is referenced as the "second greatest power in the universe." If you have an interest in sci-fi and in theology, you may find this book fascinating. I did.
I happened to read this shortly after reading a collection of Stanley Weinbaum stories. Weinbaum was known for creating aliens with alien perceptions of life. This made Weinbaum's stories mildly philosophical, in an adolescent way. The perspective of Blish's aliens is more mature and fully developed. This alien civilization is interpreted from the viewpoint of a Catholic priest, who believes literally in the story of Eden and the Fall of Man. I don't happen to believe that, nor did Blish. At least I'm pretty sure he did not. The future Earth society Blish imagines is quite gloomy, and rather dated, since that future society already arose before 2017. But it's quite believable. This is science fiction, rather than science fantasy, and it's about as good as science fiction ever gets.
Blish is of course remembered as one of the premier science fiction writers of the last century. I quite enjoyed Cities in Flight, but this novel presented too many problems for me. Mainly, Fr. Ramon's theological quandary left me cold. In fact I dismissed it entirely as a phantom of an overheated imagination. However, the tale is told very well, and the "case of conscience" it presents may appeal to other readers.
James Blish's A Case of Conscience is a 1950's award winning sci-fi classic. A small team of Earth scientist (including a priest) are charged with assessing an alien planet that possesses intelligent life. While there is some disagreement on their overall conclusions, with the physicist wanting to use the world for weapon's research, the biologist / priest surprises everyone wanting to ban all contact. His conclusion is based on a civilization that has developed a morally and ethically perfect society without having any religion and thus must be the work of Satan. As a parting gift, the aliens offer an egg that grows into an alien on Earth and proceeds to whip up much dissension.

The main sci-fi focus is on alien life with a distinctive, "unhuman" lifestyle. Furthermore, the iron poor nature of the alien planet creates a scenario where civilization has flourished, but remains technologically limited. Growing social inequality on Earth, nurture by a ubiquitous, consumer driven media fuels dangerous societal tensions to their braking point. Finally, Blish presents an early perspective on alien life from an organized religion's viewpoint which clashes with traditional beliefs. Lastly, the juxtaposition of an exorcism and nuclear weapons research offers a stark image of an evil Satan to be banished.
Every five or ten years, I find this book in my library, and find something new and different each time, though I must admit I'm fond of the killer bumblebees on the sun porch.

This is a Hugo Award Winner from back in the day that every science fiction fan should have already read. If not, a wonderful experience awaits.

The After Such Knowledge series includes

• A Case of Conscience
• Black Easter
• The Day After Judgment
• Doctor Mirabilis

Ever well read science fiction fan should read this non-stop at least once in their lifetime.

Highly Recommended!
I first read this in my 20's. I'm now 76. I don't believe I've read any other novel that has overlaid religion as successfully on reality as does this. I ponder its message given the current state of politics in America.
"A Case of Conscience" by James Blish is an interesting science ficton novel which has held up fairly well. Originally written in the 1950s, the story involves a mission to another planet, Lithia, where a race of intelligent beings exist. These beings are rational, logical, and welcoming. They are physically somewhat like a bipedal reptile with a pouch. The plot follows (mainly) the journey of a Catholic Priest/scientist Ruiz-Sanchez. I read the book the first time in the late 1970s and then again jsut recently.

Positives The alien's society is well crafted, Good dialogue. Interesting characters. Somewhat of an unexpected climax.
Negatives for a protestant person, I was unfamiliar with the heirarachy of the Roman Catholic Church. Catholic readers may be better able to relate to some of the ecclesiastical orders and such better than I did. Nonetheless, the novel is an interesting read.
I did find the passages when the team come back to Earth, (trying to avoid spoliers here) less compelling than the interactions on the foreign planet.

My grade, a nice B novel. Worth the time and effort, but as I said, a Catholic reader will probably appreciate it more and have a better background for this novel.