The Sparrow
by Maria Doria Russell
A Jesuit in space. A science fiction retelling of a misunderstanding of cultures and the tragic consequences.
Recommendations from our site
“It’s about the perils of exploration and exploitation, and misunderstanding other cultures. The world receives a broadcast from another planet, and it’s incredibly beautiful, otherworldly music. The assumption is immediately made that this is a beautiful peaceful society, and the first group of earth people who are able to afford and mount an expedition to this other world is the Catholic church. So, as they did in the 14th and 15th centuries, they get a bunch of priests together and set off – if not to convert, then at least to converse with this alien species. I won’t spoil it for people who haven’t read it, but the full revelation of what’s happened is genuinely shocking and unpleasant. She writes really, really beautifully about horrible things. You know, I find I’m surprised at myself that I’ve chosen two such upsetting books on this list, because I’m not someone who likes particularly nasty stuff! But The Sparrow is so empathetic in its treatment of its characters.” Read more...
The Best Science Fiction Worlds
Tom Huddleston, Novelist
“The idea was that we overhear a signal from another planet—not directed at us, music. It happens to be coming from the nearest star to us, Alpha Centauri, which is only four light years away. And while the governments of the world are figuring out what to do, the Jesuits—who have always, as Russell writes, sought to know God’s other children—pull together a mission and go.” Read more...
The Best Science Fiction Books About Aliens
Jaime Green, Science Writer
“Immigrant children love science fiction because it is about travel to new worlds even further away than the world they have come from. I found that made sense to me. Russell is a feminist academic and this book is about a Jesuit priest on a Catholic mission, not to Peru, but to outer space, to a place with which contact has been made. There is some communication and trade and he is now going on this mission. He develops a deep relationship but there is a fundamental misunderstanding that results in terrible tragedy. “ Read more...
Ellah Allfrey, Literary Scholar
