The Midwich Cuckoos - John Wyndham

I'm fascinated by John Wyndham's books and when I heard an advert for this one (It's going to be on Radio4Extra soon) I thought I'd read it first so as the audio version doesn't spoil it for me. They're often abridged which can be irritating.
Anyhow, I searched out an online pdf version of this book, which would have cost 70p if you'd bought the physical copy when it was released.
To be honest I'm contemplating searching out a full set of his books to own in physical as they're all so intriguing.

The story is about a mysterious event that leaves almost every woman of child bearing age, in Midwich, pregnant. The story then focuses on the oddities of the children born.
I'm aware that it has been made into a film called the Village of the Damned (or something similar, I'm not online while I'm writing this) and although I haven't yet seen it, the book makes me curious to view it soon.

My opinion of it is positive, I adore the strange world and even that is created yet once again it feels like Wyndham knows a lot more about the events than the narrator can tell you so you never get all the details because they're coming to you second hand.
It sure is strange and the language used is a little out of touch with contemporary life and yet fully understandable. This book could have been set in 2000 and it wouldn't have been much different!

Very much worth reading if you don't mind feeling a little unsettled.

4/5

Audio Books

I've always been unsure whether they count on this blog but I've heard SO many I have to write about them.

I'm addicted to Radio 4 Extra.

I heard 3 Peter Davidson Doctor Who Stories which were awesome.

I've now heard 14 Sherlock Holmes stories.

John Wyndham's Chocky, The Chrysalids, and The Trouble with Lichen were all great too.

Tulip Fever by Deborah Moggach too.

They're all the ones I remember specifically but there have been more!

Ghost World - Daniel Clowes

I saw the film of this graphic novel/comic book story in lower sixth and adored it for it's oddness but wonderful characterisation, dry humour, cinematography, casting, and many other attributes. I've watched it at least 5 times if not a few more. It's great even if it is odd.

It was strange then to read the book. I bought it for myself for Christmas but only got around to it last night!
I really loved the images, it's really rather wonderful.
The elements of the book that are in the film transfer very well but I have to admit I found it a little bit lacking.
If I'd only read the comic I'm sure I'd adore it yet because I know the complexities of the film I just was upset that Seymour doesn't even properly exist in the comic. The Bob character looks a little like Steve Buscemi but he had few of the traits of Seymour.

I'm sure to read it again but I'm more likely to return to the film with the art class and the record collection and Scarlet Johansson.

4/5

Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King - J. R. R. Tolkien

Well, this was a tedious read.
I'm sorry to the book fans but I am not fond of these books.
I will gladly watch the films over and over but the book drags along and also sends me to sleep.

I had a marathon reading session on Sunday and pushed through this book but I won't be reading it again.

3/5

Uglies - Scott Westerfeld

The first in the series.

It was great, it was strange reading it as if it was a prequel but it clarified some relationships and gave me much more information about the world it's set in.

I'm very much looking forward to reading the last 2 books!

4/5