Rating: 
Summary: A Great Book!
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: A waste of time
Review: I read a lot of stories written by Sheri Tepper, all of them ranging from good to excellent, but this one made me sick! Unrealistic, a mixture of all kinds of standard SciFi / Fantasy elements tied together by a story without any highlights soaked with morale... really not a book the world was waiting for! sorry for every tree that has been cut to serve as paper for this "book"
Rating:
Summary: Stunning, rather....
Review: This lady is an extremely enjoyable writer. In The Family Tree she leads you gently yet openly down the garden path, tells you she is doing so, then promptly pulls the ground out from beneath you. She then proceeds to help you up, brush you off.... and do it again. An enjoyably sneaky way of putting her views across in yet another format. My only problem (and this is the hallmark of a great book IMHO) is that it ended too soon.
Rating:
Summary: The best way I ever spent a rainy weekend!
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent story, passionate social-political message
Review: Another great story from Tepper, also woven beautifully from her favorite sociopolitical tinker-toys: feminism, social darwinism, environmentalism, human conduct. While slow in parts, the story is strong, the characters are engaging, the examination of social problems interesting and robust, the rollercoaster ride exhilerating. I highly recommend this book, and all of Tepper's works, to readers who enjoy storytelling with real meat to it.
Rating: 
Summary: Couldn't get through it
Review: I have enjoyed every other story I've read that was written by Sheri Tepper and expected this to be no exception. But, unfortunately, I couldn't get through it and ended up putting it down about halfway through. I was fascinated and delighted with Dora's side of the story and thought I had an idea where it was going, but I cared nothing for the parallel story. I tried skipping those chapters that dealt with the gypsy-like family, understanding that I would be missing part of the story, but then the two separate stories ended up merging and I couldn't read any further.After reading some of the other glowing reviews, I may try again at a later date, but it won't be anytime soon.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant - all I expect from Tepper and more
Review: A must read! The twist mentioned by previous readers is brilliant and mocks our tendency to make erroneous assumptions based on dogmatic preconceptions. The characters are richly developed and the plot is fascinating. I will definitely be re-reading this.
Rating:
Summary: GREAT STORYTELLING (with a small but)
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Difficult to swallow
Review: The author believes humanity can be wiped out in the name of nature, but not a single tree can be cut in the name of humanity. Now you can read the book without the blinders on. I found both the premise and theme to be laughably absurd. The surprise identity of the characters from the future was a unique and wonderful twist (thus earning the book a second star), but the concluding merciless debasement of humanity was overbearing and left me sick. Never before have mass murderers (who nearly wipe us into extinction in hopes of lessening our evil interference with grass, trees and the like) been held in such regard as heroes of a novel. At least I hope not...
Rating:
Summary: Fun to read.
Review: The Family Tree was recommended by a friend who said I would love the book. She was right! This book was fun, fun, fun to read. I liked the flip flopping back and forth between the two time eras. I loved the contrast between the technology and the lack of technology in the future. I liked and enjoyed the characters. The character development was just enough, not too much not too little. I read this book a second time about one year after the first reading and enjoyed it even more. Teppers subtle humor was even more evident.
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