Rating: 
Summary: Impressive and frequently astonishing -- a fine first effort
Review:
While in many ways quite obviously a first novel, "The Sparrow" made me late for work and kept me up at night, and there are very few books that can do that. Giving lie to the idea that starting a story at a point in time *after* the climax robs the tale of dramatic tension, Russell shows a fine craftsmanship of suspense and a dextrous sense of characterization.The novel begins after the return of Jesuit priest Emilio Sandoz to Earth, following the disastrous conclusion of a mission to Alpha Centauri from which only Sandoz returns alive. The story, then, becomes an examination of what went wrong, and Russell fine-tunes the suspense to such a degree that it lasts almost to the revelation itself. Unfortunately she accelerates the plot a little *too* much just prior to that point, but the rest of the plotting is so well done that I'm inclined to forgive her and see how she manages in her next novel. More than a science fiction tale of first contact, however, "The Sparrow" is an exploration into the nature of faith and the age-old question asked in every religion that features a Creator: why does God's creation suffer so? This question, and the events that give it rise, lead Sandoz to a crisis of faith, the exploration of and recovery from which are the subject of a good deal of the text. Whether you believe in God or not, this aspect of the novel is its greatest strength, examined in a compassionate and non-proselytizing manner. There are a few things, however, that prevent me from giving this remarkable book a 10. Although the characterization is deft at the outset, Russell glosses over the moment of supreme conflict that would have been an ideal place to reveal their true natures, illustrating how they handled the catastrophe and, at the last, confronted their own deaths. Instead, we have Sandoz's removed account of the event. Russell may be forgiven for what looks to be reluctance to deal too graphically with the deaths of her characters; however, it lessens the novel's impact. Comparing this conflict with a similar event in Iain Banks' "Against a Dark Background", it is easy to see which one elicits more empathy from the reader, and I hope to see Russell approach the subject more directly in her future work. We also lose the alien point of view as the novel draws closer to its violent climax, thus losing any understanding we might glean of their motivations. Determining why a character who had been an ally of the Earth expedition changes his behavior toward its lone survivor becomes an intellectual exercise, instead of something we observe, unfolding as carefully and precisely as the rest of the novel. Again, this is due to Emilio Sandoz's account of events; Russell breaks the show-don't-tell rule, lessening the impact of what should be the most shocking part of the story. Overall, though, this is an extremely impressive first novel and well worth reading; I literally had trouble putting it down and spent every spare moment reading just a few more pages. Russell is definitely an author to watch, and I look forward to any subsequent work
Rating:
Summary: A fine first contact story
Review: This is a very surprising and entertaining look at "first contact." Although it can get a little cheesy at points (sometimes the characters are just a little too "precious" and some of the situations a little too obviously set-up), it is a really fun and thought-provoking read: especially in exploring how much significance that first contact will mean to the individual humans involved
Rating: 
Summary: Creative, Clever, Classic-to-be!
Review: Mary Doria Russell does a fantastic job of creating interesting characters enmeshed in a fascinating first contact scenario. Their entrepreneurial, "Just do it!" approach to inter-species diplomacy is a wonderful innovation to this genre of sci-fi. She details both our cultures and those of the aliens with the finely tuned eye of an anthropologist, and threads delightful humor and realistic detail through the whole thing. All in all, a fantastic read
Rating:
Summary: Be prepared to think, feel, ponder, despair and rejoice.
Review: Mary Doria Russell has done what most authors can only dream of doing; she has crafted a wonderful, heart-wrenching and thought-provoking work (and done it in her FIRST novel)! It is hard to believe that this is a first time novelist. The characters are better defined, the story more expertly crafted and the emotions and feelings more connected to the true heart and soul than is accomplished by most "experienced" novelists. But what makes this book a true work of art (and I use that term consciously and deliberately) is the way Russell brings all of these elements together into what, for me, was the most finely crafted work of science fiction I have ever read.
The book tells the story of the discovery of intelligent signals (singing to be precise) from another planet and the mission to visit this civilization. It is told through parallel narratives of the mission as it proceded, alternating with the story of the investigation into why the mission failed through the testimony of its sole survivor. The mission is mounted by The Society of Jesus (Jeusuits) in a desire to meet and greet another civilization and, thereby, better understand the God who created both. The central character is Father Emilio Sandoz, a totally committed, yet totally human, man of God who wants nothing more than to glory in his God and experience His will. What happens is the NEARLY total collapse of his understanding and faith in who God is and where He is in Emilio's life.
