ipb1's review against another edition
4.0
I loved Wyndham's novels and stories as a teen, and re-reading this decades later I enjoyed this just as much again. Oh sure it isn't of the highest literary order, but if you read him as a slightly chronologically belated 'Golden Age SF' writer you can suspend disbelief, go with the flow, and just enjoy.
liv_reads_pp's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
cdhotwing's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
at806's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Religious bigotry, Violence, Xenophobia, Genocide, Body shaming, Child death, Death, Hate crime, and Gun violence
Moderate: Torture
miaaa_lenaaa's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Honestly had a great time, want a sequel though
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Ableism, Death, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, and Religious bigotry
djcobrand's review against another edition
3.0
This book was okay. I vaguely remember reading it in high school and having some fond memories reading it so wanted to read it again. One thing I DONT remember is the crap tonne of grammatical mistakes through! Or maybe that was just the edition I read.
bunnieslikediamonds's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent dystopian, post-apocalyptic novel written in crystalline prose. Young David is beginning to question the fundamentalist society he lives in, where "normalcy" is the only valid state of being, and where any deviations from God's image are purged, whether a malformed potato or a child with an extra toe. David himself is secretly a telepath and hence a "blasphemy". His innate decency and struggle with his pious upbringing is skilfully depicted, and there is something very genuine and touching about this 50s sci-fi tale that's rare these days.
Had I read this as a pre-teen obsessed with being normal, I imagine it would have made a deep impression on me. At twelve I was already convinced I had to be some kind of mutant. The book would probably have given me nightmares and made me compulsively count my fingers and toes. At the very least, I would have experimented with telepathy. Luckily, now that I'm all grown up, I was able to enjoy reading this with only the slightest shudder.
I also like the cover of this Penguin edition, though the green mantis-like monster has nothing to do with the plot. Would have been pretty awesome if it did.
Had I read this as a pre-teen obsessed with being normal, I imagine it would have made a deep impression on me. At twelve I was already convinced I had to be some kind of mutant. The book would probably have given me nightmares and made me compulsively count my fingers and toes. At the very least, I would have experimented with telepathy. Luckily, now that I'm all grown up, I was able to enjoy reading this with only the slightest shudder.
I also like the cover of this Penguin edition, though the green mantis-like monster has nothing to do with the plot. Would have been pretty awesome if it did.
amelo109's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
princessvee's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75