Spoiler Warning: Major plot details for "The Sparrow" ahead! Hey everyone, some people don't seem to understand the twist in this book, so allow me to explain! SPOILERS ahead for those who haven't read it yet! The twist that catches many off guard is the revelation about the music in the signal sent to Earth. It's not some benign, beautiful creation, but rather a chilling product of a seemingly sadistic alien society. And here's the kicker: that same predatory race, specifically Kitheri, is responsible for the heinous act of S/A against the main character, Emilio Sandoz. Perhaps I should of mentioned this detail in the video, but the music what in fact, a song of torture and abuse. Furthermore, the humans who ventured to Rakhat under the guise of helping the Runa actually unknowingly caused immense suffering and death. It's a gut-wrenching realization that turns the narrative on its head.
How are they sadistic? Janaata are predatory, true. Their don't follow human morals. But then again, they are pretty peaceful and benevolent even by human standards. No wars, for example. And they actually DON'T eat Runa a lot either. Only sometimes and mostly for criminals. Supaari is one of the more sympathetic characters of both books. And they actually don't enjoy causing suffering either. They slaughtered emergent Runa agricultural society because it was throwing whole ecology off balance and threatening their well being. They openly stated to be very sad about having to do this.
@@ОлегТурчев-ц4шI haven’t read the book only this recap, but the removal of muscles and torture of the main character is obviously sadistic. Was that character meant to just be an anomaly or something?
I think the thing that broke the Priest was when he found out the Songs where not some beautiful hymns to the divine or to higher virtues but songs about the joys of torture murder and rape. . These where songs that sounded as beautiful as Motzart but they where about base vile and evil acts.
Kind of like the samurais writing poetry to the sounds of men being boiled alive in The Shogun. You might have a point there, that little incongruency got stuck deep inside my bones, to the point that I don't really remember much else from the book.
I was raised Irish Catholic and educated by Jesuit and Franciscan Brothers. I read the Sparrow and it's sequel in about 2001. Yes, the road to Hell is paved with good intentions. A very disturbing book, but it should be required reading for every Christian. That said, this book freed me from Catholicism. Bravo, Quinn! One of your best reviews!
@@roachdoggjr8399 Faith can have negative connotations to it Choosing to leave it is the choice all SHOULD have instead of "oh your weak, THAT is why faith has failed u"
I really like the message this book tells about the nature of faith. I see a lot of parallels with the Book of Job. When things start going wrong for Job, he doesn’t understand how they can be happening to him since he is living a righteous life and doing what is expected of him. By the end of the book, though, Job realizes that faith isn’t about getting an immediate reward or being spared pain and hardship. It’s about trusting that the hardship you are enduring has a purpose and is part of God’s greater plan for you and for the world. I also like that the message isn’t don’t do good because it can only end badly (which is a philosophy I seem to see in media a lot recently) but rather, think about the possible consequences first and understand the environment you’re in before you seek to change it.
Pointless drivel. Not a single time in my life have I met a person raised in staunch Christian family, becoming Atheist and then going to Judaism, which had something actually profound to say. First of all, in vast majority of times, these individuals explored and poured time into Judaism, but haven't done so into Christianity, reflexively having disdain to it because it was "forced" onto them and they didn't "choose" it. Two races that are similar? One being slaves and food? Really my guy, we're not going to talk about goyim and its parallels? At start, while you were explaining the story, I already knew author grew up in religious background and rejected it, so becoming atheist at first was something I predicted. However, there wasn't enough deep rooted hate for the religion as is often case with such atheists, so I assumed their religious journey wasn't done. And it wasn't. This whole book is one giant disgusting convert's journey, to only monotheistic religion which through DOCTRINE wouldn't help the oppressed lower race on that planet. I see many people in comments wanting sequel in which humans go to that planet and depose grapy and torturous race, yet failing to see that author is sending the opposite message, which only a Jew would. Islam's and Christianity's ideals, regardless of subset of doctrine would staunchly insist on bringing their faith towards them. What best way to do so than to mark the superior race that eats and has hurt their own emissaries as Satan's spawn, depose them, liberate the oppressed and bring them their form of monotheism (literally doesn't matter if you're Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant Christian, or Sunni, Shia Muslim). However, the Judaism, to which author converted, is religion of isolationism, seeped with their own troubles innately producing atheists among them. Judaism is only religion in which there's inherit "us vs them" mentality deep rooted against other humans. Sure, people will say Crusader wars and Jihads, and any proper historian will see numerous abuse of both Christianity and Islam, by their religious leaders to sow self serving violence. However, in 99% of cases, later down the line such behaviors are deemed as misguided and wrong. At the core, both of these religions deem world to be a better place if everyone are of their faith, which often sparks violent people into using it as an excuse for conquest. And likewise there are subset of both religions which never produced such violence on religious scale. Orthodox Christianity is one such subset, and I'll hide no bias towards it, since I come from that background, but there was never crusades sanctified by Orthodox Christians. In fact much the opposite, majority of spreading of Orthodox Christianity was also done similarly to these Jesuits, with priests going among the "barbarians" and often witnessing their violent tendencies on their own skin, becoming martyrs within the Church's dogma. But instead, since author grew up among non Orthodox Christians, she projected the loss of faith onto the main character, and switched to only monotheistic religion that would agree with "Prime directive". Majority of people in these comments yearn for righteous justice towards the violent race in this book, and both Christianity and Islam would allow it. If possible firstly just by converting and renouncing their vile acts, but if not, by aggression and possibly even extermination of Jana'ta in favor of oppressed Runa, who would in turn accept the new religion as saviors. I sympathize with the author, the old "If he's benevolent then he wouldn't allow X, if he's etc." you know the drill I won't spell it out, atheists have been using that line of reasoning for past 2 decades very profusely. I too often had issues with the same, growing modification of religion I was brought into, which could be deemed outright heretical. However, going towards Judaism is the only way author can keep semblance of her own righteousness by deeming her original brought up religion as wrong, which is a mistake. She should've come to terms that she's a bad apple, just how I have. Instead, she went into only monotheistic religion that borderline sanctifies abuse and mistreatment of other members of her own species, with line of reasoning that their idea of God is only one right, and that he's put all these goyim onto the planet to serve them. The only reason Judaism hasn't had a crusade or jihad is because as staunchly isolationistic, they don't have the numbers. But don't fret, they've produced just as much evil within Manhattan and their banking. It's no coincidence that they're being stereotyped as bankers, and that any aggressive antisemitic revolution involves toppling the banks. Ivan the Great (or terrible if you're from the West) marched them into frozen lake, after it becoming evident they've been kidnapping Christian street urchins to kill and put their goyim blood into their cookies as ritualistic practice. Mr. Moustache (not even sure I can type his name on YT without being shadow banned) did a similar thing with camps. Just remember first two things he did when he came to power, which were banning p*rn and not allow usury (which was historically attributed to Jews as no coincidence). Factually, this whole book is a love letter to most heinous Jewish practices, and so is "prime directive" by the way, especially the way Picard and his crew break it so often. In fact, they've broke it so often and for such petty reasons that it's become a meme, with people calling it "Prime suggestive" on the internet. I too grew up on Star Trek Next Generation, but I'm not blind to giant hypocrisy in that show. I won't go into details about it since others people already have on the internet and it's easily googlable, and my comment is long enough. Am I not to see this as justification of worst parts of Jewish beliefs, veiled (thinly if I may add) as Runa being goyim and Jana'ta being God's chosen people? That despite their mistreatment and oppression, the humanity should leave that planet alone in that delicate equilibrium because of what? God bad? I say Hell no. I too share the innate feeling many in this comment section do, that it's right for humanity to go there, put Jana'ta in their place, exterminate if needed, and elevate Runa to freedom, while simultaneously giving them word of God (be it Christian or Islamic I couldn't care less), enhancing his flock of followers. Many people in this comment section would agree with my statement against oppression, but would have cold feet when looked through lens of antisemitism. That however, can't be ignored because the author too, wrote this book through the lens of it. If you've read this far, my over a 1.100 words comment, I appreciate it. If you have something to add or analyze feel free to do so, however spare yourself typing simply "You're antisemitic" because I think I make it quite clear in my comment. Yes I am, and no I won't apologize for it. And I'm the biggest supporter of Israel's state, as long as they bring all of theirs there, and stop filling my country (or any other for that matter) and their banks.
Read the Sparrow on a business trip when it was frantically recommended by an airport bookstore employee. I said sci-fi...she said "You've read The Sparrow?" [while gently waving a copy before me], "I haven't" nothing further was said - we headed to the cash register. My life was changed into two discernable part: life before reading the Sparrow, and life after reading the Sparrow. Shocking, terrifying, sorrowful, the hand stripping ritual...is with me to this day. Like all good science fiction, the Sparrow, is a mirror which we can use to gain a different perspective on ourselves...on myself.
Its pacing is different and a few plot contrivances that don't feel as natural and inevitable as the first book, but if you want to know the true fates of the protagonists and the aliens, reading it is a no-brainer, as we used to say.
We read this in a philosophy class in college. I have never gotten over this book. It's haunting and that scene is one of the most graphic and heart rending I have ever read. You can feel not only his body, but his soul, break in that moment.
I'm genuinely curious when this was. The Sparrow strikes me as the sort of text you could not teach in modern academia. Even with ample content warnings, it would only take one student making a complaint to the Dean to get the Professor put on administrative leave.
Some similar aspects as in "Speaker for the Dead" by Orson Scott Card. Like coming to alien spicies with human assumption thus not understanding or even horribly misunderstanding the true meaning of their reality.
