The Chrysalids

I was surprised at how interested I became as I read this. A very believable world, with believable characters. I enjoyed it. ( )

This is Wyndham's third sci-fi novel from the 1950s, and it's a considerable step up from the earlier two books. All three share a dystopian view of the future, but this one excels in the story telling. The other two were unpolished and lacking some spark - like watching a black-and-white movie, while this one is compelling reading.
The scenario and plot are simple, but the writing grips the reader - the characters develop through the book, and I found myself willing them along as the book progressed. ( )

1000 years after a nuclear apocalypse, some children have psychic powers.

3/4 (Good).

It's short and engaging, set in an interesting world. It doesn't have much in the way of surprises beyond the early world-building - especially the ending, which very much just wraps everything up because it's time for the book to be over.

(Jan. 2022) ( )

Wyndham is a wonderful story teller, and this is another of his gifts to us. Humanity is getting a bit much these days. The idea that change is the only constant does make sense, as does the idea that to survive we must evolve. Given that this was written almost 70 years ago, it feels very modern, so little have we progressed. A pity. ( )

This post-apocalyptic novel has really good pacing, telling a nightmarish story in a lighter way than I would have thought possible. Also, as a Canadian, I was tickled pink that the story took place in Labrador. Was definitely trying to guess how the places they talked about mapped onto present-day place names.

This book was a possible choice for students in Grade 9 where I went to high school, and I can see this being a good book for that age group to study. ( )