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The Sparrow
The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell
The Sparrow is a novel about a remarkable man, a living saint, a life-long celibate and Jesuit priest, who undergoes an experience so harrowing and profound that it makes him question the existence of God. This experience--the first contact between human beings and intelligent extraterrestrial life--begins with a small mistake and ends in a horrible catastrophe.
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CoffeeNBooks
The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell
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#HauntedShelf Book Scavenger Hunt
I don't know if this is really a #NightSky, but that's what it's always reminded me of.
Team #DeadSerious @OriginalCyn620

OriginalCyn620 🖤🖤🖤 4w
50 likes1 comment
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Susanita
The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell
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Another tie for August. #12booksof2023

This year I read books set all over the place. A significant part of this book took place on another planet, making it the farthest setting from my home. The closest was probably Yellowface, with much of the story taking place in Washington DC.

Andrew65 I really enjoyed The Sparrow. 10mo
36 likes1 comment
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Soubhiville
The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell
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I probably post this kindle deal every time it comes up. One of my very favorite books of all time. If you‘re a US ebook reader, and you like complex speculative fiction/ scifi/ difficult to pin to a genre books, I can‘t recommend this enough!

quietlycuriouskate Love, love, love this book! 💞 12mo
Tamra So good! 12mo
Deblovestoread An all time favorite and one of my most recommended books. 12mo
KathyWheeler I loved this book! I liked the sequel, Children of God, too — just not quite as much. 12mo
bookishbitch I'm still not over the ending. It wrecked me. 12mo
49 likes1 stack add5 comments
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DivineDiana
The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell
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A few years ago, I participated in a Litsy group that shared books with each other. A group notebook was sent with the book, and each person wrote their review. It was lots of fun. This was one of the books. I had never heard of it. It was amazing!
#bookbinge #nonhumanprotag

Tamra I love this book! 1y
Eggs How nice! Great choice! 1y
quietlycuriouskate Love this book! I still think about it often (I think it's three years since I read it.) 1y
See All 8 Comments
DivineDiana @Eggs Thank you. ❤️ 1y
DivineDiana @quietlycuriouskate As do I and I must have read it more than three years ago. 1y
BkClubCare Powerful book. I am reading The Book of Strange New Things (also religion on alien planet) and keep thinking about Sparrow. And how weird that I have yet to read anything else by Sparrow's author. 1y
DivineDiana @BkClubCare It is definitely a book that stays with you! There are just SO many books to read! Will look for your review of 1y
53 likes8 comments
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Susanita
The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell
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Jesuits in space! I‘m not well versed on monastic orders, so the significance of Francis being the first Jesuit Pope was lost on me until I read the author‘s note about it.

Anyway, this was a compelling, sprawling story about “first contact” with a distant planet. At first I wasn‘t sure about the structure, with excerpts from the post-expedition proceedings intertwined with the activities on the planet, but in the end it worked. #rushathon

Susanita There‘s perhaps a little too much emphasis on the back stories and trip prep, but it led to well fleshed out characters. Once I put two and two together and realized that all but one would die, it was particularly poignant. This is implied in the “blurb,” but I‘m putting it under a spoiler tag for good measure. 1y
BarbaraJean I love this book so very much! The first contact elements are so well done, the spiritual elements speak to me deeply, and I just love all the characters! 1y
DieAReader 🥳🥳🥳 1y
See All 6 Comments
Andrew65 I had similar thoughts about this book, well done 👏👏👏 1y
rwmg I know some people don't like it but I found the sequel just as compelling, giving the events from the VaRakhati's eye view of the events 1y
CuriousG The first time I read The Sparrow I struggled with it and didn't enjoy it all that much, but persisted because some trusted people told me I should. It is absolutely my favourite book ever now and I read it once a year (along with Children of God). My dog is even named Meelo 😄 1y
43 likes1 stack add6 comments
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CuriousG
The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell
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30 book recommendations in 30 days...

