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Search - The Sparrow
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Book Description:
In 2019, humanity finally finds proof of extraterrestrial life when a listening post in Puerto Rico picks up exquisite singing from a planet which will come to be known as Rakhat. While United Nations diplomats endlessly debate a possible first contact mission, the Society of Jesus quietly organizes an eight-person scientific expedition of its own. What the Jesuits find is a world so beyond comprehension that it will lead them to question the meaning of being "human." When the lone survivor of the expedition, Emilio Sandoz, returns to Earth in 2059, he will try to explain what went wrong... Words like "provocative" and "compelling" will come to mind as you read this shocking novel about first contact with a race that creates music akin to both poetry and prayer.
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Other Versions of this Book: Hardcover, Audio Cassette (Multitrack), Audio Cassette (Abridged)
Top Member Reviews
Cheryl S. from SEATTLE, WA wrote on 5/8/2007...
4 member(s) found this review helpful.
Creepy but really good, very well-written.
4 member(s) found this review helpful.
This is a heavy book, emotionally
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
I finished this book the other night and am still a bit baffled by it. The character development and first half of the book was so slow and drawn out, a few times I wondered if I should give up (I have only done this once in my life) on it. The 2nd half of the story seemed very rushed to me. So much ground seemed to be glazed over in a dash to the ending. I didn't care for the writers style, not enough "flow" for me but the story is definately different. All in all, an interesting read but not sure I'll be picking up any more books by this author.
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
This book is amazing. The basic plot is that in 2019 we detect radio signals from a nearby system. The Jesuits decide to mount a private expedition. In 2060, one survivor returns. The question is then: what happened? The author manages to interweave two narratives - the past and the present - seamlessly. She builds suspense, dropping tiny hints about what happened, slowly revealing the horror they experienced. Along the way we must deal with heavy philosophical problems: what is God's will? What is our purpose? How do we deal with an entirely alien civilization? What if our actions have unforeseeable consequences?
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
VERY intense, dense and complex, beautifully crafted. Shouldn't miss _Children of God_ either.
Pam H. from SIOUX FALLS, SD wrote on 8/10/2006...
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
I LOVED this book. Full of amazing adventure, relationships and drama. Can't wait to get my hands on the sequel!
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
This was an unsettling book. You know within the first several chapters that something very bad has happened but you don't know what or why or how. I found myself speed-reading trying to find out, and even worse, I felt anxious! I really enjoyed it though. The plot is interesting and unusual and the ending causes you to examine your spiritual beliefs very carefully. Without being preachy, the author presents her belief that although there is an all-powerful God out there, He is under no obligation to protect and preserve those who love Him. I'm now looking for the sequel to this, called Children of God. I can't wait to read it!
Karen C. (
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
You'll either hate this book, or love it.
I hated it.
If you like books with action, stay away from it. If you like books where characters with plenty of angst sit around discussing things ENDLESSLY, get it.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Highly recommended!
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
A good read, looking forward to the follow up.
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