The Fresco

I enjoy Tepper for both the strength of her women characters and for her ability to create new myths and religions from sci-fi settings. In some of her works, such as "Grass", "Raising the Stones", etc., this skill presents itself in a blending of fantasy worlds with an interstellar edge. In "Fresco", she uses these same skills to expose the myths and rituals of our own planet, politics and religion.The story uses a battered woman as the only honest choice as liaison between Earth and a benevolent alien race. She finds strength in her new freedoms from her husband and evolves as a character from her new friendship with the inhuman ambassadors.Throw in some conflict caused by human-hunting alien dissidents and a meddling right-wing government faction, and the whole book becomes a stew of colorfully marinated satire and social commentary. I would recommend any of Tepper's works, but to some her typical works sometimes seem to derive from an overly feminist cause. "Fresco" presents the authors beliefs of equality in a more global manner that entertains us and makes us think, and makes us laugh at the simple solutions that our alien suitors develop for some of our most complex social, international and economical problems.Another reviewer commented that The Fresco lacked the subtlety of Tepper's other works, and I have to agree to a certain degree. However, I think the "heavy-handedness" is a deliberate attempt to illustrate from an alien's perspective just how many social, economic and political problems our world has, in an attempt to create an enjoyable satire for her homo sapient readers.

She is unique!Sheri Tepper is one of my top 10 favorite authors. Maybe top 5. Who cares? Well, I read a lot (a book a day +/-). And, I think she may be of the most inventive authors around. Yes, she does tend to write the same themes over and over, and if eco-feminism bugs you - these are NOT the books for you. But every world/universe is different, the diversity of life so varied, and every plot extremely complex. Since reading her books, I find I view current events and the world around me differently.I like this one because it is so light-hearted. I love the creative problem-solving the aliens do (i.e. Middle East tension, subjugation of women, drug addicts, welfare recipients who won't work, etc.) Wouldn't it be nice if we COULD solve the world's problems so easily?As usual, there is a great twist at the end.

I waited months to read this book. I had devoured every Sheri S. Tepper novel I could get my hands on, and for a while, I thought that this was the last! I was terrified to read it, for fear that there wouldn't be any more. So I saved it back, like the last piece of favorite candy, until I saw the "coming soon" announcements for others. Then I raced home to dive into it, reading it in full in the bathtub one night while my skin turned pruney. Again, wonderful descriptions. Again, strong dialog. Again, the feeling that she's in my head, and knows exactly what kind of protagonist I want to identify with. Again, strange ideas, incredible twists, and overriding strength of philosophy. A classic Tepper novel that didn't disappoint after my long wait.

Sheri Tepper has done it once again. She gets us thinking about many of the social issues facing us today while taking us somewhere we have never been before. I could not put the book down and I could not wait to see what happened next. I definately recommend it for any sci-fi reader.

I don't know about the rest of you out there, but the reason I read Sheri S. Tepper books is because of the similiar theme she uses. I enjoy reading about women held down be society and then how she goes about resolving the problem in some thought provoking way that just leaves me in giggles. I can't say there is really anything about her stories that disappoints me. "The Fresco" was well worth the wait. Once again, she makes the unbelieveable, believable. I loved the characters, both human and alien. Benita, as with all her heroines, was a very normal, day-to-day gal with her set of very human problems. The different worlds were delicious and the various alien characters were interesting to visualize. I poured through this book much faster then I would have liked...but my hands just kept turning the pages (despite the fact that I had to get up early the next morning). The only sad thing about this book is the wait I have to endure for her next one. I happen to be one of those pathetic beings that has pretty much read everything she has written. Keep up the good work, Ms. Tepper (And please hurry and write another one!! I can hardly wait!)