TW's in comments

Day 14: Today is a 2-for-1. This duology is one of my favourites. My dog is even named after the main character (Meelo); if you've read The Sparrow, you get that. I'm not a religious person, and yet I find so much to reflect on, and learn from, this cast of characters. They aren't even necessarily likable (yet I love them) - that's what makes them realistic. Highly recommend! #30recsin30days

Soubhiville Yes!!! The Sparrow is one of my all time favorites! I love the name ❤️. 1y
CuriousG @Soubhiville I read one, or both, of these books pretty much every year. The characters have become like family at this point. Strange, as my first reading of The Sparrow I found really tough to get through. I have my tattered old copies that are practically falling apart, and these signed copies that sit in my best glass front bookcase. Can't get enough. 1y
CatLass007 Wonderful, marvelous, brilliant books!!! 1y
suvata Both excellent books 1y
CuriousG I should point out, there are many trigger warnings for these ones. War/ethnic cleansing type violence, general violence, sexual assault, captivity, and more. Not easy reads so if you are not in a good space for emotional reading, avoid for now. 1y
23 likes5 comments
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Susanita
The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell
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I don‘t really understand the mechanism, but somehow Father Sandoz is a #rocketman explorer.

For the past few years, I‘ve had the pleasure of putting together the list for my IRL book club for the year. It‘s always interesting to see the suggestions from different members.

We read The Sparrow last year, but I got it too late to read it before the meeting. Now that we‘re reading the follow up for August, I can catch up on both!
#volumesandvocals

Eggs 💜💚💛🧡 1y
29 likes1 comment
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Andrew65
The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell
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One classic Sparrow for #NationalBirdDay. An interesting science fiction story from 1996, but a bit long winded at times. However I did enjoy the story and also read the sequel, Children of God.

#JanuaryJazz @Eggs @AlwaysBeenALoverOfBooks

Soubhiville One of my favorite books! 2y
Eggs Sounds compelling 📚 2y
Deblovestoread This book made me realize I could read and enjoy Sci Fi. So good! 2y
See All 7 Comments
Andrew65 @Deblovestoread Wonderful when a book can do that. 2y
Andrew65 @Soubhiville It is definitely a popular book. 2y
KathyWheeler I loved this book and the sequel. 2y
Andrew65 @KathyWheeler It was a really good story. 2y
71 likes7 comments
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CuriousG
The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell
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I could not be more excited - my signed copies of The Sparrow and Children of God have arrived!!! Of course, this is the one time my dog Meelo wouldn't pose. Oh well, it's maybe better I don't let him near my good copies. He'll just have to pose with the ones that are dog eared and falling apart from use #marydoriarussell #meelo

underground_bks One of my favorite series of all time!! 2y
CuriousG @underground_bks Me too! Which would explain the dog named Meelo 😂 2y
25 likes2 comments
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ChaoticMissAdventures
The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell
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Pickpick

Finally finished this one! It took me so long. It was interesting, I enjoyed reading it but it also was so very heavy I often picked up something different.
All of the characters are vividly drawn and life-like, I enjoyed the storyline. The writing is incredible and well balanced.
I appreciate the unfolding of the book, you see the end result on Emilio and then the lead up to tragedy. It is a bit heavy writing and I took many breaks

CuriousG I just finished it tonight. Probably my 6th or 7th re-read of it. My first time through it took me soooo long and I almost gave up multiple times. It was so heavy and hard to know if it would seem worth it in the end. But now, it is probably the only book I've read where characters feel like my family. I even have a dog named Meelo. Lol 2y
26 likes1 comment
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ChaoticMissAdventures
The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell
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One of my favorite things in #bookspinbingo is taking all the books off the list I read that month! It feels like a huge accomplishment some months.

Sparrow is still limping along, hope to finish it in October!

marleed I feel the same way! 2y
16 likes1 comment
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ChaoticMissAdventures
The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell
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Big stretch #weeklyforecast hoping to keep up my COVID reading momentum even though I am feeling better and testing negative, have to go back to work but want to finish the month strong! The Sparrow has taken me so long I had to return the library copy and buy my own. It is good, just slow going, balancing with a quick Heartstopper read and the engrossing Tomorrow (etc.) Grabbing Evicted on audio to speed things along.

Bookwormjillk I have been reading The Sparrow off and on for years. I like it. It‘s just slow. 2y
ChaoticMissAdventures @Bookwormjillk it is interesting, I enjoy it when I pick it up, but I never seem to get very far, and keep getting distracted by other things. 2y
31 likes1 stack add2 comments
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rwmg
The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell
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Quite a few interesting possibilities for #LetterS in the #alphabetgame but in the end I plumped for this science fiction story that sticks in the memory

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

CuriousG One of my favourite books! 2y
kspenmoll Such a wonderful book! 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Thank you for playing 📚 2y
20 likes3 comments
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silentrequiem
The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell
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I treated myself to an order from Mac's Books and got a signed copy of two of my favorite books from authors local to the store. This is the first.

