Rating: 
Summary: Best Fiction Book in Years!
Review: I was told to read this book by a friend, and now I buy it for everyone I know. Russell's mastery of the language is beautiful, and I cannot wait to see the movie starring Antonio Bandaras (yes, its true). She is coming out with another book about Jews in Italy soon, and I cannot wait. You must get this book and read it! It is a remarkable read, and Russell is the nicest person you can imagine.
Rating: 
Summary: Science Fiction Ethnography
Review: This book reads like a ethnograph. Considering the author is a trained anthropologist, this isn't surprising. The story is definitely character run. If you dislike reading about the ethics, philsophy and problems of the meeting of different cultures, you will dislike this book. Very little 'hard' science is involved although the author seems to have a adequate grasp of basic physics. The meeting of the two alien cultures has very interesting and the main character's search for the meaning of God was enlightening. A very worthy read that was a bit weak on overall plot hence 4 rather than 5 stars.
Rating:
Summary: Astonishingly good.
Review: This may very well be the best book I've read in the last five-ten years. I simply could not put it down. The humans in the story were uniformly the most charming, likable, convincingly *real* group of characters I've ever seen in a science fiction novel. Add to that the fact that I find stories that deal with the idea of first contact and the inherent complexities in communicating with beings who lack or have limited common experiences upon which to base that communication fascinating, then throw in the whole concept/dilemma of knowing the mind of God, and it just doesn't get any better than this book.
Rating:
Summary: Don't You Like Philosophy?
Review: This book had an engaging plot, but what drew me to it was the philosophical issue which many readers disdain. The question of evil in the universe is probably something that Americans don't like to think about, and Russell throws it in our faces and makes us ponder it. So many contemporary authors are fearful and squeamish at even the mention of God or philosophy; Russell has the guts to bring up the only taboo subject left. The writing and plot did teeter on the edge of failure, but Russell's vast knowledge of her subject made up for this and balanced the book precariously. Writing about Catholicism, an often-criticised religion, in a sensetive yet objective way also showed Russell's skill. The sci-fi plot worked on most levels and the characters reminded us of ourselves and people we know. The split, almost frame-story device Russell used pointed out her real purpose in writing--to make readers ponder the mystery of good and evil and to show the struggle in Sandoz over this unanswered question. This was not a science fiction book; the plot was there to get readers' attentions. This was a book about one man's search for an answer and a reason to live. Russell has done what authors are challenged to do: write a book that people will like but that will also make them think. If literatre is a concrete abstract, she has given the concrete with a startling and fascinating plot and the abstract with Sandoz's battle with himself. She has done this with exceptional skill (however in need of refinement it may be; the two parts were not perfectly integrated and the split plot accentuated this). Part of this skill was in not answering the great philosophical question for us. She shouted, "can there be a benevolent God in a world with so much evil?" and the question simply echoed back accross the ravine. I appreciate someone who reminds readers that humans still think about the soul, but who doesn't preach one way or the other. I challenge anyone to read this with an open mind and consider the questions Russell asks all of us.
Rating:
Summary: HOLY MOLY -- YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK!
Review: This book is the most provocative novel I've read in years. I almost didn't buy it. I've looked at it for over a year, but something, this summer compelled me to buy it. Thank God. This book is an archtypal story of one of the profound spiritual dilemmas of human existence: why do bad things happen to good people? It's so easy to begin to believe if one just loves God enough, trusts God enough, and is certain of God's favor, that one can be assured safety and happiness. History tells us that this isn't the case. But it's such a lovely idea that we persist in our commitment to it. This book dragged me through hell, and brought to a much more compassionate, and beautiful conception of God. Whatever I may have understood intellectually about God before I read this book, these characters pulled me in so close that my emotional identification with them worked an alchemy that only great fiction can. But hey, it really doesn't matter whether you're into that kind of thing or not. No belief required to recognize that these are superbly crafted characters, placed in a profound story, with elegant prose. And if you've got even the smallest whisper of curiosity about what it would be like to visit the society of another planet, I promise you'll love this book. I'm buying it for everyone I love and respect. But also, do yourself a favor and buy CHILDREN OF GOD when you buy this one. It's not quite as great a novel, but it is an incredibly satisfying sequel.
Rating:
Summary: A provocative archtypal story of faith
Review: This book held me hostage. I almost bought this book when I first heard about it, but something about it just didn't appeal to me. But for at least a year, whenever I passed it in the bookstore, I considered buying it. It's hard to explain why I finally did. But my life would be less without it. This book casts beautifully drawn characters in a profound story with elegant prose. And for that alone, I appreciated it. But more than that, it's about the dangers of believing that if we love God enough and know God loves us enough, somehow we will be safe. When, in fact, being willing to surrender to the mystery of God means only that you get to know that you are loved at every moment. And scary as it is, sometimes, that kind of faith even requires that you be led through hell. I've been buying this book for everyone I respect and love. It's a book for people who are wholly unsatisfied by the answer "Because God is weak or teaching us a lesson that we just can't understand at the time" when faced with the question "Why do bad things happen to us?" It's a book for people who can stand to have their conceptions of God tested and proved. And, it's a book for people who love high drama, great characterization, and the "what if" of great science fiction. You're lucky to be buying it now when you can also get CHILDREN OF GOD, the sequel. It's not quite as magnificent a story or book, but it is definitely a must-read after this one!
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Summary: God is not a teddy bear
Review: A fantastic book about one man's relationship with an abstract God suddenly made very real, and very different from his conception of a cuddlely, nice God whom he could put in a box. God suddenly is much larger and more complex than Father Sandoz could ever imagine, but is He good? The author has the intelligence to ask "meaning of life" questions and then has the maturity to not answer them.
Rating: 
Summary: Nerdy anthropologist tries her hand at novel writing
Review: This was one of the most unappealing and just plain boring books I've read in a while. Toward the end I was rushing to just finish it so that I missed what happened to Jimmy and Sofia and then realized that I didn't even care. The characters were so one-dimensional and predictable that I couldn't muster any feeling for them whatsoever. And the trite, pedantic nature of her prose was completely unappealing. I'm sure Ms. Russell is a highly intelligent woman. She should use her intelligence in science, not creative writing.
Rating:
Summary: I am in love with Mary Doria Russell!
Review: I just finished The Sparrow as well as Children of God, and am going through literary withdrawal. The author's acquired knowledge and expertise in so many varied fields is extraordinary and her imagination is as vivid as the lavendar steppes on Rakhat! I must be a romantic, as well as a searcher for the TRUTH - not to mention a sci-fi nut! I do not understand some of the reviews here, but it just demonstrates how different even people of one sentient species can be, let alone trying to figure out how three sentient species can exist together. The book left me pondering many things, and wanting more, more, more! Does the reservation really work? Thank you, Mary Doria Russell for a riveting series!
Rating: 
Summary: Pretty good story; banal philosophy
Review: I won't criticize the story...it was fairly well-wrought for a 1st-time author. But the major philosophical question, i.e., the existence of evil in the presence of an all-good God, is simply too banal to warrant any further exploration. J.L. Mackie ripped theism to shreds using the very problem back in the 50s.
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