# Mating center

By Frank Belknap Long.

"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. (Summary by Project Gutenberg, written by machine.)

- Language: English
- Subjects: Science fiction; Man-woman relationships -- Fiction; Dystopias -- Fiction; Revolutions -- Fiction; Eugenics -- Fiction; Sex -- Fiction

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From Project Gutenberg. Public domain in the United States.