{"product_id":"a-case-of-conscience-9780345280237","title":"A Case of Conscience","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe 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 dont 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 Blishs 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 priests 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\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45951505989685,"sku":"ByrdShop_0345280237","price":337.2,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780345280237.jpg?v=1788110765","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/a-case-of-conscience-9780345280237","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}