Pointless drivel. Not a single time in my life have I met a person raised in staunch Christian family, becoming Atheist and then going to Judaism, which had something actually profound to say. First of all, in vast majority of times, these individuals explored and poured time into Judaism, but haven't done so into Christianity, reflexively having disdain to it because it was "forced" onto them and they didn't "choose" it. Two races that are similar? One being slaves and food? Really my guy, we're not going to talk about goyim and its parallels? At start, while you were explaining the story, I already knew author grew up in religious background and rejected it, so becoming atheist at first was something I predicted. However, there wasn't enough deep rooted hate for the religion as is often case with such atheists, so I assumed their religious journey wasn't done. And it wasn't. This whole book is one giant disgusting convert's journey, to only monotheistic religion which through DOCTRINE wouldn't help the oppressed lower race on that planet. I see many people in comments wanting sequel in which humans go to that planet and depose grapy and torturous race, yet failing to see that author is sending the opposite message, which only a Jew would. Islam's and Christianity's ideals, regardless of subset of doctrine would staunchly insist on bringing their faith towards them. What best way to do so than to mark the superior race that eats and has hurt their own emissaries as Satan's spawn, depose them, liberate the oppressed and bring them their form of monotheism (literally doesn't matter if you're Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant Christian, or Sunni, Shia Muslim). However, the Judaism, to which author converted, is religion of isolationism, seeped with their own troubles innately producing atheists among them. Judaism is only religion in which there's inherit "us vs them" mentality deep rooted against other humans. Sure, people will say Crusader wars and Jihads, and any proper historian will see numerous abuse of both Christianity and Islam, by their religious leaders to sow self serving violence. However, in 99% of cases, later down the line such behaviors are deemed as misguided and wrong. At the core, both of these religions deem world to be a better place if everyone are of their faith, which often sparks violent people into using it as an excuse for conquest. And likewise there are subset of both religions which never produced such violence on religious scale. Orthodox Christianity is one such subset, and I'll hide no bias towards it, since I come from that background, but there was never crusades sanctified by Orthodox Christians. In fact much the opposite, majority of spreading of Orthodox Christianity was also done similarly to these Jesuits, with priests going among the "barbarians" and often witnessing their violent tendencies on their own skin, becoming martyrs within the Church's dogma. But instead, since author grew up among non Orthodox Christians, she projected the loss of faith onto the main character, and switched to only monotheistic religion that would agree with "Prime directive". Majority of people in these comments yearn for righteous justice towards the violent race in this book, and both Christianity and Islam would allow it. If possible firstly just by converting and renouncing their vile acts, but if not, by aggression and possibly even extermination of Jana'ta in favor of oppressed Runa, who would in turn accept the new religion as saviors. I sympathize with the author, the old "If he's benevolent then he wouldn't allow X, if he's etc." you know the drill I won't spell it out, atheists have been using that line of reasoning for past 2 decades very profusely. I too often had issues with the same, growing modification of religion I was brought into, which could be deemed outright heretical. However, going towards Judaism is the only way author can keep semblance of her own righteousness by deeming her original brought up religion as wrong, which is a mistake. She should've come to terms that she's a bad apple, just how I have. Instead, she went into only monotheistic religion that borderline sanctifies abuse and mistreatment of other members of her own species, with line of reasoning that their idea of God is only one right, and that he's put all these goyim onto the planet to serve them. The only reason Judaism hasn't had a crusade or jihad is because as staunchly isolationistic, they don't have the numbers. But don't fret, they've produced just as much evil within Manhattan and their banking. It's no coincidence that they're being stereotyped as bankers, and that any aggressive antisemitic revolution involves toppling the banks. Ivan the Great (or terrible if you're from the West) marched them into frozen lake, after it becoming evident they've been kidnapping Christian street urchins to kill and put their goyim blood into their cookies as ritualistic practice. Mr. Moustache (not even sure I can type his name on YT without being shadow banned) did a similar thing with camps. Just remember first two things he did when he came to power, which were banning p*rn and not allow usury (which was historically attributed to Jews as no coincidence). Factually, this whole book is a love letter to most heinous Jewish practices, and so is "prime directive" by the way, especially the way Picard and his crew break it so often. In fact, they've broke it so often and for such petty reasons that it's become a meme, with people calling it "Prime suggestive" on the internet. I too grew up on Star Trek Next Generation, but I'm not blind to giant hypocrisy in that show. I won't go into details about it since others people already have on the internet and it's easily googlable, and my comment is long enough. Am I not to see this as justification of worst parts of Jewish beliefs, veiled (thinly if I may add) as Runa being goyim and Jana'ta being God's chosen people? That despite their mistreatment and oppression, the humanity should leave that planet alone in that delicate equilibrium because of what? God bad? I say Hell no. I too share the innate feeling many in this comment section do, that it's right for humanity to go there, put Jana'ta in their place, exterminate if needed, and elevate Runa to freedom, while simultaneously giving them word of God (be it Christian or Islamic I couldn't care less), enhancing his flock of followers. Many people in this comment section would agree with my statement against oppression, but would have cold feet when looked through lens of antisemitism. That however, can't be ignored because the author too, wrote this book through the lens of it. If you've read this far, my over a 1.100 words comment, I appreciate it. If you have something to add or analyze feel free to do so, however spare yourself typing simply "You're antisemitic" because I think I make it quite clear in my comment. Yes I am, and no I won't apologize for it. And I'm the biggest supporter of Israel's state, as long as they bring all of theirs there, and stop filling my country (or any other for that matter) and their banks.
Nice review. I found a similar short story in The Star Diaries, by Stanislaw Lem (1957), which I read a long time ago. Basically, the main character, Ijon Tichy, is a space explorer who narrates his adventures in the form of short stories. In one of them, "Tichy meets a priest whose colleague has been horrifically martyred by a thoroughly unselfish and well-intentioned race of aliens because he had told them that a martyr's death was one of the greatest things to which a Christian could aspire". To sum it up, the aliens, after learning the Catechism and the lives of many, many saints, took the colleage and made him undergo EVERY MARTYRDOM they knew. But it wasn't really every martyrdoom in the end, because the man perished halfway. If it's any consolation, all the aliens felt terribly guilty about the deed.
This book is made a hundred times more powerful by it's sequel, a book which empowers and enlivens the story without missing a step. As a believer, and a lover of sci-fi, this book was beautiful. I love it so much, and adore the way you talk about it. Thank you.
This was such an intense mystery. Like I knew something bad had happened and I raced through the book to get to the bottom of the mystery. A true page turner.
An understandable reaction. I asked the interwebs for recommendations as I hadn't read any science fiction. I loved the genre in film and TV but I didn't read it because I found the suspension of disbelief a stretch too far in many of the works I'd considered. This was the book that was overwhelmingly recommended. As a former Catholic, that angle also made it interesting. But I definitely found it challenging to read. And while I don't generally remember my dreams, I would be fair to say this book "haunted" my thoughts for a while.
Your videos continue to remind me of why every video on your channel is worth watching. You've opened my love of sci-fi. Free now from my own prejudice upon the genre and diving into the classics, ◇foundation, dune, Hitchhiker's guide, tarkovsky film, do androids dream of electric sheep, William Gibson (neuromancer burning chrome the halls of steel and so many other greats from others) ALL in major part from the worlds you share in these vids. Much love to you my digital storyteller friend, and safe travels always
The problem of the book is clear. to quote a certain tabletop game. "The Emperor protects, but so too does lasgun." If they did armed themselves with Faith and Steel...
@@santoineallenhhu7874 I'm surprised that there are not more of them, guess killing TTS really dissolutioned the part of the fandom that liked the animations.
Tell the nearest tech priest of the possible presence of a STC and these xenos, then sit back and watch as the armies of a forge world savage the planet
Quinn - I've been enjoying your series on the Three Body Problem and the Dune universe, but this is by far my favorite of your videos. You capture the atmosphere, the dread, and the earth-shattering despair of this book so well, and I love your takes on faith and "perceived arrogance." I'll never forget the *feeling* of reading this book for the first time, but I'm so grateful for your tour through the major plot points of it. I was able, watching this video, to feel the feelings I had when I read the Sparrow for the first time five or six years ago. More, more, more please!
Did you leave to go take voice acting classes?? That dramatic reading at the beginning was was so good! haha Welcome back!! Went looking for you this week for the TRUE Dune 2 commentary and was so sad when I saw that you had not posted in such a long while! Happy that you're back.
I'm loving all this long form content. Every one of the books you make videos on allows my mind to run and make connections in the real world, whether it be the nature of the universe or the fears and inner workings of the human mind and soul
I read it, I liked it, but I don't think I really "got" the ending. It was essentially Emelio losing in faith in God for what he'd been through, right? I'll have to reread it again, I'm sure I'd pick up on more. Now that I think about it I guess Emilio losing the ability to use his hands was a parallel to him losing his faith in God.
@@beeman4266 The ending is meant to be bitter sweet. The suffering is real, but he's trying and there seems to be some light at the end of the tunnel because it appears he knows how to give a spin to is experiences.
I really appreciate your channel. I love to read, but there are so many books I don't realistically have the time to read all I wish. You do a wonderful job of breaking down the important bits that might help us understand the world a bit more, and forge ourselves into something better each day. Your hard work and insightful monologues are a blessing to the world.
Why? I mean honestly this is barely a representation of God at all. If anything this is a great depiction of evil and how evil parades about as "The Will of God".
As a long, long time fan of sci fi and player of tabletop RPGs I think I am less disturbed by the horrors and atrocities of the aliens than I am by the humans getting themselves into the situation in the first place. They did so many, many, many things wrong from the very outset. Aliens gonna be alien. The entire mission was fundamentally flawed.
I am so happy you’re commenting on this book. For me this is one of the best and most disturbing books I’ve ever read. I have read it twice but I needed to have a 15 year gap between in order to recover. Love what you’re doing. Keep it up ❤
I was surprised H.G. Wells was not mentioned even once. "Kinda like Morloks and Eloi from The Time Machine", I thought to myself, when thinking about the dynamics of the two species
The Morlocks and Eloi part of the story was a warning against comfort and complacency if I'd ever heard one. I haven't watched the entire Sparrow video but I assume it is about a bloody harvest by an alien species. Mother of all conspiracies...
@@unitynofear7758 Well I won't spoil the rest of the video for you, but when it comes to Eloi, the book ones, compared to the movies, were much more childlike/helpless/naive and relying on the infrastructure and resources provided by their... shepherds, for the lack of a better word. In the movies, especially the 2002 one (where the only good thing about it was the score by Klaus Badelt), Eloi were instead depicted as totally self-reliant "good guys" (and yet somehow still victims of the blood-thirsty "bad guys"), there was absolutely zero nuance about it.
Glad you made this video. Not enough people talk about this book in the sphere of science fiction, probably because of the religious aspects of the book.
Fantastic presentation, Quinn! I've read this book once, and only once because it was so powerful and personally impacting. I was afraid that subsequent rereads would lessen the impact.
I read The Sparrow last month and finished Children of God a few days ago. "Children..." is a worthy and natural sequel that begins where the brilliant original left off. Where The Sparrow mixes world and character building with philosophy and the personal consequences of choice, Children of God explores the larger societal consequences of those philosophies and choices. The two novels feel like parts of one very large and engrossing book. I'd recommend them both to anyone, SciFi fan or otherwise.
your assessment is correct, as a sequel absolutely undoes l the impact of the first book. this isn't just me who thinks so, but a multitude of people who are the type that leave reviews. I didn't listen to them, and most people don't listen to me, but maybe I can save you - don't do it. leave that sequel and treasure your a lack of regret that nearly nobody has after reading it.
Thank you again for another amazing book to make my spine chill and skin crawl with terror. This book is something I never expected and as I got through the book it was more and more terrifying. The book was only 9$ on audible when I got it
One of my favourite books. I fell into it and left a piece of myself inside that makes me return to it often. You can read The Sparrow in isolation, but the next book, Children of God, only shines because of The Sparrow's light. I met the author in 1998 in the UK at a Science Fiction book store. Not a lot of people showed up, so she was there for hours, talking to us about the craft and story.
Ok, you made me stop the video at 2:50 because you presented such a strong case for the book. Looking forward to watching this in its entirety soon. Also, I never put together that the line from Hamlet, "There is special providence in the fall of a sparrow," was referencing the passage in Matthew. Thanks, Prof!
This passage stuck with me: "A man would have to be a fool not to love someone like that,”’ Edward Behr said gently. Some priests were so hard on themselves. “Yes, a fool,’’ Sandoz agreed and added, ‘‘But I didn’t think so at the time.’’ It was a puzzling thing to say and Sandoz followed it with something just as unexpected. ‘‘Have you ever wondered about the story of Cain? He made his sacrifice in good faith. Why did God refuse it?
Just finished the book tonight after getting to the spoiler warning at 2:46 of this video several days ago. One of the most disturbing but awesome books I've read in a long time! What a journey...
@@historyeraserbutton1662 Not quite. Religion is the motivation behind the main character's decision to go on the trip in the first place, and his religious worldview is what causes him to be so naive and blind to the reality of what that society actually is. If anything, it is a metaphor for the inability of an observer to be neutral, and the inevitable projection of his/her own beliefs and values onto things strange and unknown.
@@historyeraserbutton1662 The reckless perils of acting in blind faith. Like the Prime Directive mentioned in the video, at the very least we need to painstakingly observe and study an alien society completely hands-off and make sure we understand them thoroughly before we start interacting with them. Now what a different story it would be if it was SG-1 that contacted them...
A moral lesson in what not to do when contacting aliens, "Don't just assume you know everything, otherwise you'll get analy r-worded by Alien Furries."
As usual for your recommendations, I'm just going to save this video to avoid spoilers and order the book. I look forward to watching the video afterwards though. Love the channel!
Welp, paused at 2:40, and ordered the book from amazon. Imma skip the rest of the video but thank you for highlighting this; the premise sounds really good.
I listen to most of my science fiction while at work (I'm a yield tech for a semiconductor company). I had to leave the production floor several times during this book due to the fact that I couldn't stop crying. I am not easily moved. The sequel, Children of God, had me crying just as often but for entirely different reasons. Perfect duo of books honestly.
I've recently read this book. Your video review is great, but viewers should definitely read the whole book. It is amazing and there are so many details you just can't cover in a short video. The voice acting in the audiobook is superb as well.
I started watching this video a week ago, got a minute in, and then decided I had to read this book before seeing spoilers. Well, I finished it, so I'm back to finish the video. What an absolutely haunting book! The flow of it was so strange, with the juxtaposition between the story of a joyful past and the broken man telling the story, as that story slowly gets darker and darker. Definitely glad I read it; it will stay will me.