To say that I was moved by this book is a pitiful understatement. There were tears in my eyes as I read the final pages. Tears of mixed emotions, but, rising from them all, an overarching sense of hope. Russell is wise not to try to neatly tie everything up. Life is never neatly tied up. What she chooses to do is leave an ending that calls on each reader their deepest selves (souls?) to draw the conclusions.
For me (and reactions to every book can only and always be, personal) this was a totally satisfying, absolutely wonderful experience. I wait eagerly for Russell's next novel.
Rating:
Summary: An interesting slant on Sci-Fi,that you should read
Review: I found this to be very original,which is saying alot for "science fiction".It addresses some tough questions about what would happen to our religious faith if life on another planet was discovered,and visited.This book is more than just that though.It is a great story that stands on it's own.The ending is a little weak,but I am very much hoping that there will be a "part 2".I really want to go back to the "new planet" and see what happens next.I've done it in my mind,but I'd rather have Mary Russell take me there in her next book
Rating:
Summary: great buildup, only fair ending
Review: I like the novel. The quality of writing is excellent. There are logical improbabilities we are forced to ignore. The plot leaves something to be desired (the deus ex machina is almost literal). The world created, though, is engrossing. I hope there is no sequel
Rating:
Summary: Great: up to the last page, alas!
Review: Up until the last few sentences, this is a great book. The only letdown--the obviousness of a sequel that this story leaves you with. I guess because I teach both SF and mainsteam literature, that I was hoping for a tighter close to this episode in Fr. Sandoz' harrowing journey--into space and into his soul. But I look forward to finding out more about the aliens' world--as "ec" wrote in a review above, it's too sketchy as given, considering the build-up to the arrival. And I wanted more about the supporting crew--after they're all delineated, they seem to be too pat, and their further developments as peers of Sandoz seem not fully realized. The author does better with their earthbound confreres--they gain more depth than those stranded in space, although the latter group doesn't enjoy as much time to muse, I guess! Still, a welcome investigation into religious faith and one that--unlike an earlier Jesuit's portrayal in James Blish's old chestnut "A Case of Conscience," is fully nuanced and believable. Having been taught by a few Jesuits myself, I hope that they survive into the next century in better corporate shape than the figures here, caught in all of their idealism, realism, and depth
Rating:
Summary: Best novel of 1996
Review: This is the most intensely moving, and beautifully written novel I've read in some time. The author has managed to combine hard science with humanity at its most vulnerable. The alternating sections of zeal and despair are well balanced, taking us deep into Father Sandoz' heart, mind, and faith. A book to reread, discovering more in the text, and in your self, each time
Rating:
Summary: The road to hell is paved with good intentions
Review: The Sparrow is one of those books that will stay with you long after you've read it. The characters are realistic and fully developed, as are all aspects of this novel. Intelligent life is detected in another solar system and while world governments debate about what to do, a group of eclectic characters propose a plan to the Society of Jesuits to travel there. Character development is slow and takes about the first 100 pages of the book, but the author intersperses this with the mystery of some horrible catastrophe that took place on the faraway world to the sole surviving, physically and physcologically scarred priest who was commander of the mission and you are impelled to read on. When all the pieces come together, when all the little things that seemed so right go so wrong, when hospitality becomes torture, you are left with a sense of devastation on a universal scale. If you love science fiction, read this book. If you hate science fiction, read this book. If you love interesting, well written novels, don't miss this book
Rating:
Summary: The Sparrow - A great read and a solid first effort!
Review: I heard an interview on the radio with Mary Doria Russell on the Diane Ream show a couple of months ago. She was such an energetic and interesting guest author I just knew I had to pick up her book and that it was going to be a great read. She did not disappoint me. Russell has written a wonderful book in this reader's opinion. She captures the personalities of her main characters exceptionally well and their dialogue often made me laugh out loud. This was a good book which I recommended to my brother-in-law, a future Episcopal Priest, and to my husband, an electrical engineer. They both have read it and they really enjoyed it. Let's hear it for the talent coming out of Cleveland! Who says that town is simply the "mistake by the lake!" I eagerly await her sequel to this work
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