Customer Reviews: Read 34 more reviews...
 More Park Year Six review of The Chrysalids June 30, 2008
More Park Year Six 2008 (Kent Uk)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
We think that Wyndham's book 'The Chrysalids' was an extraordinary book with amazing descriptions. This book would be suitable for people of 11 years and upwards. Some of the ideas are quite challenging, but we read it in class, and were able to have discussions about some of these elements, for example whether the Great Horses were a deviation or not.
The book starts with David's dream of a calm sea, and a shining city with flying fish shaped machines, but this is a world that the people of Waknuk have never seen. The introduction made us think initially that the book might be a little boring, but then we met Sophie. Sophie is a normal, fun loving girl...or is she...
'The Chrysalids' is great because it doesn't give us all of the information straight away, it is packed with elements of surprise, and we enjoyed looking for, and working out the clues as we went along.
We were all a little disappointed with the ending, as there were still a lot of unanswered questions, and we wish that Wyndham had written a sequel, so that it wasn't such an abrupt conclusion.
If you enjoy science fiction and adventure this is the book for you. Even if you don't there are plenty of plot lines, and situations which pose moral dilemas which made us sad and annoyed and is definately worth reading.
 Science fiction at its finest November 17, 2007
Mr. Stuart Bruce (Bristol, UK)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Before I read "The Chrysalids" the title of the book made me expect something very similar to John Wyndham's "The Day Of The Triffids", and that 'chrysalids' would be some form of monster or danger. In fact this story is quite different in many ways.
This novel is post-apocalpyptic but warns of dangers quite different to those hinted at in "..Triffids". The world has experienced a holocaust, details of which are never too closely explained, which is one of the ways in which the novel can remain timely. Surviving tribes have reverted to pre-industrial and extremely religious ways of life, because the Bible was the only book to have survived intact from 'the old times'. So God-fearing are these people that any child, animal or crop that shows any sign of genetic deformity is immediately and brutally killed. The story centres around David, a young man who slowly realises that he has telepathic abilities, and that there are others around him who share these powers.
Like "Triffids", the novel is science fiction at its finest, that manages to say a lot about modern society without prescription or Star Trek-style condascending tones- but with healthy doses of adventure thrown in. In particular "Chrysalids" is very concerned with issues of organised religion, and religious fervour, which are handled excellently.
Disturbing, but compelling November 6, 2007
Jacko (England)
Have you read any John Wyndham yet? Not even Day of the Triffids? o.k. start with this one. A haunting story in which 'disablities' are outlawed, even those which could be considered evolution....sharing thoughts with other for instance.
A brutal society is some ways, so very human in others.
Written in typical Wyndham style, ever so slightly 1950's.
The Chrysalids October 4, 2007
Spider Monkey (UK)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
Wyndham was way ahead of his time writing about genetic mutations before modern genetic engineering, which in hindsight make this book all the more potent and disturbing. This is a great story about the world in the future where genetic mutations are classed as the devils work and are stamped out. It focuses on a group of children with unusual abilities who are only finding out about themselves before they are hunted down by those wishing to eradicate them. It is written in Wyndham's usual gripping style and keeps you turning the pages right until the end. It is a short book by today's standards, but every page is perfectly crafted and keeps you engaged with the characters and storyline. Well worth a read.
Crysalids revisited! September 16, 2007
Ms. Y. Hartlebury (Preston, Lancs UK)
I read this book as a teenager as part of school English Literature exam course. I loved it then and love it still it remains one of my favourates. The amazing thing is that I can relate to the characters still, and it is as relevent today as ever was even more so. It follows a group of youngsters centred around David, the son of a staunch, ultra religious father and un-empathetic mother in a Post Apocolyptical World. Although never confirmed, we can assume it is set long after a Nuclear War which has set rendered the population either as mutants who have been effected by radiation, and those that "seem" perfect. Perfect in that they have the right amount of toes, fingers and bodily correct.
David and a group of his peers grow up realising that although they are perfect in body they have a gift! Or is it a curse? They can communicate telepathically, and if their elders found out, it would mean banishment and even death. David and the group of young people take flight when they realise Davids young sister Petra has not only the same gift of telepathy but one which is infinately stronger than their own. So to protect her they must go in search of sanctuary far beyond their communities boundaries.
Wyndam as ever not only tells a story with imagination and excellent characters, he hits on issues which are still relevent today, even more so. He captures the essence of the young people struggling to come to terms with their differences and the feeling the elder generation neither cares, nor understands.
Wyndham also deals with how a societies ideals and principals can be taken far too literally and can entrap its people if they refuse to evolve, or lose their humanity and compation and acceptance of differences.
It can be applied to issues of race, religion, political views, sexual orientation, gendre and much more.
I still care about the characters and particularly felt for Sophie, the little girl with extra toes who just wanted a friend and ended up starving and banished to the Fringes.
A truly special book, one which I can read and read again and still find new depth. A lost treasure!
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