Chrysalids, Triffids, Lichen and the rest...

[Mad Dog and Glory]

From the age of 10 till about 14, I was obsessed with the books of John Wyndham. I used to go into libraries and bookshops just to see how many John Wyndham books they had. If it had all of them, it was a good bookshop. If it had none or only a few, it was a bad bookshop. (I had all of them of course.) It was a very simple litmus test, and it worked for me.

I read them over and over again. I loved The Day Of The Triffids of course. Silence being the signifier that something was wrong was very powerful. Chocky - featuring a boy of about my age - meant a lot to me. The Midwich Cuckoos spooked me out completely, but in a good way. My favourite though was The Chrysalids, about a post-apocalyptic world. I can't remember why I loved it so much. Maybe it was because the others were more famous, and we true John Wyndham fans had far more discernment than the hoards!

The books of short stories also had a big effect on me, especially the title story of The Seeds Of Time, about time travel. A lot of mind-expanding thoughts about going forward in time and meeting your future self. It was the first time I came across the concept, which seems to crop up so much now (from Back To The Future to Blackadder), that if you went back in time and changed one small thing, then the present you come back to will be different.

I never read science fiction now. In fact, in my 20s I made the mistake of trying to re-read John Wyndham yet again, but the prose seemed very clunky, and my twentysomething self was intolerant of badly-written prose. I would be more tolerant now.

Nothing though can ever take away the permanent place that John Wyndham has in my childhood.

[Just RY]

Precisely the reason that although tempted, I will not read Day of the Triffids again. It was one of the first "grown up" books I ever read, certainly my first science fiction novel, and at the time, I loved it. I read it about once or twice a year between the ages of 10 and 16, and I am sure that I would be disappointed if I picked it up again over 20 years later.

If you do read it, and find that you enjoy it, let me know, and perhaps I'll give it a whirl.

[Tess]

I read The Kraken Wakes and The Day of the Triffids only around 3 years ago and still really enjoyed them although it would probably be a different case if I had previously read them in my early teens.
I'm having similar reservations about re-reading John Christopher. I was recently lucky to come across a copy of The Death of Grass, something which I have looked out for ever since I borrowed a copy from my teacher when I was 14. Now that I have found it I am wondering if it will still have the same impact now that I am in my 20s

[winterwren]

I read Midwich Cuckoos just in the last year and enjoyed it. I think the writing holds up well. This was my first book by this author. I would read more.

[Darkstar]

I've read the Day of the Triffids and, I think the Kraken Wakes and the Chrysalids, but I must have been in my teens when I did so, and that was rather a long time ago.

I think with Triffids, I always felt that the sea water dissolving the things was a bit of a cop out, I don't know how I'd feel about it now.

Re John Christopher (Tripods wasn't it?) I haven't dared re-read him either. I suspect they wouldn't stand up terribly well. I re-read a much loved book from my childhood last year and the shine had gone off it. I wish I hadn't read it again.

[Leila]

Have most of Wyndhams novels and have to admit that The Chrysalids was one school text that i absolutely loved. Still have it now, and re-read The Kraken Wakes the other day.

You could try Night of the Triffids by Simon Clark - a sequel to Day of the triffids, I always wanted to know what happened to them and finally got to find out!! :)

[belinda]

Precisely the reason that although tempted, I will not read Day of the Triffids again. It was one of the first "grown up" books I ever read, certainly my first science fiction novel, and at the time, I loved it. I read it about once or twice a year between the ages of 10 and 16, and I am sure that I would be disappointed if I picked it up again over 20 years later.

If you do read it, and find that you enjoy it, let me know, and perhaps I'll give it a whirl.

Lent Day of the Triffids and the Chrysalids to a couple of people in the office who have know gone out and bought copies to give to friends. Obviously Wyndahm can still cut it.

[megustaleer]

here is a link to the BGO Bookgroup discussion on The Chrysalids (http://www.bookgrouponline.com/forum/forumdisplay.html?f=491)

[David]

The Beeb, in yet another heartening return to the sci-fi that for many years was a no-go area for them, has announced a remake of The Day of the Triffids (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7753322.stm).

[Jeremy DEagle]

I think John Wyndham is superb though I only started reading his work about 5 years ago (I'm 29 now).

I love the Kraken Wakes, Triffids but I really didn't enjoy the Trouble with Lychen at all.

You will unfortunately have rose tinted glasses but they are still, in my eyes, extremely good books.

I'm confused by the comment earlier in the thread re 'sea water dissolves them'- I don't remember this being in the Triffids at all... Can someone jog my memory please?

[MarkC]

I'm confused by the comment earlier in the thread re 'sea water dissolves them'- I don't remember this being in the Triffids at all... Can someone jog my memory please?

It wasn't in the book or the BBC dramatisation. It was in the 1960s film version which bore little resemblence to the novel apart from the presence of triffids.

