God, Mig. You take me back 40 years or so.
One of the reasons why "A canticle for Leibowitz" is still such a widely admired piece of fiction is that Walter M. Miller tells stories on several levels at once- and all of them good stories.
The surface story was a sweeping future history about technology lost and a return to barbarism, with great characters, and wonderful humor.
Remember the poet- and the crushed toe and the "need for a goat"? All of which encloses a heartfelt discussion of technology and evil, and a tour de force of brilliant writing.
On the shimmering sun-baked horizon, A "wriggling iota". Wish I could do that.

The story was, however, a love story.

A story about the love of innocence, however strange, in the midst of failure and death.
Miller celebrates the wondrous mysteries of the world, even as it ends.
To all who comment here, ---if you haven't read it, gift yourself, and read the book.
 

Capitalism searches out the darkest corners of human potential, and mainlines them.