The Sparrow

Jacket Description/Back: The Sparrow, an astonishing literary debut, takes you on a journey to a distant planet and to the center of the human soul. It is the story of a charismatic Jesuit priest and linguist, Emilio Sandoz, who leads a twenty-first-century scientific mission to a newly discovered extraterrestrial culture. Sandoz and his companions are prepared to endure isolation, hardship and death, but nothing can prepare them for the civilization they encounter, or for the tragic misunderstanding that brings the mission to a catastrophic end. Once considered a living saint, Sandoz returns alone to Earth physically and spiritually maimed, the mission's sole survivor - only to be accused of heinous crimes and blamed for the mission's failure. Publisher Marketing: The Sparrow, an astonishing literary debut, takes you on a journey to a distant planet and to the center of the human soul. It is the story of a charismatic Jesuit priest and linguist, Emilio Sandoz, who leads a twenty-first-century scientific mission to a newly discovered extraterrestrial culture. Sandoz and his companions are prepared to endure isolation, hardship and death, but nothing can prepare them for the civilization they encounter, or for the tragic misunderstanding that brings the mission to a catastrophic end. Once considered a living saint, Sandoz returns alone to Earth physically and spiritually maimed, the mission's sole survivor - only to be accused of heinous crimes and blamed for the mission's failure. Review Citations:

Kirkus Reviews 08/01/1996 pg. 1085 (EAN 9780679451501, Hardcover) - *Starred Review

Booklist 09/01/1996 pg. 63 (EAN 9780679451501, Hardcover) - *Starred Review

Publishers Weekly 09/09/1996 pg. 64 (EAN 9780679451501, Hardcover)

New York Times 12/15/1996 pg. 39 (EAN 9780679451501, Hardcover)

Booklist Editors Choice/Adult 01/01/1997 pg. 761 (EAN 9780679451501, Hardcover)

Wilson Fiction Catalog 01/01/1997 pg. 70 (EAN 9780679451501, Hardcover)

Booklist 10/01/1996 (EAN 9780679451501, Hardcover) - *Starred Review

New York Times 09/28/1997 pg. 36 (EAN 9780449912553, Paperback)

Booksense '76 Reading Grp 04 05/01/2004 pg. 1 (EAN 9780449912553, Paperback)

Christian Century 12/02/2008 pg. 12 (EAN 9780449912553, Paperback)

Contributor Bio:  Russell, Mary Doria Mary Doria Russell is the author of five previous books, The Sparrow, Children of God, A Thread of Grace, Dreamers of the Day, and Doc, all critically acclaimed commercial successes. Dr. Russell holds a Ph. D. in biological anthropology. She lives in Lyndhurst, Ohio. Contributor Bio:  Colacci, David David Colacci has worked as a narrator for over fifteen years, during which time he has won "AudioFile" Earphones Awards, earned Audie nominations, and been included on Best of Year lists by such publications as "Publishers Weekly", "AudioFile" magazine, and "Library Journal".