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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
An impossible book to pitch without setting up strange expectations; "Jesuits in space" makes it sound like a dry pulp sci-fi written by and for a religious audience, sort of that "this is a genre piece christians can feel safe and unchallenged with." In reality, The Sparrow has a lot to say about theology, but more to deconstruct it than to agree or disagree with it.
This is a very loving book, but it makes clear from the beginning that it's going to betray you with that love--as it inevitably betrays its central characters. The journey isn't any less valuable, knowing exactly where it will end, it only serves to make it more bittersweet as you come to love the crew as they love each other. The softness of the near future sci-fi is incredibly compelling, and the focus on linguistics and interpersonal connections on an alien planet was more refreshing than I could've imagined. It's long, it takes a long time setting itself up, but it's absolutely worth taking the time to build up to making first contact, an unbelievably emotional chapter that only makes everything else so much more difficult as you remember where it's all going.
This is a very loving book, but it makes clear from the beginning that it's going to betray you with that love--as it inevitably betrays its central characters. The journey isn't any less valuable, knowing exactly where it will end, it only serves to make it more bittersweet as you come to love the crew as they love each other. The softness of the near future sci-fi is incredibly compelling, and the focus on linguistics and interpersonal connections on an alien planet was more refreshing than I could've imagined. It's long, it takes a long time setting itself up, but it's absolutely worth taking the time to build up to making first contact, an unbelievably emotional chapter that only makes everything else so much more difficult as you remember where it's all going.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Muy fuerte de leer, una historia sobre amor, culpa, dolor, y como uno puede vivir sabiendo que Dios existe en un mundo lleno de maldad. Un libro que explora la religión y las relaciones, en este caso interespecies. Emilio Sandoz es un hombre roto, roto por su amor a Dios, y su amor a Dios es lo que lo termina reconstruyendo.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Rape, Slavery, Colonisation
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
At a high level, it is a sci-fi exploration of theodicy. It is a beautiful tribute to people and their ability and willingness to connect with others but also how easy it is to find yourself in a situation you could not previously imagine. Heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time.
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Without adding spoilers i will say i am pleased i read it.
If you like sci-fi you should read it.
If you like sci-fi you should read it.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Beautiful, charming, and heartbreaking. You will enjoy this book regardless of your religious beliefs. I myself am pagan and an ex-Christian, but found the religious elements of this book to be absolutely essential to what it is. I can’t recommend it enough.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual violence, Vomit
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Trafficking