I was moderately enjoying this book until I got to the second part, where I realized just how much I loved what it was doing. Following one monastic clergy over the course of centuries in a post-fallout society is so much fun and the writing perfectly captures the kind of petty conflict that comes out of academia.

I haven't read anything else by Walter Miller Jr. but his writing and humor reminds me a lot of Pratchett (who I love), and I'm moved by the theme of love and dedication in the face of powerlessness.