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The Midwich Cuckoos
- Narrated by: Stephen Fry
- Length: 8 hrs and 11 mins
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Publisher's Summary
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'.
What listeners say about The Midwich Cuckoos
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- Shannon
- 12-11-2022
If you liked children before, you won't after this
A cozy arm chair sci-fi that slowly and steadily notches up the anxiety as it goes along. Such a great story, Wyndham's best in my opinion, and although I had misgivings at first because of his comedic performances, Stephen Fry does an excellent job in this drama/soft thriller. I think this story would appeal to everyone regardless of your usual genre preferences, it just has a way of getting its hooks into you and keeping you listening.
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- Emma
- 31-01-2022
Classic Science Fiction
Excellent narration obviously! Stephen Fry’s voice is the perfect choice for John Wyndham’s words. Exactly the right amount of creepy for this chilling tale.
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- Anonymous User
- 21-03-2022
Philosophical debates still relevant
John Wyndham's writing and characterisation sounds even more of its time than it did when I first read Midwich Cuckoos in my mid-20s. But then, I am now 60.
However, I found his trademark philosophical debates still relevant. And I loved Stephen Fry's narration, as always!
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- Dee L
- 12-12-2021
Brilliant
I can’t express how much I’ve enjoyed this. Stephen Fry is the most masterful of storytellers and with such a classic tale, it was perfect. Thank you! Looking for more Wyndham works now.
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- Marg the reader.
- 26-01-2022
surprisingly good
I remember the story from many years ago. I'm glad I decided to listen to Stephen Fry's narration. He made it feel like it was the first time experienced.
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- Amazon Kindle Customer
- 21-01-2024
great story. reader not quite right
Even nowadays, a great story and very well worth listening to. Stephen Fry does a good job reading but his voice is not quite right for this kind of material. a bit too much Edith Evans at times from him, makes the author sound dismissive. his particular tone and unique vocal colour just doesn't lend itself to the subject matter and especially given some of the subtler gender politics within the narrative, his voice unintentionally sounds patronising at times, to my ear. probably says more about my own expectations for Wyndham's voice, i still feel he is miscast in the role of narrator. he nevertheless does a good job overall and he is always worth listening to. give it a try!
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- kirrililly
- 18-12-2021
Fabulous!
I really enjoyed this, it kept my interest even through parts where I was guessing what would happen. The storytelling is wonderfully crafted right up to the very last line. Stephen Fry's narration delivers the tale in the manner in is worthy of. I can see how it's a classic of the genre, glad I found it.
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- Anne
- 15-01-2022
Great twist
Well read kept me in suspense the whole time with a wonderful twist at the end great book will read again
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- Sheryelle
- 03-02-2022
Logical Fantasy
Logical Fantasy is a great description, it’s not really Science Fiction but it is Sociology, Psychology, Theology, Political Science and Philosophy. Darn good read and as always, a wonderful narration by Stephen Fry
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- EmTeeEm
- 24-04-2022
The Midwich Cuckoos
I read all the reviews before listening to this book which enabled me to take into consideration the more formal style of writing and prose from that time in history. I enjoyed this book. I’d never came across it before until it popped up in the ‘included’ catalogue and I randomly decided to give it a go. It seems like a classic book? I would have never bought this book ordinarily and that’s something I love about audible; the chance of coming across different books and genres. I didn’t feel the horror of the book but certainly enjoyed the presenting of the moral ethical dilemma and the ‘what if’, if it were to really happen.
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