This book is an amazing view of a possible future Earth set in Australia.
First published in the late 1980's by a writer who started writing science fiction/social commentary in his sixties and ended up being considered one of Australia's best s/f authors.
The author provides a possible scenario involving over population issues in conflict with global warming where 90@ of the population are un-employed/un-employable who live crammed into small apartments within massive housing projects built when the state economy still functioned sufficiently to provide the funds for projects of this size.
That is the "where". The "when" is somewhat later in the timeline....when the state no longer has the funds to provide the support to such a huge non - productive population and when these same masses are forced into poverty and probable extinction.
A really great look at the human condition - our built-in survival instincts and our built-in blinders to our own ultimate self-destruction.
I believe that this book has an important message even 25+ plus years after first publication. In context, If you have read either of John Brunner's two best works - "Stand on Zanzibar" or "The Sheep Look Up" (his best in my own estimation), you will very likely enjoy this novel very much.
First published in the late 1980's by a writer who started writing science fiction/social commentary in his sixties and ended up being considered one of Australia's best s/f authors.
The author provides a possible scenario involving over population issues in conflict with global warming where 90@ of the population are un-employed/un-employable who live crammed into small apartments within massive housing projects built when the state economy still functioned sufficiently to provide the funds for projects of this size.
That is the "where". The "when" is somewhat later in the timeline....when the state no longer has the funds to provide the support to such a huge non - productive population and when these same masses are forced into poverty and probable extinction.
A really great look at the human condition - our built-in survival instincts and our built-in blinders to our own ultimate self-destruction.
I believe that this book has an important message even 25+ plus years after first publication. In context, If you have read either of John Brunner's two best works - "Stand on Zanzibar" or "The Sheep Look Up" (his best in my own estimation), you will very likely enjoy this novel very much.
It's astonishing to me that few people have heard of George Turner and fewer have read "Drowning Towers" which is, in my opinion, one of the best science fiction novels written in the last 25 years.
The characters are so well drawn, there is great suspense, a completely satisfying read. I urge science fiction fans to give it a chance.
The characters are so well drawn, there is great suspense, a completely satisfying read. I urge science fiction fans to give it a chance.
