Set in the 21st century - a number of decades from now - The Sparrow is the story of a charismatic Jesuit priest and talented linguist, Emilio Sandoz, who - in response to a remarkable radio signal from the depths of space - leads a scientific mission to make first contact with an extraterrestrial culture. It is so beautifully written and the construction of the narrative is masterful.'Įmma Newman, acclaimed author of Planetfall If you like books that can make you think and cry at the same time, check this one out! A warning, though: some parts of this book are extremely graphic.' The Sparrow is one of my favourite science fiction novels and it destroyed me in the best way when I read it. in anthropology, does an excellent job creating alien cultures and thinking through the conflicts and misunderstandings that might result when very different cultures meet. The characters-a mix of Jesuit priests, scientists of varying faiths, and the aliens they meet-are well-drawn and almost universally sympathetic.
I’ve always loved books that begin by showing a tragedy and then gradually reveal how it happened, and Russell executes that perfectly here as the plot builds to its riveting conclusion. I first read this book for a book club about fifteen years ago, and it’s been one of my favorites ever since. Emilio’s account is interspersed with flashbacks to paint a heartwrenching picture of a project that started out with the best intentions but ended in death and scandal. He is forced to give his superiors an analysis of the mission’s failure. Emilio Sandoz, a priest and linguist who is the only survivor among the mission’s crew, has just returned to Earth physically mutilated and spiritually broken. The Sparrow (1996), by Mary Doria Russell, opens in 2059, in the aftermath of a disastrous Jesuit mission to make first contact with an extraterrestrial civilization.
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