Summary:
"The Mating Center" by Frank Belknap Long is a science fiction novel written in the early 1960s. The book explores a dystopian society where love and sexual attraction have been suppressed through biological manipulation and societal control, leaving only a select few "sex-privileged" individuals allowed to reproduce. The narrative follows the experiences of Teleman, a non-sex-privileged construction worker, as he grapples with newfound desires and uncovers the rebellion against this restrictive regime. The opening of "The Mating Center" introduces a highly controlled society that views love as a biological function stripped of emotional significance. Teleman experiences an unexplainable stir of desire as he encounters a beautiful woman, leading to a provocative interaction that hints at a breakdown in societal norms. As a monologue at a public gathering reveals the ruling caste's oppressive views toward passionate relationships, a bold female character stands up, expressing her refusal to conform. Tensions escalate as Teleman meets this woman and grapples with his suppressed instincts, setting the stage for the struggle against a system that punishes those who dare to embrace love and desire. (This is an automatically generated summary.)