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A review by nathanjhunt
The Midwich Cuckoos by John Wyndham
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
This was my 186th book finished in 2025.
I'm glad I had no idea what this book was about. It took a dark turn which was quite shocking and exciting!
I previously read Day of the Triffids, which was unfortunately sprinkled with a bit of sexism throughout. So I was a bit nervous to see how the author would handle this subject...
Well, needless to say I think I would have enjoyed it a lot more had it been written by a woman. The book was essentially just full of men talking about what they think is best for women. I'm not surprised, seeing as it was written in the 50s, but it's just frustrating.
I feel like one of the most horrifying things was becoming somehow pregnant. And it seems... All the women just kind of accepted it and that's that. I mean, god forbid we talk about alternative options in the 50s. It just seems glossed over. The men will say "you'll be fine", so the women are just fine about it. I don't know, just seem like lazy or unexplored writing.
He also doesn't write particularly likeable women characters which is frustrating - and I've noticed this is a trait throughout all his books that I've read.
Overall, I found it a little too slow burning for me. It was surprisingly dull in places, for the subject. There were also strange uncomfortable sexist sections and some weird archaic anthropology at the end. Very, very dated.
The ending was okay, I wasn't expecting it. But... I don't feel like I really knew the purpose of the cuckoos. That's a shame.
I'm glad I had no idea what this book was about. It took a dark turn which was quite shocking and exciting!
I previously read Day of the Triffids, which was unfortunately sprinkled with a bit of sexism throughout. So I was a bit nervous to see how the author would handle this subject...
Well, needless to say I think I would have enjoyed it a lot more had it been written by a woman. The book was essentially just full of men talking about what they think is best for women. I'm not surprised, seeing as it was written in the 50s, but it's just frustrating.
I feel like one of the most horrifying things was becoming somehow pregnant. And it seems... All the women just kind of accepted it and that's that. I mean, god forbid we talk about alternative options in the 50s. It just seems glossed over. The men will say "you'll be fine", so the women are just fine about it. I don't know, just seem like lazy or unexplored writing.
He also doesn't write particularly likeable women characters which is frustrating - and I've noticed this is a trait throughout all his books that I've read.
Overall, I found it a little too slow burning for me. It was surprisingly dull in places, for the subject. There were also strange uncomfortable sexist sections and some weird archaic anthropology at the end. Very, very dated.
The ending was okay, I wasn't expecting it. But... I don't feel like I really knew the purpose of the cuckoos. That's a shame.