The Cold War Sci-Fi Classic: Following a global nuclear war, a telepathic young boy searches for freedom in a fundamentalist society. The Chrysalids, authored by John Wyndham and published as part of NYRB Classics, delves into the aftermath of an apocalyptic event that has left humanity on tenterhooks. In this future where genetic purity is revered and any deviation from the norm is deemed a “blasphemy,” David navigates his strict community’s rules with increasing unease.
Living in a society that enforces rigid norms, David learns to keep his telepathic abilities hidden while grappling with the moral implications of his gift. As he grows, so too do his doubts about the oppressive ways of his world. When his aunt is forced to abandon her child due to perceived genetic imperfections, David begins to question the society that has shaped him.
It is only later that he realizes his own uniqueness and the power it grants him. The narrative takes a thrilling turn as David seeks freedom and discovers a new world beyond the confines of his community’s strictures. One of the most thoughtful post-apocalyptic novels ever written, The Chrysalids remains a timeless exploration of identity, freedom, and the human condition.
“One of the most thoughtful post-apocalypse novels ever written.” —David Mitchell, New York Times–bestselling author of Cloud Atlas
PUBLICATION DETAILS:
- Author: John Wyndham
- Language: English
- Publisher: NYRB Classics
- Dimensions: 5 x 0.5 x 7.97 inches
- ISBN-10: 1590172922
- ISBN-13: 978-1590172926
- Publication Date: November 18, 2008
- Print Length: 224 pages