Children of God
Children of God
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1998
Book Brief
436
Novel • Fiction
Rakhat • Far Future
1998
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Children of God by Mary Doria Russell follows Emilio Sandoz, a Jesuit priest, as he grapples with his traumatic experiences from a previous mission to the planet Rakhat. He is forced to reexamine his faith and humanity amidst complex interstellar politics and cultural interactions with the planet's inhabitants. The novel delves into themes of redemption, cultural conflict, and resilience.
Contemplative
Mysterious
Dark
Emotional
Challenging
Reviews & Readership
24,007 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Children of God by Mary Doria Russell is praised for its complex exploration of faith, morality, and cultural conflict, with rich character development and a gripping narrative. Some readers find it overburdened with detail and challenging to follow. The novel's philosophical depth and emotional resonance are widely appreciated, despite occasional pacing issues.
Who Should Read Children of God?
Readers who would enjoy Children of God by Mary Doria Russell are typically fans of intelligent, ethically complex science fiction with deep character development. Similar to lovers of Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game and Ursula K. Le Guin's The Dispossessed, these readers appreciate narratives blending speculative elements with philosophical and theological inquiry.
24,007 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
436
Novel • Fiction
Rakhat • Far Future
1998
Adult
18+ years
We’re just getting started
Add this title to our list of requested Study Guides!