Book: The Chrysalids (pub: 1955) Author: John Wyndham Reviewed by: Fatima Niazi The Chrysalids, published in 1955, established Wyndham as an important writer of science fiction. Wondering why I am recommending an old classic against something more current? This is because The Chyrsalids is anything but dull, and has an interesting storyline.
Book: The Chrysalids (pub: 1955)
Author: John Wyndham
Reviewed by: Fatima Niazi
The Chrysalids, published in 1955, established Wyndham as an important writer of science fiction. Wondering why I am recommending an old classic against something more current? This is because The Chyrsalids is anything but dull, and has an interesting storyline.
To appreciate it fully, it is important to understand the novel’s genre - i.e., dystopian literature. Dystopia is an imaginary society that is undesirable, frightening and in complete chaos. Dystopian literature, on the other hand, is the representation of such a chaotic society that draws attention to real-world issues regarding politics, environment, religion, psychology and science and technology.
The Chrysalids is set at a time in future. A nuclear war has destroyed almost half of the world, but society of Waknuk has survived the nuclear war. However, people have no memory of how the society was run before the war, and they are unaware of the technological advancements of the world before them, such as cars, air conditioners, television and planes, etc. There’s only a dim memory of that period and it’s referred to as Tribulation - a time during which mankind had to pay for its sins. The war happened a long time ago, but the radiation has contaminated the living world. Whenever any evidence of contamination is found within Waknuk, the inhabitants immediately eliminate it.
Yes, Waknuk is a cruel society where no creature on earth could afford to be different. If a newborn has an extra toe, it would result in his death or banishment to an area outside the country. A pig with more hair than normal will be put down, and corn kernels that are not in perfectly formed rows will be burnt down. The society has to be so harsh in its ways because ‘being different’ in their world is like going against the religion.
It is in such a world that David Storm, the main character of the novel is born. As a child, David learns the strict morality of his society: “Watch Thou for the Mutant,” “The Norm is the Will of God,” and “The Devil is the Father of Deviation.” This all meant that any living thing - plant, animal, or man - has to be crushed, as soon as it is discovered to be deviant.
For David, things are more difficult as he belongs to a pious family, and his father is considered as a leader of those in pursuit of deviations. David’s life is a pure example of how the children belonging to conservative religious families lead their lives in Pakistan. David isn’t allowed to question the scriptures everyone follows, or to think for himself. He just had to blindly follow.
Things get worse for David when he grows older. He realizes that he has the ability to communicate telepathically with others having the same power. This ability marks David as a blasphemer. Luckily for him and his group of friends, their difference doesn’t get obvious. The gift they have allows the friends to mentally communicate with each other even though they live far away. The experience of possessing such a power is like living in someone else’s head. They know exactly what the other person is thinking. There are no boundaries or fear of having their words misunderstood. The group could “think together” and hang out without being physically present.
“This is a super power”, you must be thinking. But in the case of David and his friends, this power is a crime. Hence, they spend most of their lives in fear, trying hard to conceal their ‘deformity’. However, things change for them when Petra, David’s sister, is born. She is an infant, yet she has so much power that the friends fear they would be caught soon. What do you think happens to the group of telepathic friends? Well, to find the answer you have to read the book.
The Chrysalids is undoubtedly one of the best dystopian literature novels of all time. It makes one think whether the way we live is right or wrong. Telepathy in the book points towards freedom of thought and speech. The message is clear: if we think together, we can become better. If you want to open your mind and see the world with a different eye, give this book a read.
