55 pages • 1 hour read
John WyndhamThe Chrysalids
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1955A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Chrysalids by John Wyndham, first published in 1955, is a young-adult science fiction novel set in a post-apocalyptic world where society enforces strict genetic purity, exiling anyone with deviations. David Strorm, the protagonist, discovers his telepathic abilities and forms a secret group with other telepaths. As they face increasing danger from their community, they seek refuge and hope for acceptance in a distant, enlightened society. The novel portrays themes of conformity, fear, and the evolution of humanity. The novel includes descriptions of child abuse and death by suicide.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
John Wyndham’s The Chrysalids is often praised for its thought-provoking exploration of themes like intolerance and evolution. Readers appreciate its compelling narrative and strong character development. However, some critique the prose as dated and find the pacing uneven. Despite this, it remains a notable work in sci-fi literature, valued for its enduring moral questions.
Who Should Read The Chrysalids?
A reader who enjoys The Chrysalids by John Wyndham is typically fascinated by post-apocalyptic settings, genetic mutations, and societal issues. This reader is likely to appreciate the tension and moral questions similar to those found in Brave New World by Aldous Huxley and The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood.