Status
Available
Call number
Collections
Publication
Eos (2000), Edition: 1st, Hardcover, 416 pages
Description
The bizarre events that have been occuring across the United States -- unexplained "oddities" tracked by Air Defense, mysterious disappearances, shocking deaths -- seem to have no bearing on Benita Alvarez-Shipton's life. That is, until the soft-spoken thirty-six-year-old bookstore manager is approached by a pair of aliens asking her to transmit their message of peace to the powers in Washington. An abused Albuquerque wife with low self-esteem, Benita has been chosen to act as the sole liaison between the human race and the Pistach, who have offered their human hosts a spectacular opportunity for knowledge and enrichment. But ultimately Benita will be called upon to do much more than deliver messages -- and may, in fact, be responsible for saving the Earth. Because the Pistach are not the only space-faring species currently making their presence known on her unsuspecting planet. And the others are not so benevolent.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member ScoLgo
The Fresco is a decent first-contact novel that is not up to the high standards of other Tepper titles I have read. There are some inventive concepts here and the main character is very likable. Despite the dire consequences for humanity, and the adversity the MC comes from, the tone of the writing
As far as stand-alone novels, The Gate to Women's Country or Six Moon Dance are both better places to start with Tepper's catalog. Both are brilliant while this novel is good.
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is often light. The plot also moves along at a good clip. Where it falls apart for me is the blatant socio-political commentary. Even though I personally agree with most all of the statements she makes, the delivery is just too heavy-handed and quickly becomes tiresome.As far as stand-alone novels, The Gate to Women's Country or Six Moon Dance are both better places to start with Tepper's catalog. Both are brilliant while this novel is good.
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LibraryThing member AltheaAnn
I’ve read quite a few of Sheri Tepper’s books. I usually consider them a guaranteed entertaining read; regardless of the author’s tendency to preach her spiritual/ecological agenda, and her tendency toward overwrought denouements. I can take that in stride, when balanced out by vivid
This one features none of Tepper’s strengths, and practically works as a showcase for all of her weaknesses. I think most of the problem here is that it’s set in present-day Earth, rather than a fantasy world. Usually Tepper is forced by her sci-fi settings to use metaphor to get her agenda across. Without that barrier, every single page of this book beats the reader over the head with Tepper’s political opinions. It also made me less than impressed with those opinions. When filtered through a fantastic allegory, I’ve usually felt that I agree with her (even if I don’t agree with the didacticism). I still don’t totally disagree, but the opinions in this book, applied directly to our own world, made her politics come across as overly simplistic and somewhat condescending.
Our heroine, Benita (that means “good” – get it!) is a minority woman escaping an abusive relationship. (Men! Bad!) Luckily, although disadvantaged in many ways, Benita works at a bookstore and has been able to self-educate herself (Education! Good!). Her employers are nice to her (Gay men! Good!). She has a son who’s a jerk and a daughter who’s nice. (Men BAD! Women GOOD!) Benita’s life really turns around, though, when she happens to meet a couple of aliens, members of the Pistach race, who ask her to be their representative to Our Leaders.
These aliens seem to just want to help Earth and help end our wars and ecological depredations, (Peace and Ecology GOOD!), and help us join a Galactic Federation. Unfortunately, they’re just one member of a complicated society out there in space, and some other alien species would rather use Earth as a hunting reserve. (Humans tasty!) Some self-centered right-wing politicians make a deal with other aliens that would give away our legal rights. (Right-wing BAD!) In order to defend Human Rights (to not be hunted as game), Earth will need the help of our new allies. Unfortunately, at a critical juncture, the Pistach have a social crisis of their own regarding religious and historical revelations. If it’s not resolved, they might descend into chaos and leave us to our fate. (Snacks!)
The way the crisis is resolved is absolutely INFURIATING (not to mention unrealistic, unbelievable, and dumb). Without creating any spoilers, I think I can say that Tepper comes out firmly on the side that believes that both truth and history should take a back seat to a political agenda, and that knowingly re-writing the past as lies is just fine and dandy if it serves her perceived ‘greater good.’ She dismisses the destruction of ancient historical artifacts with a blithe ‘they weren’t very well-crafted anyway.’ Myself, I believe in learning from history – even the most unpleasant aspects of it. I don’t believe in whitewashing the past or intentionally twisting facts. So I really did find this book quite personally offensive.
I also felt that it failed as far as what Tepper was trying to do. I couldn’t tell if it was supposed to be humorous or not. There certainly are many bits that seem to be intended as funny (the anti-abortionists being injected with alien fetuses; the middle-eastern women having an illusion of ugliness cast over them) but then it veers into over-earnestness. The tone wasn’t consistent or effective. Overall, it just wasn’t very good. At all. Disappointing.
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worldbuilding, unique and interesting settings and social extrapolation, and dramatic events that ofter veer toward the horrific. Lots of Tepper’s books have lots of that good stuff.This one features none of Tepper’s strengths, and practically works as a showcase for all of her weaknesses. I think most of the problem here is that it’s set in present-day Earth, rather than a fantasy world. Usually Tepper is forced by her sci-fi settings to use metaphor to get her agenda across. Without that barrier, every single page of this book beats the reader over the head with Tepper’s political opinions. It also made me less than impressed with those opinions. When filtered through a fantastic allegory, I’ve usually felt that I agree with her (even if I don’t agree with the didacticism). I still don’t totally disagree, but the opinions in this book, applied directly to our own world, made her politics come across as overly simplistic and somewhat condescending.
