The Sparrow

Religion usually doesn't play a big role in Science Fiction novels. And when it does, I have a tendency to find it trite and boring. Of course, I'm writing this blog post to recommend a book that not only features religion as a major part of the narrative, but actually does it in such a way that the book becomes vastly better for it. It's called The Sparrow, by Mary Doria Russel. I have read much SF in my days, but if I had to choose my one favourite, The Sparrow would be it.

The main character is a Jesuit, working in the gutters of San Juan, Puerto Rico, when suddenly extra terrestrial transmissions are discovered. The Jesuits quickly arranges an expedition to the world the transmissions originated from.

What's so beautiful about the book is how the inevitable conclusion at the end builds on everything that's happened. Within a consistent universe, what happens could only be interpreted in one way, and that is devastating.

I could gush on about this book for pages and pages, but I won't. Instead, I say, just go and read it. NOW!

And if you happen to notice there is a sequel to the book, don't read it. The sequel removes much of the power of the desperation and hard choices made in the first book. I was not satisfied.