Manalone by Colin Kapp (book review).
A book often sells by its title. In science fiction, there is some latitude to use unusual title hooks to make you want to look inside and read. In Colin Kapp’s 1977 novel, what does ‘Manalone’ stand for? The contents hint that ‘Manalone’ is a contraction of ‘Man Alone’, but in reality, it is the forename of the main character. He lives in a dystopia not far removed from 1984’. You get to witness his life in a futuristic London, where common items have their names replaced to remind you that it is the future.
Manalone is a specialist computer programmer by trade; however, considering that this book was written before our own computer revolution, you might not recognize the type of programming he actually performs, even though it appears he fixes bugs in programs. Additionally, his profession classifies him as a risk-taker, known for his willingness to take risks. Classified alongside other chancers, he attracts the scrutiny of the ruling United Technocrats and their menacing MIPS enforcers, whom he learns are under the control of the Masterthinkers. Furthermore, when a journalist friend, Paul Raper, is assassinated in front of him and later reported in the news as dying in a car accident, Manalone realizes he is likely to be targeted, but he must decipher the clues provided.
They do so in a big way, with chief MIP Colonel Sharpes telling him, After Manalone finds another connection dying in front of him, he’s now untouchable. The consequences of this situation include Manalone losing his job, his bank card becoming invalid, and his wife abandoning him. The mechanized world resembles our current reality, minus the secret police. Seeing it here, I think you would hesitate in having a cash-free environment. Manalone survives through various connections, but he’s now after the masterthinkers who are really running the country.
Without revealing too much, I was able to identify the location before the conclusion. A film adaptation would undoubtedly be effective. Each of Colin Kapp’s books takes a unique turn, a style I personally adopt. His portrayal of a totalitarian society mirrors it, albeit to a lesser extent than the declining intellectual capacity of the populace. The challenge in establishing any reality lies in comparing it to our own, a crucial aspect that he fails to address. It’s not as if he lacked the necessary space to carry out the task effectively. As the book was released in 1977, and he’s long gone, I doubt that will make it any different. It is worth looking at ‘Manalone’ and a reminder that there are always heroes in any reality.
GF Willmetts
October 2024
(pub: Panther, 1977. 197 page paperback. Price: varies. ISBN: 586-04234-2)