Just finished this book (I was inspired by the first 2 minutes of your video). Very disturbing. Two things that stood out that weren’t really mentioned: -The revelation that the music, the very thing that Sandoz felt was calling him to Rakhat, was the sounds of the Jana’ata rape, and that Sandoz ended up being a part of this “concert” at the end -The introduction of farming. When the humans first planted their garden I thought to myself “that’s probably going to have a major impact several generations from now,” not realizing until later that it would have such profound short-term consequences. We often make decisions thinking that the future is so far away but sometimes those consequences come far sooner. Great video! Thanks for inspiring me to branch out.
Hey man! Great vid, live that you're diving into philosophy and spiritual sci-fi. I love this story because of the implications with faith it brings up, however I will say, as a spiritual person who does believe in God, I think alot of christians and athiests get the whole faith thing wrong. See faith isnt about "oh I believe so good things will happen to me and bad things wont." See faith without works is death, but what does that mean "I need to believe in God and do good and good things will happpen." No that's not how it works, that's not how life works. Is the same as Jean Luc Picard saying, "You can commit no mistakes and still fail, that is not weakness that is life." It's about what you do in the face of that failure, the face of that adversity and darkness that decides your faith, your character and your fate. And i think the story illustrates that beautifully when our main character murders an innocent despite knowing he shouldn't. He stared into the abyss and blinked. Faith is about staring into abyss and knowing that even if you blink, even if you fail, your imaginary omnipotent friend has your back and is gonna help you crawl back into the light. Hopefully that wasn't too winded and a bunch of people don't come at me for it. Really love your content man, I look forward to more stuff like this!
@@stanislavstoimenov1729 There is a story on Breitbart today entitled: China Blacklists Pro-Democracy Writers from Science Fiction Hugo Awards. The first sentence is: A massive scandal rocked the world of science fiction and fantasy writing on Thursday, as leaked emails revealed authors were quietly disqualified from winning the prestigious Hugo Awards if their work displeased the Chinese Communist Party.
@@stanislavstoimenov1729 The Hugo is taking money this year from the Chinese, who have eliminated all authors who are hostile to commie beliefs. Kinda like what Hollywood's been doing for years now to get Chinese distribution.
@@stanislavstoimenov1729It has been revealed that the Hugo Bigwigs have been spying on the best authors and possible nominees, at the behest of the Chinese Communist government, and making decisions about whom to nominate based on who might offend the ChiComs. The award us now meaningless. Not that it was all that meaningful in recent years. Now it's garbage.
@@stanislavstoimenov1729 I tried replying with an answer twice but, ironically, this platform automatically ******* the comment. Irony! Look up Hugo Award Controversy.
How's the dark forest so far? I was pretty disappointed with the first book personally. It wasn't terrible, but it felt super slow and over hyped to me. Is dark forest better?
I could imagine that Russell was partially inspired by evolutionary biologist and anthropologist Jared Diamond's 1987 essay "The Worst Mistake in the History of the Human Race".
I got to like 3 minutes in when you said it was spoilers, and I just said screw it and immediately tabbed over to Amazon and bought the book. I wanted to watch this, but your enthusiasm indicates I should put it on hold until I read it! I've bought so many of your recommendations based on your videos, so why stop now :D
Welcome back i hope you're doing well, was checking the podcast for past 1 month to check if there was any update. I was getting worried please inform us from the next time.😊
if you tell me "one race is dumb, and gets eaten by a smarter race" i immediately think of the time machine. Noticed the author didnt mention the obvious connection between the two.
Hello quinn! I have missed you. I am now walking around in short distances. They had me in a kitchen setting for OT today and i was able to cook a hamburger and fries by myself. Getting closer to discharge. I may go home 4 months before the original goal. I consider your video to be my reward(in addition to the tasty lunch i made)😊😊😊. My next goal is to be able to shower without assistance. Thanks for being part my recovery 🙏
Hey Quinn, been reading some Lovecraft lately thanks to your videos. Its really good, but honestly Ive been shocked by how much of it... isnt set in the realm of cosmic horror. And also how stories like The Picture in the House actually established the tropes of the "cabin in the woods" type stories that make up so much of modern horror films! Really cool! Also this book sounds cool. Skipping the full video for now. Liking and commenting to feed the AI.
Those early weird fiction writers are great, I really enjoy the overlap with spiritualism from that’s age. You can pick the art and cultural movements of the time right out and it’s a really interesting mix IMO.
@@SS_Psyops Yeah! Ive now read The King in Yellow and House on the Borderland as well. Man its a whole weird trippy corner of literature I had no idea existed. So cool!
Glad you've got to read this. Its a fantastic read as an HG Wells fan I clocked the Runa twist shortly before the reveal but it's really well handled and the sequel manages to progress the story without detracting from the original and by delivering one of the the most heartbreaking moments I've read with Sandoz's "betrayal". I've used the word "betrayal" to avoid a spoiler where I thought the writer had written themselves into a narrative deadend (turns out thats basically what happened) and the resolution to that is painful.
I’m glad to see Quinn say the importance of awareness or things going wrong despite pure intentions. It’s quite disappointing to see fiction set in 2050’s to ignore our modern atrocities of the 1900’s. Gulag Archipelago for example is a historical account of human capability for creating intense suffering due to the fact that people expect good from the world, without realizing their own responsibility for either embodying good or evil or being able to balance both. The lesson was to be free of ignorance and to expect this evil and have counter-measures for it, not to share idle desperation to the human condition of being collectively self-deceived. Engaging in despair over non-existant imaginary benevolence is exactly the trap that the book should warn against, instead of just showcasing mindless cruelty for all to read.
"non-existent imaginary benevolence". You should pick up a book on Probability and statistics for Engineers, then you'll see just how silly it is to think all of this happened just "by chance"
Pretty much my reaction. It's made worse by the fact that it was entirely avoidable if the preachers had taken some very basic safety measures and brought along some guns/hired muscle/robot guards/literally anything to protect themselves.
Oh damn! I’m so glad you’ve read this! This is one of the best novels I’ve read in the past decade. It made me reevaluate my own beliefs and I appreciated the way it dealt with spirituality.
Dig into Eastern Orthodoxy, if you have time. This book was clunky at best with the religion to me and failed to comprehend many of the elements it was trying to dissect. Makes sense with modern Catholicism though and the mountain of doctrinal issues present there especially post-Vatican 2.
@@SS_Psyops I appreciate that it paints a great example of God’s will coming through times of intense pain and suffering. I have no idea what you mean by Eastern Orthodoxy but I sincerely appreciated the book’s message.
Did I miss the twist? Church does first contact mission, there exist two intelligent species on the planet, one of the crew gets tortured and raped, and he's retrieved by Earth forces and a lot of people are upset. I'm not sure what' so twisty here.
My understanding is that the twist is that the beautiful-sounding music that was originally intercepted turns out when translated to be... basically bragging-songs about the singer's violent sexual escapades and all the awesome torturing he does.
@@thomasjoychild4962 That doesn't look that dark compared to the rest of the story tbh When I hear "darkest twist in sci-fi" I expect existential horror tbh
@@diewott1337 I mean, yeah. Incidentally I highly recommend Blindsight by Peter Watts for a first contact story that does some great existential horror.
The falseness of thinking you have a transactional relationship with God crops up again and again in religion. It is the central theme of the Book of Job, one of the most misunderstood books of the Bible. It’s interesting to hear of it cropping up in a Sci-fi story. I suspect the ending leaves people disturbed because it sounds like the consummation of the process, the protagonist realizing his error and reconciling with God seems to be left out. Santos claims “God does not ask” that he “did not consent”, but that’s a self deception. He chose to follow the temptation of the song. He chose to go to an alien world and interact with its people. He chose his path for himself.
Sandoz’s “journey” is also just so ridiculously self centered. The entire history of theodicy, the ongoing and past sufferings of millions of humans, didn’t shake his faith at all until it affected him and people he cared about personally? *Now* it’s a tragedy he can’t reconcile? Bruh
@@MistyWarden tl;dr (in case you don't want to read 1.100 words lmao, and which is I've put tl;dr at the start) The reason why Sandoz's journey seems so self centered is because that's what author is, self centered. Which is why she embraced Judaism instead of tempering her own ego, since Judaism is only monotheistic religion which would allow you to not "humble yourself". Pointless drivel. Not a single time in my life have I met a person raised in staunch Christian family, becoming Atheist and then going to Judaism, which had something actually profound to say. First of all, in vast majority of times, these individuals explored and poured time into Judaism, but haven't done so into Christianity, reflexively having disdain to it because it was "forced" onto them and they didn't "choose" it. Two races that are similar? One being slaves and food? Really my guy, we're not going to talk about goyim and its parallels? At start, while you were explaining the story, I already knew author grew up in religious background and rejected it, so becoming atheist at first was something I predicted. However, there wasn't enough deep rooted hate for the religion as is often case with such atheists, so I assumed their religious journey wasn't done. And it wasn't. This whole book is one giant disgusting convert's journey, to only monotheistic religion which through DOCTRINE wouldn't help the oppressed lower race on that planet. I see many people in comments wanting sequel in which humans go to that planet and depose grapy and torturous race, yet failing to see that author is sending the opposite message, which only a Jew would. Islam's and Christianity's ideals, regardless of subset of doctrine would staunchly insist on bringing their faith towards them. What best way to do so than to mark the superior race that eats and has hurt their own emissaries as Satan's spawn, depose them, liberate the oppressed and bring them their form of monotheism (literally doesn't matter if you're Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant Christian, or Sunni, Shia Muslim). However, the Judaism, to which author converted, is religion of isolationism, seeped with their own troubles innately producing atheists among them. Judaism is only religion in which there's inherit "us vs them" mentality deep rooted against other humans. Sure, people will say Crusader wars and Jihads, and any proper historian will see numerous abuse of both Christianity and Islam, by their religious leaders to sow self serving violence. However, in 99% of cases, later down the line such behaviors are deemed as misguided and wrong. At the core, both of these religions deem world to be a better place if everyone are of their faith, which often sparks violent people into using it as an excuse for conquest. And likewise there are subset of both religions which never produced such violence on religious scale. Orthodox Christianity is one such subset, and I'll hide no bias towards it, since I come from that background, but there was never crusades sanctified by Orthodox Christians. In fact much the opposite, majority of spreading of Orthodox Christianity was also done similarly to these Jesuits, with priests going among the "barbarians" and often witnessing their violent tendencies on their own skin, becoming martyrs within the Church's dogma. But instead, since author grew up among non Orthodox Christians, she projected the loss of faith onto the main character, and switched to only monotheistic religion that would agree with "Prime directive". Majority of people in these comments yearn for righteous justice towards the violent race in this book, and both Christianity and Islam would allow it. If possible firstly just by converting and renouncing their vile acts, but if not, by aggression and possibly even extermination of Jana'ta in favor of oppressed Runa, who would in turn accept the new religion as saviors. I sympathize with the author, the old "If he's benevolent then he wouldn't allow X, if he's etc." you know the drill I won't spell it out, atheists have been using that line of reasoning for past 2 decades very profusely. I too often had issues with the same, growing modification of religion I was brought into, which could be deemed outright heretical. However, going towards Judaism is the only way author can keep semblance of her own righteousness by deeming her original brought up religion as wrong, which is a mistake. She should've come to terms that she's a bad apple, just how I have. Instead, she went into only monotheistic religion that borderline sanctifies abuse and mistreatment of other members of her own species, with line of reasoning that their idea of God is only one right, and that he's put all these goyim onto the planet to serve them. The only reason Judaism hasn't had a crusade or jihad is because as staunchly isolationistic, they don't have the numbers. But don't fret, they've produced just as much evil within Manhattan and their banking. It's no coincidence that they're being stereotyped as bankers, and that any aggressive antisemitic revolution involves toppling the banks. Ivan the Great (or terrible if you're from the West) marched them into frozen lake, after it becoming evident they've been kidnapping Christian street urchins to kill and put their goyim blood into their cookies as ritualistic practice. Mr. Moustache (not even sure I can type his name on YT without being shadow banned) did a similar thing with camps. Just remember first two things he did when he came to power, which were banning p*rn and not allow usury (which was historically attributed to Jews as no coincidence). Factually, this whole book is a love letter to most heinous Jewish practices, and so is "prime directive" by the way, especially the way Picard and his crew break it so often. In fact, they've broke it so often and for such petty reasons that it's become a meme, with people calling it "Prime suggestive" on the internet. I too grew up on Star Trek Next Generation, but I'm not blind to giant hypocrisy in that show. I won't go into details about it since others people already have on the internet and it's easily googlable, and my comment is long enough. Am I not to see this as justification of worst parts of Jewish beliefs, veiled (thinly if I may add) as Runa being goyim and Jana'ta being God's chosen people? That despite their mistreatment and oppression, the humanity should leave that planet alone in that delicate equilibrium because of what? God bad? I say Hell no. I too share the innate feeling many in this comment section do, that it's right for humanity to go there, put Jana'ta in their place, exterminate if needed, and elevate Runa to freedom, while simultaneously giving them word of God (be it Christian or Islamic I couldn't care less), enhancing his flock of followers. Many people in this comment section would agree with my statement against oppression, but would have cold feet when looked through lens of antisemitism. That however, can't be ignored because the author too, wrote this book through the lens of it.
