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.