The worst part is that the resolution is exactly what any decent reader suspected all along. This is okay in the sense that it is tidy and the structure of the novel suits. However, now it feels like the whole thing was a bit of a waste and maybe could have just been a short story.

I like reading Brunner novels. I think he was a very good writer. This novel still has a lot of merit to it. However, its just such a fail in terms of reality, it almost feels like Brunner was hand-waving at things. Well, if you are only going to be dismissive of problems – do not attempt to tackle them and bring them in as the major elements of your story! I cannot understand what happened here, other than to give some credit to Brunner for the oddness of it all. Brunner fans only. ( )

"Mister, we just want you to know, that's all. You robbed us blind! You took the kicks out of life - no Coke, no candy, no cars any more. An' we just want you to know - we don't care."

Written in the 1960s, this book is set in the 21st Century when overpopulation has lead to the collapse of national governments. The UN are now in charge and distribute the earth's increasingly scarce resources, ensuring that everyone has just about enough, but no-one has luxuries. This doesn’t go down well in formerly rich countries like the USA, whose teenagers resent the fact that they don't have the same things their parents did when they were young.

Greville is a narcotics officer with the UN, who is investigating a new drug called happy dreams, which doesn't follow the pattern of other illegal drugs. The price is strangely stable, being $5 for your first hit and $2 thereafter, so addicts don’t need to steal to fund their habit. After a year or so on the drug addicts lose interest in life, spending most of their time dozing, and rumour has it that eventually they just disappear, although the narcotics squad believes that they just lose contact with their family and friends.

Interesting, but slightly spoilt for me by the grumpy bad-tempered protagonist. ( )

Written in 1963, this book is amazingly prescient about the effect of drugs on the 60s generation. Its bleak picture of an over-populated world is just starting to appear. The plot moves along, and there's an interesting twist at the end. Unfortunately the cover blurb on my cover spoiled a good bit of the suspense. The book isn't really profound, but it's an entertaining read. ( )

Another flyweight Brunner early effort. Avoid. ( )