THE SPARROW

taraswizard · Posted: Wed Jun 09, 2010 10:48 pm Post subject:

I believe that I misread Morgan's review, often times because her criticism always to me seems so nitpicky it's often times hard to tell when she actually likes something. (In Morgan's case, that does not apply to John Harrison or Grimwood since she gushes about their awesomeness constantly).
_________________
Allan Rosewarne
taraswizard Essence of Amber
Buffy fans Chicago
W/T they are forever

Fist and Faith · Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2011 1:29 am Post subject:

bumped for u.
_________________
We are not required to save the world. We are required to stand up as truly as we can for what we love. -SRD

Mi alasharia la shantih, Darling Silezia.
Isaiah ShadowLurker, mi alasharia la shantih, shantih.

ussusimiel · Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 6:38 pm Post subject:

Belated thanks for bumping this, Fist! I had a look at the thread a while back and I meant to get around to it again sooner.

I consider The Sparrow an excellent stand-alone SF novel. It has a great plot and is excellently written. There are more than a few memorable characters and the suspense-filled lead-up to the ending of the book is really well maintained. I read the follow-up The Children of God but couldn't get as excited about it as the first book. I think a lot of The Sparrow's attraction for me came from the pacing and the powerful impact of events as they happened. Each new event led to some new understanding and knowledge that made me go 'Ahhh!'. IMO, there was no way that the second book could do this with the same force because we basically knew it all already.

There are some fairly huge holes in the plot, to be honest. (As was noted up-thread, the universe that the story takes place in must definitely be lacking a program like Star Trek.) The thrown-together nature of the expedition is almost funny. The way the mission is gone about on Rakhat, from the time spent in observation, to the way the landing and contact are handled, can only be justified by plot necessities. Still the writing is so good that I had no problem suspending disbelief and enjoying a great story.

I have done a few re-reads of The Sparrow and it continues to be one of my favourites.

u.

aliantha · Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2013 9:25 pm Post subject:

An interesting story about the author in the Washington Post this week. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/style-blog/wp/2013/02/25/marie-doria-russell-on-the-perils-and-rewards-of-being-a-midlist-novelist/
_________________

EZ Board Survivor

"Dreaming isn't good for you unless you do the things it tells you to." -- Three Dog Night (via the GI)

http://hearth-myth.blogspot.com/

Shaun das Schaf · Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2013 11:03 pm Post subject:

Interesting, and sadly true re : 'blockbuster or be gone' approach.
Glad it has a happy ending for her.

Also if HBO and AMC series take off, and have the usual flow on effect for book sales, someone at Random House is getting the sack! (Although, they'd still benefit through back list sales I guess.)

Fist and Faith · Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 12:24 am Post subject:

Well, I'm always terrified of adaptations - big or small screen. But if anything deserves it...
_________________
We are not required to save the world. We are required to stand up as truly as we can for what we love. -SRD

Mi alasharia la shantih, Darling Silezia.
Isaiah ShadowLurker, mi alasharia la shantih, shantih.

Avatar · Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 5:04 am Post subject:

Sheesh man, you know they'll destroy it. They'll try and make it more action-like.

--A
_________________
Don't believe everything you think.

Fist and Faith · Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 11:57 am Post subject:

Ya think??? Heh. I doubt I'd bother to watch it.
_________________
We are not required to save the world. We are required to stand up as truly as we can for what we love. -SRD

Mi alasharia la shantih, Darling Silezia.
Isaiah ShadowLurker, mi alasharia la shantih, shantih.

Avatar · Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2013 6:39 am Post subject:

Me neither...I get too annoyed. Laughing

--A
_________________
Don't believe everything you think.

Dragonlily · Posted: Sun Mar 03, 2013 5:37 pm Post subject:

I might not watch the western series, but I wouldn't miss giving the sci fi series a try.
_________________
"The universe is made of stories, not atoms." -- Roger Penrose

Avatar · Posted: Mon Mar 04, 2013 5:07 am Post subject:

Wait...what western series?

--A
_________________
Don't believe everything you think.

Dragonlily · Posted: Mon Mar 04, 2013 5:20 am Post subject:

DOC and the sequel.
_________________
"The universe is made of stories, not atoms." -- Roger Penrose