The Family Tree

As a compulsive ending-guesser, I'm rarely completely surprised or totally wrong. This time I was and far from being feeling mislead, I was totally delighted at Tepper's inventiveness. Stop reading these reviews -- they do give away some of the surprise -- and try out this book.The book begins with uncontrolable plants begining to take over towns and cities forcing people to finally respect nature's boundaries. Our heroine, Dora, respects the plants, but what will happen to people? A second plotline in a different world eventually collides with the first to give us our conclusion.

Sherri S. Tepper is the Grand Wizard of the literary surprise. She loves to take all your pre-conceptions and turn them sideways.In *The Family Tree* she outdoes herself; about two-thirds of the way through the novel she pulls a magic trick of legendary proportions. I found myself exclaiming "Holy Cow! I didn't see THAT one coming!" She also doesn't cheat; all the clues are there. Anyone who gives away the secret should be taken out and shot at dawn, along with spoil-sports who give away the endings of *The Sixth Sense* and *The Crying Game*.This is a wondrous multi-layered Science Fiction novel told by a gifted story-teller. It's a murder mystery, a fairy tale out of the Arabian Nights, a treatise on feminism, and a cautionary parable about the dangers of over-population and despoiling the environment.I occassionally found myself puzzled during the first chapters, asking "Why are these people acting the way they do?" Never fear: all is explained, and a splendid time is had along the way.

I hadn't read anything from Tepper in years and I picked up this book with the thought that if I hated it I wouldn't read anything more from her. I Loved this book! It is really great for those of us who garden and have a connection with the earth. It was a great detective story also. I will be getting more books from this author.

I have read every one of Sheri S. Teppers books, and this is by far my most favourite! It will surprise and thrill even the most avid science fiction reader. Her vision of the future both near and distant, will give you pause, it will make you think, and most certainly entertain you. This is a clever way to make you look at yourself and your life from a new prospective. I can't say it beter than, I LOVED IT! And so will you.

Tepper would have to be one of the greatest storytellers going. I loved this book and the character twist halfway through was a gem. A second reading found the clues all there - but they were wonderfully subtle.Her 'message' is loud and clear - but for me a little too 'loud and clear'. Increasingly Tepper is getting a tad heavy-handed in this department. However, she is not getting any younger and perhaps she feels in a hurry to make her points. As her points are ones that need to be made, I for one, can forgive her. Long life and keep writing Sheri! You always produce fantastic, magical journeys that are full of wonderful surprises. I recomend Tepper's books wholeheartedly.