CuriousG 😍😍😍 I would love to have this on my shelf. Good score! 2y
silentrequiem @CuriousG You can order one from Mac's Back's Books on Coventry! 2y
CuriousG @silentrequiem Good to know! 2y
22 likes3 comments
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kissmehardy
The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell
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Pickpick

I canNOT wait for my book club's discussion of this. Love me some theological sci-fi and a found family, no matter how painful. #scifi #speculativefiction

kspenmoll Great book! 2y
Tamra Such a great novel - echo @kspenmoll 2y
kissmehardy I concur with you both, @kspenmoll and @Tamra ! 2y
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Tamra I didn‘t enjoy the sequel as much, but I know others did. 2y
kissmehardy @Tamra I'm not sure I want to read the sequel. This one wrapped up nicely, if not with closure for every storyline. I don't want to ruin that. 2y
Tamra @kissmehardy good choice! 2y
CuriousG I waited years after I read The Sparrow to get up the courage to read Children of God as I was terrified it might ruin this novel. There are parts of Children of God that I loved even more, there were parts I wasn't a huge fan of, but overall am glad I read it. I think the time between was good though - I would not have wanted to read them back-to-back. 2y
kissmehardy @CuriousG Good to know! I'll definitely give it some time, then. 2y
11 likes8 comments
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CuriousG
The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell
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"...it was rather gratifying to believe that the world might incidentally have gained some respect for the athletic abilities of short, fat asthmatics "

I reread this novel every year or two and this line makes me smile every time. Not sure why I find it so amusing ?‍♀️

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Soubhiville
The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell
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It really depends on who is asking, but I have often recommended:
The Sparrow- May Doria Russell
Jacqueline Carey‘s Kushiel series
Robin Hobb‘s chunksters
Scott Lynch‘s Gentlemen Bastards series
The Air You Breathe- Frances De Pontes Peebles
Tipping the Velvet- Sarah Waters
Stiff- Mary Roach
Mira Grant‘s Newsflesh books
Seanan McGuire‘s Wayward Children books
Terry Pratchett‘s Discworld books
The School of Essential Ingredients- Erica Bauermeister

RaeLovesToRead Robin Hobb 💕 Sarah Waters 💕 Scott Lynch 💕 Great choices! 3y
vlwelser Tipping the Velvet got me banned from picking the books for a book club I used to belong to. 3y
Soubhiville @vlwelser worth it! If your bookclub can‘t handle some hot lady love, you‘re in the wrong bookclub! 3y
See All 17 Comments
vlwelser Lol. My current group would probably love it. 3y
Soubhiville @RaeLovesToRead Patrick Rothfuss would be on here, but I‘m mad he still hasn‘t published book 3. If he ever does he can rejoin his peers here. (Not actually angry, just deeply disappointed.) 3y
SilversReviews I mostly recommend historical fiction. 3y
RaeLovesToRead I enjoyed The Name of the Wind, but I didn't like that it didn't stand alone. In my opinion, the first book of a series should be worth reading as a one off, so that readers who just read the one haven't wasted their time! The Assassin's Apprentice, for example, awesome book. 3y
RaeLovesToRead Think I'm gonna make my own list of recs... 3y
Soubhiville @RaeLovesToRead tag me, I want to see them! 3y
AmyG By the time Rothfuss releases the 3rd book….I will have completely forgotten what was in the first 2. 3y
Nutmegnc @Soubhiville @AmyG 💯 % (edited) 3y
Nutmegnc @RaeLovesToRead @Soubhiville @vlwelser I‘m with you x1000 for Robin Hobb and Sarah Waters!! 3y
Read-y_Picker Such a great list! I‘ve been trying to get a hold of a few of these for ages. 3y
RaeLovesToRead @Nutmegnc I'm planning on reading the Liveship trilogy, Fingersmith & The Paying Guests this year... then I can finally find out what happens next in Fitz & the Fool's 2nd trilogy 🤞🥳 3y
Nutmegnc @RaeLovesToRead I‘ve read all of those and they were all great! Not a dud in the bunch 🤣. I wish there were more!! 3y
71 likes1 stack add17 comments
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yoavshai
The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell
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#BookCoverChallenge
Day 78.
Here I will note 365 books (or as many as I will have before I get tired) that have shaped my taste in literature. No explanations, no reviews. Just the cover of the book.
I do not challenge anyone. You are all welcome to take part.

