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  • The Chrysalids

  • By: John Wyndham
  • Narrated by: Noah Reid
  • Length: 6 hrs and 58 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (1,282 ratings)
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The Chrysalids

By: John Wyndham
Narrated by: Noah Reid
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Summary

David Strorm's father doesn't approve of Angus Morton's unusually large horses, calling them blasphemies against nature. Little does he realise that his own son, his niece Rosalind and their friends have their own secret aberration that would label them as mutants. But as David and Rosalind grow older it becomes more difficult to conceal their differences from the village elders. Soon they face a choice: wait for eventual discovery or flee to the terrifying and mutable Badland.... 

About the author: John Wyndham Parkes Lucas Benyon Harris was born in 1903, the son of a barrister. He tried a number of careers, including farming, law, commercial art and advertising, and started writing short stories, intended for sale, in 1925. From 1930 to 1939 he wrote stories of various kinds under different names, almost exclusively for American publications, while also writing detective novels. During the war he was in the Civil Service and then the Army. In 1946 he went back to writing stories for publication in the USA and decided to try a modified form of science fiction, a form he called 'logical fantasy'.

©1955 John Wyndham (P)2021 Audible, Ltd

What listeners say about The Chrysalids

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Enthralling Tale of Celebrating Difference

Loved listening to The Chryslids. Despite being written in the 50’s this is a timely allegory of a world that is all too familiar. Where differences are feared and reviled by the narrow minded. The humanity in the lead characters burst through as did the fear, anger and hatred of the antagonists. The story is beautifully performed by Noah Reid. His warm and gentle narration nurtures the listener through some very tense and sometimes upsetting content. I was gripped throughout. Thoroughly recommend.

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18 people found this helpful

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Timeless

Although this book was published nearly 70 years ago, it stands up really well and is quite remarkable. It's story is in the far future after an apparent nuclear war and its consequences, possibly John Wyndham was considering the potentials of the cold war that was threatening the world in those post WWII years. Very plausible forward thinking and not beyond our current potential future even now, though by different causes. I discovered this author in high school and his work provoked my love of sci fi; to be able to imagine a future and then communicate that in fantastic detail in book or film form is a wonderful skill. The narrator, Noah Reid, who I haven't heard before, gave a brilliant performance which added to my enjoyment. Very highly recommended. I'm off to listen to another John Wyndham book!

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11 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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I can accept odd pronunciations but …

Who reviewed this performance and allowed the narrator to use the word “pacific” instead of “specific”. Ones an ocean, the other is a definite action. I’m pretty sure that Wyndham would not have made this error in his writing.

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7 people found this helpful

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Had such a long term affect on me.

I last read this book in 1976, I was 16yrs old, along with the rear of my tutor Group. I don't know how they found it although they said it was good. I don't know why but I have thought of it often over the years. I found it accidentally on Audio & till thought it brilliant. I am now 61. The narrative was brilliant also. Thank you.

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6 people found this helpful

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Excellent story, lessons for us all.

I really enjoyed the story, and it’s telling. Noah Reid is a truly gifted narrator. I could see it all in my imagination and even though it upset me at times because of the unfairness in the world and how people treat each other, the underlying feeling of hope drew me along and rewarded me in the end.

I thoroughly recommend this story to older children and adults alike. There are lessons here which made me look at the world as it is now, and realise how far we still have to go. Everyone should listen to this, and think carefully about the way we treat each other, and how much better the world would be if we all cared just a little more and criticised a little less.

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3 people found this helpful

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Another great performance of a John Wyndham book!

I hadn’t read this book of John Wyndham’s and I thoroughly enjoyed this performance! Absolutely brilliantly told!

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1 person found this helpful

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Excellent listen

The narrator really brought the story to life. Created a great sense of suspense.

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Excellent - still relevant today

One of the chilling aspects of much of John Wyndham's books are their timelessness.

This book in particular is a reminder of how close we are to the brink, and that fundamentalists, of any stripe, can seize power at any moment. This is a tale not just of science fiction but an allegory of how those who are outsiders, who are marginalized can be turned into the other, the scapegoat, the infidel.

In itself it is an excellent story, entertaining in its own right, but also a tale of morality and a parable. Highly recommended.

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Very different

A very different type of story that evokes some deep thinking, worth a listen !

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Timeless read

I've read this book many times since Doing my chest English lit and other John Wyndham books

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1 person found this helpful