@@mikhaelgribkov4117 And by being anti-theist you're going to be excluded of big part of people's lives, which is religion. Doomed to either be lost in nihilistic cynical world that's anti religion or oppressed by religious fanaticism. But that's okay, you'll grow out of it by the time you're 25. Also, to even call me religious nut shows how little you understand of my argument, because you can't be a religious nut of an undefined religion, and I clearly say I wouldn't care whether it's Christian denomination or Islamic denomination were to put Jana'ta to their place. But let me help your rhetoric if you're so insistent on trying to insult me. At best you could call me militaristic fascist who cynically uses religion's dogma to instigate war, in this example sci-fi one, but with inclination that this dogma could be extrapolated and used on this Earth right now. So there it is, I've helped you out, call my comment a giant antisemitic dog whistle and go on about your day feeling how you're superior because you'd "never fall in into a trap of ideology".
There's a sequel? I might need to properly read this one to prepare myself to see if humanity can recover anything from this colossal poochscrew, or if they will make it even worse.
don't do it. everybody warned me not to read the sequel, but I love the first one I didn't listen. now I warn everybody else, and you're not going to listen either, but you're going to be in my shoes soon. it completely undoes the impact of the first book.
Holy... I read about this 20 years ago and allways wanted to give it a try, but I couldnt remember the name and looking for the excerpt didnt get my results, now I can finally read it!
The idea of doing horrible things for the greater good is a central theme in the serial novel Worm (John C. "Wildbow" McCrae), I wonder if you ever plan covering it. It's a surprisingly realistic and rational sci-fi approach to the superhero genre, but twisting it in many novel ways.
So so so glad you reviewed The Sparrow. I read it a year ago and it has stuck with me since. I’ve been dying to hear more opinions! This was a melding of religion and aliens that I never knew I needed in my life. I also thought MDR did a great job making the main characters feel really personable and authentic. Especially Emilio.
@@Khiladi_99 blasphemy! Oh, wait, you meant it the other way. I disagree tho, this one seems more fkd up to me. For one thing, it's a guy. I've been around quite a number of women that actually fantasize about getting R'd, but haven't met one dude that doesn't swear death and destruction if that ever happened to him. ALSO, GRIFFITH WAS A BIRD, HIS CLOACA PROBABLY DIDN'T DO MUCH DAMAGE, BUT THESE CAT ALIENS FOR SURE HAVE BARBED PENISES.
@@durere Yeah, I find it hard to wrap my head around how a male can do that to another male. Just gross! I still don't think Griffith's is lesser than this cat alien. Well, to each his own.
Stellar presentation of a very interesting book, as always your excellent reviews have opened my horizons to many a great sci fi novels and this is no exception. Looking forward to reading this one too. Thank you brother!
The Sparrow is a story that has stuck with me and basically haunted me since reading. Just the hubris of mankind, believing they had a right to visit an alien culture uninvited, and with a view of religious colonialism is both believable and just plain scary.
...and then shortly thereafter, humanity returns to the planet with fewer holy men and more soldiers and demonstrate to the Jana'ata what actual predation looks like.
@@matthewkemp594 the Catholic Church was definitely *not* what evolved into the imperium. And the Jesuit order in particular would never have come as warriors
I enjoy reading the lore of the WH40K universe and agree that this could fit in perhaps the later part of "the Age of technology" or in the early part of "Old night" (aka.Age of Strife).
Had to stop your video after a few minutes. You didn’t do me wrong by recommending 3 Body Problem so I just bought this. I’ll be back when I’m done. Thank you for the good reads and discussions.
But were you surprised by the result when they sent a religious delegation to make first contact? I mean a religious delegation is probably the worst people you’d ever send to anything like that. Seriously / it was ridiculous.
@@davidmuzia814 The starting point of the novel is the Vatican pumping billions from the church's treasury to fund a first contact mission, because they want to (1) confirm that aliens have a soul and are children of God too, and (2) start spreading the Word. Incidentally, the second novel's title is "Children of God".
@@davidmuzia814 The point was made in the book that the Jesuit Order was 1) rich enough to fund it immediately 2) hierarchical enough to move fast (democracies generally take longer to agree on things). They didn't ask anyone for permission, just barreled out there, like they've been doing for the last 500 years.
@@susansprague7304oh yeah that was clear in the book. But other than tragedy what would anyone expect in this story? When has anyone ever thought - on this plant or any other - “yeah - here come the religious fanatics - this will make things better!” I thought the book was ridiculous. I really did. Beauty? We have different definitions of beauty.
When you said to hit the pause button to avoid spoilers, I did so and ordered the book. I just finished reading The Sparrow this evening and what a tragic story. The Jana'ata were brutal towards the Runa, so it seems that the seed of Runa discontent was already there, which the humans' cultural exchanges watered that seed followed by unitended consequences. I'm curious about what happens next so I'm ordering the sequel. Thanks, Quinn, for bringing this book to my attention.
Dude I really love your content. You have put me on to some of the greatest books I've read. Absolutely loved 3 body problem series and am currently reading the Hyperion Cantos. Lots of love from New Zealand
Honestly, Sparrow made me cringe. It didn't disturb me one bit, because after a certain point I stopped taking the events seriously and started looking at it like at a black comedy. Think "Alien: Covenant". I mean... Runa/Janaata civilization are peaceful. Pretty much harmless. Very human like and easy to communicate with. Best first contact aliens ever. Had humans.... I dunno... INITIATED RADIO CONTACT AND DIPLOMACY FROM ORBIT all would've gone just fine. Or had humans merely walked up to Janaata city as proper delegation and... You know, communicated. My thoughts while reading were "how to f. up in near perfect conditions" Some first contact expedition to make Alien Covenant/Prometheus guys look sensitive.
@@FishDinners it is still a brilliant example of "how to make a spectacular bloody F up when meeting perfectly nice, friendly, reasonable, peaceful safe easy to communicate aliens."
Spoiler Warning: Major plot details for "The Sparrow" ahead!
Hey everyone, some people don't seem to understand the twist in this book, so allow me to explain! SPOILERS ahead for those who haven't read it yet!
The twist that catches many off guard is the revelation about the music in the signal sent to Earth. It's not some benign, beautiful creation, but rather a chilling product of a seemingly sadistic alien society. And here's the kicker: that same predatory race, specifically Kitheri, is responsible for the heinous act of S/A against the main character, Emilio Sandoz. Perhaps I should of mentioned this detail in the video, but the music what in fact, a song of torture and abuse.
Furthermore, the humans who ventured to Rakhat under the guise of helping the Runa actually unknowingly caused immense suffering and death. It's a gut-wrenching realization that turns the narrative on its head.
I write critical thematic reviews for trek central, have a look, my last one was "Star Trek’s Rituals of Togetherness and Change"
They seem kinda like lost children raised by demons... Kinda sad.
You’ve never steered me wrong! Just purchased on Amazon
How are they sadistic? Janaata are predatory, true. Their don't follow human morals.
But then again, they are pretty peaceful and benevolent even by human standards. No wars, for example. And they actually DON'T eat Runa a lot either. Only sometimes and mostly for criminals. Supaari is one of the more sympathetic characters of both books.
And they actually don't enjoy causing suffering either. They slaughtered emergent Runa agricultural society because it was throwing whole ecology off balance and threatening their well being. They openly stated to be very sad about having to do this.
@@ОлегТурчев-ц4шI haven’t read the book only this recap, but the removal of muscles and torture of the main character is obviously sadistic. Was that character meant to just be an anomaly or something?
>Comes back
>Gives ppl existential dread
>Leaves
Refuses to elaborate ...
Nothing personal, kid
Tbh this was a nothing burger, for us non abrahamic god believers this is obvious
Idea that you have sanctioned by god to do good things against the others will because “you know better” is a thing of western arrogance
😂 I laughed when I read the op.
I think the thing that broke the Priest was when he found out the Songs where not some beautiful hymns to the divine or to higher virtues but songs about the joys of torture murder and rape. . These where songs that sounded as beautiful as Motzart but they where about base vile and evil acts.
Damn. The ultimate cosmic trolling.
Kind of like the samurais writing poetry to the sounds of men being boiled alive in The Shogun. You might have a point there, that little incongruency got stuck deep inside my bones, to the point that I don't really remember much else from the book.
I kind of want to read this book now, but only if it ends with humanity destroying the cannibalistic grape aliens.
@@WeirdTale Literal troll songs. The lyrics were probably something like "Boil 'em, mash 'em up, stick 'em in a stew".
@@Dark_Jaguar
Like potatoes
I was raised Irish Catholic and educated by Jesuit and Franciscan Brothers. I read the Sparrow and it's sequel in about 2001. Yes, the road to Hell is paved with good intentions. A very disturbing book, but it should be required reading for every Christian. That said, this book freed me from Catholicism. Bravo, Quinn! One of your best reviews!
Your faith and conviction were weak
@@roachdoggjr8399
Faith can have negative connotations to it
Choosing to leave it is the choice all SHOULD have instead of "oh your weak, THAT is why faith has failed u"
I really like the message this book tells about the nature of faith. I see a lot of parallels with the Book of Job. When things start going wrong for Job, he doesn’t understand how they can be happening to him since he is living a righteous life and doing what is expected of him. By the end of the book, though, Job realizes that faith isn’t about getting an immediate reward or being spared pain and hardship. It’s about trusting that the hardship you are enduring has a purpose and is part of God’s greater plan for you and for the world.
I also like that the message isn’t don’t do good because it can only end badly (which is a philosophy I seem to see in media a lot recently) but rather, think about the possible consequences first and understand the environment you’re in before you seek to change it.
Pointless drivel. Not a single time in my life have I met a person raised in staunch Christian family, becoming Atheist and then going to Judaism, which had something actually profound to say. First of all, in vast majority of times, these individuals explored and poured time into Judaism, but haven't done so into Christianity, reflexively having disdain to it because it was "forced" onto them and they didn't "choose" it.
Two races that are similar? One being slaves and food? Really my guy, we're not going to talk about goyim and its parallels? At start, while you were explaining the story, I already knew author grew up in religious background and rejected it, so becoming atheist at first was something I predicted. However, there wasn't enough deep rooted hate for the religion as is often case with such atheists, so I assumed their religious journey wasn't done. And it wasn't.
