The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell
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High quality science fiction with a strong philosophical and theological focus. Very "Jesuits in Space!" with echoes of a A Canticle for Leibowitz or the cruciform section of Hyperion. The characterization is excellent, the writing compelling, and the pacing really strong. I don't usually get attached to fictional characters, but I actually genuinely liked and cared about all of the main characters by the end, which was remarkable.
The only hitch is that the back half of the book is ugly, triggering reading. The author created such rich, loveable characters, and then proceeds to do terrible things to them. The novel doesn't quite tip over into horror, but even as good as this book is, I would hesitate to recommend it to a general audience because of how rough the ending content is. You have been warned, but it's a genuinely good book if you've got a strong stomach.