From the Bookshelf of The Sword and Laser…

The Sparrow (The Sparrow, #1)

Mary Doria Russell

Start date: January 1, 2015

Finish date: January 31, 2015

Discussion: 2015 Reads

Why we're reading this: It won the book poll.
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2015 Reads

TTBC: Is this book "fantasy"?
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TGE: The Goblin Emperor - March 2015!
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What Members Thought

Nov 25, 2009 Gaijinmama rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: science-fiction

This is a story of first contact, quite similar to how it must have been for Columbus or other explorers out to see New Worlds, with little hope of ever returning home.
Even though the story unfolds like a Greek tragedy, and it is clear from the very beginning that something horrible happened, I loved the premise of this book, the humor (Oh. My. Gods! Quotes from Young Frankenstein and The Princess Bride? how could you not love this?), and the writing style. I also genuinely came to care about th ...more

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Jul 29, 2011 Stephanie rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction, sci-fi, 100-books-list, 2014reads

My reasons for picking up The Sparrow? Both Ann Kingman of the podcast Books on the Nightstand and Rebecca Schinsky of Bookrageous and Book Riot list it among their top favorite books of all time. Both of these ladies know a thing or two about books so I was definitely interested. These recommendation were coupled with my love for one of Mary Doria Russell’s other novels, Doc which was one of my favorite reads of 2012. The Sparrow was, downright astonishingly, Russell’s first novel and she hits My reasons for picking up The Sparrow? Both Ann Kingman of the podcast Books on the Nightstand and Rebecca Schinsky of Bookrageous and Book Riot list it among their top favorite books of all time. Both of these ladies know a thing or two about books so I was definitely interested. These recommendation were coupled with my love for one of Mary Doria Russell’s other novels, Doc which was one of my favorite reads of 2012. The Sparrow was, downright astonishingly, Russell’s first novel and she hits it so far out of the park, it would take light years to even see the park again.

I give it four (really 4.5 stars) rather than five stars, simply because there is one little section about three quarters of the way through that I though got a little schmaltzy and just didn’t work 100% for me BUT I feel like a jerk because overall this book was beautiful and thoughtful and funny. It’s literary, character-driven science fiction that uses science fiction for its noblest virtue - to explore ideas outside of the current box of reality so that they won’t be hampered by the limitations of the world we know. She tackles (on her first go mind you) no lesser theme than the nature of faith and God.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. The story is told using a split narrative, bouncing between the present (sometime in the latter 21st century) and the past seventy years prior. The narrative is centered on Emilio Sandoz, a Jesuit priest who has just returned from an obviously disastrous first contact mission, funded by the Jesuits, with the planet of Rakhat. There is scandal and mystery surrounding his return and the man himself is in no condition to speak of what happened. As the book progresses we follow his recovery and slow recounting of what happened while flashing back to experience first hand how it happened.

The book has a pretty broad cast of characters though it is more up close and personal with the characters in the flashback – the Edwards, Jimmy Quinn, Sofia Mendes, D.W. Emilio is definitely at the heart of it all. He’s an unconventional priest –funny and irreverent – but he is devoted to a life of service which he pursues with charismatic energy. His faith is of a practical nature - focused on the everyday work with people. It is not until astronomer Jimmy Quinn picks up a transmission of music being broadcast from many light years away that Emilio really starts to feel and channel the divine. Everything in the universe seems to be leading this group of seven people into space and into contact with the planet Rakhat. And then everything goes horribly wrong.

Basically, this is just a really great story that is at once very personal and very epic in scope. If you are a reader that is wary of sci-fi, I think you would easily love this book. Whatever you might be looking for in a book, you would likely find what you want here.

When I got to the end of The Sparrow, I read the following in the acknowledgements: “Finally, Dorothy Dunnett may consider The Sparrow one long thank you note for her splendid Lymond series.” With that, it became clear that I was always meant to love this book and why I think Mary Doria Russell is such a brilliant writer. We are, as all who deeply appreciate Dunnett and the Lymond chronicles, kindred spirits. Or at least that’s what I like to think.

Final Verdict: A beautifully written and engrossing first contact story which combines humor, tragedy, and spirituality.
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Jul 01, 2024 Becky rated it really liked it

I had this book on my to-read shelf for several years and thought I might never get around to reading it because all I really knew about it was that it involves space missionaries and is super grim. Then I found it just when I needed a book at a little free library and decided I would read one page and see if it hooked me. It did, and the rest of the book kept me hooked.

Things started out good but a little slow with all the dramatic foreshadowing and introducing of the many characters up front. ...more

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Aug 30, 2014 Amy rated it liked it

Takes 1/3 of the book to actually get going. First 1/3 is very very slow. Liked the characters, liked the aliens (though they weren't great aliens like Cherryh does, just sort of human-not-human). The big reveal was sad but also sort of meh. ...more

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Oct 11, 2012 Lani rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: podcast-reviewers-recommendations, science-fiction, speculative-fiction

So many good things, but not enough of an ending our more accurately too much of a tragic end for my taste. I understand there is a sequel so that may be what I need, but I'm not sure I am ready to revisit the pain Emilio has endured. ...more

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