A review by bunnieslikediamonds
The Chrysalids by John Wyndham
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.