5 likes1 stack add
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rabbitprincess
The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell
Bailedbailed

I couldn‘t finish this. The dual timeline told me enough about the ending that I knew I wouldn‘t be able to bear reading it. My favourite part, besides the utterly cozy dinner parties at George and Anne‘s, was Russell‘s afterword in the 20th anniversary edition. Sorry, all my friends who like this book 😓

rabbitprincess This book contains torture and sexual assault, which I find hard to read about in any detail, and what little I‘d read in the early bits of the dual timeline told me I would not want to know the details later. 3y
wanderinglynn I‘m glad I‘m not the only one who bailed on this book. I just couldn‘t get into it. 3y
rabbitprincess @wanderinglynn I really love her historical fiction, especially 3y
See All 6 Comments
wanderinglynn That does sound interesting. I‘ll check it out. Thanks! 😀 3y
CarolynM I read the whole thing (for IRL book group) and hated it. Bailing was a good choice! 3y
rabbitprincess @CarolynM I feel bad because one of my very good IRL work friends likes this book a lot! I told him I‘d started it, so hopefully he‘s forgotten I was reading it and won‘t ask what I thought 🤣 3y
18 likes6 comments
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TH3F4LC0N
The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell
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Check what just came in the mail! 🥳 Science fiction haul, anybody? 😍 Anybody read any of these? I‘m really looking forward to reading them; would love to hear some opinions on ‘em! 😉

rwmg Have a box of tissues at hand for The Sparrow, and if you want trigger warnings, consider them given 3y
TH3F4LC0N 👍 Gotcha. I‘ve heard it‘s not really a happy book, but that it‘s very moving. Really looking forward to it! 3y
10 likes2 comments
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Kangaj1
The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell

#booked2021 (form done!)
Set in Australia: Crimson Lake - Candice Fox (4 stars)
SF written by a woman: tagged book (5 stars)
Baked goods on cover: Bread and Wine - Shauna Niequist (4 stars)
CovidHeroes: A Pull of the Stars - Emma Donoghue (3 stars)
Mustache on cover: This Close to Okay - Leesa Cross-Smith (5 stars)
Author's first name starts with A, B, C: Winterhouse - Ben Guterson (4 stars)

@Cinfhen @4thhouseontheleft @BarbaraTheBibliophage

Cinfhen YAY❣️You have until midnight, April 3 to fill out the first quarter form to be entered in our drawing ?
https://bit.ly/
In case you haven‘t ?
4y
Cinfhen The sequel wasn‘t as good but I was glad to have more closure 4y
21 likes3 comments
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Kangaj1
The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell
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Here's my #bookspin and #bookspinbingo list, @TheAromaofBooks
Many of these are carried over from Feb, but I threw a few new ones in. I am already in the middle of two of these, but I doubt I will finish before March.

TheAromaofBooks Yay!!!! 4y
CuriousG The Sparrow was such a tough read for me the first time. I wasn't sure I liked it, but by the end I was in love with it. Even named my dog after one of the characters - Meelo (Emilio) 4y
30 likes2 comments
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VeryLazyDaisy
The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell
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I‘ve heard great things about this. I‘m diving in. With snacks.

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CuriousG
The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell
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Day 3 of #12booksof2020

Not the first time I've read it (in fact, I re-read it almost every year), but still one of my favourites of 2020. The spiritual questions that come with this book are fascinating, but what I love most is the found-family aspect of it.

kspenmoll Agree! 4y
Deblovestoread This is one of my all time favorite books! 4y
CuriousG @Kdgordon88 mine too! 4y
Andrew65 Loved this! 4y
23 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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qchammer
The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell
Panpan

Anticipated loving this, did not at all. The first half is wonderful and eye opening, the second excruciating. The pain and trauma honestly is too difficult and uncomfortable to cringe though with no ultimate payoff

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CuriousG
The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell
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1. Ontario, Canada
2. The Sparrow (I reread it every year)
3. The Sparrow + Children of God
4. Clay Pigeons
5. Schitt$ Creek
6. Corb Lund
7. Robin's Egg blue
8. Lit Fic or Memoir
9. Secondary School Teacher
10. Bernese Mountain Dog named Meelo (named after Emilio from The Sparrow)

#meetthelittens

Trashcanman I got my hopes up again, oh no, not again. ❤ 4y
19 likes1 comment
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Soubhiville
The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell
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#20series20days @Andrew65

A short series with only 2 books, but The Sparrow deeply affected me. This is probably one of my most recommended books. I enjoyed Children if God too, but The Sparrow can be read alone and I didn‘t feel it needed a sequel.

