Matlock's System (U) (Ulverscroft Large Print Series) - Hardcover

Hill, Reginald

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0708937926 ISBN 13: 9780708937921

Publisher: Ulverscroft, 1997

Synopsis

A compelling futuristic tale from this award-winning writer. 'One of Britain's consistently excellent crime novelists.' - THE TIMES In Matthew Matlock's England, the population explosion has been controlled; on Budget Day, the national Expectation of Life is regulated according to what the economy can bear. Matlock introduced the system. Now, forty years later, he is fighting desperately against it, with little support. But suddenly, inexplicably, he finds he has become important - to the Prime Minister, to the Scottish Ambassador, and to the head of a sect called The Meek. He discovers nothing is constant, not even the most basic of principles and relationships. Sometimes it's even difficult to tell the living from the dead...

About this title

About the Author

Rudolf Steiner became a respected and well-published scientific, literary, and philosophical scholar. He developed his earlier philosophical principles into an approach to methodical research of psychological and spiritual phenomena that has led to innovative and holistic approaches in medicine, philosophy, religion, education, science, agriculture, and the arts. He founded the General Anthroposophical Society, which has branches throughout the world.

From Publishers Weekly

Originally published in England in 1973 as The Heartclock, by Dick Morland, this speculative novel is an early departure from the Dalziel and Pascoe crime novels for which Hill (The Wood Beyond) has become well known. In a country wracked by overpopulation, a teetering economy is sustained by severely regulating the population. Matt Matlock was the original sponsor of the bill that became the "Age Law," requiring all English citizens to have a device installed in their hearts that will kill them when they reach 75, the current EOL, "Expectation of Life." Now that Matlock has reached the age of 69, however, he's having more than a few second thoughts about his draconian solution. Apparently, so are some others in high places, and they're all eager to get Matlock on their side as a persuasive figurehead. Although the thin futuristic veneer provided by hovercars and radio-telephones can't disguise this novel as serious SF, its strengths echo those of Hill's much better mysteries: a convoluted plot and twisty intrigue, and a main character as independent and intelligent as he is determined to succeed.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Ulverscroft
• Publication date: 1997
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0708937926
• ISBN 13: 9780708937921
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 400