Reviews

The Fresco by Sheri S. Tepper

whatulysses's review

2.0

Not enthralled, not impressed. So many people have recommended Tepper to me that this makes me sad/confused. Are there other books of hers I should read? Send rescue.

pricklybriar's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

What the heck did I just read?

corymojojojo's review against another edition

4.0

Really funny book. This is by no means Tepper’s best work or her best writing, but it was so unlike any of the other books I’ve read that it was a nice change of pace. “The Fresco” basically depicts a feminist wish fulfillment scenario in which first contact is made with aliens and they solve all the world’s problems. Many of the solutions the aliens had were based on dated ideas of feminism and leaned a bit too harsh on the Middle East while being a bit too easy on Americans, but regardless I still enjoyed seeing what they’d come up with. By the end I was actually surprised at how creative the different alien cultures were, even if their physiologies weren’t particularly out there. There were a few shining moments in this book though that really struck me and I have a feeling I’ll be thinking about it for awhile; some interesting ideas to ponder on religion and American culture in this otherwise silly story.

whippycleric's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I honestly didn't expect much from this book but it was absolutely brilliant. It got started quickly and by the end of the 2nd chapter I knew it would be a fun read. I didn't forsee the end of the main plot line at all and even the prologue I found surprising, but it left physically smiling as I read the last few pages in a way few other books have. It's funny, poignent, and though clearly written from an American "left wing" perspective the ideas mostly would be considered centre in most of Europe. I didn't find it particularly preachy and the idea that implementing solutions to problems would require a force from outside the current political sphere seems pretty reasonable. Another critic has said that it somes across more Ayn Rand than Vonnegut, and whilst the book doesn't preach individualism it doesn't exactly rally against collectivism like Rand, I would say it's somewhere between the 2 styles and I honestly love both Anthem and Cats Cradle anyway. I would highly recommend this book to anyone, and if you enjoy Sci Fi I'd recommend it even more. The science fiction is used as way to examine the human condition perfectly. 

liesvanrompaey's review

3.0

Interesting ideas, but at times the story is really ridiculous.

tyrshand's review

3.0

This is a very hard book to rate. I really enjoyed the book immensely. However... More than a story, it's a thought experiment about what would make the world a better place. A lot of it just has to be taken on faith that things would work that way and, for me, that cuts down on how much I would recommend the book to other people. If you are of the right mindset you'll have a lot of fun with this for sure, though! Much of the writing is just wonderful.

tsoutham's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring reflective

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Did you ever wonder what it would be like if the most conservative people had to abide by their own morals? Where do our own morals come from? Where are they recorded? How do we discuss them.  All of these questions and more will be answered in this book.

I am glad Sheri Tepper not only survived a terrible childhood but met the adult world head on with her aims to do better. In her work, marraiges, and with her children she sought to change the world. She certainly gives us something to think about, again, in one of her last books before she died.  

tardigrade_in_retrograde's review

3.0

It was a good book , but not one of her best.

blurhima's review

2.0

Neat story idea, possibly interesting characters...but along the way I feel like she's dropping Anvils of Obvious on my head to make her point. Got through half of it and decided to find something more fun to read.

steveinadelaide's review

4.0

A very intriguing utopian novel with some provocative social commentary. Really enjoyed it!