The Great Confederation of Argos

Early 21st-century Earth undergoes a peculiar form of alien invasion in this first novel by Frenchman Rozannes to appear stateside: every woman on the planet between the ages of 10 and 90 becomes pregnant. In fact, this is no invasion but a political maneuver by a faction within the interstellar Confederation of Argos, trying to end their society's 12,000 years of static existence that has arisen from compulsory longevity, assigned work and universal telepathy that has virtually eliminated individuality. Eventually, the pregnant women give birth to silvery spheres that grow into transportation devices by which scientists, then other humans, travel to the stars and overthrow the old Confederation. Rozannes handles this plot with skill and wit, and his European perspective on the future adds novelty for American readers. The narrative falls short in rich characters and technologies, however, devoting too many pages to plot exposition. This is the rare book that's too short; curbed by its brevity, it winds up not as enthralling social commentary but as a distinctly interesting failure. (Sept.)