While the search for extraterrestrials has been written about by many sci-fi authors, the book that resonates with me most is The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell. From the opening lines in which Father Emilio Sandoz is released from the hospital, we know something terrible has happened. A mission to make first contact with an alien race that produces beautiful, ethereal music began forty years earlier in 2019. Jesuit missionaries along with civilians formed an eight person expedition to Rahkat where they met and learned to communicate with the peaceful alien race they encountered. But their scientific and spiritual objectives were ended by the more powerful, dominant, and aggressive culture that inhabits the planet. Told in a series of flashbacks, Sandoz unravels the mystery of what went so horribly wrong and why he was the only one left. Beautiful language, humorous moments, vivid description and characterization make The Sparrow a visceral reading experience.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Today Space Shuttle Atlantis launched for the last time. And when it lands, it will be the end of NASA's shuttle program. As I listened to details of the launch on NPR this morning, it got me thinking about space exploration and the millions of things that could be out there. While some of the ideas may be my own, I have definitely been influenced by the great imagination and speculation of science fiction.
While the search for extraterrestrials has been written about by many sci-fi authors, the book that resonates with me most is The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell. From the opening lines in which Father Emilio Sandoz is released from the hospital, we know something terrible has happened. A mission to make first contact with an alien race that produces beautiful, ethereal music began forty years earlier in 2019. Jesuit missionaries along with civilians formed an eight person expedition to Rahkat where they met and learned to communicate with the peaceful alien race they encountered. But their scientific and spiritual objectives were ended by the more powerful, dominant, and aggressive culture that inhabits the planet. Told in a series of flashbacks, Sandoz unravels the mystery of what went so horribly wrong and why he was the only one left. Beautiful language, humorous moments, vivid description and characterization make The Sparrow a visceral reading experience.
While the search for extraterrestrials has been written about by many sci-fi authors, the book that resonates with me most is The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell. From the opening lines in which Father Emilio Sandoz is released from the hospital, we know something terrible has happened. A mission to make first contact with an alien race that produces beautiful, ethereal music began forty years earlier in 2019. Jesuit missionaries along with civilians formed an eight person expedition to Rahkat where they met and learned to communicate with the peaceful alien race they encountered. But their scientific and spiritual objectives were ended by the more powerful, dominant, and aggressive culture that inhabits the planet. Told in a series of flashbacks, Sandoz unravels the mystery of what went so horribly wrong and why he was the only one left. Beautiful language, humorous moments, vivid description and characterization make The Sparrow a visceral reading experience.
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