Saint Leibowitz and the Wild Horse Woman
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| Saint Leibowitz and the Wild Horse Woman | |
 Cover of 1997 Bantam Dell Pub Group paperback book. |
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| Author | Walter M. Miller, Jr. |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Science fiction novel |
| Publisher | Bantam Dell Publishing Group |
| Media type | Print (paperback) |
| ISBN | 978-0553107043 |
| Preceded by | A Canticle for Lebowitz |
Saint Leibowitz and the Wild Horse Woman (1997) is a science fiction novel and a continuity insert 'sequel' to Walter M. Miller, Jr.'s 1959 book A Canticle for Leibowitz. Miller wrote the greater part of the 'sequel' before his death in 1996, and it was completed from his outline by Terry Bisson.
The novel is set chronologically some eighty years after the events of the second novella in Miller's original novel, "Fiat Lux" (c. 3254 AD). As the third novella within the earlier novel, "Fiat Voluntas Tua" is set over six centuries later (3781 AD), and the Abbey of Saint Leibowitz is now situated within a consolidated (albeit constitutional) "Empire" of Texarkana, this novel should perhaps be seen as an insert within the narrative sequence of the earlier novel, rather than as a sequel, per se.
In the novel, the city of New Rome has been captured and destroyed by the power of the Texark state. The Papacy, now in exile from New Rome, now lives in the city of Valana. The story chronicles the plan of a worldly deacon and his followers to unite the remaining independent nations in North America against the Texark Empire, and to restore power to the Church.
[edit] Plot summary
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The main character of the novel is Brother Blacktooth "Nimmy" St. George, a monk at Leibowitz Abbey. Brother Blacktooth, a former Nomad, is fluent both in Nomadic and Churchspeak. Unsatisfied with his job as a translator of ancient texts, and haunted by his roots as a Nomad, Blacktooth becomes increasingly restless. He feels pulled between the two societies: that of the church, and that of the wanderer. Blacktooth's reputation as a misfit compels the Abbot of Leibowitz, Jarad, to seek his expulsion from the order, while Blacktooth's unique linguistic skills attract the attention of the visiting Cardinal Elia Brownpony (aka Red Deacon). Brownpony requires a translator in his travels in order to deal diplomatically with unruly Nomads (Grasshopper and Jackrabbit). Thus, Cardinal Brownpony decides to enlist Nimmy's services, saving him from disgrace at the hands of Jarad.
Brownpony and Nimmy set off to the conclave, along with Brownpony's other servants: Wooshin (aka "Axe"), a mysterious warrior from the Orient, and Chur Hongan (aka "Holy Madness"), his Nomadic driver. Soon afterward, the reigning Pope dies. A conclave of cardinals is called to elect a new one. The Church had been exiled from the holy city of New Rome in previous decades because of an invasion by then king (or "Hannegan") of Texark. As a result, all papal affairs were conducted in the city of Valana, beyond the reach of the Texark empire.
During their journeys, the group (specifically, Holy Madness) have a divine vision. The vision is of the Night Hag, who only appears to a man in order to announce the death of someone else. It is from her appearance that Brownpony infers the death of the Pope. The Night Hag is one of the three avatars of the Nomad goddess, Open Sky. Open Sky's other two avatars are The Buzzard of Battle and the Wild Horse Woman.
Upon arriving at the settlement of Arch Hollow on the way to Valana, they are accosted by genetically handicapped Nomads. The Nomads are quickly subdued by Wooshin, an adept warrior. Among the Nomads, Nimmy has occasion to meet AEdrea, a beautiful mutant who is able to pass for healthy. The two fall in love, despite the fact that both are forbidden to fraternize: him because of his vows, her because of her genes. The group continues to Valana without her, and Nimmy is prohibited from seeing her again. Only after they have left Arch Hollow far behind does Blacktooth realize that he has left his rosary in AEdrea's possession.
At the Conclave, Brownpony surprises the assembled cardinals by openly admitting that he is of Nomad ancestry. He makes this confession in order to embarrass a Texark scholar who was then present. Unfortunately, immediately after the outburst, a sickly student marches into the auditorium and attempts to assassinate the very same Texark infiltrator. Given the timing, it is widely presumed that Brownpony was behind the assassination, so attempts are made on the lives of Blacktooth and Brownpony. The violence of the Conclave escalates to a breaking point. The citizens of Valana, impatient for a new Pope, sequester the Conclave until the rival factions of cardinals (some allied with the Church, others with Texark) elect a new Pope. Under duress, the Conclave elects Amen Specklebird, a cryptic and oracular vagrant, who doubles as a cult icon for the Valanian people. Amen's election marks the first stage in a series of events that escalate tensions between Texark and the Church.
Amen's reign as Pope proves to be short-lived. He makes an abortive attempt to return the Church to New Rome by sending a mission of Nomads and Cardinals east. The convoy is turned away by Texark guardsmen. However, the Nomadic contingent of the convoy, being hungry and poorly fed, decides to split from the Papal authority and raze the countryside around New Rome.
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