Reviews

‘For intelligent life is the only thing that gives meaning to the universe. It is a holy thing, to be fostered and treasured…Without it nothing begins, nothing ends, there can be nothing through all eternity but the mindless babblings of chaos…’

The last, but also allegedly the ‘lightest’ (thematically-speaking) book by Wyndham. It’s not a terrible novel(la), but it just felt a bit dated and dull to me. It reminds me of the film, E.T. – but a little more unnerving, especially the beginning. Probably due to weak characterisation and lacking/poorly done ‘world-building’? I was so ready to let Wyndham scare/scar me with a seemingly ‘horror’ story, but all I got was a tender, harmless pat on my head. A little uncomfortable, but not terribly so. I don’t really have much to say about this novel(la), except that it’s an easy book to read, has a nice cover, and Atwood approves of it. I love the intro/afterword by Atwood (NYRB) and Aldiss (Vintage). Makes me want to expand my carnivorous plant collection, and read Aldiss, not more Wyndham. Chocky is such a terrible choice of name – it makes me curious why Wyndham chosen it, but Atwood thinks it’s inspired by the childlike, ‘English’ way of calling chocolate ‘Chocky’ – and/but that just makes it all seem even worse in every imaginable way.

‘Matthew is not schizophrenic, nor is he a victim of demonic possession, or what might now be called multiple personality disorder. Could it possibly be that Chocky is what Matthew says she is: a being who lives far away, in another universe, but who can join him at will and look through his eyes?’ (Atwood, ‘Afterword’ – NYRB)

‘So all told this is pretty comfortable stuff, except for the narrator’s veiled dislike of women. At one point he admits ‘I don’t understand women. Nobody does. Least of all themselves. I don’t know, and nor do they, for instance, how far this compulsion that most of them have to produce a baby as soon as possible after marriage…’ and so on. I have a suspicion myself that husbands might have something to do with this situation.’ (Aldiss, ‘Introduction’ – Vintage)

mike_brough's review against another edition

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4.0

One of Wyndham's best. A cracking story and a thoughtful, philosophical ending.

thebookofdanny's review against another edition

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4.0

What a damn fine lil book.

palpino's review against another edition

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mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

bronwynmb's review against another edition

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4.0

This was an interesting little book. There are a number of thought provoking ideas in it. I look forward to reading more Wyndham.

ozielbispo's review against another edition

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4.0

Este livrinho maravilhoso conta a história de Matthew, Filho adotado de um casal que estava tendo dificuldades para terem filhos no começo do casamento , que começa a conversar com um amigo invisível chamado Chocky. No começo os pais não se preocuparam muito pois sua outra filha, Polly , quando tinha 5 anos também tivera um amigo invisível , piff, que depois de um certo tempo desapareceu , foi apenas uma fase. Mas com Matthew parecia ser diferente pois já ele tinha 12 anos, e além do mais , parecia que Chocky queria dominar a mente de Matthew com suas ideias, linguagens e opiniões, fazendo com que o garoto fizesse considerações e perguntas estranhas para a sua idade: tipo “ Porque há dois sexos, porque se precisa de 2 pessoas para se fazer uma?”

Diante disso os pais , David e Mary, acharam por bem pedir ajuda a um Psiquiatra, Roy Landis, que opinou que Matthew tinha sido invadido por um espírito ou uma inteligência até então desconhecida.Mary descontente com esse diagnóstico começa a retaliar o Dr Roy Landis, que sugere então um novo Psiquiatra chamado William Thorbe que submeteu Mathew a Sessões de músicas com sons irritadiços e hipnose. E assim se desenvolve o livro nessa luta constante para se descobrir o que Matthew na realidade tem Ele é um garoto amaldiçoado ou abençoado?, o que é Chocky, de onde ela vem, porque escolheu Matthew.?

O livro é muito interessante, às vezes irônico e bastante atual, pois também fala muito sobre o relacionamento familiar que nas horas que os problemas aparecem precisa estar em sintonia, unidos , para poder vencer as lutas .Passei horas agradáveis de leitura. Uma delícia. E se você pensa que o livro parece ser chato e cansativo , vai se surpreender.

mike_word's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional informative reflective

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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