Reviews - The Sparrow | The StoryGraph

2.76k reviews for:

The Sparrow

Mary Doria Russell

4.16 AVERAGE

7homkat's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark emotional inspiring mysterious slow-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

scotchyeti's review against another edition

2.0

For me the book had too many flaws to give it more than 2 stars.

The search for god and the struggles of the Jesuits was, at its core, interesting. It's the old question what god means to someone and I liked the point that when something good happens we thank him and when something bad happens we like to blame someone else. I was only wondering why the celibacy played such a big role. It served for some drama but as I don't trust the author to have any special insight it bored me too much. If these things had been written by a priest then it would have been different.

Right at the beginning we already learn that something really bad has happened on the expedition to another planet in Alpha Centauri and the only survivor is reluctant to reveal anything. This is a nice way to raise the level of expectation but it takes much too long for the events to kick off. There is too much preparation, too much talk and unfortunately it doesn't get better once the crew arrives on the planet. Important events get little treatment and I was disappointed how abrupt the end came. I didn't even care what happened to the other characters and came to the conclusion that a total disaster was the logical explanation for such an amateurish mission.

"The Sparrow" is one of the few books where the protagonist managed to turn from a likable character into someone I didn't understand anymore. I loved his job as a linguist, the skill with which he learnt new languages and the passion as a Jesuit. Where did the self-blame come from and why is he not able to see the things as they are? Why does he question god based on the things that happened to him?

Maybe it would have been different with a look at his deepest inner thoughts, re-living the experiences that changed his believes. It's unfortunate that the author doesn't do this - for none of her characters. Having a jolly party or growing a garden was more important...

I know that many people love the book but I cannot recommend it.

laquinta88's review against another edition

3.0

challenging dark mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

chickenturtlesallthewaydown's review against another edition

4.0

medium-paced

I enjoyed this thoroughly at first; was slightly uncomfortable with some of the characters and content but found the ending thought provoking and genuinely enjoyable. Sought out the sequel right away and nearly did not finish it and honestly wished I hadn’t read the follow up as it changed the way I felt about the Sparrow (basically ruined the good feelings I had for the first book and would now hesitate to recommend the Sparrow to anyone).

highdjo's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous dark reflective medium-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: Yes

morganmorganmor's review against another edition

3.75

“God left me, but someone remembered where I was.”

“He is still held fast in the formless stone, but he’s closer to God than I have ever been in my life. And I don’t even have the courage to envy him.”

A novel about imperialism, faith, and the impossibility of doing the right thing which was by turns wonderful, horrible, laborious, boring, confusing, and too clear. Warm characterisation and a lot to say about the point people do and perhaps should abandon God. I feel a bit sick after finishing it.