Norstrilia

Rod McBan, the 151st descendant with that name is a likeable boy, heir to the richest station on the Old North Australia planet. Norstrilia is the only galaxy wide source of the drug "stroon", which gives great longevity,addingthousands of years to life. To control population, at 16 young people are culled. If they are physically or mentally not up to standard, and in particular cant talk telepathically to others, they must be destroyed. Because of his powerful family and ownership of a huge stroon producing station, Rod has had 3 childhoods, but this is his last chance. He does manage to scrape throught the test but an enemy wants to kill him. Rod needs to leave Norstrilia, and with the help of an ancient military computer he corners the futures market in stroon, becomes fabulously rich and leaves for earth where everyone wants a piece of him. Cue adventures with the underpeople, (genetically modified hybrids of animals and humans, who are abused by spoiled humans), and the intervention of the Instrumentality, master manipulators of society, with their own agendas.

Its all very strange,amusing, lyrical, full of surprises and odd developments and unique worldbuilding. I was reminded of Alfred Bester's exuberant works, though Smith has a unique style of his own.