There‘s so much in here! Questions about the value and validity of religion, examination of humanity through the lens of alien species, and ultimately blurring of good/ evil.

Zoes_Human I am 100% with you on everything you said there. 4y
Ruthiella The Sparrow devastated me... 😭 I don‘t think I can read the sequel. 4y
Branwen @Ruthiella SAME! 😭 I love The Sparrow so much, but I don't know if I could handle the sequel! 4y
See All 7 Comments
Andrew65 Read bot, unite deep and meaningful reads. Enjoyed the first one more than the second. 4y
Zelma This book has been staring at me from my shelves for way too long. I really need to get to it but I‘m always worried I‘ll be in the wrong mood. Does that seem weird? It‘s so popular that I worry I‘ll hate it if I read it at the wrong time. (edited) 4y
Soubhiville @Zelma read it when you are feeling strong enough. As you can see from other‘s comments, it is emotionally devastating. But also excellent. So I‘d definitely wait until you‘re in a place where you can handle that. 4y
Zelma @Soubhiville thanks for the advice. Soooo not the right time for me. Will check again a few years. 4y
68 likes7 comments
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MommyWantsToReadHerBook
The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell
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Pickpick

Reunited and it feels so good! I forgot to post a while ago that the friends that I lent this to finally found it. Decided it was time for a reread. There was once again so much that don't remember noticing the first time, so many layers. Still one of the best books I've ever read.

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Trina0401
The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell
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Gdsjenny
The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell
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Pickpick

Wow. It took me a little longer than normal to get into this, and jumping from 1 time to another was hard to handle at first, but wow. It got me in the feels and wow.

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Lcsmcat
The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell
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OriginalCyn620 👍🏻📚🪐 5y
44 likes1 comment
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Deblovestoread
The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell
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#7days7books. Day 6. Books that impacted me, changed me and some that never let me

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wanderinglynn
The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell
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I‘m having a slow reading month and just now starting my March #bookspin book. But given that everything is cancelled or closed,l for social distancing, I should be able to get it finished by the end of the month with time to spare. 😉

#firstlinefridays

Lcsmcat Such a powerful read! 5y
wanderinglynn @Lcsmcat I‘m not very far in, but so far, I‘m a bit confused. 😂 5y
Lcsmcat It takes awhile, but persevere. It‘s totally worth it. 5y
See All 11 Comments
TheAromaofBooks I haven't started my #bookspin book yet *facepalm* 5y
wanderinglynn @TheAromaofBooks I‘m glad I‘m not the only one behind this month! 😘 5y
effani Definitely not the only one! I'm 4% of the way through my ill-considered 800+ page #BookSpin book - so probably not going to finish on time, oops.

I really liked The Sparrow when I read it!
5y
TheAromaofBooks @effani - as a side note, even if you don't finish your 800 pages until, say, June, you can still let me know when you've read it & which month it's for & I will give you credit!! 5y
wanderinglynn @effani The story is keeping me engaged, I‘m just a bit lost right now. 😂 5y
effani @TheAromaofBooks Thanks! June sounds about right!
@wanderinglynn Hopefully it becomes clearer soon!
5y
ShyBookOwl I'm having a slow reading month too. I think everything going on in the world has been a bit distracting for a lot of us 🤷🏽‍♀️ 5y
wanderinglynn @ShyBookOwl yes, I think you‘re right. 5y
63 likes11 comments
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Gstangelo
The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell

That you can‘t know the answer to questions of faith but that the questions are worth asking and worth thinking about deeply ~ Mary Doria Russell

Nute Welcome to Litsy! It‘s a warm and friendly community. I know that you will enjoy yourself here. I‘m looking forward to getting to know you!🙂 3y
6 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
kammartinez
The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell
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Pickpick

Full review here: https://wp.me/p21txV-FJ

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ of 5 ⭐️s

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beaconhillbooks
The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell
Panpan

Ugh no. Why?

CarolynM 😂 Best review of this book I've ever seen! I really disliked it too. 5y
beaconhillbooks We are definitely the minority! 5y
5 likes2 comments
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Suet624
The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell
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Pickpick

What an interesting story filled with Jesuit priests, aliens, a mission to another planet, & lots of discussion about whether God is actually to blame or to praise for things that happen. I enjoy these questions & I liked the way Russell framed her story. I don‘t consider myself a fan of sci-fi and honestly I don‘t consider this book to be sci-fi. It was a great exploration and journey and I miss the characters. Thanks to Litsy for the nudge.

