Classic Science Fiction discussion

I've heard some good things about this book but haven't gotten around to reading it. Any thoughts on it? Such as why should one read it?

Lot of years since I read it. I remember it as very much of its time. Remember that when it was written Europe was still struggling to climb out of the chaos left by WW2 and the idea of a country slipping into anarchy was all too easily believed.
I remember it as a good story well told. For an American I'd recommend it because it is very English

Thanks. How were the Sf components?

Now then it's thirty or more years since I've read it.
You have genetically engineered plants, and people trying to cope with them using 1950s technology. The book is effectively set in the time it's written, there's no spaceflight or suchlike

Sounds like it's a near-future (for the 1950s) setting.

Yes, perhaps one of the early 'man will destroy civilisation by accident' stories.