The Folk of the Fringe

by Orson Scott Card
The Folk of the Fringe cover
Good Books rating 2.83
Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic
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  • ID: 6436
  • Added: 2025-11-16
  • Updated: 2025-11-16
  • ISBN: 9781429966535
  • Publisher: Orb Books
  • Published: 2010-04-01
  • Reviews: 3

Orson Scott Card's 'The Folk of the Fringe' depicts a world ravaged by biological and cultural weapons, where the remnants of Utah, Colorado, and Idaho form the state of Deseret. Amidst climate change and a transformed landscape, hardworking pioneers strive to reclaim the desert and rebuild their society. The novel explores the themes of resilience, community, and the power of individual efforts in renewing a nation. It highlights the struggles and triumphs of those on the fringes, working together to create a new America from the ashes of the old. Published without DRM, this classic science fiction novel delves into the complexities of post-apocalyptic survival and the cultural shifts that accompany such a drastic change. The story emphasizes the importance of individual actions in shaping the future, offering a hopeful yet realistic portrayal of rebuilding civilization.

Reviews
Trumpetville - WordPress · 2025-03-12
disappointing 2.50

The book is not bad, but it falls short of the high expectations set by Orson Scott Card's other works. It's a disappointing read for a fan of the author.

This reviewer has high expectations for Orson Scott Card, given his impressive body of work. Unfortunately, 'The Folk of the Fringe' does not meet those expectations. The reviewer finds the book to be a disappointment, lacking the depth and engagement of Card's other works. While it's not a bad book, it's clear that the reviewer was hoping for more. The stories in the collection are set in a post-apocalyptic world, but they fail to capture the same level of intrigue and excitement as Card's other works.

Quick quotes

    This is not a bad book, but over the years I've come to expect a lot from Orson Scott Card and this is the first time that he's disappointed me.

    The stories are set in a post-apocalyptic America, but they lack the depth and engagement of Card's other works.

    It's a disappointing read for a fan of the author, as it fails to meet the high expectations set by his other works.

Association of Mormon Letters · Liz Busby · 2022-09-16
touching 4.00

The book is touching, and it's notable that even an acclaimed author like Orson Scott Card experiences impostor syndrome. The collection highlights the struggles of outsiders in a post-apocalyptic world.

This review highlights the emotional depth of the book, noting that it's more touching than one might expect. The reviewer points out that even a highly successful author like Orson Scott Card can feel like an impostor, which adds a layer of relatability to the collection. The stories in 'The Folk of the Fringe' focus on the struggles of outsiders in a post-apocalyptic world, exploring themes of survival and acceptance. The reviewer appreciates the raw and honest portrayal of these themes, making the book a compelling read.

Quick quotes

    It's more touching than the book itself, seeing that even someone who's won the Hugo and Nebula multiple times has the impostor syndrome that many of us feel.

    The stories are set in a post-apocalyptic America, reminiscent of other works in the genre, but with a unique focus on the struggles of outsiders.

    The collection highlights the resilience and determination of those who are often marginalized, making it a powerful and thought-provoking read.

Goodreads · 1989-01-01
boring 2.00

The book starts strong but becomes slow and boring. It's an easy read, but it lacks the depth and engagement of other works in the genre.

This reviewer found 'The Folk of the Fringe' to be a mixed bag. The book starts out strong, with an engaging premise and interesting characters. However, it quickly becomes slow and boring, failing to maintain the initial momentum. The reviewer notes that the book is an easy read, but it lacks the depth and engagement of other works in the genre. The stories in the collection explore the struggles of a small religious group in a post-apocalyptic world, but they fail to capture the same level of intrigue and excitement as other works in the genre.

Quick quotes

    This book started out good but then got slow and relatively boring in my opinion.

    I had no problems reading the story and being able to incorporate the LDS culture, but it's not the best place to start exploring that culture.

    It's an easy read, but it lacks the depth and engagement of other works in the genre.

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