{"title":"Books by Mary Doria Russell","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"9780552997775","title":"The Sparrow","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e'\u003ci\u003eThe Sparrow\u003c\/i\u003e is one of my favourite science fiction novels and it destroyed me in the best way when I read it. It is so beautifully written and the construction of the narrative is masterful'\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEmma Newman, author of \u003ci\u003ePlanetfall\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTHE ACCLAIMED GENRE-DEFINING WINNER OF THE 1998 ARTHUR C. CLARKE AWARD \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSet in the 21st century - a number of decades from now - \u003ci\u003eThe Sparrow\u003c\/i\u003e is the story of a charismatic Jesuit priest and talented linguist, Emilio Sandoz, who - in response to a remarkable radio signal from the depths of space - leads a scientific mission to make first contact with an extra-terrestrial culture.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn the true tradition of Jesuit adventurers before him, Sandoz and his companions are prepared to endure isolation, suffering - even death - but nothing can prepare them for the civilisation they encounter. Or for the tragic misunderstanding that brings the mission to a devastating end. Once considered a living saint, Sandoz returns alone to Earth horrifically maimed, both physically and spiritually, the mission's sole survivor - only to be blamed for the mission's failure and accused of heinous crimes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWritten in clean, effortless prose and peopled with memorable characters who never lose their humanity or humour, \u003ci\u003eThe Sparrow \u003c\/i\u003eis a powerful, haunting fiction - a tragic but ultimately triumphant novel about the nature of faith, of love and what it means to be 'human' and widely considered to be a classic of the genre.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43201794048178,"sku":"9780552997775","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9780552997775.jpg?v=1786013530"},{"product_id":"children-of-god","title":"Children Of God","description":"\u003cp\u003eFrom the acclaimed author of \u003ci\u003eThe Sparrow\u003c\/i\u003e comes a new, extraordinarily imaginative SF novel which continues the powerful, moving story of Emilio Sandoz, the charismatic Jesuit priest who led the well-intentioned but catastrophic mission to the distant planet of Rakhat, and journeyed to the furthest reaches of the human soul.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNow, in \u003ci\u003eChildren of God,\u003c\/i\u003e Father Emilio Sanchoz returns and - against his will - is forced to continue his quest for the meaning, if any, of God's plan.  Dazzlingly imaginative, philosophically provocative and immeasurably entertaining, Children of God is a must-read for fans of \u003ci\u003eThe Sparrow\u003c\/i\u003e, and a startlingly fresh adventure for newcomers to Mary Doria Russell's special literary magic.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57484113084789,"sku":"9780552776011","price":16.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9780552776011.jpg?v=1786266147"},{"product_id":"dreamers-of-the-day","title":"Dreamers Of The Day","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e'I am sure of this much: my little story has become your history. You won't really understand your times until you understand mine...'\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003eReeling from the aftermath of the twin tragedies of the Great War and the influenza epidemic, diffident schoolteacher Agnes Shanklin has taken the trip of a lifetime: to Egypt and the Holy Land. But her arrival at Cairo's Semiramis Hotel coincides with an event that will change history. For the year is 1921 and the Cairo Peace Conference is about to preside over nothing less than the creation of the modern Middle East. At first Agnes acts as a welcome sounding board for the historic players - Churchill, T. E. Lawrence and Lady Gertrude Bell among them - poised to invent the nations of Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan and so decide the fate of the Arab world. Yet as the tumultuous days pass, she attracts the attention of a charismatic German spy and is inexorably drawn into the duplicitous, dangerous world of geopolitical intrigue... \u003cbr\u003eAs enlightening as it is entertaining, this compelling, passionately felt novel casts brilliant and perceptive light on what lies behind so many of today's headlines.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57520086221173,"sku":"9780552774857","price":15.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9780552774857.jpg?v=1787581575"}],"url":"https:\/\/backstory.london\/collections\/author-mary-doria-russell.oembed","provider":"Backstory","version":"1.0","type":"link"}