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The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell
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The Sparrow

$44.99

Get for $14.99 with membership
Narrator David Colacci

This audiobook uses AI narration.

Weโ€™re taking steps to make sure AI narration is transparent.

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Length 15 hours 19 minutes
Language English
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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

โ€œA startling, engrossing, and moral work of fiction.โ€โ€”The New York Times Book Review

โ€œImportant novels leave deep cracks in our beliefs, our prejudices, and our blinders. The Sparrow is one of them.โ€โ€”Entertainment Weekly

โ€œPowerful . . . The Sparrow tackles a difficult subject with grace and intelligence.โ€โ€”San Francisco Chronicle

โ€œProvocative, challenging . . . recalls both Arthur C. Clarke and H. G. Wells, with a dash of Ray Bradbury for good measure.โ€โ€”The Dallas Morning News

โ€œ[Mary Doria] Russell shows herself to be a skillful storyteller who subtly and expertly builds suspense.โ€โ€”USA Today

Mary Doria Russell is a paleoanthropologist with specialties in bone biology and biomechanics who has done extensive field work in Australia and Croatia. After quitting academia and writing computer manuals, she began work on The Sparrow, her first novel. She lives with her husband and son in Cleveland, Ohio.

Illustration of person sitting

Shop small, give big!

With credit bundles, you choose the number of credits and your recipient picks their audiobooks—all in support of local bookstores.

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Limited-time offer

Get two free audiobooks!

Nowโ€™s a great time to shop indie. When you start a new one credit per month membership supporting local bookstores with promo code SWITCH, weโ€™ll give you two bonus audiobook credits at sign-up.

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Give audiobooks, support local bookstores! Start gifting