Children of God

So I read the sparrow something like 15 years ago. I loved it. Totally meant to read the sequel. This was a time before ebooks and Amazon when I would have had to go to a store to purchase a book with money college me didn't have. So I didn't. It took over a decade for happenstance to return to The Sparrow to my shelf and throw the sequel in with it. I do finish things I start; I do.

Children of God is much more hopeful than The Sparrow, and I think that's why it didn't resonate quite as strongly with me. The Sparrow is an ambiguous book that looks at religion as it affects believers, agnostics, and atheists alike. That sort of parity is the main reason I love it. This book is more of a summation and because Mary Doria Russell doesn't want all her readers to kill themselves, the various endings are hopeful if not all good. They point to ineffable plans bearing fruit in a way that makes me happy for the characters, but sits a little bit wrong in my bitter, realist heart.

The main themes of this book are coping with senseless tragedy and the benefit of hindsight. Whatever the actual plausibility of Russell's use of speed of light travel, the element of Emilio's lifespan allows for him to witness a span of time most of the other characters will never see, and the reader benefits from his perspective. We see societies collapse and reform and our sympathies shift from victims to oppressors. We see people do awful things for noble reasons. We see consequences play out past anyone's expectations both for good and ill. It's a sweeping novel, and I envy Russell's control of a shifting time scheme.

In the afterword, Russell says the main element she hopes readers take away with them is “Don't be so damn quick to judge!” I think this statement is a worthwhile one for everyone to take with them. Learning it while exploring Russell's brilliantly brought to life alien cultures is much easier than trying it in real life. I only wish there was one more featuring Rukuei's story as he ventures to H'earth. That is a whole different thematic palette I'd love to read

Didn't enjoy this one so much as the first. Taking more than 6 months to finish it is a clear sign of that.

While the first book was religious but tolerable, the second one focus much more on this side of things, rendering all the other themes to the background (even the interesting political situation of Rakhat).

The other issue are the characters, so many on that ship, and you really can't tell them apart. Maybe the issue is that they aren't at all likeable... Hell, I don't even remember their names anymore. There was John, Carlo, the giant guy with a heart of gold, the one with indigenous background...

I won't drag. This one really didn't fit with me. The only part that was enjoyable was before Emilio went against his will to Rakhat again. That was where? At 20% of the book maybe?

Conclusion: Too much religion, too many characters (both human and alien), passable ending.

After the Sparrow crushed my heart and soul I knew I had to read the sequel as soon as possible - and I'm glad I did!

Children of God takes a deeper dive into the society of the Runa and Jana'ata in Rakhat, and I LOVED it. It makes the alien societies feel so much more real, and shows a very different and surprising perspective to what happened to Sandoz on Rakhat.

As for Sandoz... he still takes a beating in this book (quite literally), but overall, his journey of recovery is hopeful and I think this book wrapped up The Sparrow quite nicely.

I feel like this is a book I'll have to re-read again when I'm older to fully appreciate the message. Still, this is one of the best books I've read so far.