Science Fiction Aficionados discussion

I'm not sure which book I'm supposed to be moderating this month, but I'll set up threads for both of them. The Sparrow was the runner-up from the month before, and one I've been looking forward to reading for a long time.

How are people finding it?

I read this one about a year ago and REALLY liked it. The characters were diverse and interesting and I was so curious to know what happened.

I read this a long, long time ago and was absolutely awestruck by it. I'm trying to decide if I have the fortitude to read it again.

I read The Sparrow in 2014 and thought it was an excellent book. Also read Children of God a couple of months ago and found it to be a worthy sequel.

I started it the other day, and have had trouble putting it down! Loving the set-up so far

I read it about a year ago and got sucked in right away. To me it read like a mystery, what happened to this priest? I thought it was very good but I didn't like Children of God as much.

This is kind of off-topic, but I really enjoyed the way Children of God turned all the assumptions I had made while reading The Sparrow on their heads.

I always like books that make you think for a long time afterward, and this is that kind of book.
Meditations upon Faith have now begun....

Got this from the library, will start soon!

Oh yes, serious long time thinking!

This is one of my favorite books. I wanted to do an adult education series during Lent at my church but the priest did not think it would attract many participants!

I read this a long time ago. It was one of the most disturbing books of ever read, but also one of the best. It was disturbing enough, I couldn't bring myself to read the sequel. Reading the post that said the sequel turned all your assumptions on their head makes me wish I'd soldiered on.

Ok, better late than never! I'm starting.

I want to read it now too

I'm only about 7% in and it's giving me the willies. Just the description of his hands... shudder. Join me Maggie!!!

Ooh i diď! I meant now i want to read the sequel... i know, his poor hands

23% in. They've listened to the music of the signal and have started planning alternative uses for asteroids I find fascinating.

40% in. Well, now I know about the interstellar (view spoiler)[rape and murder (hide spoiler)] but how and why everything got so bad is forthcoming. I'm realizing all those discussions of historical martyrs were foreshadowing. The tension is inching its way up my spine.

62% in. It's all going so well with the Runa. I almost want to enjoy myself but I know the Jana'ata are coming. I know it doesn't end well.

Tension is right. The author builds it well. It's rather dark and ominous, beneath a semi-sunshiny surface.

89% in. Oh God, the gardens. I couldn't stop myself from crying. I'm still crying. What a shock, what a terrible shock.

A five star book I will never read again. Dear God, I don't think I'll get over it.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

When you've somewhat recovered, seriously, then you really should read Children of God!

Was it as difficult and shocking?

No, actually somewhat healing.

Well, that might be necessary then.

Just listened to a podcast in which they discuss this - the wonderful The Incomparable

https://www.theincomparable.com/thein...