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The Chrysalids

By John Wyndham
Series: Penguin Essentials
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3.93 goodreads logo

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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
i>The Chrysalids by John Wyndham is a thought-provoking science fiction novel set in a post-apocalyptic world where a strict religious society seeks to maintain genetic purity. The story follows a young boy named David, who possesses telepathic abilities, as he navigates the oppression of his community and discovers others like him. The narrative explores themes of conformity, fear, and the struggle for acceptance in an intolerant world.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you enjoy classic science fiction that explores themes of conformity, fear of the unknown, and societal change. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, it examines the struggles of individuals who are seen as different, prompting readers to reflect on the nature of humanity and acceptance. The intriguing narrative and richly developed characters provide a thought-provoking and memorable reading experience.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The Chrysalids, John Wyndham's classic science fiction novel, is published as an Essential for the first time.

David Strorm's father disapproves of Angus Morton's unusually large horses, calling them blasphemies against nature. Little does he realise that his own son, his niece Rosalind, and their friends harbour their own secret aberration that would label them as mutants.

As David and Rosalind grow older, it becomes increasingly difficult to conceal their differences from the village elders. Soon they must face a choice: wait for eventual discovery or flee to the terrifying and mutable Badlands.

The Chrysalids is a post-nuclear story of genetic mutation in a devastated world, exploring the lengths the intolerant will go to in order to keep themselves pure.

Series: Penguin Essentials

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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Chrysalids by John Wyndham is praised for its compelling readability and intelligent narrative. The book maintains a fresh and unexpectedly disturbing quality, highlighted by its perfect timing and astringent humour.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780241983928

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 07 June 2018

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Books Ltd

Contributors:

  • Introduction by M. John Harrison
  • Introduction by M. John Harrison

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 14.0mm

Width: 112.0mm

Height: 181.0mm

Weight: 128g

Pages: 224

Collections

Dystopian Fiction Fiction General Fiction John Wyndham Literary Fiction Penguin Books Sci-Fi & Fantasy Science Fiction Series: Penguin Essentials

About the Author

John Wyndham Parkes Lucas Benyon Harris was born in 1903, the son of a barrister. He tried a number of careers including farming, law, commercial art and advertising, and started writing short stories, intended for sale, in 1925. From 1930 to 1939 he wrote short stories of various kinds under different names, almost exclusively for American publications, while also writing detective novels. During the war he was in the Civil Service and then the Army. In 1946 he went back to writing stories for publication in the USA and decided to try a modified form of science fiction, a form he called 'logical fantasy'. As John Wyndham he wrote The Day of the Triffids, The Kraken Wakes, The Chrysalids, The Midwich Cuckoos (filmed as Village of the Damned), The Seeds of Time, Trouble with Lichen, The Outward Urge, Consider Her Ways and Others, Web and Chocky. John Wyndham died in March 1969.

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