The Sparrow
A Novel
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4.3 • 24 Ratings
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
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 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
Customer Reviews
One of the best books I ever read
The spiritual dialog is ever present and challenging. An excellent read.
Extraordinary book!
As a long-time avid science fiction reader, I was blown away by this book.
Next to Asimov, this book (the first of two related novels) is undoubtedly one of the finest high-quality mesmerizing sci-fi stories ever written. Innovative, creative, striking in its story-telling, she creates a new world which shatters all per-conceived notions of life as we know it.
In fact, this novel was so incredibly original and ground-breaking that the author was "forced" to write the sequel "Children of God" in response to the begging and clamour of readers who needed a sequel to the Sparrow and "closure" to the story and the characters.
And if you fall in love with the Sparrow, you will be shocked to find out that the sequel is even better - surpassing the first book in its breadth and scope and originality.
Only praise and awe for this duo of superb novels.
Overly theological and scientifically flawed
Interesting idea but spoiled by being illogical and contrived, with unlikable characters. Avoid unless you are interested in theology.