The Sparrow.

Russell, Mary Doria (author).

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The Sparrow is a fine first novel about first contact and a Jesuit missionary voyage to a planet in Alpha Centauri. All through his years of service, Father Emilio Sandoz has thought that God designed something unique for his life, and so it seems: Sandoz is the linguist of the mission and leads his fellows in establishing a relationship with the gentle Runa, all the while puzzling over their apparent simplicity, their lack of curiosity and drive. Turns out there’s another race on the planet, a cruel people who prey upon the Runa and whose angelic-sounding poetry—the singing of which brought the Jesuits across space—merely celebrates cannibalism. All are killed except Sandoz, who is brought before the planet’s greatest poet to be raped repeatedly. Sandoz’s faith is annihilated and then reborn in a terrible humility. A heartbreaking tale with echoes throughout of H. G. Wells and Ursula LeGuin.