Science fiction · Literary
The Sparrow
A Jesuit mission travels to a newly discovered alien world in 2019, and the book alternates between the journey and the lone, broken survivor's later questioning.
Facts last checked 2026-10-17
- First published
- 1996
- Pace
- Medium
- Length
- Long
- Pages
- 515
- Format
- Book 1 of 2 in The Sparrow
Read this if you want science fiction that wrestles with faith, loss and first contact.
Skip this if you want an upbeat tale or cannot read about sexual violence.
The feel
Content warnings
Also reported by Hardcover readers:
Quick answers about The Sparrow
- What is The Sparrow about?
- A Jesuit mission travels to a newly discovered alien world in 2019, and the book alternates between the journey and the lone, broken survivor's later questioning.
- Who should read The Sparrow?
- Read it if you want science fiction that wrestles with faith, loss and first contact. Skip it if you want an upbeat tale or cannot read about sexual violence.
- How long and how fast is The Sparrow?
- It is a medium-paced, long read of about 515 pages, first published in 1996.
- Does The Sparrow have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Sexual assault, Violence, Death, Child death, Religious extremism.
- Can I borrow The Sparrow for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends The Sparrow; the borrow button above searches it for you.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Bookshop.org | Check price | Buy new from Bookshop.org |
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Libro.fm | Check price | Buy audiobook from Libro.fm |
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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