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betweenbookends's review against another edition
4.25
My introduction to John Wyndham was a few years ago when I read The Day of the Triffids and Chrysalids (Re-birth) in quick succession. Chrysalids I quite liked, Triffids not quite as much but still very much enjoyable in the way that sci-fi from the 1950s is. Not particularly deep or scientific, and perhaps very slightly dated but engaging nonetheless with an interesting central plot.
But it is Wyndham’s last published novel, Chocky that really took me by surprise. Unlike his other more action heavy, grander, end of the world kind of survival sci-fi, Chocky is a really insular, wonderfully observed and profound little book about a young, twelve year old boy called Matthew.
Matthew is far too old to be having imaginary friends, his parents strongly feel when they observe him having an argument with seemingly no-one. However as Matthew’s behaviour become increasingly strange, his questions far deeper and odd for a boy of his age, and his inability to describe what really Chocky is, it quickly emerges that an alien intelligence may be involved.
The story really centres around the family coping with this strange situation and trying to uphold a facade of normalcy. Matthew’s adoptive mother is in complete denial and convinced that it is just a kind of hyperactive imagination, but Matthew’s adoptive father, the narrator of this book gradually realizes that there is truth to Matthew’s claim.
Wyndham uses the voice of this enigmatic advanced alien intelligence to question some of the larger idiosyncrasies of the human race and our lack of scientific efforts in the right direction. I found it witty, expansive, thought provoking, prescient and strangely moving by the end. It’s received surprisingly lesser attention than his earlier work but to me demonstrated a kind of maturity and poignancy that wasn’t as evident in his more popular sci-fi.
But it is Wyndham’s last published novel, Chocky that really took me by surprise. Unlike his other more action heavy, grander, end of the world kind of survival sci-fi, Chocky is a really insular, wonderfully observed and profound little book about a young, twelve year old boy called Matthew.
Matthew is far too old to be having imaginary friends, his parents strongly feel when they observe him having an argument with seemingly no-one. However as Matthew’s behaviour become increasingly strange, his questions far deeper and odd for a boy of his age, and his inability to describe what really Chocky is, it quickly emerges that an alien intelligence may be involved.
The story really centres around the family coping with this strange situation and trying to uphold a facade of normalcy. Matthew’s adoptive mother is in complete denial and convinced that it is just a kind of hyperactive imagination, but Matthew’s adoptive father, the narrator of this book gradually realizes that there is truth to Matthew’s claim.
Wyndham uses the voice of this enigmatic advanced alien intelligence to question some of the larger idiosyncrasies of the human race and our lack of scientific efforts in the right direction. I found it witty, expansive, thought provoking, prescient and strangely moving by the end. It’s received surprisingly lesser attention than his earlier work but to me demonstrated a kind of maturity and poignancy that wasn’t as evident in his more popular sci-fi.
jimbowen0306's review against another edition
4.0
This is actually quite a decent book. It's about an adoptive child who might, or might not, be either schizophrenic, or actually talking to something, or someone who is inhabiting is head. We see the parents freak out when they first think about the issue, and then accept it to a greater or lesser degree, once they've thought about it (and sought medical help that brings about the denouement of the book).
I have a feeling that the book is aimed to mature young teenagers, but it was a good read all the same.
I have a feeling that the book is aimed to mature young teenagers, but it was a good read all the same.
andreastopit's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
deirdre_healy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
stephibabes's review against another edition
4.0
Okay, so the normative gender binary aspect early in this novel sat uncomfortably with me. That said, I think it shows the age of the novel and reflects the societal conditions in which it was written.
By the end I was so charmed and touched by the depiction of a young boy's relationship with, well, Chocky. This novel is shorter than other Wyndham novels and I think it benefitted from the slightly quickened pace.
Again, I am really in impressed by the way that Wyndham not only can depict a 'first contact' scenario, but paints an incredibly convincing picture of simply how badly a society might react to it. This left me feeling much deeper sadness than with The Midwich Cuckoos. I guess that was due to empathy for a young boy being torn from this relationship with another.
I listened to this on an Audible free trial. I won't be keeping Audible as a subsidiary of Amazon who I do not use. Your local public library may well have an amazing array of audiobooks. Support your local library!
By the end I was so charmed and touched by the depiction of a young boy's relationship with, well, Chocky. This novel is shorter than other Wyndham novels and I think it benefitted from the slightly quickened pace.
Again, I am really in impressed by the way that Wyndham not only can depict a 'first contact' scenario, but paints an incredibly convincing picture of simply how badly a society might react to it. This left me feeling much deeper sadness than with The Midwich Cuckoos. I guess that was due to empathy for a young boy being torn from this relationship with another.
I listened to this on an Audible free trial. I won't be keeping Audible as a subsidiary of Amazon who I do not use. Your local public library may well have an amazing array of audiobooks. Support your local library!
angus_mckeogh's review against another edition
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Mystery and science fiction with an extremely prescient message written in the 60s. A kid with a new found imaginary friend. Just a great novel all around.
highlander2006's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0