Super-State: A Novel of a Future Europe [Paperback]

Brian Aldiss is one of the most influential - and one of the best - SF writers Britain has ever produced (Iain Banks )

Black, bitter and darkly unforgiving, this is classic Aldiss (The GUARDIAN )

Unlike many satirists, Aldiss does not run out of steam, producing a finale which is as provocative as it is unexpected. Super-State is a rarity: a book remembered not for characters or plot but rather for its funny, committed engagement with the issues of this day and its tomorrow (SYDNEY Morning HERALD )

Expansive, speculative fiction (ZONE-SF.COM )

Brian Aldiss is one of the most influential - and one of the best - SF writers Britain has ever produced Iain Banks Black, bitter and darkly unforgiving, this is classic Aldiss The GUARDIAN Unlike many satirists, Aldiss does not run out of steam, producing a finale which is as provocative as it is unexpected. Super-State is a rarity: a book remembered not for characters or plot but rather for its funny, committed engagement with the issues of this day and its tomorrow SYDNEY Morning HERALD Expansive, speculative fiction ZONE-SF.COM

'Full of widsom lacking from even the most percipient works of younger authors'

SUPER-STATE is probably Aldiss's funniest, darkest novel to date, yet deals with the deepest fears and questions of our world.

SUPER-STATE is Europe in a mere 40 years' time, where men and women are much like us, but despite technological advancement the basic questions of life have yet to be answered by either philosophers or scientists. The comedy emerges from human behaviour - as does the tragedy. While many go their own moderately sweet way, Britain and Europe are bedevilled by global warming and war with an external enemy.

With cool wit, Aldiss shows us what might happen as Europe expands and Britain and Ireland shrink. Better times seem, as always, to be on the way, but a subversive group calling themselves the 'Insanatics' is sending out doleful messages to worry and provoke the population. Androids, too, prove nothing but a nuisance, and are generally kept locked in the cupboard. However, life goes on as usual - except for the crew of an expedition to another planet. But the least said about that the better.

Brian Aldiss was born in and exiled from East Dereham in Norfolk in 1925 and is one of the doyens of science fiction both as a writer and critic. He is also an accomplished memoirist (THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE; THE HAND-REARED BOY, etc).