This whole book is one giant disgusting convert's journey, to only monotheistic religion which through DOCTRINE wouldn't help the oppressed lower race on that planet. I see many people in comments wanting sequel in which humans go to that planet and depose grapy and torturous race, yet failing to see that author is sending the opposite message, which only a Jew would. Islam's and Christianity's ideals, regardless of subset of doctrine would staunchly insist on bringing their faith towards them. What best way to do so than to mark the superior race that eats and has hurt their own emissaries as Satan's spawn, depose them, liberate the oppressed and bring them their form of monotheism (literally doesn't matter if you're Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant Christian, or Sunni, Shia Muslim). However, the Judaism, to which author converted, is religion of isolationism, seeped with their own troubles innately producing atheists among them. Judaism is only religion in which there's inherit "us vs them" mentality deep rooted against other humans. Sure, people will say Crusader wars and Jihads, and any proper historian will see numerous abuse of both Christianity and Islam, by their religious leaders to sow self serving violence. However, in 99% of cases, later down the line such behaviors are deemed as misguided and wrong. At the core, both of these religions deem world to be a better place if everyone are of their faith, which often sparks violent people into using it as an excuse for conquest. And likewise there are subset of both religions which never produced such violence on religious scale.
Orthodox Christianity is one such subset, and I'll hide no bias towards it, since I come from that background, but there was never crusades sanctified by Orthodox Christians. In fact much the opposite, majority of spreading of Orthodox Christianity was also done similarly to these Jesuits, with priests going among the "barbarians" and often witnessing their violent tendencies on their own skin, becoming martyrs within the Church's dogma. But instead, since author grew up among non Orthodox Christians, she projected the loss of faith onto the main character, and switched to only monotheistic religion that would agree with "Prime directive". Majority of people in these comments yearn for righteous justice towards the violent race in this book, and both Christianity and Islam would allow it. If possible firstly just by converting and renouncing their vile acts, but if not, by aggression and possibly even extermination of Jana'ta in favor of oppressed Runa, who would in turn accept the new religion as saviors.
I sympathize with the author, the old "If he's benevolent then he wouldn't allow X, if he's etc." you know the drill I won't spell it out, atheists have been using that line of reasoning for past 2 decades very profusely. I too often had issues with the same, growing modification of religion I was brought into, which could be deemed outright heretical. However, going towards Judaism is the only way author can keep semblance of her own righteousness by deeming her original brought up religion as wrong, which is a mistake. She should've come to terms that she's a bad apple, just how I have. Instead, she went into only monotheistic religion that borderline sanctifies abuse and mistreatment of other members of her own species, with line of reasoning that their idea of God is only one right, and that he's put all these goyim onto the planet to serve them. The only reason Judaism hasn't had a crusade or jihad is because as staunchly isolationistic, they don't have the numbers. But don't fret, they've produced just as much evil within Manhattan and their banking. It's no coincidence that they're being stereotyped as bankers, and that any aggressive antisemitic revolution involves toppling the banks. Ivan the Great (or terrible if you're from the West) marched them into frozen lake, after it becoming evident they've been kidnapping Christian street urchins to kill and put their goyim blood into their cookies as ritualistic practice. Mr. Moustache (not even sure I can type his name on YT without being shadow banned) did a similar thing with camps. Just remember first two things he did when he came to power, which were banning p*rn and not allow usury (which was historically attributed to Jews as no coincidence).
Factually, this whole book is a love letter to most heinous Jewish practices, and so is "prime directive" by the way, especially the way Picard and his crew break it so often. In fact, they've broke it so often and for such petty reasons that it's become a meme, with people calling it "Prime suggestive" on the internet. I too grew up on Star Trek Next Generation, but I'm not blind to giant hypocrisy in that show. I won't go into details about it since others people already have on the internet and it's easily googlable, and my comment is long enough.
Am I not to see this as justification of worst parts of Jewish beliefs, veiled (thinly if I may add) as Runa being goyim and Jana'ta being God's chosen people? That despite their mistreatment and oppression, the humanity should leave that planet alone in that delicate equilibrium because of what? God bad?
I say Hell no. I too share the innate feeling many in this comment section do, that it's right for humanity to go there, put Jana'ta in their place, exterminate if needed, and elevate Runa to freedom, while simultaneously giving them word of God (be it Christian or Islamic I couldn't care less), enhancing his flock of followers. Many people in this comment section would agree with my statement against oppression, but would have cold feet when looked through lens of antisemitism. That however, can't be ignored because the author too, wrote this book through the lens of it.
If you've read this far, my over a 1.100 words comment, I appreciate it. If you have something to add or analyze feel free to do so, however spare yourself typing simply "You're antisemitic" because I think I make it quite clear in my comment. Yes I am, and no I won't apologize for it. And I'm the biggest supporter of Israel's state, as long as they bring all of theirs there, and stop filling my country (or any other for that matter) and their banks.
Excellently well said
I've noticed that too. A lot of people seem to really like the message "doing good things makes you weak and bad things will happen to you"
Welcome back!
I was getting worried 😅
Yea me too
YES!!! So glad to have Quinn back!
And I know I’m late to the party but… Congrats to you and yours!!!!🎉🎉❤😅
I read this book a long time ago. The best part is when the crew lands on the alien planet. Very cool. Then it's all downhill from there. 😢
Woop woop😊
Read the Sparrow on a business trip when it was frantically recommended by an airport bookstore employee. I said sci-fi...she said "You've read The Sparrow?" [while gently waving a copy before me], "I haven't" nothing further was said - we headed to the cash register.
My life was changed into two discernable part: life before reading the Sparrow, and life after reading the Sparrow.
Shocking, terrifying, sorrowful, the hand stripping ritual...is with me to this day.
Like all good science fiction, the Sparrow, is a mirror which we can use to gain a different perspective on ourselves...on myself.
Great review!
I get that reference
Airports are a liminal space. Maybe in more ways than one.
@@FloatingLeaf1111 Read Stephen King's short story The Langoliers
Yesterday I checked the channel to see if there was anything new. Woke up today to something new. Amazing. Welcome back
Same here, last night
Me too 👽
Me as well!
Absolutely the same, haha.
Thanks for poking them. Clearly they noticed.
OMG, I read this book in '97 when I was 17, and I'm still traumatized. I'll never forget this book
I just read it last week and I've been haunted since. It's a masterful work of science fiction and exploring faith.
Did you read the sequel? It reveals why Emilio was abused, and that makes it so much worse.
@@MooseHomans and now I cautiously hope Quinn will cover that in a video to come
Would you recommend reading it?
Its pacing is different and a few plot contrivances that don't feel as natural and inevitable as the first book, but if you want to know the true fates of the protagonists and the aliens, reading it is a no-brainer, as we used to say.
We read this in a philosophy class in college. I have never gotten over this book. It's haunting and that scene is one of the most graphic and heart rending I have ever read. You can feel not only his body, but his soul, break in that moment.
I'm genuinely curious when this was. The Sparrow strikes me as the sort of text you could not teach in modern academia. Even with ample content warnings, it would only take one student making a complaint to the Dean to get the Professor put on administrative leave.
Some similar aspects as in "Speaker for the Dead" by Orson Scott Card. Like coming to alien spicies with human assumption thus not understanding or even horribly misunderstanding the true meaning of their reality.
I struggle with speaker for the dead the first time I read it and did not really like it.. Tried it again 500ish books later and really enjoyed it
@@carlknibbs2849 Card's books are like wine - get better with time :-)
I really loved Speaker. IMHO it's a better book than Ender's Game. The alien was even more alien than the hive mind.
I know a lot of people apparently didn't like it, but I loved it.
Yeah, thought this too, the disembowelment ritual and the missionary priests
I will never make the mistake of listening to your videos while making dinner again. Appetite gone. Fight or flight activated.
That was the spookiest Gospel reading I’ve heard in my 37 years of being a Catholic. Nicely done, Quinn
I can only imagine the looks I'd get if I read like that in mass! 😂
Pointless drivel. Not a single time in my life have I met a person raised in staunch Christian family, becoming Atheist and then going to Judaism, which had something actually profound to say. First of all, in vast majority of times, these individuals explored and poured time into Judaism, but haven't done so into Christianity, reflexively having disdain to it because it was "forced" onto them and they didn't "choose" it.
Two races that are similar? One being slaves and food? Really my guy, we're not going to talk about goyim and its parallels? At start, while you were explaining the story, I already knew author grew up in religious background and rejected it, so becoming atheist at first was something I predicted. However, there wasn't enough deep rooted hate for the religion as is often case with such atheists, so I assumed their religious journey wasn't done. And it wasn't.
This whole book is one giant disgusting convert's journey, to only monotheistic religion which through DOCTRINE wouldn't help the oppressed lower race on that planet. I see many people in comments wanting sequel in which humans go to that planet and depose grapy and torturous race, yet failing to see that author is sending the opposite message, which only a Jew would. Islam's and Christianity's ideals, regardless of subset of doctrine would staunchly insist on bringing their faith towards them. What best way to do so than to mark the superior race that eats and has hurt their own emissaries as Satan's spawn, depose them, liberate the oppressed and bring them their form of monotheism (literally doesn't matter if you're Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant Christian, or Sunni, Shia Muslim). However, the Judaism, to which author converted, is religion of isolationism, seeped with their own troubles innately producing atheists among them. Judaism is only religion in which there's inherit "us vs them" mentality deep rooted against other humans. Sure, people will say Crusader wars and Jihads, and any proper historian will see numerous abuse of both Christianity and Islam, by their religious leaders to sow self serving violence. However, in 99% of cases, later down the line such behaviors are deemed as misguided and wrong. At the core, both of these religions deem world to be a better place if everyone are of their faith, which often sparks violent people into using it as an excuse for conquest. And likewise there are subset of both religions which never produced such violence on religious scale.
Orthodox Christianity is one such subset, and I'll hide no bias towards it, since I come from that background, but there was never crusades sanctified by Orthodox Christians. In fact much the opposite, majority of spreading of Orthodox Christianity was also done similarly to these Jesuits, with priests going among the "barbarians" and often witnessing their violent tendencies on their own skin, becoming martyrs within the Church's dogma. But instead, since author grew up among non Orthodox Christians, she projected the loss of faith onto the main character, and switched to only monotheistic religion that would agree with "Prime directive". Majority of people in these comments yearn for righteous justice towards the violent race in this book, and both Christianity and Islam would allow it. If possible firstly just by converting and renouncing their vile acts, but if not, by aggression and possibly even extermination of Jana'ta in favor of oppressed Runa, who would in turn accept the new religion as saviors.
I sympathize with the author, the old "If he's benevolent then he wouldn't allow X, if he's etc." you know the drill I won't spell it out, atheists have been using that line of reasoning for past 2 decades very profusely. I too often had issues with the same, growing modification of religion I was brought into, which could be deemed outright heretical. However, going towards Judaism is the only way author can keep semblance of her own righteousness by deeming her original brought up religion as wrong, which is a mistake. She should've come to terms that she's a bad apple, just how I have. Instead, she went into only monotheistic religion that borderline sanctifies abuse and mistreatment of other members of her own species, with line of reasoning that their idea of God is only one right, and that he's put all these goyim onto the planet to serve them. The only reason Judaism hasn't had a crusade or jihad is because as staunchly isolationistic, they don't have the numbers. But don't fret, they've produced just as much evil within Manhattan and their banking. It's no coincidence that they're being stereotyped as bankers, and that any aggressive antisemitic revolution involves toppling the banks. Ivan the Great (or terrible if you're from the West) marched them into frozen lake, after it becoming evident they've been kidnapping Christian street urchins to kill and put their goyim blood into their cookies as ritualistic practice. Mr. Moustache (not even sure I can type his name on YT without being shadow banned) did a similar thing with camps. Just remember first two things he did when he came to power, which were banning p*rn and not allow usury (which was historically attributed to Jews as no coincidence).
Factually, this whole book is a love letter to most heinous Jewish practices, and so is "prime directive" by the way, especially the way Picard and his crew break it so often. In fact, they've broke it so often and for such petty reasons that it's become a meme, with people calling it "Prime suggestive" on the internet. I too grew up on Star Trek Next Generation, but I'm not blind to giant hypocrisy in that show. I won't go into details about it since others people already have on the internet and it's easily googlable, and my comment is long enough.
Am I not to see this as justification of worst parts of Jewish beliefs, veiled (thinly if I may add) as Runa being goyim and Jana'ta being God's chosen people? That despite their mistreatment and oppression, the humanity should leave that planet alone in that delicate equilibrium because of what? God bad?
