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The Sparrow: Mary Doria Russell

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I realize I’m being fairly vague about the plot here. I simply don’t want to spoil anything from the first book by recounting the happenings in this one. I can say that it also a novel about what it means to be oppressed versus an oppressor and how the tables can be turned. We learn further about the species that inhabit Rakhat – the Runa and Jana’ata. What the effect of introducing a new species (that of homo sapiens) to the planet will have on the balance of power. Much of this will have a familiar ring to it from our own world history. It may bring to mind revolutions, such as that of the French and the Russian, as well as the settling of North America and the displacement of the Native Americans. The question as to whether the ends justify the means will recur in the book and in your own thoughts. Ultimately, it causes one to understand that we are all part of this world (or this universe) and that each serves a purpose, each life has meaning, all are dependent on one another in some way, shape or form.

In many ways, this novel rivals the scope of The Sparrow in both worldbuilding and theme. By the same token, both are portrayed in a much more dilute fashion.During their first meeting, Emilio tells Candotti that he wants to withdraw from the Society; Candotti explains to him that the Jesuit hearings will be "nothing compared to what they'll put you through outside." Before leaving, Candotti notices a drawing of a group of VaRakhati, whom Emilio calls his colleagues. I highly recommend reading both books. Don't let the genre scare you away, or you will be missing out on some truly thought-provoking writing, some extremely nuanced characters, and excellent dialogue. And there was too much theologising for me. And too much forcing of parallels with the two alien races with the plight of Jews and North American Indians. Children of God added many new dimensions to the tale. Many characters from either alien species and humans had their time as PoVs. Emilio is still a major character, but not necessarily the Main Character. Sophia and her son Issac have a lot of screen time. As do the once-pacifistic vegetarians on the alien world and the meat eaters. Do we need to get into that little feature? Maybe, maybe not, but let's put it this way... Soylent Green is People. Children of God certainly provides interesting food for thought, and I thoroughly enjoyed revisiting Rakhat. We learn more about the Runa and Jana'ata in this book; their cultures are not as confusing or as alien any more. And by far, the best part of the book is Celestine. Precocious child characters usually annoy me, but Celestine captured my heart and wouldn’t let it go. The involuntary separation of Emilio from Gina and Celestine is one of the more brutal acts in this book.

But there was no way to resist. He looked at this undreamed-of daughter and at her tiny child – frowning and milky in dreamless sleep – and found room in the crowded necropolis of his heart. The Jana'ata merchant Supaari, who also appeared in the first novel, fulfills his goal of marrying and beginning a family. However, he soon realizes that he cannot trust his brother-in-law, the Reshtar (third-born prince) Hlavin Kitheri. Supaari flees the city with his baby daughter Ha'anala. They find sanctuary in the Runa village that he had previously traded with, and where he had befriended the first human landing party. It won the Arthur C. Clarke Award, James Tiptree Jr. Award, Kurd-Laßwitz-Preis and the British Science Fiction Association Award. It was followed by a sequel, Children of God, in 1998. The title refers to Gospel of Matthew 10:29–31, which relates that not even a sparrow falls to the earth without the Christian god's knowledge thereof. Also relating to the above, a Lorentz factor of 120 corresponds to a velocity of 0.999965 c, which would require an incredible amount of energy. If the ship is decelerated upon reaching the planet, and then accelerated and decelerated again for the return trip, then the energy requirements would be astronomical due to the large delta-''v'' . Family of Choice: The mission team. The author notes how the older members never had children and wind up being somewhat of adopted parents to the younger ones.

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Over time, Emilio’s mental and physical state improves. Eventually, Emilio shares the awful truth of what happened on Rakhat, reliving the deaths of his fellow crew members and describing the sexual violence he endured, the suffering that ultimately shattered his faith in God. This revelation is therapeutic for Emilio. Defrosting Ice Queen: Sofia Mendes. Which makes her transformation into a Knight Templar by the end of Children of God that much more tragic. Good Shepherd: Sandoz is pretty much the model priest, at least before...things...happen. Most of the Jesuits are also portrayed very sympathetically. Three weeks later, Johannes Voelker, Giuliani's private secretary, calls Father John Candotti and tells him to come see Emilio. Candotti is a priest from Chicago who has been brought to Rome to help Emilio prepare for the hearings. Russell, Mary Doria (April 27, 2012). "Saying No to Hollywood". marydoriarussell.net . Retrieved June 8, 2012. Michael [Seitzman]'s adaptation made sense in the context of what Hollywood is likely to buy and/or produce, but it changed too much of the story for it to be satisfying to the many readers who genuinely love that novel. And I don't want to spend the rest of my life apologizing to people who would feel betrayed by a screen adaptation that didn't face up to the central issues of the story.

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