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The Midwich Cuckoos

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The Midwich Cuckoos

Written by: John Wyndham
Narrated by: Stephen Fry
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About this listen

In the sleepy English village of Midwich, a mysterious silver object appears and all the inhabitants fall unconscious. A day later the object is gone and everyone awakens unharmed - except that all the women in the village are discovered to be pregnant.

The resultant children of Midwich do not belong to their parents: all are blonde, all are golden eyed. They grow up too fast, and their minds exhibit frightening abilities that give them control over others and brings them into conflict with the villagers just as a chilling realisation dawns on the world outside....

The Midwich Cuckoos is the classic tale of aliens in our midst, exploring how we respond when confronted by those who are innately superior to us in every conceivable way.

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'.

©2008 John Wyndham (P)2021 Audible, Ltd
Fiction First Contact Science Fiction Village
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What listeners say about The Midwich Cuckoos

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Still fascinating

I have read this book as a child. With Roe VS. Wade being overturned, elements of the horror are very, very real and terrifying. The book is a product of it's time, but still very relevant m

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Timelessness

The back half is definitely better than the front but the message in this is all the more relevant.

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Disturbing and dated

This story was disturbing but interesting. I found the casual sexism and racism that were accepted at the time it was written to be uncomfortable to listen to even though the main characters were probably actually less offensive than many of that era.

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midwich

The story is very well presented and interesting. I thought the ending was odd, as it leaves you wondering.

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Wonderful Stephen Fry Narration

Listening to Stephen Fry narrate this classic British Sci-fi was sublime. Novel was intriguing, one of unknowingly raising aliens from birth in a small sleepy English town.

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Amazingly good book

The narrator knocked it outta the park! He didn’t have to work hard though because this classic is such a great story anyway. Stephen brings that wonderful British accent to the characters where he brings the story to life.

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Incredible "alien invasion" book from 1950's

Incredible story, captures your interest from the very first chapter. There's a bit of 'essay on morality and ethics in regards to race and superior alien lifeforms' in the middle of the book that gets away from the story, but in the end, specifically the ending, it's absolutely a 5-star book. The narration was excellent.

I never hear of the author before the last couple months, having discovered "The Chrysalids" on audiobooks for free, and then this book as well. Both great. Classic sci-fi written in the 1950's but you'd love to see a remake / retake in today's society.

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An Epoxy of Science Fiction and Narrative Genius

John Wyndham stands abreast of HG Wells in his writing... and Stephen Fry, a true Renaissance man, made it all the more a treat to listen to! This recording woke up my love for literature.

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Extraordinary, still

What a great story, and how very ‘modern’ the philosophical reflections and conversations, especially concerning women’s role in procreation. Great narration by the incomparably Mr Fry, of course.

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Good read

Wonderfully told. Riveting story. Interesting ideas. Great characterization. Makes you think. Fun to sit and ponder.

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