I say Hell no. I too share the innate feeling many in this comment section do, that it's right for humanity to go there, put Jana'ta in their place, exterminate if needed, and elevate Runa to freedom, while simultaneously giving them word of God (be it Christian or Islamic I couldn't care less), enhancing his flock of followers. Many people in this comment section would agree with my statement against oppression, but would have cold feet when looked through lens of antisemitism. That however, can't be ignored because the author too, wrote this book through the lens of it.
If you've read this far, my over a 1.100 words comment, I appreciate it. If you have something to add or analyze feel free to do so, however spare yourself typing simply "You're antisemitic" because I think I make it quite clear in my comment. Yes I am, and no I won't apologize for it. And I'm the biggest supporter of Israel's state, as long as they bring all of theirs there, and stop filling my country (or any other for that matter) and their banks.
Nice review.
I found a similar short story in The Star Diaries, by Stanislaw Lem (1957), which I read a long time ago.
Basically, the main character, Ijon Tichy, is a space explorer who narrates his adventures in the form of short stories. In one of them, "Tichy meets a priest whose colleague has been horrifically martyred by a thoroughly unselfish and well-intentioned race of aliens because he had told them that a martyr's death was one of the greatest things to which a Christian could aspire". To sum it up, the aliens, after learning the Catechism and the lives of many, many saints, took the colleage and made him undergo EVERY MARTYRDOM they knew. But it wasn't really every martyrdoom in the end, because the man perished halfway. If it's any consolation, all the aliens felt terribly guilty about the deed.
This book is made a hundred times more powerful by it's sequel, a book which empowers and enlivens the story without missing a step. As a believer, and a lover of sci-fi, this book was beautiful. I love it so much, and adore the way you talk about it. Thank you.
Didn’t know there was a sequel…(didn’t finish watching the video btw) will have to check it out
@@Zucifer8Did you check it out?
This was such an intense mystery. Like I knew something bad had happened and I raced through the book to get to the bottom of the mystery. A true page turner.
This book disturbed me for years and I wish it was never recommended to me.
Why?
He is a snowflake @@metatronblack
An understandable reaction. I asked the interwebs for recommendations as I hadn't read any science fiction. I loved the genre in film and TV but I didn't read it because I found the suspension of disbelief a stretch too far in many of the works I'd considered. This was the book that was overwhelmingly recommended. As a former Catholic, that angle also made it interesting. But I definitely found it challenging to read. And while I don't generally remember my dreams, I would be fair to say this book "haunted" my thoughts for a while.
@@metatronblackbuttsecks
@@IllidanSturmgrimmDeusVultYou seem to be more upset about his opinion than he is about the book. Is everything okay at home, kid?
Your videos continue to remind me of why every video on your channel is worth watching. You've opened my love of sci-fi. Free now from my own prejudice upon the genre and diving into the classics, ◇foundation, dune, Hitchhiker's guide, tarkovsky film, do androids dream of electric sheep, William Gibson (neuromancer burning chrome the halls of steel and so many other greats from others)
ALL in major part from the worlds you share in these vids. Much love to you my digital storyteller friend, and safe travels always
The problem of the book is clear.
to quote a certain tabletop game. "The Emperor protects, but so too does lasgun."
If they did armed themselves with Faith and Steel...
Yeah, I kind of want to read the book now just to figure out how total extermination isn't the response of humanity at the end of the book.
I understand what they meant about Xenos now.
EXTERMINATUS.
I was looking for the 40k comment and am happy I found it
@@santoineallenhhu7874 I'm surprised that there are not more of them, guess killing TTS really dissolutioned the part of the fandom that liked the animations.
Tell the nearest tech priest of the possible presence of a STC and these xenos, then sit back and watch as the armies of a forge world savage the planet
Quinn - I've been enjoying your series on the Three Body Problem and the Dune universe, but this is by far my favorite of your videos. You capture the atmosphere, the dread, and the earth-shattering despair of this book so well, and I love your takes on faith and "perceived arrogance." I'll never forget the *feeling* of reading this book for the first time, but I'm so grateful for your tour through the major plot points of it. I was able, watching this video, to feel the feelings I had when I read the Sparrow for the first time five or six years ago. More, more, more please!
Did you leave to go take voice acting classes?? That dramatic reading at the beginning was was so good! haha Welcome back!! Went looking for you this week for the TRUE Dune 2 commentary and was so sad when I saw that you had not posted in such a long while! Happy that you're back.
The quality of narration is the main difference between successful and mediocre youtubers, in my opinion.
Naw, he's always been an amazing orator. Watch his early stuff, he's gotten better but dudes always been chill.
@@stanislavstoimenov1729Yep agreed. Quality of voice and video production
This book confused me when I was a kid. It left me really happy though. To me, the book just meant, “Be careful.” That’s a good message!
Hallelujah!💥💥
A new video! Quinn hasn't forgot about us, the loyal and faithful.
I'm loving all this long form content. Every one of the books you make videos on allows my mind to run and make connections in the real world, whether it be the nature of the universe or the fears and inner workings of the human mind and soul
the sparrow is hands-down my favorite sf book of all time...but i have a hard time recommending it because of the ending 😭 it tore my heart out
I felt that it was overall optimistic. As dark as it got, there was meaning behind it.
@@Dapryor well said
The book is *BLEAK*
I read it, I liked it, but I don't think I really "got" the ending. It was essentially Emelio losing in faith in God for what he'd been through, right?
I'll have to reread it again, I'm sure I'd pick up on more. Now that I think about it I guess Emilio losing the ability to use his hands was a parallel to him losing his faith in God.
@@beeman4266 The ending is meant to be bitter sweet. The suffering is real, but he's trying and there seems to be some light at the end of the tunnel because it appears he knows how to give a spin to is experiences.
Thanks for this video Quinn! You're so smart, I admire you. Cheers!
I've been waiting for yeah to get to this one. Cheers my friend.
I really appreciate your channel. I love to read, but there are so many books I don't realistically have the time to read all I wish. You do a wonderful job of breaking down the important bits that might help us understand the world a bit more, and forge ourselves into something better each day. Your hard work and insightful monologues are a blessing to the world.
Dude I can never just stop and watch your new content, because I have to go buy and read the book and then i comeback
I read this novel last year. As someone who grew up in a Christian family and now is agnostic, it affected me in a way I did not expect.
Why? I mean honestly this is barely a representation of God at all. If anything this is a great depiction of evil and how evil parades about as "The Will of God".
As a long, long time fan of sci fi and player of tabletop RPGs I think I am less disturbed by the horrors and atrocities of the aliens than I am by the humans getting themselves into the situation in the first place. They did so many, many, many things wrong from the very outset. Aliens gonna be alien. The entire mission was fundamentally flawed.
This book man. So intense. Only just read it last year. Thanks for the great video!
Thanks!
I am so happy you’re commenting on this book. For me this is one of the best and most disturbing books I’ve ever read. I have read it twice but I needed to have a 15 year gap between in order to recover. Love what you’re doing. Keep it up ❤
Have you ever read it's sequel? I've always meant to, but I think my subconscious gave me selective amnesia about it as a defense mechanism😅
@@earlpipe9713 Not as good or as powerful, but I found that I was so invested in the characters from the first book, that I didn't care. Do it!
Best work on the internet. Thanks once again for keeping me sane
I was surprised H.G. Wells was not mentioned even once. "Kinda like Morloks and Eloi from The Time Machine", I thought to myself, when thinking about the dynamics of the two species
Same, missed opportunity
The Morlocks and Eloi part of the story was a warning against comfort and complacency if I'd ever heard one. I haven't watched the entire Sparrow video but I assume it is about a bloody harvest by an alien species. Mother of all conspiracies...
@@unitynofear7758and morlocks are workers and eloi bucolic aristoracts
@@unitynofear7758 Well I won't spoil the rest of the video for you, but when it comes to Eloi, the book ones, compared to the movies, were much more childlike/helpless/naive and relying on the infrastructure and resources provided by their... shepherds, for the lack of a better word. In the movies, especially the 2002 one (where the only good thing about it was the score by Klaus Badelt), Eloi were instead depicted as totally self-reliant "good guys" (and yet somehow still victims of the blood-thirsty "bad guys"), there was absolutely zero nuance about it.
Glad you made this video. Not enough people talk about this book in the sphere of science fiction, probably because of the religious aspects of the book.
Fantastic presentation, Quinn! I've read this book once, and only once because it was so powerful and personally impacting. I was afraid that subsequent rereads would lessen the impact.
I feel you,very few books have had true impacts on me,this is one of the few that did.
Read this years ago and it remains one of the wildest most thought provoking sci-fi books I've yet encountered. Great stuff.
I read The Sparrow last month and finished Children of God a few days ago. "Children..." is a worthy and natural sequel that begins where the brilliant original left off. Where The Sparrow mixes world and character building with philosophy and the personal consequences of choice, Children of God explores the larger societal consequences of those philosophies and choices. The two novels feel like parts of one very large and engrossing book. I'd recommend them both to anyone, SciFi fan or otherwise.
I have yet to delve into the sequel as I felt that it may not do the original justice and lessen its impact on me.
your assessment is correct, as a sequel absolutely undoes l the impact of the first book.
this isn't just me who thinks so, but a multitude of people who are the type that leave reviews.
I didn't listen to them, and most people don't listen to me, but maybe I can save you - don't do it. leave that sequel and treasure your a lack of regret that nearly nobody has after reading it.
Thank you again for another amazing book to make my spine chill and skin crawl with terror. This book is something I never expected and as I got through the book it was more and more terrifying. The book was only 9$ on audible when I got it
One of my favourite books. I fell into it and left a piece of myself inside that makes me return to it often. You can read The Sparrow in isolation, but the next book, Children of God, only shines because of The Sparrow's light. I met the author in 1998 in the UK at a Science Fiction book store. Not a lot of people showed up, so she was there for hours, talking to us about the craft and story.
I'm about 200 pages into The Sparrow. Looking forward to finishing it so I can watch this video in its entirety.
Ok, you made me stop the video at 2:50 because you presented such a strong case for the book. Looking forward to watching this in its entirety soon.
Also, I never put together that the line from Hamlet, "There is special providence in the fall of a sparrow," was referencing the passage in Matthew. Thanks, Prof!
Get back to us when you finish the book.
Great Video and great book. This one will linger in my mind for a long while. Thanks for the recommendation!
This passage stuck with me:
"A man would have to be a fool not to love someone like that,”’ Edward Behr said gently. Some priests were so hard on themselves.
“Yes, a fool,’’ Sandoz agreed and added, ‘‘But I didn’t think so at the time.’’ It was a puzzling thing to say and Sandoz followed it with something just as unexpected. ‘‘Have you ever wondered about the story of Cain? He made his sacrifice in good faith. Why did God refuse it?
Regarding the "twist," it made me think of all of the amazing works of art we appreciate that were born in part to another's pain, suffering or abuse.
Just finished the book tonight after getting to the spoiler warning at 2:46 of this video several days ago. One of the most disturbing but awesome books I've read in a long time! What a journey...
I read that book years ago, an impulse buy. It has its weaknesses, but the premise stayed with me, and it truly is a very dark and bleak story.
It’s got more than a few weaknesses. I’m glad to see at someone else pointing that out as normally this book is so lauded.
I don't know whether to be appalled by how poorly the mission was planned and executed, or whether to find that the most accurate part of all.
@@historyeraserbutton1662 Not quite. Religion is the motivation behind the main character's decision to go on the trip in the first place, and his religious worldview is what causes him to be so naive and blind to the reality of what that society actually is. If anything, it is a metaphor for the inability of an observer to be neutral, and the inevitable projection of his/her own beliefs and values onto things strange and unknown.
@@historyeraserbutton1662 The reckless perils of acting in blind faith. Like the Prime Directive mentioned in the video, at the very least we need to painstakingly observe and study an alien society completely hands-off and make sure we understand them thoroughly before we start interacting with them.
Now what a different story it would be if it was SG-1 that contacted them...
A moral lesson in what not to do when contacting aliens, "Don't just assume you know everything, otherwise you'll get analy r-worded by Alien Furries."
As usual for your recommendations, I'm just going to save this video to avoid spoilers and order the book. I look forward to watching the video afterwards though. Love the channel!
