The Fresco (Gollancz S.F.) [Paperback]

The Fresco is a strong novel of alien first contact, driven by Tepper's trademark anger at the violence, oppression and stupidity she sees in our modern world. The Pistach are aliens belonging to a Confederation of intelligent peoples. They make first contact with an ordinary woman, Benita Alvarez, who becomes their intermediary with the US government. They explain that humanity must become neighbourly, otherwise we will be left to the mercy of predator species who like to hunt intelligent life for food. Some predators are already attempting to forge an alliance with military and political opposition leaders in the US. The Pistach believe it is their destiny to help other species achieve neighbourliness, as laid out in the sacred images of the revered Fresco on their homeworld, and so they begin to intervene in human affairs to reduce violence and misery. Tepper's imagination has run riot in finding interventionist ways to tackle drugs, violence, the oppression of women and religious intolerance. She has a robust and unfashionable take on the balance between personal freedom and social responsibility, and this is not a glib or easy read. The book is at times a little preachy, but the characters are strong, the Pistach are believable, and many of their interventions are very funny as well as appropriate. Nor are they as all-powerful as they seem at first. This is a thought-provoking, complex and satisfying read. --Elizabeth Sourbut --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Aliens visit Earth to see if humankind is ethical, moral and neighbourly enough to join an interstellar federation of right-minded beings . . . but other alien races have more basic intentions towards man. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Benita Alvarez, a downtrodden Hispanic woman, is chosen by alien envoys to be the Intermediary in their bid to get humankind to join an interstellar federation of peaceable races who practise Neighbourliness and strive to live ethical and moral lives. But other alien races have their own plans for the verdant, over-populated planet and they have chosen their own contact: a down-and-dirty government Senator. They don't want mankind to join the Federation, though: they just want hunting rights of Earth - hunting rights on man . . .

SALES POINTS Sheri Tepper at her thought-provoking, funny and entertaining best 'Tepper has lodged firmly on a pinnacle of excellence' Kirkus 'As funny as anything ever written by Douglas Adams' Starburst 'Sheri S Tepper takes the mental risks that are the lifeblood of science fiction and all imaginative narrative' Ursula K. Le Guin