The Sparrow

James Scott reviewed Mary Doria Russell's book The Sparrow. Though the plot features interstellar travel and first contact with an alien race, it is not strictly a science fiction novel - it's been summarized as "A comic, tragic, category-defying exploration of the human condition." Click below to learn more. The Sparrow author Mary Doria Russell pages 405 publisher Ballantine Books, October 1997 rating 9/10 reviewer James Scott ISBN 0-449-91255-8 summary A comic, tragic, category-defying exploration of the human condition

The Sparrow, Mary Doria Russell's first novel, is not easily labeled. Though the plot features interstellar travel and first contact with an alien race, it is not strictly a science fiction novel. Many of the characters are members of a religious order (the Society of Jesus), but the book never assumes a pious or moralistic tone. The story ultimately reveals immense suffering, but it also sparkles with wit and word play. Fortunately, what Ellington said of music (there's only two kinds: good and bad) is also true of books. Whatever category of novel The Sparrow may fit into, it is certainly a good book.

The first part of the novel introduces two story lines, and the narrative shifts between these stories until the very end of the novel. The first story is set in early 21st century Puerto Rico. Jimmy Quinn, a young radio astronomer at the Arecibo array, detects signals originating from a planet orbiting Alpha Centauri. Upon analyzing these transmissions, Quinn hears music of an obviously non-human variety. He first shares this discovery with his friends, including a Jesuit priest named Emilio Sandoz. Sandoz immediately proposes mounting an expedition to Alpha Centauri. He quickly convinces his Jesuit superiors to sponsor the adventure, populating the crew with both priests and lay people. They find their way to Alpha Centauri aboard a dugout asteroid powered by a mass driver, where they discover the planet Rakhat, populated by two sentient species.

The second thread, a courtroom drama of sorts, features the Jesuit hearing into the events of the expedition to Rakhat. In late 2059, Sandoz has returned to Earth alone, physically and emotionally shattered. He is preceded by bizarre allegations of murder and prostitution, transmitted by a UN-sponsored followup expedition to Rakhat. The Jesuit order is desperate to dispel this mounting scandal and nurses Sandoz back to health so that he may tell his story. With calculated and sometimes sadistic effort, the Father General of the Society of Jesus flattens Sandoz' defenses and forces him to describe the horrible truth of his experience on Rakhat.

As a science fiction novel, The Sparrow breaks very little new ground. The reader will find no startling new technological or social ideas here, though Russell does a fine job of constructing two distinct alien races. The real value of this book is its exploration of spiritual matters. The the first few months on Rakhat go so well that even the agnostic and atheistic members of the crew begin to think that God might be watching over them. Nonetheless the mission ends in disaster, with most of the crew dead. Sandoz, who despite his priestly vows never developed a personal relationship with God, survives to ponder the implications. What kind of God would abuse human faith in such a callous manner?

In contrast with the weighty nature of its central issues, this book is quite an enjoyable read. This is due in part to the author's liberal application of humor. Russell has created a handful of genuinely funny characters who deliver one-liners and make smooth pop-culture references with frequent grace. She also takes pains to create real emotion in the religious figures, including imperfect faith and sexual attraction. This adds up to an engaging collection of people who draw the reader into the story. When it comes time to pay the piper, we know enough about them to truly appreciate the turmoil they endure.

The Sparrow is definitely worth a few hours of your time. It doesn't map any new sci-fi territory, but it will provoke you to examine your spiritual world-view. Fortunately Russell offers no pat, hollow answers in this book. Instead she offers a painful and wonderful look at what it means to exist. She gets it right: it's hard to be human no matter what planet you're on.

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