Welp, paused at 2:40, and ordered the book from amazon.
Imma skip the rest of the video but thank you for highlighting this; the premise sounds really good.
Hope you like horror movies
You made a good purchase, and you won't regret it.
I listen to most of my science fiction while at work (I'm a yield tech for a semiconductor company). I had to leave the production floor several times during this book due to the fact that I couldn't stop crying. I am not easily moved. The sequel, Children of God, had me crying just as often but for entirely different reasons. Perfect duo of books honestly.
I've recently read this book. Your video review is great, but viewers should definitely read the whole book. It is amazing and there are so many details you just can't cover in a short video. The voice acting in the audiobook is superb as well.
Yes! So much character development of the team on their journey through space.
I read this decades ago and was nearly over it until you brought it up again. Thanks a bunch!
I started watching this video a week ago, got a minute in, and then decided I had to read this book before seeing spoilers.
Well, I finished it, so I'm back to finish the video.
What an absolutely haunting book!
The flow of it was so strange, with the juxtaposition between the story of a joyful past and the broken man telling the story, as that story slowly gets darker and darker.
Definitely glad I read it; it will stay will me.
Same
The description was much needed! I'll make sure i read the book beofre coming back to watch this!
Just finished this book (I was inspired by the first 2 minutes of your video). Very disturbing. Two things that stood out that weren’t really mentioned:
-The revelation that the music, the very thing that Sandoz felt was calling him to Rakhat, was the sounds of the Jana’ata rape, and that Sandoz ended up being a part of this “concert” at the end
-The introduction of farming. When the humans first planted their garden I thought to myself “that’s probably going to have a major impact several generations from now,” not realizing until later that it would have such profound short-term consequences. We often make decisions thinking that the future is so far away but sometimes those consequences come far sooner.
Great video! Thanks for inspiring me to branch out.
Hey man! Great vid, live that you're diving into philosophy and spiritual sci-fi. I love this story because of the implications with faith it brings up, however I will say, as a spiritual person who does believe in God, I think alot of christians and athiests get the whole faith thing wrong. See faith isnt about "oh I believe so good things will happen to me and bad things wont."
See faith without works is death, but what does that mean "I need to believe in God and do good and good things will happpen." No that's not how it works, that's not how life works. Is the same as Jean Luc Picard saying, "You can commit no mistakes and still fail, that is not weakness that is life."
It's about what you do in the face of that failure, the face of that adversity and darkness that decides your faith, your character and your fate. And i think the story illustrates that beautifully when our main character murders an innocent despite knowing he shouldn't. He stared into the abyss and blinked. Faith is about staring into abyss and knowing that even if you blink, even if you fail, your imaginary omnipotent friend has your back and is gonna help you crawl back into the light.
Hopefully that wasn't too winded and a bunch of people don't come at me for it. Really love your content man, I look forward to more stuff like this!
A book that crushes you.
Agreed.
Like my man Emilio was crushed by them Alien Furries...😢😭
@@ellugerdelacruz2555and then the harmless herbivorous child alien was crushed by Emilio.
@@kennethg9277😂
One of the best scifi books I've ever read. Still thinking about it decades after my first read! Great deep dive!
RIP Hugo Award: 1953----2024
would you elaborate? what do you mean "RIP Hugo award"?
@@stanislavstoimenov1729 There is a story on Breitbart today entitled: China Blacklists Pro-Democracy Writers from Science Fiction Hugo Awards. The first sentence is: A massive scandal rocked the world of science fiction and fantasy writing on Thursday, as leaked emails revealed authors were quietly disqualified from winning the prestigious Hugo Awards if their work displeased the Chinese Communist Party.
@@stanislavstoimenov1729 The Hugo is taking money this year from the Chinese, who have eliminated all authors who are hostile to commie beliefs. Kinda like what Hollywood's been doing for years now to get Chinese distribution.
@@stanislavstoimenov1729It has been revealed that the Hugo Bigwigs have been spying on the best authors and possible nominees, at the behest of the Chinese Communist government, and making decisions about whom to nominate based on who might offend the ChiComs. The award us now meaningless. Not that it was all that meaningful in recent years. Now it's garbage.
@@stanislavstoimenov1729 I tried replying with an answer twice but, ironically, this platform automatically ******* the comment. Irony! Look up Hugo Award Controversy.
I just wanted to say you reignited my passion for reading again. Thank you
Your channels awesome man. I discovered the three body problem from your channel and am almost finished with the dark forest now.
How's the dark forest so far? I was pretty disappointed with the first book personally. It wasn't terrible, but it felt super slow and over hyped to me. Is dark forest better?
Great to see you again! Great video
I could imagine that Russell was partially inspired by evolutionary biologist and anthropologist Jared Diamond's 1987 essay "The Worst Mistake in the History of the Human Race".
Marshall Sahlins “the Original Affluent Society” is where my mind went for sure.
I got to like 3 minutes in when you said it was spoilers, and I just said screw it and immediately tabbed over to Amazon and bought the book. I wanted to watch this, but your enthusiasm indicates I should put it on hold until I read it! I've bought so many of your recommendations based on your videos, so why stop now :D
I did the same!
I had this happen to me already ... 5 times including this one, not a single regret.
It's sad that we live a time where someone can't even talk about a book without censoring words.
Welcome back i hope you're doing well, was checking the podcast for past 1 month to check if there was any update. I was getting worried please inform us from the next time.😊
Missed your videos bro! Glad you’re back
I read this book maybe two years ago and it has never left me. I don’t know when I'll be ready to read it again, but what a stunning work of fiction.
if you tell me "one race is dumb, and gets eaten by a smarter race" i immediately think of the time machine. Noticed the author didnt mention the obvious connection between the two.
Hello quinn! I have missed you. I am now walking around in short distances. They had me in a kitchen setting for OT today and i was able to cook a hamburger and fries by myself. Getting closer to discharge. I may go home 4 months before the original goal. I consider your video to be my reward(in addition to the tasty lunch i made)😊😊😊. My next goal is to be able to shower without assistance. Thanks for being part my recovery 🙏
Yess! Was wondering when your next upload was going to be
Welcome back Quinn. Great to see you back :-)
very excited! Thanks Quinn!
I actually started this video, decided I wanted to try the book, and have finished the book now! This book reignited my habit of reading until 3am.
Hey Quinn, been reading some Lovecraft lately thanks to your videos. Its really good, but honestly Ive been shocked by how much of it... isnt set in the realm of cosmic horror. And also how stories like The Picture in the House actually established the tropes of the "cabin in the woods" type stories that make up so much of modern horror films! Really cool!
Also this book sounds cool. Skipping the full video for now. Liking and commenting to feed the AI.
Those early weird fiction writers are great, I really enjoy the overlap with spiritualism from that’s age. You can pick the art and cultural movements of the time right out and it’s a really interesting mix IMO.
@@SS_Psyops Yeah! Ive now read The King in Yellow and House on the Borderland as well. Man its a whole weird trippy corner of literature I had no idea existed. So cool!
Glad you've got to read this. Its a fantastic read as an HG Wells fan I clocked the Runa twist shortly before the reveal but it's really well handled and the sequel manages to progress the story without detracting from the original and by delivering one of the the most heartbreaking moments I've read with Sandoz's "betrayal". I've used the word "betrayal" to avoid a spoiler where I thought the writer had written themselves into a narrative deadend (turns out thats basically what happened) and the resolution to that is painful.
I’m glad to see Quinn say the importance of awareness or things going wrong despite pure intentions.
It’s quite disappointing to see fiction set in 2050’s to ignore our modern atrocities of the 1900’s.
Gulag Archipelago for example is a historical account of human capability for creating intense suffering due to the fact that people expect good from the world, without realizing their own responsibility for either embodying good or evil or being able to balance both.
The lesson was to be free of ignorance and to expect this evil and have counter-measures for it, not to share idle desperation to the human condition of being collectively self-deceived.
Engaging in despair over non-existant imaginary benevolence is exactly the trap that the book should warn against, instead of just showcasing mindless cruelty for all to read.
"non-existent imaginary benevolence".
You should pick up a book on Probability and statistics for Engineers, then you'll see just how silly it is to think all of this happened just "by chance"
@@captnwinkle did the book say that computationally irreducible steps need more than billions of years to produce complex phenomena?
And just when i was starting to believe he's done with this channel BAAAAM!!! another excellent review!
"This story has the most horrifying twist ever."
Me who has familiarized myself with WH40K lore, the history of colonization on Earth: Meh...
Based
Pretty much my reaction. It's made worse by the fact that it was entirely avoidable if the preachers had taken some very basic safety measures and brought along some guns/hired muscle/robot guards/literally anything to protect themselves.
@@DarkVeghetta
They remembered to praise the Lord, but forgot to pass the ammunition.
Nah I was told this book was really great. I didn't get why. But I think this actually has a lot to do with it. I've read much worse fates.
Oh damn! I’m so glad you’ve read this! This is one of the best novels I’ve read in the past decade. It made me reevaluate my own beliefs and I appreciated the way it dealt with spirituality.
Dig into Eastern Orthodoxy, if you have time. This book was clunky at best with the religion to me and failed to comprehend many of the elements it was trying to dissect. Makes sense with modern Catholicism though and the mountain of doctrinal issues present there especially post-Vatican 2.
@@SS_Psyops I appreciate that it paints a great example of God’s will coming through times of intense pain and suffering. I have no idea what you mean by Eastern Orthodoxy but I sincerely appreciated the book’s message.
Did I miss the twist? Church does first contact mission, there exist two intelligent species on the planet, one of the crew gets tortured and raped, and he's retrieved by Earth forces and a lot of people are upset. I'm not sure what' so twisty here.
I guess the twist is supposed to be that the person opening the cell door was not who the jesuit thinks they are. Pretty weaksauce if you ask me.
Sounds like the lady didn’t like the church and had an ax to grind.
My understanding is that the twist is that the beautiful-sounding music that was originally intercepted turns out when translated to be... basically bragging-songs about the singer's violent sexual escapades and all the awesome torturing he does.
@@thomasjoychild4962 That doesn't look that dark compared to the rest of the story tbh
When I hear "darkest twist in sci-fi" I expect existential horror tbh
@@diewott1337 I mean, yeah. Incidentally I highly recommend Blindsight by Peter Watts for a first contact story that does some great existential horror.
My go-to channel for sci-Fi book recommendations. If Quinn says to read, I put it in my library queue that same day. Absolutely love your stuff man
The falseness of thinking you have a transactional relationship with God crops up again and again in religion. It is the central theme of the Book of Job, one of the most misunderstood books of the Bible. It’s interesting to hear of it cropping up in a Sci-fi story. I suspect the ending leaves people disturbed because it sounds like the consummation of the process, the protagonist realizing his error and reconciling with God seems to be left out. Santos claims “God does not ask” that he “did not consent”, but that’s a self deception. He chose to follow the temptation of the song. He chose to go to an alien world and interact with its people. He chose his path for himself.
Sandoz’s “journey” is also just so ridiculously self centered. The entire history of theodicy, the ongoing and past sufferings of millions of humans, didn’t shake his faith at all until it affected him and people he cared about personally? *Now* it’s a tragedy he can’t reconcile? Bruh
@@MistyWarden
tl;dr (in case you don't want to read 1.100 words lmao, and which is I've put tl;dr at the start) The reason why Sandoz's journey seems so self centered is because that's what author is, self centered. Which is why she embraced Judaism instead of tempering her own ego, since Judaism is only monotheistic religion which would allow you to not "humble yourself".
Pointless drivel. Not a single time in my life have I met a person raised in staunch Christian family, becoming Atheist and then going to Judaism, which had something actually profound to say. First of all, in vast majority of times, these individuals explored and poured time into Judaism, but haven't done so into Christianity, reflexively having disdain to it because it was "forced" onto them and they didn't "choose" it.
Two races that are similar? One being slaves and food? Really my guy, we're not going to talk about goyim and its parallels? At start, while you were explaining the story, I already knew author grew up in religious background and rejected it, so becoming atheist at first was something I predicted. However, there wasn't enough deep rooted hate for the religion as is often case with such atheists, so I assumed their religious journey wasn't done. And it wasn't.
