The Sparrow (The Sparrow, #1) in Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge

Dec 09, 2014 Mia rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2023-books

Really beautiful story about a group of Jesuit priests and a few lay people who go and explore a new planet and alien race. Sci-fi elements but really just a novel about faith.

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Sep 27, 2017 Loretta rated it really liked it

Shelves: sci-fi-and-fantasy, audiobooks

I kind of don't know how to review this. It's beautifully written, the structure of it really worked for me, the characters were all interesting and Emilio Sandoz' agony was beautifully done until, until. I am having a hard time digesting the final reveal - not that it surprised me, it didn't, and that might be part of my problem - what kind of idiots were these UN people who found Sandoz and presumed what they presumed? And what kind of idiots were any of the Jesuits who accepted that? FFS.

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Aug 19, 2015 Eunice rated it it was amazing

This is a stunning book unlike any others that I have read. Russell uses the unlikely backdrop of first contact with an alien species to explore the depths of religion, faith, philosophy and love. While it may seem like sci-fi at first glance (not that books necessarily need to be placed in a certain genre), I wouldn't quite classify it as that. Both the stories and the characters are compelling. I highly recommend this read. ...more

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Aug 06, 2010 Julianne Dunn rated it it was amazing

There are very disturbing hints throughout the book about what happens in the end but it is a beautifully written book that explores religion and science and how we would present both/either if we were presented with aliens. It has a science fiction concept but it is very real in the relationships and the fight for survival.

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