A visionary work that combines speculative fiction with deep philosophical inquiry, The Sparrow tells the story of a charismatic Jesuit priest and linguist, Emilio Sandoz, who leads a scientific mission entrusted with a profound task: to make first contact with intelligent extraterrestrial life. The mission begins in faith, hope, and beauty, but a series of small misunderstandings brings it to a catastrophic end.

Praise for The Sparrow

"A startling, engrossing, and moral work of fiction." -- The New York Times Book Review

"Important novels leave deep cracks in our beliefs, our prejudices, and our blinders. The Sparrow is one of them." -- Entertainment Weekly

"Powerful... The Sparrow tackles a difficult subject with grace and intelligence." -- San Francisco Chronicle

"Provocative, challenging... recalls both Arthur C. Clarke and H. G. Wells, with a dash of Ray Bradbury for good measure." -- The Dallas Morning News

"[Mary Doria] Russell shows herself to be a skillful storyteller who subtly and expertly builds suspense." -- USA Today

• We started tracking this book on September 21, 2010.
• This book was $8.69 when we started tracking it.
• The price of this book has changed 137 times in the past 5,557 days.
• The current price of this book is $1.99 last checked 45 minutes ago.
• The lowest price to date was $1.99 last reached on December 4, 2025.
• This book has been $1.99 8 times since we started tracking it.
• The highest price to date was $12.99 last reached on September 6, 2016.
• This book has been $12.99 one time since we started tracking it.
• This book is currently at its lowest price since we started tracking it.

• Literature & FictionLiterary FictionHistorical
• Literature & FictionLiterary FictionSagas
• Science Fiction & FantasyScience FictionFirst Contact
• Literature & FictionHistorical FictionUnited States

• Publication Date: May 27, 2008
• Text-to-Speech: Disabled
• Lending: Disabled
• Print Length: 517 Pages
• File Size: 36 KB