Ward Moore Ordre des livres (chronologique)

Alternative cover edition can be found here. Hodge Backmaker lives in twentieth century New York, a city of cobblestones, gas lamps, and ten-storey skyscrapers. In his world, the Confederate South won its independence in the Civil War and North America is divided, with slavery and serfdom still facts of life in the Confederacy and New York a provincial backwater. Bring the Jubilee stands alongside Pavane as science fiction's finest explorations of alternative history.

It finally happened. The medical establishment has taken over the civilized world. Orwell's Big Brother is a doctor, and there is a prescription for everyone...usually thanatization or "modification." The all-powerful high court of Medics will decide. The primitive operations and drugs of an earlier culture have been replaced by more sophisticated methods and controls.The population at large, described as Patients, willingly observe the codes of behaviour set by the ruling Medics. It is a strange and cold world, still evolving from the devastation of ancient bacteria aerosols. All that is visible, from architecture to transportation, has been newly created by the Medical technologist. The minds and bodies of the citizens are on "hold." Nothing must encroach on the Public Health. Every facet of life has been measured and made safe.But there are a few escapees, dissidents, deviants. The "Abnormals." This is the story of three of them.