A review by crywithclaire
The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell

3.0

it’s been a while since i’ve read a book that hit me this hard. because of the time jumps you know something goes wrong with jesuits in space, but you don’t know exactly what until nearly the very end. the protagonists unfolding of and reckoning with what happens is both captivating and gut wrenching. the best way i can explain it is like a car crash that you can’t look away from, but in an oddly beautiful way i guess? i also enjoyed how interwoven this book is with anthropology, linguistics, theology, philosophy, etc. i’ll admit there were some occasions where characters would be having a conversation about one of the above topics and it became clear through their conversation what the AUTHOR likely thought, as if she were using the characters as a mouthpiece for her ideas, but i guess all authors do that? currently sprinting to google Russell and her background because tbh i think that would explain a lot.

UPDATE: i’m back after reading that the author wrote this as a DEFENSE OF CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS?!? there were clear parallels to colonialism and the willful misunderstandings and assumptions made by those in a “white savior” mindset … but i really struggle to understand the columbus parallel like, at all? i read this book as a condemnation of colonialism, not as a defense of colonizers. i have much more to say about this ridiculousness but ill leave it here - i had to change my rating despite this book being well paced and well written because that just left the most sour taste in my mouth. disgusting bye