Children of God

So I read the sparrow something like 15 years ago. I loved it. Totally meant to read the sequel. This was a time before ebooks and Amazon when I would have had to go to a store to purchase a book with money college me didn't have. So I didn't. It took over a decade for happenstance to return to The Sparrow to my shelf and throw the sequel in with it. I do finish things I start; I do.

Children of God is much more hopeful than The Sparrow, and I think that's why it didn't resonate quite as strongly with me. The Sparrow is an ambiguous book that looks at religion as it affects believers, agnostics, and atheists alike. That sort of parity is the main reason I love it. This book is more of a summation and because Mary Doria Russell doesn't want all her readers to kill themselves, the various endings are hopeful if not all good. They point to ineffable plans bearing fruit in a way that makes me happy for the characters, but sits a little bit wrong in my bitter, realist heart.

The main themes of this book are coping with senseless tragedy and the benefit of hindsight. Whatever the actual plausibility of Russell's use of speed of light travel, the element of Emilio's lifespan allows for him to witness a span of time most of the other characters will never see, and the reader benefits from his perspective. We see societies collapse and reform and our sympathies shift from victims to oppressors. We see people do awful things for noble reasons. We see consequences play out past anyone's expectations both for good and ill. It's a sweeping novel, and I envy Russell's control of a shifting time scheme.

In the afterword, Russell says the main element she hopes readers take away with them is “Don't be so damn quick to judge!” I think this statement is a worthwhile one for everyone to take with them. Learning it while exploring Russell's brilliantly brought to life alien cultures is much easier than trying it in real life. I only wish there was one more featuring Rukuei's story as he ventures to H'earth. That is a whole different thematic palette I'd love to read