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** 'Brian Aldiss is one of the most influential - and one of the best - SF writers Britain has ever produced' - Iain M. Banks. ** 'Witty and satirical'. - The Times ** 'Full of wisdom lacking from even the most percipient works of younger authors'.- SFX ** 'Black, bitter and darkly unforgiving, this is classic Aldiss' - 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
Brian Aldiss seemed to have lost that white-hot fire of inspiration that powered his early books, so it's nice to report that Super-State is a welcome return to form. In fact, it may be his funniest, darkest novel to date, despite dealing with the deepest fears of modern life. The eponymous state is Europe 40 years hence, where men and women are much like us, but (despite technological advancement) the basic questions of life have yet to be answered. The comedy here 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 to be on the way, but a subversive group calling themselves the 'Insanatics' is sending out doleful messages to worry the population. While the plotting is as sharp and involving as ever, Aldiss never neglects his characters, so the amazing (but plausible) narrative is always engaging with strongly-realized individuals anchoring events. Brian Aldiss remains one of the keenest talents on the British landscape, always keenly aware of the political element that is the mainspring of so much fine SF, and constantly wrong-footing the reader. The glory days of Hot House et al may be gone, but the Aldiss fireworks display can still knock your eyes out. (Kirkus UK)
THE GUARDIAN
'Black, bitter and darkly unforgiving, this is classic Aldiss'
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** 'Brian Aldiss is one of the most influential - and one of the best - SF writers Britain has ever produced' - Iain M. Banks. ** 'Witty and satirical'. - The Times ** 'Full of wisdom lacking from even the most percipient works of younger authors'.- SFX ** 'Black, bitter and darkly unforgiving, this is classic Aldiss' - 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
Brian Aldiss seemed to have lost that white-hot fire of inspiration that powered his early books, so it's nice to report that Super-State is a welcome return to form. In fact, it may be his funniest, darkest novel to date, despite dealing with the deepest fears of modern life. The eponymous state is Europe 40 years hence, where men and women are much like us, but (despite technological advancement) the basic questions of life have yet to be answered. The comedy here 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 to be on the way, but a subversive group calling themselves the 'Insanatics' is sending out doleful messages to worry the population. While the plotting is as sharp and involving as ever, Aldiss never neglects his characters, so the amazing (but plausible) narrative is always engaging with strongly-realized individuals anchoring events. Brian Aldiss remains one of the keenest talents on the British landscape, always keenly aware of the political element that is the mainspring of so much fine SF, and constantly wrong-footing the reader. The glory days of Hot House et al may be gone, but the Aldiss fireworks display can still knock your eyes out. (Kirkus UK)
THE GUARDIAN
'Black, bitter and darkly unforgiving, this is classic Aldiss'
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