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Loading... The Midwich Cuckoos (1957)by John Wyndham
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I read a few Wyndham books when I was a teenager and "Triffids" remains one of my favourite books. I almost certainly read this one then too but had forgotten most of it although like most people I know the general outline. I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook. It doesn't touch "Triffids" but it's still a great book. Some bits made me wince - as very reflective of 1950s attitudes but a reader just has to accept that. But it also had hints of more modern attitudes as well. Hints of a gay relationship, women who don't accept that they have to give up their careers for the children. I have been tempted to reread some Wyndham books & this has made it more likely. A great book, and the basis for two of my favorite movies. Unfortunately, this edition was marred by numerous typos, but they didn’t distract from the story. (I have 2 different copies of this book as I am unable to resist buying more John Wyndham editions whenever i come across them) I re-read this in June 2022 after starting to watch the new TV series while I was stuck home with Covid. I realised I couldn't remember much detail of the book as it had been ages since I had read it. This started a mini Wyndham phase. Shortly after there was a Backlisted episode covering it too, so it certainly felt like something was in the air about Cuckoos. It's a really great book, as ever with John Wyndham he sets up a weird situation and then examines how people react to it. There is interesting gender politics and proto-feminism here, oblique mentions of abortion and a lesbian relationship, both of which were illegal when it was written I think. The cuckoos are creepy and unsettling and the ending is blunt. (I have 2 different copies of this book as I am unable to resist buying more John Wyndham editions whenever i come across them) I re-read this in June 2022 after starting to watch the new TV series while I was stuck home with Covid. I realised I couldn't remember much detail of the book as it had been ages since I had read it. This started a mini Wyndham phase. Shortly after there was a Backlisted episode covering it too, so it certainly felt like something was in the air about Cuckoos. It's a really great book, as ever with John Wyndham he sets up a weird situation and then examines how people react to it. There is interesting gender politics and proto-feminism here, oblique mentions of abortion and a lesbian relationship, both of which were illegal when it was written I think. The cuckoos are creepy and unsettling and the ending is blunt. no reviews | add a review
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In the sleepy English village of Midwich, a mysterious silver object appears and all the inhabitants fall unconscious. A day later the object is gone and everyone awakens unharmed - except that all the women in the village are discovered to be pregnant. The resultant children of Midwich do not belong to their parents: all are blonde, all are golden eyed. They grow up too fast and their minds exhibit frightening abilities that give them control over others and brings them into conflict with the villagers just as a chilling realisation dawns on the world outside . . . The Midwich Cuckoos is the classic tale of aliens in our midst, exploring how we respond when confronted by those who are innately superior to us in every conceivable way. No library descriptions found. |
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