John Wyndham Criticism
John Wyndham, an influential English science fiction writer, is celebrated for his ability to weave narratives around human resilience in the face of catastrophe. Born John Wyndham Parkes Lucas Beynon Harris, he often wrote under various permutations of his name. His seminal work, The Day of the Triffids, is a cornerstone of science fiction, renowned for its compelling depiction of post-apocalyptic survival against malevolent plant life. As noted by Villiers Gerson, the novel exemplifies British science fiction's stark realism, while H. H. Holmes highlights its portrayal of societal regression into primitivism. Wyndham's inventive yet plausible narratives, as lauded in the Times Literary Supplement, often feature vivid dystopian landscapes and moral quandaries, seen in works like The Midwich Cuckoos and Chocky. His storytelling, marked by a blend of H.G. Wellsian influence and original tension noted by Sam Moskowitz, remains significant in its exploration of human nature and societal challenges in extraordinary circumstances.
Contents
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Spacemen's Realm
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In the following essay, Villiers Gerson argues that John Wyndham's "The Day of the Triffids" exemplifies British science fiction's ability to convey a stark reality, highlighting the novel's engrossing narrative of human survival against hostile plant life in a post-apocalyptic setting.
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H. H. Holmes
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In the following essay, H. H. Holmes contends that John Wyndham's "The Day of the Triffids" uniquely combines the horror of malevolent plants with a compelling portrayal of a civilized society regressing into primitivism, marked by its detailed realism and engaging narrative style.
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Nightmares and Realities
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The critic evaluates John Wyndham's The Day of the Triffids, acknowledging its inventive yet improbable premises and London-centric perspective, while praising its excellent language and vivid depiction of a dystopian London.
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Interplanetary Frolics
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The critic characterizes John Wyndham's The Midwich Cuckoos as an ingenious yet mild and humorous science fiction story set in an English village, although it is less forceful compared to his previous works despite its engaging plot about alien interventions.
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John Wyndham
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In the following essay, Sam Moskowitz argues that John Wyndham's success in science fiction stems from his ability to blend H. G. Wells's influence with original and unsettling narratives, such as in "The Day of the Triffids" and "The Midwich Cuckoos," and that his films' adaptations amplified the scientific terror inherent in his writing.
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Wide Open Spaces
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In the following essay, Michael Joseph critiques Wyndham's inability to construct effective climaxes in his storytelling, noting that while Chocky is skillful, he anticipates Wyndham's rumored future work on more thrilling subjects like malevolent spiders.
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Reader's Report: 'Trouble with Lichen'
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In the following essay, Martin Levin explores the thematic complexities and characteristic ironies in John Wyndham's "Trouble with Lichen," focusing on the divergent reactions of its protagonists to a longevity drug and the societal implications of its discovery.
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Best Sellers
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In the following essay, the critic offers a satirical commentary on human nature through John Wyndham’s "Re-Birth," highlighting mankind’s enduring prejudices and ignorance post-catastrophe, while also suggesting a hopeful vision amid societal remnants.
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Well-Developed Visions
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In the following essay, Diana Reed argues that John Wyndham's science fiction is distinguished by its ability to confront readers with moral dilemmas and unsettling scenarios, though earlier works like Stowaway to Mars and The Secret People lack the same impact, offering instead glimpses of themes more fully explored in his later novels.
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Cricket Anyone
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In the following essay, David Williams argues that John Wyndham's science fiction stands out for its earthly settings and plausible scenarios, exemplified by the novel Web, where an expedition encounters a menacing proliferation of spiders on a South Pacific island, highlighting Wyndham's talent for creating gripping and eerie narratives.