This whole book is one giant disgusting convert's journey, to only monotheistic religion which through DOCTRINE wouldn't help the oppressed lower race on that planet. I see many people in comments wanting sequel in which humans go to that planet and depose grapy and torturous race, yet failing to see that author is sending the opposite message, which only a Jew would. Islam's and Christianity's ideals, regardless of subset of doctrine would staunchly insist on bringing their faith towards them. What best way to do so than to mark the superior race that eats and has hurt their own emissaries as Satan's spawn, depose them, liberate the oppressed and bring them their form of monotheism (literally doesn't matter if you're Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant Christian, or Sunni, Shia Muslim). However, the Judaism, to which author converted, is religion of isolationism, seeped with their own troubles innately producing atheists among them. Judaism is only religion in which there's inherit "us vs them" mentality deep rooted against other humans. Sure, people will say Crusader wars and Jihads, and any proper historian will see numerous abuse of both Christianity and Islam, by their religious leaders to sow self serving violence. However, in 99% of cases, later down the line such behaviors are deemed as misguided and wrong. At the core, both of these religions deem world to be a better place if everyone are of their faith, which often sparks violent people into using it as an excuse for conquest. And likewise there are subset of both religions which never produced such violence on religious scale.
Orthodox Christianity is one such subset, and I'll hide no bias towards it, since I come from that background, but there was never crusades sanctified by Orthodox Christians. In fact much the opposite, majority of spreading of Orthodox Christianity was also done similarly to these Jesuits, with priests going among the "barbarians" and often witnessing their violent tendencies on their own skin, becoming martyrs within the Church's dogma. But instead, since author grew up among non Orthodox Christians, she projected the loss of faith onto the main character, and switched to only monotheistic religion that would agree with "Prime directive". Majority of people in these comments yearn for righteous justice towards the violent race in this book, and both Christianity and Islam would allow it. If possible firstly just by converting and renouncing their vile acts, but if not, by aggression and possibly even extermination of Jana'ta in favor of oppressed Runa, who would in turn accept the new religion as saviors.
I sympathize with the author, the old "If he's benevolent then he wouldn't allow X, if he's etc." you know the drill I won't spell it out, atheists have been using that line of reasoning for past 2 decades very profusely. I too often had issues with the same, growing modification of religion I was brought into, which could be deemed outright heretical. However, going towards Judaism is the only way author can keep semblance of her own righteousness by deeming her original brought up religion as wrong, which is a mistake. She should've come to terms that she's a bad apple, just how I have. Instead, she went into only monotheistic religion that borderline sanctifies abuse and mistreatment of other members of her own species, with line of reasoning that their idea of God is only one right, and that he's put all these goyim onto the planet to serve them. The only reason Judaism hasn't had a crusade or jihad is because as staunchly isolationistic, they don't have the numbers. But don't fret, they've produced just as much evil within Manhattan and their banking. It's no coincidence that they're being stereotyped as bankers, and that any aggressive antisemitic revolution involves toppling the banks. Ivan the Great (or terrible if you're from the West) marched them into frozen lake, after it becoming evident they've been kidnapping Christian street urchins to kill and put their goyim blood into their cookies as ritualistic practice. Mr. Moustache (not even sure I can type his name on YT without being shadow banned) did a similar thing with camps. Just remember first two things he did when he came to power, which were banning p*rn and not allow usury (which was historically attributed to Jews as no coincidence).
Factually, this whole book is a love letter to most heinous Jewish practices, and so is "prime directive" by the way, especially the way Picard and his crew break it so often. In fact, they've broke it so often and for such petty reasons that it's become a meme, with people calling it "Prime suggestive" on the internet. I too grew up on Star Trek Next Generation, but I'm not blind to giant hypocrisy in that show. I won't go into details about it since others people already have on the internet and it's easily googlable, and my comment is long enough.
Am I not to see this as justification of worst parts of Jewish beliefs, veiled (thinly if I may add) as Runa being goyim and Jana'ta being God's chosen people? That despite their mistreatment and oppression, the humanity should leave that planet alone in that delicate equilibrium because of what? God bad?
I say Hell no. I too share the innate feeling many in this comment section do, that it's right for humanity to go there, put Jana'ta in their place, exterminate if needed, and elevate Runa to freedom, while simultaneously giving them word of God (be it Christian or Islamic I couldn't care less), enhancing his flock of followers. Many people in this comment section would agree with my statement against oppression, but would have cold feet when looked through lens of antisemitism. That however, can't be ignored because the author too, wrote this book through the lens of it.
@@MrMrtvozornik well, I can say for certain. Both your comment and this book is pointless drivel of religious nuts.
@@mikhaelgribkov4117 And by being anti-theist you're going to be excluded of big part of people's lives, which is religion. Doomed to either be lost in nihilistic cynical world that's anti religion or oppressed by religious fanaticism.
But that's okay, you'll grow out of it by the time you're 25.
Also, to even call me religious nut shows how little you understand of my argument, because you can't be a religious nut of an undefined religion, and I clearly say I wouldn't care whether it's Christian denomination or Islamic denomination were to put Jana'ta to their place. But let me help your rhetoric if you're so insistent on trying to insult me.
At best you could call me militaristic fascist who cynically uses religion's dogma to instigate war, in this example sci-fi one, but with inclination that this dogma could be extrapolated and used on this Earth right now.
So there it is, I've helped you out, call my comment a giant antisemitic dog whistle and go on about your day feeling how you're superior because you'd "never fall in into a trap of ideology".
You Christians are delusional. Your god is evil. The Bible has laws of rape and verses that justify it.
I left a comment just today saying how much I wanted another video. I really enjoy your takes on some of my favorite stories.
Loved The Sparrow novel. I'm about to read the sequel. Greetings from Argentina Quinn. I already have my tickets to Dune Part 2 on IMAX😎
Just booked mine as well for IMAX. So excited.
There's a sequel? I might need to properly read this one to prepare myself to see if humanity can recover anything from this colossal poochscrew, or if they will make it even worse.
@@cnkclark it's called "Children of God"
don't do it.
everybody warned me not to read the sequel, but I love the first one I didn't listen.
now I warn everybody else, and you're not going to listen either, but you're going to be in my shoes soon.
it completely undoes the impact of the first book.
Holy... I read about this 20 years ago and allways wanted to give it a try, but I couldnt remember the name and looking for the excerpt didnt get my results, now I can finally read it!
The idea of doing horrible things for the greater good is a central theme in the serial novel Worm (John C. "Wildbow" McCrae), I wonder if you ever plan covering it. It's a surprisingly realistic and rational sci-fi approach to the superhero genre, but twisting it in many novel ways.
So so so glad you reviewed The Sparrow. I read it a year ago and it has stuck with me since. I’ve been dying to hear more opinions! This was a melding of religion and aliens that I never knew I needed in my life. I also thought MDR did a great job making the main characters feel really personable and authentic. Especially Emilio.
That's the most chilling rape scene I've ever heard, read, or seen. My word.
Still better than Berserk.
@@Khiladi_99 blasphemy!
Oh, wait, you meant it the other way. I disagree tho, this one seems more fkd up to me. For one thing, it's a guy. I've been around quite a number of women that actually fantasize about getting R'd, but haven't met one dude that doesn't swear death and destruction if that ever happened to him. ALSO, GRIFFITH WAS A BIRD, HIS CLOACA PROBABLY DIDN'T DO MUCH DAMAGE, BUT THESE CAT ALIENS FOR SURE HAVE BARBED PENISES.
@@durere Yeah, I find it hard to wrap my head around how a male can do that to another male. Just gross! I still don't think Griffith's is lesser than this cat alien. Well, to each his own.
You're essentially implying rape for women is not as bad as rape for men. That's pretty screwed up man.@@durere
Send in the furry marines
Stellar presentation of a very interesting book, as always your excellent reviews have opened my horizons to many a great sci fi novels and this is no exception. Looking forward to reading this one too. Thank you brother!
The Sparrow is a story that has stuck with me and basically haunted me since reading. Just the hubris of mankind, believing they had a right to visit an alien culture uninvited, and with a view of religious colonialism is both believable and just plain scary.
Love this channel, never heard of this book but is so up my alley - thank you!!!
where have you been?! we have all been worried about you!
...and then shortly thereafter, humanity returns to the planet with fewer holy men and more soldiers and demonstrate to the Jana'ata what actual predation looks like.
Honestly I'd rather read that book
I like to imagine this book is actually a prequel to Warhammer 40k. It would certainly help explain the number of armed priests.
@@matthewkemp594 the Catholic Church was definitely *not* what evolved into the imperium. And the Jesuit order in particular would never have come as warriors
I enjoy reading the lore of the WH40K universe and agree that this could fit in perhaps the later part of "the Age of technology" or in the early part of "Old night" (aka.Age of Strife).
A good example of why "humanity" should perish
Had to stop your video after a few minutes. You didn’t do me wrong by recommending 3 Body Problem so I just bought this. I’ll be back when I’m done. Thank you for the good reads and discussions.
"The Sparrow" is beautifully written, astonishing and utterly, utterly heartbreaking.
I cried, and expect that I always will upon rereading.
Have you read the sequel? Not as good (and not as shocking) as the first novel, but an interesting read nonetheless.
But were you surprised by the result when they sent a religious delegation to make first contact?
I mean a religious delegation is probably the worst people you’d ever send to anything like that. Seriously / it was ridiculous.
@@davidmuzia814 The starting point of the novel is the Vatican pumping billions from the church's treasury to fund a first contact mission, because they want to (1) confirm that aliens have a soul and are children of God too, and (2) start spreading the Word.
Incidentally, the second novel's title is "Children of God".
@@davidmuzia814 The point was made in the book that the Jesuit Order was 1) rich enough to fund it immediately 2) hierarchical enough to move fast (democracies generally take longer to agree on things). They didn't ask anyone for permission, just barreled out there, like they've been doing for the last 500 years.
@@susansprague7304oh yeah that was clear in the book. But other than tragedy what would anyone expect in this story? When has anyone ever thought - on this plant or any other - “yeah - here come the religious fanatics - this will make things better!”
I thought the book was ridiculous. I really did. Beauty? We have different definitions of beauty.
Yay, a new book deep dive! You are one of the main ways I learn about these stories and concepts. Thank you for your content!
This reminds me a bunch of the Kelpiens and the Ba'ul in Star Trek Discovery. I'd say someone read this.
When you said to hit the pause button to avoid spoilers, I did so and ordered the book. I just finished reading The Sparrow this evening and what a tragic story. The Jana'ata were brutal towards the Runa, so it seems that the seed of Runa discontent was already there, which the humans' cultural exchanges watered that seed followed by unitended consequences. I'm curious about what happens next so I'm ordering the sequel. Thanks, Quinn, for bringing this book to my attention.
so the cat people ruled 34 and griffithed a jesuist priest, classic
Looking forward to when this makes sense 😅
Dude I really love your content. You have put me on to some of the greatest books I've read. Absolutely loved 3 body problem series and am currently reading the Hyperion Cantos. Lots of love from New Zealand
Honestly, Sparrow made me cringe. It didn't disturb me one bit, because after a certain point I stopped taking the events seriously and started looking at it like at a black comedy. Think "Alien: Covenant".
I mean... Runa/Janaata civilization are peaceful. Pretty much harmless. Very human like and easy to communicate with. Best first contact aliens ever.
Had humans.... I dunno... INITIATED RADIO CONTACT AND DIPLOMACY FROM ORBIT all would've gone just fine. Or had humans merely walked up to Janaata city as proper delegation and... You know, communicated.
My thoughts while reading were "how to f. up in near perfect conditions"
Some first contact expedition to make Alien Covenant/Prometheus guys look sensitive.
The book was an examination of folly. It was an expedition doomed from the start because of blind faith. Reread the first page.
@@FishDinners it is still a brilliant example of "how to make a spectacular bloody F up when meeting perfectly nice, friendly, reasonable, peaceful safe easy to communicate aliens."
Pretty much harmless? Did u read the book? They ate babies dude
@@pognosmaka so do humans?