![]() ![]() So, Wyndham’s purpose is clearly much wider than simply trying to produce a mainstream piece of science fiction entertainment. ![]() But, although that set of ideas is certainly lurking there in Wyndham’s novel, the book is in fact a vehicle for the author to try out a range of philosophical ideas about the nature of humanity, how we respond to change and threats and the ability of human beings to come to terms with not being the top of the evolutionary chain. Many people may well be aware of the story through the film and television adaptations given the more lurid title of The Village of the Damned which focus attention on the ‘menace’ or ‘horror’ of extra-terrestrial children using super-powers to threaten humanity. But I think it’s fair to say that within both camps, The Midwich Cuckoo is thought to be one of his most thoughtful and important books. Wyndham’s reputation very much splits opinion amongst science fiction aficionados – there are those who see him a pioneer and other who think his work dated and the science fiction equivalent of cosy crime. ![]() Published in 1957, The Midwich Cuckoos was the fourth science fiction novel to hit the bookshelves under the name of John Wyndham (real name John Wyndham Parkes Lucas Beynon Harris) and follows the blockbuster Day of the Triffids (1951), The Kraken Awakes (1953) and The Crysalids (1955). Posted on The Midwich Cuckoos by John Wyndham ![]()
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