The Sparrow
The Sparrow
paperback
Published:
1 November, 1997
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Description
'The Sparrow is one of my favourite science fiction novels and it destroyed me in the best way when I read it. It is so beautifully written and the construction of the narrative is masterful'
Emma Newman, author of Planetfall
THE ACCLAIMED GENRE-DEFINING WINNER OF THE 1998 ARTHUR C. CLARKE AWARD
Set in the 21st century - a number of decades from now - The Sparrow is the story of a charismatic Jesuit priest and talented linguist, Emilio Sandoz, who - in response to a remarkable radio signal from the depths of space - leads a scientific mission to make first contact with an extra-terrestrial culture.
In the true tradition of Jesuit adventurers before him, Sandoz and his companions are prepared to endure isolation, suffering - even death - but nothing can prepare them for the civilisation they encounter. Or for the tragic misunderstanding that brings the mission to a devastating end. Once considered a living saint, Sandoz returns alone to Earth horrifically maimed, both physically and spiritually, the mission's sole survivor - only to be blamed for the mission's failure and accused of heinous crimes.
Written in clean, effortless prose and peopled with memorable characters who never lose their humanity or humour, The Sparrow is a powerful, haunting fiction - a tragic but ultimately triumphant novel about the nature of faith, of love and what it means to be 'human' and widely considered to be a classic of the genre.
Prizes
Winner of Arthur C. Clarke Award 1998,Winner of Arthur C Clarke Award 1998
More Details
| Type | Book |
|---|---|
| ISBN13 | 9780552997775 |
| ISBN10 | 0552997773 |
| Number Of Pages | 512 |
| Item Weight | 353 g |
| Product Dimensions | 129 x 197 x 32 mm |
| Publisher / Reseller | Transworld Publishers Ltd |
| Format | paperback |
Media Reviews
'One of those rare books that takes you to its heart and refuses to let go' -- Lorenzo Carcaterra, author of Sleepers
'Compulsive reading and may be the year's best science fiction novel' -- John Clute * Mail on Sunday *
'Brilliant first novel about the discovery of extraterrestrial life...Shades of Wells, Ursula Le Guin and Arthur C. Clarke, with just a dash of Edgar Rice Burroughs - and yet strikingly original' * Kirkus Reviews *
'One of the years's most powerful and disturbing books' * The Times *
'A parable about human life on Earth, with all its imperfections, failings, doubts, wisdom and erudition...The Sparrow is a startling, engrossing and moral work of fiction' -- Colleen McCullough
'A tangy blend of psychological insight and impassioned lyricism, passed through a sieve of diamond-clear prose...The Sparrow has depth, pace, engaging characters and an alien culture that knocks you sideways' * Time Out *
'A hopeful sign that science fiction might reclaim its heritage as a literature with boundless capacity to kindle wonder' * Entertainment Weekly *
GoodReads Reviews
Author's Bio
Mary Doria Russell is the multi-award-winning author of seven acclaimed novels. The science fiction classics The Sparrow and its acclaimed sequel, Children of God; the astonishing World War II thriller, A Thread of Grace, and Dreamers of the Day, a political romance set in Cairo in 1921. In Doc and Epitaph, she revisits the ‘Wild West’ mythology surrounding Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday and the Gunfight at the OK Corral, while The Women of the Copper Country tells the story of Annie Clements, ‘America’s Joan of Arc’. Mary holds a Ph.D. in biological anthropology from the University of Michigan. She and Don Russell have been happily married for an unusually high percentage high percentage of the years since 1970. They live in Cleveland, Ohio.