The Sparrow

Id have given this 4 stars if the story had developed faster and more time had been spent dealing with the alien planet. It almost feels the main thrust of the book is around character development and the potential of life and interaction with an alien race takes (in my opinion) an unfortunate back seat. Well written either way with well fleshed out characters.

This is so much more than a "first contact" story. It is, perhaps as much a story about discovering ourselves, our own place, as it is one of meeting another intelligent culture. I have not read a novel that is as intelligent, and pushes as many of my human buttons, as the Sparrow. That it happens to be a science fiction novel, a hard science fiction novel, bringing in the disciplines from spacecraft engineering to anthropology to ecology to ethics to theology, and also has rich character crafting, characters worth caring about, with complex dynamic makes it wonderful. Add in an alien biology, culture, and well-thought out ethical system that is foreign, clashes with our own in so many ways to be shocking, and yet, given the biology of the alien planet, makes sense, and you have a supremely rewarding book. "A Canticle for Liebowitz" has a little of gravitas and scope, but little of the humor, certainly none of the richness of character, interplay, and alien anthropology to stimulate the reader that "The Sparrow" offers. But be prepared, despite the hard science, the characters you love, the beauty, and the humor, for some kicks in the gut - even with the foreshadowing - there will probably be kicks that leave you gasping and with tears at tragedy not merely Shakespearian, but full Euripedes level. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

What to say, great world building especially the future forward elements that have proven true.. which makes you have to stop and think... not the strongest writing I've come across which further outlines just how good this is as it's an engaging, thought provoking read. Bring on part deux