Meet the Cast
Brother Francis Gerard
You've got to love Francis. Well, maybe you don't have to love him, but we sure do. When you think of a protagonist who spends his days in a Medieval-style era, you probably imagine a knight or a r...
Isaac Edward Leibowitz
Despite the fact that this dude's name is in the title of the book, you never really know who Isaac Leibowitz is—or isn't. So we guess our job here is done.Just kidding. We are in a bit of a pick...
Abbot Dom Paulo
We might be able to relate to Dom Paulo's problems more than any other character in A Canticle. The poor guy opens his house to a bunch of near-strangers, and before he knows it, they're eating his...
Abbot Jethrah Zerchi
Abbot Zerchi is far and away the most go-get 'em protagonist in the entire book. He's a man of action, as is evidenced by this statement: "His nature compelled him toward action" (24.61). Hey, some...
Abbot Arkos
The other two abbots at Leibowitz Abbey are the protagonists of their sections of A Canticle. But Arkos is not. And for good reason—the guy's a Grade-A Jerk. When we first meet him, Father Cherok...
Thon Taddeo Pfardentrott
In 1950s science fiction, the scientist is almost always the hero. He's smart, handsome, and adventurous, and he always gets the girl. The problem he's facing might be of his own making, but no mat...
The Poet
The Poet is a welcomed—well, more tolerated than welcomed—guest of the Leibowitz Abbey during Dom Paulo's tenure as abbot. He has a way with words. And by that, we mean he twists and bends them...
Doctor Cors
Dr. Cors works for Green Star Relief to aid the victims of nuclear exposure. He gives his word to Zerchi to not recommend euthanasia to any victims in exchange for being allowed to work in the abbe...
Brother Joshua
Poor Joshua. This guy is given the choice between leaving everything behind to go to the space colonies and staying on Earth, where he will probably die, along with the whole world. Oh, Hobson, and...
Minor Characters
Father CherokiFather Cheroki is a priest at the Leibowitz Abbey. He tends to respect a person's social position, rather than the person who actually occupies it. As such, he hears Francis's confess...