Hugo & Nebula Awards: Best Novels discussion

Back in January, Z and I discussed reading The Midwich Cuckoos by John Wyndham as a Buddy Read. We plan to start March 15, if anyone cares to join in. It's a short book, should be a quick read if you think you can squeeze it in.

Not sure, but maybe I can join. I loved the movie. Not called that, and I was a kid, so not sure if it holds up. I will try to find the name.

The movie was called Village of the Damned, released in 1960. It was remade in 1995.

I've started it and I enjoy it very much - it has this oldie feel and it sets an interesting what if - a lot of the 50s-60s SF did it, but recently it is fell out of favor, replaced with more personal psychology of a narrator/hero instead of effect of a large or small society. Say recently we read Five Minds, but we don't see a larger society, only characters needed for MC to interact with. It is not good or bad, it is just different, and for me, who grew up on older stuff, it is often more interesting

I agree, I’m enjoying it too. It definitely has that 50’s sci-fi feel to it. Waiting to see if it’s as good as Day of the Triffids.

It is also very cinematic, I can definitely see why it was adopted for the movie. I've finished it and currently thinking over, how different the story would be if it were written in 2022, not 1957 - definitely less talk about women's hysterics, but also the authorities less able to hide away what's going on, more non-invasive tests, less smoking :)

My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Just finished it & I agree with Acorn in his review. Not having seen the movies, I get the cinematic potential of the story. A good director could make the Children VERY creepy! There's a good bit of philosophy to wade through, but it provides a good setup. I think it's a step below The Day of the Triffids but still a very solid 50's-style read.

As a side note - I liked this novel, as well as Triffids, which I've read ages ago - I want to read more so if anyone want to join - please notify me

I'd read more John Wyndham. We can turn it into a single author challenge if you like. I'm particularly interested in The Kraken Wakes, The Seeds of Time and The Chrysalids but will read whatever I can track down.

Allan wrote: "I'd read more John Wyndham. We can turn it into a single author challenge if you like. I'm particularly interested in The Kraken Wakes, The Seeds of Time an..."

All three are available for me as audiobooks, I'll gladly read any or go with Triffids

Sounds like you want to read Triffids & I'm good with re-reading it. It's been a long time & I think I kept my paper copy. Let's start with that, then Kraken, which really sounds interesting to me.

Sounds great, Allan. Let's plan Triffids for mid-April preliminary

Agreed!

@Acorn: I'm just about where I can take up The Day of the Triffids if you're able to pick up with our John Wyndham buddy reads. Anyone is welcome to join in, it's truly a classic, and a good read to boot!

Yes, I'll be able to join. What about the preferring starting date? In late April (like 25th) or in mid-May (to go over monthly reads first)?

I’m flexible - I’ll follow you, under the circumstances. I can do April 25 or defer to May. I have plenty to read!

Allan wrote: "I’m flexible - I’ll follow you, under the circumstances. I can do April 25 or defer to May. I have plenty to read!"

Apr 25th sounds about right for me - right now I have The Tiger and the Wolf on audio, which I plan to finish on Apr 21st and then 4 days for Leviathan Falls, already borrowed, so 25th is about right

Today I found an article about the newest release of Midwich Cuckoos. The article quotes the entire preface by Kelly Link.

This preface contains many spoilers, so you might not want to read it if you haven't read the book.

One interesting note, Wyndham preferred to call his stories "logical fantasy" rather than "science fiction".

https://gizmodo.com/midwich-cuckoos-r...

Ed wrote: "Today I found an article about the newest release of Midwich Cuckoos. The article quotes the entire preface by Kelly Link."

Interesting, thanks.

April 25 it is! That will be good timing, as I’ll be traveling on the 26th, a good block of reading time.

Nice article, thanks. I’m hoping we can get through The Kraken Wakes & The Chrysalids in the next couple months too.

I've started a new buddy read here https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Done. It was ok. Too much yak yak yak

Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...