Children of God

A Novel

By: Mary Doria Russell

Narrated by: Anna Fields

Length: 17 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

In Children of God, Mary Doria Russell further establishes herself as one of the most innovative, entertaining, and philosophically provocative novelists writing today.

The only member of the original mission to the planet Rakhat to return to Earth, Father Emilio Sandoz has barely begun to recover from his ordeal when the Society of Jesus calls upon him for help in preparing for another mission to Alpha Centauri. Despite his objections and fear, he cannot escape his past or the future.

Old friends, new discoveries and difficult questions await Emilio as he struggles for inner peace and understanding in a moral universe whose boundaries now extend beyond the solar system and whose future lies with children born in a faraway place.

Strikingly original, richly plotted, replete with memorable characters and filled with humanity and humor, Chil-dren of God is an unforgettable and uplifting novel that is a potent successor to The Sparrow and a startlingly imaginative adventure for newcomers to Mary Doria Russell's special literary magic.

©1999 Mary Doria Russell (P)2008 Random House Audio

It’s Not Science Fiction, Captain

I’m still not sure if the novel prior to this, The Sparrow, should have been sci-fi or not; spoiler alert ************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************* I mean yes, you’ve got aliens, and two intertwined mysteries- what did he do that he wakes up screaming? Or was that the case? Plus there’s the what happened to the other people that were with you mystery, and I literally saw what the “nice natural aliens” were too quickly but still, a cool twist. But I am now Changing my previous review of Sparrow to not science-fiction just because
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This is really the most science fiction you get in the whole series and it’s not enough to qualify as a book that OF COURSE IS IN SPACE AND HAS ALIENS to a OK NOVEL THAT COULD HAVE TAKEN PLACE AMONG ANY TRIBE THAT HAD HELP FROM A TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED BUNCH OF, SAY, SPECIAL FORCES GUYS. In the Amazon/Africa/Australia just pick your favorite. And that’s not enough.

Sublime

As marvelous as The Sparrow was, Children of God was utterly magnificent. Such effortless, penetrative, moving writing. It is a very well reasoned and insightful exploration of morality, loss, grief, and quest for purpose.

Great sequel

I think I enjoyed this book more than the first. Great story. I read enjoyed the reading too.

Great sequel for The Sparrow

Great continuation for the Sparrow. This book delves deeper into the culture of Rakath and see history unfold there while still providing the thought provoking conversation of the characters

Rare excellence

Beautiful writing and knowledge of religion lifts this space age story into philosophical loftiness. Loved it.

Better than the first

This book was miles better than it’s predecessor. I don’t think reading the sparrow is even necessary if I’m honest. Children of God can stand alone just fine.

Sequel equal to the first…

These are not always easy stories, however thoroughly important and engaging throughout. This is a necessary and satisfying, equally beautiful sequel. As with all really good books I found myself musing over these characters with their outlandish plights. I’ll miss them.

Beautiful

I came away from this two volume series with a more compassionate heart. Philosophically sound and brutally beautiful.

Literary Masterpiece

Would you consider the audio edition of Children of God to be better than the print version?

I was grateful for the fine performance. Anna Fields' voice covers such a range as to make the male characters as believable as the female. Her accents were skillful enough and consistent so that I came to know the character speaking without any other identifying cues.

What did you like best about this story?

The story, like The Sparrow, was multidimensional. Mary Doria Russell moved freely and seamlessly between an exploration of the science involved in inter-stellar travel, the technology to make that possible, the cultural complexities of alien races, the depth and breadth of our understanding of and relation to God. And she wrote two novels of compelling fiction that explored the central characters in depth. Emilio Sandoz, Sophia Mendez and the alien characters as well feel to me like individuals that I know and care for.

Which character – as performed by Anna Fields – was your favorite?

Emilio Sandoz

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

If I could have, yes.

Any additional comments?

In The Sparrow and Children of God, Mary Doria Russel has made a contribution to the world of literature, not just Sci Fi.

Don't be fooled... the narrator is great!

I will not review the story much here, except to say that is a worthwhile followup to the Sparrow; anyone who enjoyed the Sparrow should read this, anyone who hasn't read the Sparrow should read it first. An excellent and thought-provoking book, perhaps not quite the masterpiece the Sparrow was, but worthy of it.

When first listening to this immediately after finishing the Sparrow, I was thrown by the narrator. The narration on the Sparrow was sublime, among the best I've listened to, possibly THE best, especially given the range of characters and attitudes that needed to be voiced. The beginning of Children of G-d is narrator-heavy (as opposed to dialog-heavy), and the contrast between the bold, female narrator here and the subdued, plaintive male narrator of the Sparrow gave me pause. I worried it would be a disappointment. But, again, the characterizations were sublime, and cohesive with the Sparrow's. Anna Fields' narratorial voice turns out to be better suited to many of the parts of THIS book - especially the major characters of Haanala and Isaac (sp?). Really beautifully done, adding a great deal to this complex world. Brava! Also a strong candidate for best-narrated audiobook ever.