Branwen I really loved this book! 😍 5y
Suet624 @Branwen I have a feeling everyone in the world has read this book already. 😀 I‘m glad I finally did. 5y
Kammbia1 One of my favorite novels. A sad book but well done. 5y
See All 12 Comments
Crazeedi @Suet624 nope I haven't read it yet! 5y
Suet624 @Crazeedi awww, thank you for saying that. 😀 5y
Tamra 👏🏾👏🏾 5y
Izai.Amorim Great review! 5y
LauraBeth I‘ve had this book sitting around forever - just waiting to be read! 5y
Crazeedi @Suet624 😉😘 5y
Suet624 @LauraBeth is it whispering to you right now? 5y
Singout I loved this too when I read it in 2000! There's also a good sequel. I really appreciated how she grappled with how religion, colonization, "othering" and compassion intersect. 5y
Suet624 @Singout I'm not quite sure I'm ready to tackle her sequel. I want Emilio to be safe and sound on earth for a while. ;) 5y
68 likes2 stack adds12 comments
review
quietlycuriouskate
The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell
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Pickpick

Bloody hell! Emilio's cringey humour and the implausibility of the chosen crew lulled me into supposing I had a cracking first contact / sole survivor story in my hands. I did, but it's a lot more than that. It takes on the theme of theodicy and the dichotomy of praising God for the good/blaming humans for the bad. It's the story of an appalling crisis of faith. It doesn't feel quite right to say I loved it, though that's the word that insists.

Tamra I loved it! However, I didn‘t love the sequel, perhaps I shouldn‘t have read them back to back. I generally really enjoy Russell‘s writing, such diversity of subjects! (edited) 5y
KathyWheeler I loved this book and only liked the sequel. One of my favorites of hers is the WWII story. A Thread of Grace. 5y
Tamra @KathyWheeler that is sitting in my shelf beckoning. 5y
See All 8 Comments
KathyWheeler @Tamra her book about Doc Holliday, Doc, has been sitting on my shelf doing that for a long time.😊 5y
Tamra @KathyWheeler that is good one too! 5y
quietlycuriouskate @Tamra @KathyWheeler I must admit I'm in two minds about reading the sequel: nobody seems to think it's as good. And I just can't countenance sending Emilio back into space just yet. 😩 5y
Tamra @kathedron maybe don‘t read it immediately. Personally I would have been okay with leaving Sparrow as a stand alone. 5y
Suet624 @kathedron I just finished reading this one and a friend mentioned they send Emilio back again. That just seems wrong. 5y
50 likes2 stack adds8 comments
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Andrew65
The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell
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#SpaceCase #NamasteNovember
An interesting 2 book space story.

Cinfhen Really LOVED book one and happy I read book two 5y
Andrew65 @Cinfhen Similar feelings. 5y
Eggs Great choices! Cover Love 💗 5y
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Deblovestoread The Sparrow is my favorite book to recommend. 5y
EadieB I‘ll have to try this book. I‘ve always been turned off by the science/space aspect. 5y
Andrew65 @EadieB I wouldn‘t let that hold you back. 5y
Andrew65 @Kdgordon88 I can see why. 5y
Deblovestoread @EadieB I was the same as SciFi usually isn‘t my thing but it is so good. You won‘t regret it. 5y
EadieB @Kdgordon88 Thanks! I will definitely consider looking into it based upon your suggestion. (edited) 5y
53 likes9 comments
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shanaqui
The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell
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Turns out this is a rather appropriate year to reread this book, though I'm starting late...

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Cathythoughts
The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell
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Bailedbailed

I really liked the character of Sandoz, the priest. And the story , the haunting music from space ... some brilliant details & ideas. I was interested in the part set in 2059 after the the mission. I liked the story , but I wasn‘t as taken with the writing #unpopularopinion
I‘ve read almost half & it‘s not holding me.

