An edition of A Case of Conscience (1958)

A Case of Conscience

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  • 3.5 (2 ratings)
  • 27 Want to read
  • 3 Currently reading
  • 14 Have read

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Last edited by WorkBot
January 6, 2011 | History
An edition of A Case of Conscience (1958)

A Case of Conscience

  • 3.5 (2 ratings)
  • 27 Want to read
  • 3 Currently reading
  • 14 Have read

A trap for humanity? The four-man team of scientists investigating Lithia are about to make their report. Two are in favour of exploiting the planet's enormous mineral wealth -- if necessary, enslaving its gentle, industrious inhabitants in the process. One recommends non-interference. The fourth is Father Ruiz-Sanchez, biologist and Jesuit priest. For him, Lithia is Paradise among the stars -- a Paradise created by the Devil himself...

Publish Date
Publisher
Arrow Books
Language
English
Pages
208

Buy this book

Previews available in: English

Edition Availability
Cover of: Case of Conscience
Case of Conscience
July 12, 1987, Del Rey
Mass Market Paperback in English - 6th Printing - August, 1987. edition
Cover of: A Case of Conscience
A Case of Conscience
1975, Arrow Books
in English
Cover of: A case of conscience
A case of conscience
1958, Ballantine Books
in English

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Book Details


Edition Notes

Arrow #906370.
Cover by Chris Foss.

Published in
London
Genre
Science Fiction.

The Physical Object

Pagination
208 p.
Number of pages
208

Edition Identifiers

Open Library
OL20005932M
OCLC/WorldCat
255790345

Work Identifiers

Work ID
OL53404W

Work Description

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

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Download catalog record: RDF / JSON / OPDS | Wikipedia citation
January 6, 2011 Edited by WorkBot merge works
August 19, 2010 Edited by WorkBot merge works
April 13, 2010 Edited by Open Library Bot Linked existing covers to the edition.
October 15, 2009 Edited by WorkBot add edition to work page
October 25, 2008 Created by ImportBot Imported from University of Toronto MARC record