Listen free for 30 days

Listen with offer

Offer ends May 1st, 2024 11:59PM GMT. Terms and conditions apply.
£7.99/month after 3 months. Renews automatically.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection - including bestsellers and new releases.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, celeb exclusives, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection - including bestsellers and new releases.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, celeb exclusives, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
The Sparrow cover art

The Sparrow

By: Mary Doria Russell
Narrated by: David Colacci
Get this deal Try for £0.00

Pay £99p/month. After 3 months pay £7.99/month. Renews automatically. See terms for eligibility.

£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.

Buy Now for £23.99

Buy Now for £23.99

Pay using card ending in
By completing your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and authorise Audible to charge your designated card or any other card on file. Please see our Privacy Notice, Cookies Notice and Interest-based Ads Notice.

Listeners also enjoyed...

Doc cover art
Havemercy cover art
A Thread of Grace cover art
Children of Time cover art
Star Maker cover art
Solaris cover art
The Mote in God's Eye cover art
Anathem cover art
Doing Time cover art
The Hunter cover art
Contact cover art
Native Tongue cover art
A Canticle for Leibowitz cover art
Never Let Me Go cover art
The Kiss Thief cover art
The Law of the Heart cover art

Summary

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.

©2008 Mary Doria Russell (P)2008 Brilliance Audio

Critic reviews

“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)

What listeners say about The Sparrow

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    37
  • 4 Stars
    11
  • 3 Stars
    6
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    34
  • 4 Stars
    13
  • 3 Stars
    3
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    35
  • 4 Stars
    9
  • 3 Stars
    4
  • 2 Stars
    2
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The Perfect Juxtaposition of Science and Faith

"The Sparrow" is a captivating narrative that delves deep into complex themes of faith, pre-determinism, and endurance, provoking contemplation. It expertly juxtaposes the realms of science and religion, as well as the dichotomies of meaning and chaos, pain and joy. Instead of steering readers toward a specific mindset, the book skillfully presents a diverse array of perspectives, leaving them, perhaps intentionally, no more resolute in their beliefs by the end of the journey. This thought-provoking work is a compelling read or listen, making it a must for enthusiasts of science fiction, theology, or anyone seeking intellectual stimulation.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Incredible

Perhaps the only book I would ever label as perfection, and undoubtedly my new favourite book. I truly don't think I've ever been as emotionally impacted by a book as much as this, but I was truly left sobbing at the end; not just because of tragedy within the plot, but because it's such a masterful, emotionally charged book that you can't help but be deeply affected. Even a week after finishing it, I still think about it daily. Truly a masterclass in writing believable, authentic and compelling characters. The narration is utterly fantastic and lives up to the incredible quality of the writing itself. Do yourself a favour and listen to The Sparrow!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable listen

Took a little time to get going but once it did i really enjoyed the characters and the ending

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing

Best book I listened to in a while, amazing concept in theology, loved how thought provoking it was.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Astonishing work.

I underestimated it at first, but it's a joy to be proven wrong in that regard. A masterpiece of science fiction, and only one ever to get me simultaneously interesting in theology.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

Very well written and thought provoking novel. Shocking, funny, challenging, spiritual, exciting and beautiful all at the same time. I'd highly recommend this to any person who is prepared to be challenged about what an alternative first encounter could be like.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Original idea and a good read

I really enjoyed this book - catholic priests in space ha ha - brilliant. Some really good ideas and a great yarn.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Nothing

Starts off promising, but then devolves into a preposterous mess. A priest and his mates go to space to meet the aliens.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Absolutely awful

Could not finish. Narration was good but the story was horrible, like really bad case of autism

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!