Great anticipation

From the first chapter, where Charles Mattern discover a Venusian its Monad, one wonders that Charles wants to convince as the happiness of its inhabitants him or visitor? The discomfort is palpable quickly, rules, informal, are numerous. For example sexual freedom is so only up to a point. The monad which has 1,000 floors, is divided into named (Shanghai, Boston, Louisville) of dozens of stories. At night, the men leave for night walks, to make love with women or men. None has the right to refuse. Similarly, it is not forbidden, but frowned upon to go out to meet people in other cities.
Silverberg analysis and denounces in this captivating book the different currents of thought of 60/70 and possible drifts. He demonstrates that every society needs rules, and that the freedoms can quickly turn into obigations. Some characters want to know something else, feel oppressed by this confined space that is the Monad. Micael will leave several days to explore the outside world, a wonder that will not stop him to go Monad 116, where it will be promptly condemned as anomo. Sigmund, feeling increasingly disconnected from the demands of its society, rather than endure the psychological rehabilitation required for his condition, determine its own end.
Happiness at any price is definitely not a panacea!