A visionary work that combines speculative fiction with deep philosophical inquiry, The Sparrow tells the story of a charismatic Jesuit priest and linguist, Emilio Sandoz, who leads a scientific mission entrusted with a profound task: to make first contact with intelligent extraterrestrial life. The mission begins in faith, hope, and beauty, but a series of small misunderstandings brings it to a … brings it to a catastrophic end.
Praise for The Sparrow
“A startling, engrossing, and moral work of fiction.”—The New York Times Book Review
“Important novels leave deep cracks in our beliefs, our prejudices, and our blinders. The Sparrow is one of them.”—Entertainment Weekly
“Powerful . . . The Sparrow tackles a difficult subject with grace and intelligence.”—San Francisco Chronicle
“Provocative, challenging . . . recalls both Arthur C. Clarke and H. G. Wells, with a dash of Ray Bradbury for good measure.”—The Dallas Morning News
“[Mary Doria] Russell shows herself to be a skillful storyteller who subtly and expertly builds suspense.”—USA Today
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Mary Doria Russell’s The Sparrow is a book I am confident recommending to anyone. It has superb character development and terrific storytelling that even the staunchest anti-genre reader will appreciate.
If you are interested in trying out science fiction because everyone seems to like it but you, read this book. If you are a science fiction …
The friend who first recommended this book to me was at a loss as to how best sum it up. It came down to, “Jesuits in space,” which pretty much sealed the deal – I HAD to read it. I might add to that (less succinctly than she), actions taken with the best of intentions can, because of cultural differences, have disastrous consequences. The Sparrow …
This book is one of the best books I have ever read. I would recommend it to anyone and everyone.
I first read this book in 1997 when it first came out and was haunted by its originality and thought provoking ideas. Reading it again, 2o years later, I found it as amazing as the first time if not more.
The premise of the story is pure genius: Extraterrestrial life is found in a galaxy light years away from ours and the Jesuit order decides to …
Should be on everyone’s top ten lists of science fiction books, bar none!. Besides an extemely original story line it also should be put the in genre of religion/philosophy and first contact books as well.
4.5S! Don’t you just love books that stick with you long after the last page?? If so, you’ll love this one! My brain kept circling back to this novel long after I’d finished it. I read lots of reviews before reading this because, after reading the back cover blurb, I wanted to know if this was going to be a super religious book about …
This is my all time favorite book. It’s impossible to describe, and no review can do it justice. It’s a truly incredible experience, reading this book. Highly, highly recommend, and one I return to often.
I read The Sparrow about ten years ago. It’s a story I think of often, that has stayed with me. It explores the gap between expectations and reality, and what it means to be human, with sensitivity and an ingenious story premise. It’s a great book.
A group of dear friends, funded by the Jesuits, ride an asteroid to discover the source of alien music coming from Alpha Centauri. We step into the story after the lone survivor’s tragic return.
The writer Spider Robinson talks about dilemmas from time to time; one that he uses in his books is the example of a devout man whose fiancee has a …
Book One of Two books. The book is NOT about a bird. Book one takes place on Earth, a space flight and then living on a planet, populated by various types of i telligent life.
Book Two continues the story of a diverse, seemingly mix-matched group of people.
Recommended by a friend, I would not have chosen the first book. I Could not put it …
What happens when our best laid plans to “convert the natives” are met with an alien culture so contrary to our own, the reader is left wondering who converts who!!!
I consider “The Sparrow” to be among the very best books I have ever read. It works on so many levels. As the narrative of an expedition to meet the first intelligent life found beyond our planet, it is a gripping story. Russell does an excellent job of world building, answering most, but not all, of our questions. But then, the book goes much …
This book surprised and captivated me. I’m a lover of theology and science fiction but they are so rarely found in the same book. This one presents moral dilemmas from the perspective of the future. What happens when trying to do the right thing ends up causing unforeseen and irreparable damage and destroys countless lives? How can purely good …
This is my favorite book of all time. It is unforgettable. When I started it, I thought, “There is no way the author is going to convince me that a priest with this much true faith can in any way lose that faith.” Well, she did convince me, and then some.
This book is not an easy read, but it rewards every bit of the effort. Intense, powerful, thought-provoking.
What book did you enjoy that took you out of your comfort zone?
I am not a big Sci-Fi fan but I read this book because of a recommendation and enjoyed it. There is a book two I have not read yet.
More like 4.5 stars. The Sparrow is both a masterful tale of horrifying suspense and a introspective look at religion, spirituality and the clash of cultures. This novel is perhaps the first major work I’ve read in which the author regularly switches character perspectives within a single scene. It’s a little jarring, but I wonder if I would have …
A fantastic novel that covers universe-sized themes. The narrative moves between two timelines, as well as several distinct cultures, but never gets confusing. Many of the key plot points are revealed early on, a bold choice by the author that works brilliantly. Full of great characters, even in minor roles; Father Sandoz and Anne Edwards are …
I have never been as surprised by a book as I was by The Sparrow. The story became something completely different in the last parts of the book, and it was thrilling, enthralling, and original. And the reader is left with the same philosophical quandary as the protagonist.
4.5 stars!
The Sparrow chronicles a near-future, Jesuit-led mission to an alien planet. The mission was ignited by the receipt of a signal from a distant galaxy that was deciphered and discovered to be the sound of voices singing. For the main character, a Jesuit priest named Emilio Sandoz, this was to be a magnificent undertaking to make first …