The Sparrow

Executive Summary: I'm torn on this book. This is a book I never want to read again, but I'm glad I read once. 3.5 rounded up, though I could just as easily round it down. I change my mind every time I think about it.

Full Review
This is a hard review to write. I don't know how to properly express my feelings about this book.

It's not exactly a sci-fi book. Except it is. There isn't a lot of technical detail, so it's certainly not hard sci-fi. It's a first contact story. But really it's a story people, relationships, and trauma. That's not a spoiler. Ms. Russell lays that out right at the beginning.

The book alternates between present day and flash back chapters. We know something awful happened, but we don't know what that is.

It's well written, and the characters are excellent. It's also depressing as hell. My favorite parts were the flash backs on earth with Anne and George. Some of the parts were hard to read though.

I thought the religion thing was pretty well done. It doesn't cover all the bases, but you've got some Jesuits, a Jew, and some atheists. This isn't a religious book. It's a book with people of faith in it. I'm not one who enjoys reading religious stuff, and I wasn't bothered by it. So if it's not your thing either, I wouldn't let the fact that protagonist is a Jesuit turn you away.

I can't really speak to how religious people view this book, but I don't think it's an anti-religion book either. It simply talks about the faith of it's characters in a pretty neutral manner.

Early on in the book, I had a good idea what had happened. I just didn't know the details. In some ways I didn't want to know the details. I would have preferred to read more about Emilio before his trip.

Being prepared for it didn't really help though. I think that makes this a book that some people will just love, while others will find hard to read. I'm glad I read it, but I'm also glad I borrowed it instead of buying it, because I know I won't read it again.