Inter Ice Age 4

Inter Ice Age 4 explores the edge of psychological sf. The central character is Dr. Katsumi, a scientist who creates an AI computer capable of predicting the future, in imitation of a successful Soviet model. As he gets closer to his objective, the government begins putting up obstacles. He’s no longer allowed to test political questions on his machine, but when he tries to develop questions acceptable to the committee overseeing his research, it turns out everything is connected to politics. He decides to reduce the scale of his research. He’ll focus on a single human instead. He goes out with his assistant to choose a suitable subject. Later, they’re surprised to learn the chosen subject has been murdered. This pulls Katsumi unwillingly into a conspiracy that involves genetic engineering on a massive scale.
This novel is surprisingly fresh for one from 1958. The topics covered–AI computers, genetic engineering & global warming–are all current. The story spirals to a tense conclusion. The story also has a strong psychological edge. It explores the difference between what one wants to & has to do. Also, it brings up a lot a questions about the nature of the future. Can people in the present judge the future? Abe argues that the future cannot be judged. Who could say whether the people from the past would consider our present a heaven or a hell? Only the present can judge the past, not vice versa.–T. Hooper (edited)