My take on A Case of Conscience by James Blish

When I first checked out this book, I thought it was a new publication. After I got it home I discovered that it is a reprint that was originally published in 1958. This science fiction work won a Hugo Award when first released and raises some interesting plots.
A Case of Conscience tells the story of a unified Earth that is exploring new planets. A four member team is assigned to Lithia, where some of the first new intelligent life in the Universe is discovered. The team of evaluators comes to widely varying conclusions about the planet, its inhabitants and eventually returns to Earth with an infant Lithian.
One of the team members is a Jesuit priest who comes to see the Lithian's creations of the Devil. The priest risks excommunication for his belief but eventually is vindicated as the Lithian, now an Earth citizen encourages human's to revolt against the current world order.
This book was perhaps a little dryer than what I typically read. However it made you think about how your perceptions, and the actions that follow can have unintended results.
Originality 9
Characters 5
Themes 6