Mark Adlard's 1971 novel, "Interface" is the opening volume of his science fiction Tcity trilogy--a look at social engineering and evolution in the twenty-second century. The later volumes include "Volteface" in 1972 and "Multiface" in 1975.
Much of the story is located in a megacity referred to as Tcity, which is located in Northeast England between the Rivers Tees and Tyne.
Adlard takes a look at the weakness of a utopian while also making a powerful point of showing how this could also be a feasible reality if societies don't pay attention to the working of their government leaders. In addition, this world is caught up with a miracle material known as stahlex--similar to how our past generations were caught up with the developments of plastic and aluminum, to name but a few. But this unique material is the product of a corporation of the same name that has also been running Tcity and its people for years.
The novel's most involved character is Jan Caspol, who will continue to make appearances in the other two volumes of the trilogy. In "Interface" he is a mid-level manufacturing manager that comes to the increasing realization the good life of their utopian world has come with a cost to individual and collective creativity. Unfortunately, this consciousness comes when the ranks of the city dwellers begin fighting back for freedom from them utopian world.
Am really surprised this book and the others of the trilogy aren't popping up on SF "must read" lists. Adlard blends complex themes--and in some cases, he accurately predicts what's come--into a science fiction read that can easily stand along side works of "1984" and "Fahrenheit 451."
Found this jewel at Book Buyers on Lighthouse in Monterey, California (a family favorite for used books). They have a considerable science fiction collection that spans the years.
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