I've asked to leave because I think the site's got too much arguing and bitching and I've started to...
I've asked to leave because I think the site's got too much arguing and bitching and I've started to get dragged in and don't want to. I joined for fun and to practice my writing and life's too short for the stress. I wish you all happiness. Mel x
Member since:04.02.2004
Reviews:17
Members who trust:2
I first read "The Chrysalids" at school as an eleven year old and did not gain very much from it. But as a John Wyndham fan I felt it only right to give it a second chance twelve years later and without people throwing things around the classroom while I was trying to read. I was not disappointed. It was only as an adult with more knowledge of the world that I could fully appreciate the background and atmosphere in the book.
The story is basically a child's view of a strange, restrictive world with punishing laws determining the difference between 'Norms' and 'Mutants'. The main character - David - grows up through the course of the book and we learn more about his family history and relationships.
David has the power of telepathy and struggles to simultaneously hide and accept his gift when the messages he gets from his law-abiding, landowner father and submissive mother are that any kind of difference is punisable by death. He shares his gift with his sister Petra, cousin Rosalind and seven other children. We are shown how each deals with his or her secret skill and the consequences of their actions.
Although we see glimpses of the truth it is only when David and his friends are forced to escape from the oppressive forces that we really see what has happened and why their society has become so secretive and harsh.
In the ending all becomes clear and there is a strong moral message. To say any more would give it away but I should imagine that when this book was published it had a huge impact and relevance that although not as powerful now, still has the ability to impress.
Pictures of The Chrysalids - John Wyndham
book cover #1
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I seem to remember reading this in my teens - the plot certainly sounds familiar. Maybe I should get hold of a copy and try it again from an adult perspective. Sue
Borg 17.02.2004 13:52
Read this for the first time only last year. Great book, a classic.
melee679 17.02.2004 01:05
i remember reading this at school, i'm tempted to have a reread, might dig it out at mum's... cheers... m xx
Feb 16th, 2004
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