From the Bookshelf of What's the Name of That Book???…

The Chrysalids

John Wyndham

Why we're reading this: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...…more
[close] https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Find A Copy At

Group Discussions About This Book

No group discussions for this book yet.

What Members Thought

Oct 18, 2014 El rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 20th-centurylit-late, biddles, society-went-boom, nyrb-editions, science-fictiony

I nominated this book for my real-life book club because I was trying to think of something that would fit a Halloween-sort-of theme, and some description I saw of this book mentioned the Devil, so why not?

Sorry, book club. Not very Halloween-y, eh? And, apparently (at least in Pittsburgh), really difficult to find. I failed you all this month.

It is a post-apocalyptic novel, though, and I'm usually down for that. This particular post-ap novel is also a coming-of-age story, which I have to admit I nominated this book for my real-life book club because I was trying to think of something that would fit a Halloween-sort-of theme, and some description I saw of this book mentioned the Devil, so why not?

Sorry, book club. Not very Halloween-y, eh? And, apparently (at least in Pittsburgh), really difficult to find. I failed you all this month.

It is a post-apocalyptic novel, though, and I'm usually down for that. This particular post-ap novel is also a coming-of-age story, which I have to admit surprised me. That's (again) what I get for going into reading something without knowing a dang thing about it. The coming-of-age-r is David Strorm, the eldest son of a religious nut in Waknuk, more commonly known to us as Labrador. (It's in Canadia.) It's a few thousand years in the future after things went boom, and this whole community is just as zealous and fanatical as David's father. They believe (as many do) that humans are made in God's image, blah blah blah, and this community holds that to the very letter. "Normality" is very important to these folks, and since there was a global nuclear war and there's been a lot of crazy shit floating around, it's not uncommon for someone to be born... not normal. And this community is not going to go for that.

There's a lot of discussion here about what makes one "normal" or "not normal". A few times felt a bit tedious, but I understand the point Wyndham was trying to make. It's an important issue for the community and one they do not take lightly. And, again, they're fanatical and if there's one thing fanatical people do it's be fanatical and not shut up about things.

Everything else is pretty much a spoiler, so you'll just have to read it yourself if you're remotely interested.

It's not my favorite post-ap novel but I feel it's a sci-fi classic and a great contribution to post-apocalyptic writing. It's a quick read (ringing in at just 200 pages) which is good because like a jackass I had to order a copy online because my beloved library system failed me on this one, and then the Internet failed me and I thought I wasn't going to get the book until November 4th. But the Internet also surprised me by arriving this past weekend, and I was able to get through most of it in just a couple of days (and then couldn't finish the last 10 pages until tonight because Life). Way to toy with my emotions, Internet.

The ending does leave a bit to be desired. It was a little... weak? Disappointing? I cannot quite put my finger on it, but I feel slightly dissatisfied in the end which is a shame. I have seen a few reviews where this was make-or-break sort of ending, but I wouldn't be so extreme as to say it ruined the entire experience for me. I was fascinated and interested throughout the story, and that's really what's important to me.

I would also take a moment to reflect on the author's name which, originally, is not just John Wyndham like a regular schmoe. His real name was... (wait for it...) John Wyndham Parkes Lucas Beynon Harris. Guy had more names than Dumbledore.

Someone have a baby and name him Beynon, please and thanks.

Also: The NYRB cover is fucking amazing. LOOK AT THOSE COLORS. ...more

18 likes · Like · see review