John Wyndham

John Wyndham

John Wyndham is a legendary British science fiction, fantasy, and horror author who is often remembered as one of the pioneers of the genre. He was born John Wyndham Parkes Lucas Beynon Harris on July 10th, 1903 in Edgbaston, a suburb of Birmingham, England. His father was a solicitor and his mother was a schoolteacher. After his father’s death, the family moved to Eddleston, Scotland, where Wyndham was raised until the age of 17.

Wyndham studied law, only to later abandon it in favor of his true passion – writing. While his early works struggled to make any meaningful impact, his breakthrough books – The Day of the Triffids, The Kraken Wakes and The Chrysalids – became widely acclaimed and liked by readers around the world.

The Day of the Triffids is believed to be Wyndham’s magnum opus. It tells a story about a post-apocalyptic world where the majority of humanity has been blinded by a meteor shower. The survivors must find a way to survive against a plague of mutant, carnivorous plants. It captures the essence of Wyndham’s writing – using science fiction to ask big questions about the future of humanity, our sustainability and the potential doomed fate of our species.

The Kraken Wakes is a book about an alien invasion. When the seas begin to warm, strange objects appear in the oceans. Soon, citizens of the world have to band together and fight against an unknown enemy. It’s a multi-layered narrative that uses the horror genre to delve into the human psyche.

The Chrysalids is Wyndham’s last major novel and is considered by many to be the author’s most powerful work. It is set in a post-apocalyptic world, where mutated people are persecuted by the ruling class in a bid to preserve their power and to uphold a strict set of ideals. It offers readers a glimpse of a world where society has rejected difference and where one has to fight to survive.

John Wyndham’s writing is still as fresh and compelling today as it was when it was first written. His stories tap into universal issues that still resonate with us today. He was unafraid of exploring the darker corners of our imagination, while also inspiring us to ask difficult questions and to encourage us to think critically. It’s a testament to his work that his books have been adapted into numerous movies and TV shows. If you’re looking for a thrilling and imaginative read, then Wyndham is the author for you.

Author books:

The Chrysalids

The Chrysalids

A post-apocalyptic novel about a community that endures persecution for possessing extra-human abilities.