Our heroine, Benita (that means “good” – get it!) is a minority woman escaping an abusive relationship. (Men! Bad!) Luckily, although disadvantaged in many ways, Benita works at a bookstore and has been able to self-educate herself (Education! Good!). Her employers are nice to her (Gay men! Good!). She has a son who’s a jerk and a daughter who’s nice. (Men BAD! Women GOOD!) Benita’s life really turns around, though, when she happens to meet a couple of aliens, members of the Pistach race, who ask her to be their representative to Our Leaders.
These aliens seem to just want to help Earth and help end our wars and ecological depredations, (Peace and Ecology GOOD!), and help us join a Galactic Federation. Unfortunately, they’re just one member of a complicated society out there in space, and some other alien species would rather use Earth as a hunting reserve. (Humans tasty!) Some self-centered right-wing politicians make a deal with other aliens that would give away our legal rights. (Right-wing BAD!) In order to defend Human Rights (to not be hunted as game), Earth will need the help of our new allies. Unfortunately, at a critical juncture, the Pistach have a social crisis of their own regarding religious and historical revelations. If it’s not resolved, they might descend into chaos and leave us to our fate. (Snacks!)
The way the crisis is resolved is absolutely INFURIATING (not to mention unrealistic, unbelievable, and dumb). Without creating any spoilers, I think I can say that Tepper comes out firmly on the side that believes that both truth and history should take a back seat to a political agenda, and that knowingly re-writing the past as lies is just fine and dandy if it serves her perceived ‘greater good.’ She dismisses the destruction of ancient historical artifacts with a blithe ‘they weren’t very well-crafted anyway.’ Myself, I believe in learning from history – even the most unpleasant aspects of it. I don’t believe in whitewashing the past or intentionally twisting facts. So I really did find this book quite personally offensive.
I also felt that it failed as far as what Tepper was trying to do. I couldn’t tell if it was supposed to be humorous or not. There certainly are many bits that seem to be intended as funny (the anti-abortionists being injected with alien fetuses; the middle-eastern women having an illusion of ugliness cast over them) but then it veers into over-earnestness. The tone wasn’t consistent or effective. Overall, it just wasn’t very good. At all. Disappointing.
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LibraryThing member erinclark
This is one of my all time favorite books. I have bought several copies and given/lent them to friends. Gotta love those feminist aliens;)
LibraryThing member AZ_Dude
An abused housewife in Albuquerque meets two aliens when out in the forest. They ask her to represent them. Both she and the human race grow.
LibraryThing member CarnegieKid
Tepper's usual: potentially interesting premise, soapbox, blunt instrument. The protagonist, Benita, is presented as near-perfect, her only flaw that she is TOO kind, TOO helpful, TOO pure of heart. (Although as she tries to disappear with no links to her past, she pulls some boners that are
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blithely ignored.) Show Less
LibraryThing member sussabmax
This was a re-read, but enough time has passed that I had pretty much forgotten it. It was good, and I loved the universe that it postulates, but I can see how it has a lot of preachiness, and if you don't agree with her positions, it would seem very heavy-handed. I do agree, though, so I liked it,
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but it isn't Tepper's best work. Show Less
LibraryThing member draconismoi
This is the first book by Sheri Tepper I ever read.....and now I am hooked. Longer review to follow. When I have time (i.e. never or during finals week when I need to procrastinate).
LibraryThing member TadAD
Not my favorite Tepper book. I found the characters to be caricatures. Ms. Tepper's usual strong social messages seemed unusually heavy-handed this time out...they weren't overbearing, just clumsily delivered.
LibraryThing member Waianuhea
This is a damn fine book that I plan on reading again!
What if aliens came and achieved all the things that humans couldn't achieve for themselves? An end to violence in the Middle East, equal rights for women, an end to drug trafficking, an end to abuse (physical and sexual). And what if their
I love this book because it raises so many ethical questions (my favorite kind), many of them religious. Tepper is well-versed in everything she writes about: linguistics, religion, sociology, ethics, women's rights.
What if aliens came and achieved all the things that humans couldn't achieve for themselves? An end to violence in the Middle East, equal rights for women, an end to drug trafficking, an end to abuse (physical and sexual). And what if their
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chosen go-between to the Human Race was. . . a 36 year-old mother of 2 who's physically abused by her alcoholic husband?I love this book because it raises so many ethical questions (my favorite kind), many of them religious. Tepper is well-versed in everything she writes about: linguistics, religion, sociology, ethics, women's rights.
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LibraryThing member PLReader
The Fresco is an ecofemminist diatribe attempting to masquerade as science fiction.
LibraryThing member spbooks
Great read. Intelligent, fresh approach to aliens visiting earth with some provocative social commentary. Really enjoyed it.
LibraryThing member nmele
Tepper considers the origins of culture and moral behavior in a tale of first contact and interstellar politics and intrigue. Good read.
LibraryThing member nmele
I liked this book, about aliens contacting humanity through a self-educated middle-aged woman in a sometimes abusive marriage. A good story, it is also a reflection on how societies determine their values and how those values color reflection and interpretation of history and art.
LibraryThing member mirihawk
This is one of my favorite books of all time. I highly recommend it.
LibraryThing member DianaTixierHerald
Somehow I missed this when it came out in 2000. I loved that it looked at so many problems that are unfortunately still huge issues. I can't help but think Tepper was so underappreciated because of her feminism and care about the environment. Looking her up, I was shocked to see had won no Hugo or
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Nebula awards but she was writing when even more of a majority of folks voting for the awards were male. Show Less
Awards
John W. Campbell Memorial Award for Best Science Fiction Novel (Finalist — 2001)
Otherwise Award (Shortlist — 2001)
Locus Recommended Reading (2000)
Language
Original publication date
2000
Physical description
416 p.; 9.21 inches
ISBN
0380978792 / 9780380978793
Local notes
OCLC = 787
Google Books
Google Books