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rickyb77 's review for:
The Sparrow
by Mary Doria Russell
This is my first five-star book of the year and my first experience with this author.
***SPOILERS***
I know some have questioned the style of jumping back and forth between the story before arriving on Rakhat but I loved this. It kept me intrigued with how this man in 2019 could end up so broken in 2060. I had to know!
I know from other reviews that some have read a political message in this story but I came at it with a spiritual outlook. I thought about Emilio Sandoz's internal struggle -- is god doing this, or is it me? -- and that was with me right up to the end. I think this question could be asked of everyone today, especially when so many are using the "this is what god wants" justifications to do horrible things to each other. So much fell into place for Sandoz that, instead of just telling himself it was great that everything was working out, he had to give credit for the coincidences and luck and opportunity and whatever you would call it when you get something because you've worked bloody hard for it and deserve it, to god. Maybe this was to give his life meaning (everything he had done for god was finally being rewarded, it wasn't for nothing). I don't know. But this book gave me a great insight into that kind of faith, as well as the argument against that kind of reasoning.
All in all, this book made me think, and has kept me thinking long after finishing it. And I love that in a story.
***SPOILERS***
I know some have questioned the style of jumping back and forth between the story before arriving on Rakhat but I loved this. It kept me intrigued with how this man in 2019 could end up so broken in 2060. I had to know!
I know from other reviews that some have read a political message in this story but I came at it with a spiritual outlook. I thought about Emilio Sandoz's internal struggle -- is god doing this, or is it me? -- and that was with me right up to the end. I think this question could be asked of everyone today, especially when so many are using the "this is what god wants" justifications to do horrible things to each other. So much fell into place for Sandoz that, instead of just telling himself it was great that everything was working out, he had to give credit for the coincidences and luck and opportunity and whatever you would call it when you get something because you've worked bloody hard for it and deserve it, to god. Maybe this was to give his life meaning (everything he had done for god was finally being rewarded, it wasn't for nothing). I don't know. But this book gave me a great insight into that kind of faith, as well as the argument against that kind of reasoning.
All in all, this book made me think, and has kept me thinking long after finishing it. And I love that in a story.