Original and readable, if a bit pulpy.

This book does a marvelous job of picking up where “The Sparrow” left off, filling in details that both extend, and explain, the story. One of the best ironic themes has got to be that, despite the heavy emphasis on the linguistics and communication needed for contact between alien cultures, much of the disastrous outcomes of their contact came down to, well, miscommunications. The sequel provides closure that the first book held off on delivering, and as a result it is both more emotionally satisfying and also easier, in the end, to put down when you’re done. Still, the ideas will linger long after the book has been closed.

Definitely a must have scifi book. It’s the kind I would give to friends who remain to be convinced of the ‘worthiness’ of science fiction. It explores important issues in a helpful way. It is sympathetic to religious views and to non-religious.

My only negative crit is that it seemed to run out of steam a little towards the end, but that’s a fairly minor point.

4.2005

5/5 Stars

In a follow-up to the Sparrow, her excellent science fiction novel of Jesuits exploring a new world, Russel continues to explore the consequences of interacting with new “species” both socially and religiously. Excellent.

Even better than The Sparrow. (5/24/04)