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  • The Chrysalids

  • Written by: John Wyndham
  • Narrated by: Noah Reid
  • Length: 6 hrs and 58 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (2,212 ratings)

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The Chrysalids cover art

The Chrysalids

Written by: John Wyndham
Narrated by: Noah Reid
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Publisher's Summary

David Strorm's father doesn't approve of Angus Morton's unusually large horses, calling them blasphemies against nature. Little does he realise that his own son, his niece Rosalind and their friends have their own secret aberration that would label them as mutants. But as David and Rosalind grow older it becomes more difficult to conceal their differences from the village elders. Soon they face a choice: wait for eventual discovery or flee to the terrifying and mutable Badland.... 

About the author: John Wyndham Parkes Lucas Benyon Harris was born in 1903, the son of a barrister. He tried a number of careers, including farming, law, commercial art and advertising, and started writing short stories, intended for sale, in 1925. From 1930 to 1939 he wrote stories of various kinds under different names, almost exclusively for American publications, while also writing detective novels. During the war he was in the Civil Service and then the Army. In 1946 he went back to writing stories for publication in the USA and decided to try a modified form of science fiction, a form he called 'logical fantasy'.

©1955 John Wyndham (P)2021 Audible, Ltd

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What listeners say about The Chrysalids

Average Customer Ratings
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As a Child ...

As a child, my paperback copy of "Chrysalis" was literally in pieces due to my reading and rereading of Wyndham's classic.

That was 50 years ago.

My eyes have faded over the years; my hands can no longer hold a book or turn it's pages.

Your production is wonderful!

Does this ol' cowboy's heart good to know such a high quality copy will **never be worn out.

Thank you.
Dennis Robinson
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

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57 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A classic story with poignant message for today.

I read this story in high school some 45 years ago. The message has a great deal to tell us today and for the future. The audio performance was very well done and I highly recommend this title.

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16 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I wish the book was longer

I cant believe this was published in 1955. it's a timeless look at the human condition. I downloaded it on a whim and finished it within days. I'm now devastated that there isn't a sequel.

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8 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Noah Reid does a terrific job as David Strorm

I'm not generally an audio book fan, but was drawn to this because of Noah Reid's narration. It was well worth it. He gives an excellent performance.

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8 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great Book

One of my favourite stories from my youth. Just listened to it again and really enjoyed it. Highly recommend it to anyone.

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4 people found this helpful

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An Unforgettable Journey.

My my, where to start? I wish I could make thought shapes so I could relate exactly how this book affected me. I was very very late to the party, this is my first John Wyndham and I am floored! The story of these outsiders and the concept what is the right way to be, took me on a journey of self-reflection. I could not put it down. It is masterfully told and the characters will stay with me for a long time.

I am now left only thinking of Uncle Axle, the unsung hero of this masterpiece.

Amazing Amazing story! A new lifetime favourite has emerged.

I had it as an ebook, on audible and hardcopy. Noah Reid gives an unforgettable narration. He has joined Will Patton as my top Audible narrators.

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3 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

loved it!!

I wish that the ending was a bit more clear on the fate of all the characters, but this was really well written and the narrator was fantastic.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Pleasantly surprised

Took a chance on a book i had never heard of.
I started listening at work and when i had stopped listening for a bit i found my mind kept wandering back to the characters.
I couldn’t wait to found out what happened next.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Blast from the past.

Wasn't for quite a while, till I realized, I knew this story. I'd read it 50 years ago, as a little kid. I think my impression was the same also, an excellent story, though i found, and now find, the ending a little anti-climatic. No worries though, thoroughly enjoyed it.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

good book

I am conflicted on how to rate this. The book was enjoyable, the narrator fantastic. So many political monologues, especially towards the end. Ugh fast forward. Being written in 1955 it would have been new. Today with hundreds written with the same story it seems predictable. And yet I liked the approach and mystery of what happened to the people who were deviant. Doesn't society always choose a side they like and hate. Its a common theme I don't see people outgrowing.

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1 person found this helpful