[advotteOccalo]

I'm happy to become here, this is my personal first post, hope we'll gradually become friends!

[Petra]

The only Wyndham book I read as a non-adult was The Chrysalids which was a reading text in my second year of secondary school & I fell in love with it - I still count it within my favourites and have reread it in my twenty's.

I next read The Midwich Cuckoos and was left a little deflated as it didn't live up to my expectations created from reading The Chrysalids. However, after recently reading The Day of The Triffids, my love of John Wyndam has been fully restored and I am now on the hunt in all the local charity shops for more to add to my collection.

[ottilie]

I've enjoyed every Wyndham book I've read, but it's been quite some time.

I've recently been thinking that my eldest (14) would probably enjoy reading some Wyndham, but I can't find any on our shelves.

Petra, did the copy of the Midwich Cuckoos that you read happen to be mine?! It's an old orange penguin copy. If you do have it I'd love it back. If not, any chance we could borrow some of yours? :kiss:
(And what's with the name change? :confused: )

[megustaleer]

(And what's with the name change?
Maybe the old one gave her age away?

I'm confused too. I know of one member who has changed onscreen name for personal reasons, but didn't know it was an option generally available.

[David]

I know of one member who has changed onscreen name for personal reasons, but didn't know it was an option generally available.
If someone wants to change their name they can. There have been several changes over the years - Jen, Opal, Cathy, Calliope, BrumB (before she vanished), Adrian (likewise) are a few that spring to mind. If someone wants to change they only have to ask, but as I noted to Petra, it can be helpful to have a signature for a while at least which indicates the change, thus minimising confusion.

[Petra]

Ottlie - No it is not your copy of Midwich Cuckoos, I have managed to acquire my entire collection from charity shops. I will happily lend you any books you want but if you think your eldest will enjoy them, I will happily purchase her a set for Xmas....?!?

(And what's with the name change? )
The old name was on a whim when I first joined (whilst reading the Twilight books), however, two(ish) years down the line, I didn't want it anymore....And, as per my below post, I picked a name from one of my favourite books

[megustaleer]

If someone wants to change their name they can. There have been several changes over the years - Jen, Opal, Cathy, Calliope, BrumB (before she vanished), Adrian (likewise) are a few that spring to mind. If someone wants to change they only have to ask, but as I noted to Petra, it can be helpful to have a signature for a while at least which indicates the change, thus minimising confusion.

Yes, now you come to mention it there have been quite a few. It does cause confusion, which is presumably why this is part of the guidance we give to members
You can alter any of the fields in your profile, except your username. Once you have registered your username, it becomes yours for life. In extreme circumstances, you may request that the administrator change your username, but he or she will require a very good reason to do so.
I'm surprised that so many members have found themselves in 'extreme circumstances"

[ottilie]

Ottlie - No it is not your copy of Midwich Cuckoos
What a shame. I thought I'd solved a mystery there! ;)

I have managed to acquire my entire collection from charity shops.
You've done well there - I've been scouring local charity shops for them for a while now and not turned up any Wyndham books. Found lots of other interesting things whilst browsing though... :D

I will happily lend you any books you want but if you think your eldest will enjoy them, I will happily purchase her a set for Xmas....?!?
Thanks. Might be best for her to try one or two first, but I reckon she'll enjoy them. Especially if they come from you!

The old name was on a whim when I first joined (whilst reading the Twilight books), however, two(ish) years down the line, I didn't want it anymore....And, as per my below post, I picked a name from one of my favourite books
Fair enough. I guess I'm supposed to know where "Petra" comes from?

[David]

I'm surprised that so many members have found themselves in 'extreme circumstances"
:D

Weeeell, yes, I suppose it does say that (though I didn't write it!). My excuse is most of those I listed were changed when Bill was active so I think he took a pretty liberal reading of those lines too.

[woofwoof]

I suppose it's appropriate that this discussion of name changes is in a discussion of John Wyndham! His full name was John Wyndham Parkes Lucas Beynon Harris. I think in the 1930s he wrote as John Beynon and was not very successful, mainly writing short stories for Sci Fi mags. In 1950 or so he relaunched himself with spectacular success as John Wyndham. He also wrote a book with "Lucas Parkes"! In real life he was a shy, retiring batchelor and lived most of his life in a long term hotel.

[woofwoof]

Fair enough. I guess I'm supposed to know where "Petra" comes from?

Just realised where Petra got her new name - it's the little girl with the phenomenal telepathic powers in The Chrysalids

[Petra]

Correct - Ten Points :D

Just realised where Petra got her new name - it's the little girl with the phenomenal telepathic powers in The Chrysalids

[ottilie]

Just realised where Petra got her new name - it's the little girl with the phenomenal telepathic powers in The Chrysalids

Excellent - thanks woofwoof! It's obviously too long since I read it...