From the Bookshelf of Apocalypse Whenever…

The Midwich Cuckoos

John Wyndham

Start date: January 15, 2025

Finish date: February 1, 2025

Discussion: AW BOOK CLUB (spoilers)

Discussion leader: Gertie

Why we're reading this: February 2025 book club selection. Read anytime before February 1st, when the discussion opens.
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[close] February 2025 book club selection. Read anytime before February 1st, when the discussion opens.
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AW BOOK CLUB (spoilers)

* What is a good book for AW discussion? (Nominations pool)
By Gertie · 65 posts · 217 views

last updated Oct 18, 2025 05:31PM

* AW Book Club: what we've read
By Gertie · 16 posts · 1823 views

last updated Dec 10, 2019 09:01AM

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What Members Thought

Jun 27, 2008 Michele rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: sci-fi_general

Who doesn't love a good story about evil children? A classic -- the movie adaptation is also great. ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Jan 16, 2012 Patrick Nichols rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: science-fiction, folio

There isn't much to the story that you won't find in either of the film adaptations, but you have to credit the originality, and creepiness, of Wyndham's tale. The pacing is brisk and compelling and the narrative pared down to its essentials (unlike much of the modern sci-fi I read). The tone does get a bit stodgy at times and in British fashion always feels like a covert argument for down-to-earth rationalism. But its still a fun read after all these years. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

May 29, 2008 Angela rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, re-read

This is typical John Wyndham. A series of bizarre events that slowly unfold and build to a climax narrated by a sensible and even dispassionate observer. There are some truly chilling moments, and you can really picture the eerie Children, but a little too much exposition from Zellaby dampens the overall atmosphere. Also, everybody behaves in such an English way (let's all pull together chums!) and gets on with it; this doesn't seem too believable when you consider what actually takes place. But ...more

Like · see review