Rating: 
Summary: A truly modern man
Review: Hellenga treats us to a view of a man we would like to be. He is a truly lusty renaissance character who behaves in poignant and believable ways in the midst of a fantastic story.
Rating: 
Summary: too real
Review: Although I've never met anyone like the main character he remains so real and believable. The novel is beautifully written and the character development is perfect. Frail, depressed and lost he slowly, through many missteps, eventually finds a bit of truth about life for himself that helps him rebuild. I loved this book!
Rating:
Summary: Not for fans of "Sixteen Pleasures," but good nonetheless
Review: Fans of Hellenga's earlier "The Sixteen Pleasures" will likely not like this book. That just seems to be a fact. In "Pleasures" we get a sympathetic female character who's on a path of discovery about herself, her sexuality, and the world. It's a book with a broad base of appeal among book lovers. "Sparrow" is just a different kind of animal.Hellenga seems to have a way of misdirecting his readers. In "Pleasures" one gets the idea that the whole point is a controversial rediscovered text when in fact its just a set piece. The same is true of "Sparrow." The jacket talks about Woody's daughter dying in a terrorist attack in Italy. This certainly makes for an interesting story. Or rather, it would have. Instead, Hellenga takes us on another path as the main character, this time an older man, takes his own path of discovery. It's likely that some don't want to take the ride, especially fans "Pleasures." Yes, this book has sex. But then, so does "Pleasures." Maybe folks are just more comfortable reading about a younger woman's maturing sexuality than they are with an older man who lusts for young and older women alike. Frankly, both books are honest and both are good (I admit "Pleasures" is by far the better read). At the risk of offending certain readers, I think the problem is more with one's views on sex and not necessarily a failing of Hellenga. In one scene Hellenga describes a situation in which he realizes that he's hurt a female colleague his own age who's emotionally distant. Woody recognizes the lost opportunity and shows empathy, at least internally, towards the woman. In other words, this isn't just some guy out to have sex with a student. He's complicated and he has feelings. Hellenga is a versatile author. Unfortunately, he attracts certain readers by his apparent misdirection. While he might be guilty of false advertising, he's certainly not guilty of being a bad writer. If you're open to the experience, give "Sparrow" a chance. Just be forewarned - it's not "The Sixteen Pleasures."
Rating:
Summary: A great read
Review: What a wonderful book. I wanted to spend more time with all of these characters, I wanted to spend more time in their world. They deal with pain and tragedy and confusion so much more thoughtfully and interestingly than I do. I learned something from them all, like you would learn from a friend's misfortune that they were able to face gracefully. This book is as nourishing as an Italian banquet with friends outside under the trees on a balmy summer evening. I'm on to read more by Robert Hellenga. Why isn't he a household name?
Rating: 
Summary: The worst book I ever read
Review: As part of a book club, I forced myself to read this book to the end. It was so boring and drawn out. I would speed read/skip to look for any interesting sections. I personally found his descriptions of sex/romance practically repulsive. I haven't read a male author in awhile. It was a turn off.
Rating:
Summary: A powerful, memorable read
Review: I just returned from a one-week beach vacation and Robert Hellenga's marvelous book was my companion for the week. I finished it on the plane coming home, with the tears running down my face. Like every great novel , it introduced me to memorable characters and it made me think hard about important issues: about terrorism, death, marriage, sex, and most especially about the relationships between parents and children. As the father of a daughter just about to be launched into the world and an unknowable future, I found it personally relevant.
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