Tag: John Wyndham

The Kraken Wakes

by Derelict Space Sheep on June 30, 2024 in 42 Word Retrospectives • 0 Comments

The Kraken Wakes

by John Wyndham (Michael Joseph, 1953)

audiobook read by John Sackville (Audible, 2022)

A literary apocalyptic novel more Wells than Lovecraft (and superior to both). Wyndham’s narrative carries the ring of truth—through myriad details and logistics but also in its portrayal of humanity’s collective flaws. Phyllis Watson plays second fiddle yet outshines her husband.

Chocky (1984)

by Derelict Space Sheep on March 2, 2016 in 42 Word Retrospectives • 0 Comments

Chocky

by John Wyndham, adapted by Anthony Read (Thames Television, 1984)

A patchy adaptation, quintessentially early 1980s, featuring well-pitched performances by James Hazeldine and child actor Andrew Ellams but terribly written female parts. The intrigue of a young boy’s mind-to-mind alien encounter is built and sustained across six episodes without ever really peaking.