Sex Life.

by A. A. Clifford Hardbooks, March 2003 $13.95, ISBN 0-972-48040-4

In this futuristic world of over regulation and government intervention into every area of daily life, Joe, a resident of First City, knows instinctively that something isn't right. He, like the rest of the citizens, have had their sexual freedoms taken away after the introduction of an ominous disease, CMB, which kills the mind's ability to feel pleasure during sex. It seems the only way to keep CMB at bay is to have sex at least five times daily, which some employers encourage by having rooms for sexual release on the premises.

As a bachelor, Joe is permitted to have sex with as many women as he wants and as often as he wants. He must never have sex with the same woman twice. Working as a clinical philosopher for one of the world's largest corporations, he enjoys privileges that few of the citizens have, but despite this grand life, he feels a nagging emptiness. When Joe meets Vella, he risks going against the society's rigid rules.

This novel, a part of a trilogy, sets forth an intriguing context of man's constant struggle to remain human in a world bent on quieting dissent and individuality through the power of technology and media control. Clifford, the pen name of noted director-author Gary Hardwick (Deliver Us From Eva), concocts an intricate, powerful plot that understands this battle very well and works hard to pass that message along to the reader: This is a memorable work.

Robert Fleming is the author of the recently published Havoc After Dark: Tales of Terror.