A Case of Conscience cover

explorer / books · 1959

A Case of Conscience

James Blish

Published 1958 by Ballantine Books · 188 pages

Hugo · 1959

Winner
Science Fiction

On the ballot with

This book is recorded on the Hugo ballot only. Each row shows the full Best Novel ballot for that award and ceremony year. Winners appear first.

James Blish on these ballots

2 award entries · 2 books · 1 wins · 1959–1969

WinHugo finalistNebula finalistThis book
HUGONEBULA195919651969
A Case of Conscience cover
A Case of Conscience
Black Easter cover
Black Easter

Synopsis

Jesuit priest and biologist Father Ramon Ruiz-Sanchez is part of a commission evaluating the planet Lithia, whose reptilian inhabitants have built a perfectly moral society without any concept of God or religion. Concluding that the planet is a snare created by the Devil to undermine faith, he faces an agonizing crisis of conscience that pits his scientific training against his theological convictions.

Experimental tags

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First Contact
Religion & SpiritualityAlien Contact

Details

Series
After Such Knowledge · Book 1
Author nationality
United States
ISBN
9780345438355