The Sparrow

Mary Doria Russell
The Sparrow Cover

The Sparrow

justifiedsinner
9/16/2013
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The SETI project picks up radio transmissions of songs from nearby Alpha Centauri. The Catholic church send a mission of Jesuits and lay people to investigate these "children of God". Only one person a priest called Emilio Sandoz comes back alive and in disgrace. The novel unravels what happened.

At times a beautifully written novel with vivid characterisations. An exploration of faith and suffering.

The human team is perhaps too perfect, their conflicts minor. Too good to be true is the only failing I had with this novel.