TrishB Not read this, just never caught my interest as yet. 5y
Cinfhen This was a hard read but I‘m so glad I did stick with it....it was really insightful and full of interesting stories. I‘m sure because it was a BuddyRead it kept me more focused 5y
Cathythoughts @TrishB I‘ve been wanting to give it a go for awhile... so , I‘m glad I did. Moving on now though ... 5y
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Cathythoughts @Cinfhen It‘s a good story ... her writing just didn‘t work for me. I did really like some bits though & I‘m glad I read half of it. 5y
CarolynM I HATED it. I agree about the writing - so clunky - but I didn't like the story either (a lot of it just didn't make sense) and I thought her attempts at humour were cringeworthy. The thing I hated most was the explanation for how Sandoz wound up where he was at the beginning. 5y
Cathythoughts @CarolynM I thought the story had potential , I liked the idea of it. ... I liked Sandoz , but the other characters drove me a bit mad ! Anne 🙈 ! ... I agree about her attempts at humour ... & the accents & movie quotes .. just fell flat for me ( yes , cringeworthy). And so predictable in places .. the scene at the piano with Sandoz & Sofia Mendes 🙈. At least I know what I‘m not missing now (edited) 5y
48 likes6 comments
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imyril
The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell
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It's official: a spark became a flame, and we have a #SciFiMonth read-along! We'll read at our own pace, with weekly discussion prompts for those that wish to post their thoughts.

Chapter breakdown for weekly discussion: https://onemore.org/2019/10/29/the-sparrow-read-along/

We're an informal bunch, so if you fancy joining us... join us :)

Bookwormjillk Cool! I just started this book yesterday! 5y
imyril @Bookwormjillk perfect to chat with us as we play catch up 😄 5y
14 likes2 comments
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imyril
The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell
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NINE (days to go!) We were talking about The Sparrow a while back on Twitter & I casually suggested a #SciFiMonth read-along. There was a spark of interest so time to get serious: shout now if you would like me to set one up for November!

shanaqui I could go for that... I originally read it for a book club oh so long ago! 5y
imyril @shanaqui I haven‘t reread in years but I remember loving it so much 5y
shanaqui @imyril oh yeah, it blew me away. Didn't love the sequel as much, but still... 5y
deargeekplace I‘m in! 5y
imyril @deargeekplace game on :) 5y
12 likes5 comments
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Cathythoughts
The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell
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Huge congrats @Librarybelle & Thankyou for this lovely giveaway ♥️.
I‘d like to read tagged book as I‘ve seen it reviewed on Litsy & I feel drawn to it 👍🏻
#200KGiveaway

Thankyou ♥️ Well done 👍🏻

Librarybelle Thank you! I‘ve heard good things about this book! 5y
55 likes1 comment
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Katja
The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell
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#currentlyreading Halfway through and completely astounded by this book. Thanks for rec, Littens!

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Susannah
The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell
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The Kindle edition of The Sparrow is on sale! Go get it! Even if you don‘t care for science fiction, you will not be sorry. This book is so much more.

cjk Concur! 💯😊👍🏽 5y
Tamra Agreed! It‘s really thought provoking and the SF element is incidental to the themes. (Coming from someone who isn‘t often attracted to the genre.) (edited) 5y
Tamra I didn‘t like the sequel though. 😿 5y
Susannah @Tamra Yes! I‘ve never been much of a science fiction fan either, so I always have to say that when I recommend it to people who I know don‘t like sci-fi.... I‘ve re-read The Sparrow a couple of times, but I don‘t think I‘ve ever re-read the sequel. It‘s hard to capture lightning in a bottle! 5y
Tamra @Susannah great way to phrase it! 5y
29 likes1 stack add5 comments
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Bookwormjillk
The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell
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A great Little Free Library find today! I‘ve been wanting to read this ever since the Books on the Nightstand podcast days.

Tamra I hope you love it! Immersive and asks all the right questions. 🧐 I don‘t recommend the sequel, but I may be in the minority. 5y
Cathythoughts I have it stacked.... I‘m not sure what it will be like 😬.. but I feel drawn to it 5y
Tamra @Cathythoughts definitely give it a go! 5y
Lcsmcat It‘s such a powerful book! I read it years ago and there are parts I can never forget. I met Mary Doria Russell a few weeks ago, and when I told her that she said she still thinks about Emilio every time she does laundry. 5y
43 likes4 comments
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Susannah
The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell
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🍉 It‘s the only book I recommend to everyone.
🍉 Oh dear, I can‘t remember. Maybe “Thor: Ragnarok”? (I know, I know.)
🍉 👈 Watermelon!
🍉 First cousins? Six
🍉 @Q84 @texasgirl @brit91 @ljuliel

#friyayintro @howjessreads