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A masterful evocation of the future of nationhood and technology from the master of British science fiction. A stunning new edition of a modern classic.‘The titan of science fiction.’– TelegraphForty years has passed and ‘Europe’ now refers to vast swathes of the Earth: a unified super-state that has just enacted a successful space mission, landing people on Jupiter’s Moon and spurring the people at home to look at their lives and what they’ve made of the world.Global warming ravages the planet, where shrunken coasts endure huge tidal attacks while inland ideological wars continue. Technology has advanced to the point where androids assist with menial work – but are conscious enough to be baffled by humanity’s weaknesses. So much is different but very little has changed.Told through a network of relatives, lovers, friends, a president (and those sent to assassinate him), Super-State looks to the future while exploring the most timeless human challenges with huge wit and precision. A satire skewering best intentions and cynicism alike, written at the start of the new Millennium by the master of British Science Fiction.
In a future where a unified European super-state dominates the globe, the success of a historic space mission to Jupiter’s moon forces a fractured society to confront its own internal decay. The narrative follows a sprawling cast of characters—including lovers, relatives, and political figures—as they navigate a world defined by environmental collapse and the presence of sentient androids. These individuals must reconcile their personal desires with the rigid, often absurd, ideological constraints of a global government. The story employs a multi-perspective framework to examine how technological advancement fails to resolve the fundamental flaws of human nature.
This work is characterized by the author's signature blend of intellectual rigor and biting social commentary. The narrative structure suggests a deliberate attempt to mirror the complexity of a globalized society through the eyes of diverse, often conflicted individuals. Readers likely find the depiction of a future Europe both unsettling and familiar, as the text prioritizes thematic depth over traditional linear progression. The prose reflects a cynical yet precise observation of human behavior, positioning the book as a significant entry in the tradition of speculative political satire.
Page Count:
200
Publication Date:
2021-03-18
Publisher:
HarperVoyager
ISBN-10:
0007482523
ISBN-13:
9780007482528
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