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The Chrysalids

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The Chrysalids

By: John Wyndham
Narrated by: Noah Reid
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About this listen

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
Genetic Engineering Science Fiction Fiction Genetics

What listeners say about The Chrysalids

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FANTASTIC!!!

John Wyhndhams awesome books were years ahead of their time and still give us much to think about .... but what an imagination. I read his books every few years ... i find them that engaging and fascinating. I wish there were more like him these days. Its also good literature... another rarity these days. Brilliant production thank you Audible!! 👏🏻

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A New Way to Enjoy an Old Classic

I’ve loved John Wyndham’s book since discovering sci-fi as a teenager. I am so surprised at how current the themes of the story still are. Would highly recommend it!

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an old classic

really slow pace that takes a long time to get anywhere but to be honest it is all the better for it.

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Rediscovered pleasure.

Having already read and re-read the printed copy of this book many times over the last 60 years, it was a pleasant surprise to discover a new dimension when listening to it being read aloud. This is the second of John Wyndham’s books that I’ve listened to, thanks to their availability on Audible, and I’ll be looking for more.

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Always a great listen

I read all of John Wyndhams books as a teenager and loved them then as much as I do now. The Chrysalids was one of my favourites and this audible version didn't disappoint.
What a fabulous story teller John Wyndham was and how well the narrator told this classic tale. If you love John Wyndham you'll love this one.

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Captivating story

It is all so very believable, all characters have depth and the plot is captivating. Beautiful narration as well

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Excellent narration of a classic

Read this as a teenager and loved it - coming back to it as an adult, with it being read by the brilliant Noah Reid, brought a whole new life to what has always been a fantastic story. Cannot recommend this enough.

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Wow! Fabulous

I’ve just gotta say it…this book is wonderful! I’m a little shocked that a book written in 1955 can feel so fresh and relevant. I’ve read John Wyndhams other books (Day of the Triffids, Midwich Cuckoos, Trouble with Lichen etc) and those ones feel a little dated. But The Chrysalids was a complete surprise. A wonderful story and absolutely beautifully narrated, it’s definitely going on my Favourite Book list. I love everything about it…thanks so much Audible for putting it in the Plus Catalogue.

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I remember this from the BBC radio play

I remember this from the BBC Radio play decades ago. I was struck how much of it had stuck with me all those years. A prophetic writer

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Great story

Well read, classic story, still frightening in its concept.
I really enjoyed it well done.

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