Another book I was reading back during my high school teaching days. At times I wonder now, given the heavy workload I faced, how I managed to read for fun.

Back then, it was my first time reading this book. Here is what I wrote back then:

>>The Church (Catholic) is one of the few surviving institutions, and they assume the task of preserving knowledge. I believe that the parallels to the monastic movement after the fall of the Roman Empire and the Dark Ages are apparent and intentional. Overall, the novel is a very interesting piece of writing.<<

When I actually finished it, I remarked on the tight ending, which I won't spoil for others. But there is a question the book asks, I thought at the time, which is:

>>whether we as a human race can overcome nature or tendency, to destroy ourselves. Maybe some of us out in the stars would be able to as long as no new tyrants rose to life. Who knows?I would like to think that we can solve our problems. The real problem is a sincere desire to solve everything else.<<

I have had the chance to reread it since then, and I have grown to appreciate it more. However, I am now a bit more cynical as well. Definitely a classic.