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The Sparrow
by Mary Doria Russell
In 2019, a musical radio signal from a planet is picked up on Earth.
In 2021, the Society of Jesus sends a group of seven to the planet Rakhet.
In 2059, Father Emilio Sandoz returns to Earth. The sole survivor of the mission, he is physically and mentally broken. He is bitter, stubborn and feels betrayed by God. The Society needs to understand what happened on the planet, but he is not ready to share.
Emilio Sandoz was not always the bitter man he has become. Interwoven with the stories present are the flashbacks of Emilio's life before Rakhet and the time spent among the Runa, a beautiful and welcoming race of people living on Rakhet. It is through these flashbacks that we learn of Emilio's quest to find God, and discover the reasons why he is now so hardened towards him.
Though The Sparrow may seem at first glance to be a religious novel, it is not. It is about the journey to find faith in something. From devout priest to atheist, the characters have a wide range of religious beliefs, but they are all looking for answers. The characters were all beautifully crafted, each with their own vivid personality.
An anthropologist by education, Mary Doria Russel's roots certainly show in this novel. The culture she creates on the planet of Rahket is extremely unique and intricate while still remaining believable.
This is definitely going on the favorites shelf, and I look forward to reading the next book in the series!
In 2021, the Society of Jesus sends a group of seven to the planet Rakhet.
In 2059, Father Emilio Sandoz returns to Earth. The sole survivor of the mission, he is physically and mentally broken. He is bitter, stubborn and feels betrayed by God. The Society needs to understand what happened on the planet, but he is not ready to share.
Emilio Sandoz was not always the bitter man he has become. Interwoven with the stories present are the flashbacks of Emilio's life before Rakhet and the time spent among the Runa, a beautiful and welcoming race of people living on Rakhet. It is through these flashbacks that we learn of Emilio's quest to find God, and discover the reasons why he is now so hardened towards him.
Though The Sparrow may seem at first glance to be a religious novel, it is not. It is about the journey to find faith in something. From devout priest to atheist, the characters have a wide range of religious beliefs, but they are all looking for answers. The characters were all beautifully crafted, each with their own vivid personality.
An anthropologist by education, Mary Doria Russel's roots certainly show in this novel. The culture she creates on the planet of Rahket is extremely unique and intricate while still remaining believable.
This is definitely going on the favorites shelf, and I look forward to reading the next book in the series!