The Sparrow

by Mary Doria Russell | Science Fiction & Fantasy |
ISBN: 0552997773 Global Overview for this book
Registered by Kislany on 2/4/2006
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10 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by Kislany on Saturday, February 4, 2006
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.

Journal Entry 2 by Kislany on Thursday, July 20, 2006
Reserved for Titletrader.com

Journal Entry 3 by wenzdaze from Phoenix, Arizona USA on Monday, August 21, 2006
The author had a very intriguing plotline here, but I found some of it overly long, especially in character interactions. Overall I liked it - but occasionally felt compelled to skip.

Journal Entry 4 by trojanpotato from San Diego, California USA on Monday, October 30, 2006
This book was sent to me by wenzdaze at my request. I can't thank her enough! Hopefully school does not interfere too much with my reading of it. After I read it, I will see if the bookray that stalled wants to use it to resume. Or maybe I will just release it at Stanford or in Palo Alto, when I am there this weekend for their humiliating defeat.

Journal Entry 5 by winglmn60wing from Spotswood, Victoria Australia on Monday, November 13, 2006
Hello! lmn60 here with public thanks for trojanpotato. My copy of this book has stalled as a ray, and this one has kindly been offered to continue the journey I originally started.

A link to the original ray is HERE. Remaining participants are listed below...

And thanks again, trojanpotato for your extreme helpulness and generosity in ensuring that this book continues to enlighten and entertain...

trojanpotato - U.S.
Thursday5 - U.S
Erishkigal - U.S.
Flakes - U.S.
cinnycat - U.S.
stacyinthecity - U.S
tobysrus - U.S
MazieNH - U.S
muzette - Canada
whitehorsy - Belgium
eefa - Ireland
ScottishHoosier - Scotland *book is here

....and off into the wild!!!


Journal Entry 6 by trojanpotato from San Diego, California USA on Sunday, November 26, 2006
I really liked this book. It put me in mind of Orson Scott Card, but with more of an anthropological spin that was very interesting.

I have erishkigal's address now and will be sending it to her tomorrow.

And by tomorrow, I mean today, 30 November.

Journal Entry 7 by wingerishkigalwing from Salt Lake City, Utah USA on Wednesday, December 27, 2006
oh, i am so sorry I didn't journal the arrival of this most intriguing book! I know I dove right in (having a day off!) and read most of the night, as I just couldn't stop. I absolutely loved it, tho my world has been so devastated since then, I can't remember why, only that I did....
my baby sister died on Dec 11. it was totally unexpected, and we're still in shock.....


anyway, The Sparrow just resurfaced, and as I came to find out who to send it to, I realized I hadn't done even let you know it arrived safely...will pm flakes and send it on soon.

ps
linguists/linguistics seem to be a major part of recent/current reads ...not by design,

Journal Entry 8 by Flakes from Bloomington, Illinois USA on Thursday, January 4, 2007
Arrived yesterday, safe and sound. Thanks, Erishkiga! I'll start reading today, and send the book on it's way ASAP!

Journal Entry 9 by Flakes from Bloomington, Illinois USA on Monday, January 8, 2007
I have to admit that the only reason that I signed up for this bookring was because I had read Mary Doria Russell's Historical fiction book "Thread of Grace" and loved it. I had no idea that this book was science fiction! I don't usually read SF, so I wasn't sure that I'd like this one. I have to say that I was very pleasantly surprised!

I was pulled in to the story from the very beginning. Emilio Sandoz was interesting, and I found myself reading on just to find out what had happened to cause such a dramatic change in his character.

Thanks so much for sharing! I'll definitely add Children of God to my wish list!:)

Sending this off too cinnycat tomorrow...enjoy!:)

Journal Entry 10 by BookBirds from Somewhere in the USA, -- Wild Released somewhere in USA -- USA on Friday, January 12, 2007
Just got this today! I will read it now, even though I just finished reading a book that was very similar... I even saw trojanpotato make the same comparison. haha. The book I just read was... Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card. Will write another entry soon! thanks so much for sending it!

Journal Entry 11 by BookBirds from Somewhere in the USA, -- Wild Released somewhere in USA -- USA on Monday, January 22, 2007
The Sparrow is a sci-fi novel for people who generally don't read sci-fi. Russell can write so beautifully about topics that aren't so beautiful. I liked it. I love a book with great pop culture references. Some of my favorites: muppets, Young Frankenstein, and Mary Martin (from one of my favorite movies to watch as a kid: Peter Pan)! On to the next reader!

Released 17 yrs ago (2/23/2007 UTC) at Controlled releases in Exchange/Trade, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

FINALLY on its way to MazieNH (the two bookcrossers after me were either inactive or wanted to skip rings/rays). So sorry it has taken so long! Enjoy!

Journal Entry 13 by MazieNH from Hooksett, New Hampshire USA on Sunday, March 4, 2007
(Sorry, I forgot to journal this when I picked it up Friday from the Post office! But I finished it over the weekend and will move it along immediately.)

Wow. Just....wow.

This is probably the best book I've read in the past year. I can't believe that the author was a first time author. I've already ordered the sequel, Children of God, and cannot wait to read that one also.

I found The Sparrow to be a wonderful examination of faith, friendship, and what it means to be a human. The plotline was intriguing and the way the story unfolded was suspenseful enough to keep me reading for 2 days straight, unable to put it down.

While I've enjoyed science fiction in the past, it's not a genre I generally seek out as a rule. This book is truly accessible to anyone, in my opinion.

I've read reviews where some express disappointment with the ending. I didn't have that myself, I felt it tied up pretty neatly and in keeping with the events of the story and the moral lessons it was looking to tell.

Highly, highly recommended. I will PM the next in line for this book. Thank you for sharing!

Journal Entry 14 by MazieNH from Hooksett, New Hampshire USA on Saturday, May 12, 2007
I finished this book almost immediately upon receiving it, but I just now got it into the mail for the next reciepient.

I have no good excuse, unfortunately - I actually thought I mailed it until I saw it under some other books I had waiting to find new homes.

As an apology - I included in the package Children of God, the sequel to the novel, which I bought and read because I enjoyed the bookring so much. It's now in my car and will be mailed within the next few days to Canada, with my apologies - I hate being "that one" who held up the bookring.

Journal Entry 15 by muzette on Monday, June 11, 2007
Just received the book. I have another one to finish but then I'll get right on it.

July 4th, 2007. Just finished reading the book. I am almost ashamed to say that I am under the impression I read a completely different book than all the people before me. I just was not drawn in. I had to convince myself in reading this book to the end. The story as such could have been interesting, if only there had been some passion put into it by the author, some action maybe. I was not really interested about the story or the characters. I was curious, yes, to understand what the big deal was, but not truly interested. I could have left the book by the bed without feeling the urge to get back to it. Too bad. I will start the sequel, which was kindly added by MazieNH, but will give it my '100 pages test'.

Journal Entry 16 by ScottishHoosier from Westhill, Scotland United Kingdom on Saturday, September 1, 2007
Came with the post this morning, together with Children of God (5046767). Thank you, muzette!

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