Chocky

By: John Wyndham

Narrated by: Daniel Weyman

Matthew is a normal 11-year-old boy living with his parents and little sister in Surrey. He's too old and sensible to have an imaginary friend really. Yet when Matthew's parents keep finding him talking and arguing with a strange presence whom Matthew calls Chocky, that's what they believe it must be…at first. But Chocky is oddly sinister, and keeps asking Matthew all sorts of complicated questions about the world and making him behave in unusual and erratic ways. Then Matthew suddenly does something heroic, well beyond his capabilities; the media become interested and the interest in Matthew widens. His parents refer him to a psychologist. Who is Chocky? And what could he or she want with their son?

©1968 John Wyndham (P)2013 Canongate Books Ltd

very good no-tech novel

I liked this partially due to the fact there is no tech involved. for the most part it is applicable to everyday life in the ?s surrounding the imaginary friend of the boy. well written and not drawn out. it has a story and sticks to it, something modern writers who go on for hundreds of pages before arriving nowhere should learn from. (are you listening Stephen King, Peter Straub? etc.)

Riveting

Highly recommend. Performance is excellent and story is engrossing. Have read several of Wyndhan’s novels and they have all been interesting. You’d never know they were written prior to the 1970s.

Great Suprise

What a great story. Took a risk with buying the book but glad I did. Thought it be more of a book for teenagers but this 68 year old grandpa love it. The reader was top notch. Going to check out more books by author.

Very unusual and unique story

I enjoyed the way the story was told and unfolded and the confusion and thoughtfulness of the parents was very believable.

unexpectedly fun and memorable

Would you listen to Chocky again? Why?

maybe, I hesitate because I don't have enough time for the 'next' book/podcast, etc, not bec of the book. It was superb!

Who was your favorite character and why?

I related best to the dad (though I'm a mom) & connected w/the worrying-mom but not surprisingly, loved best the main child character, Matthew.

What about Daniel Weyman’s performance did you like?

Daily listening on the way home from school was an unexpected treat for ME and my 10 year old too. I felt that the narrator was really excellent. I like to not notice a narrator, but ow I'll look for him.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

no

Any additional comments?

really a great book on so many levels, especially to be enjoyed by the young reader. But the bond that I enjoy w/my son after and during this 'read' is best of all. Its sticks w/you.

very good

I quite enjoyed this from John Wyndham. if you have read any of his others, give his one a try.

Impressed

This book was written in the 60's but reads like it was published yesterday. I loved it. Original, fascinating and hard to put down. Not as action packed as modern sci-fi and I wish it ran longer but I'm not complaining. I'm going to check out a few other titles from the same author.

Fantastic!

Wyndham is quickly becoming my favourite science fiction author. I was actually moved to emotion and longing which is not typical for me as I typically don’t particularly enjoy fiction. A bit like Philip k but with a softer edge.

Imaginative story well told

I have never read this story but enjoyed other outings by John Wyndham, so I thought… why not? I am glad I did.

NARRATOR – The narrator does an excellent job of keeping this story together. His voice differentiation is great so there is no confusion. His accents are appropriate and inflections keep the story moving along without being overly dramatic. Very well done.

STORY – A story that adds a new dimension to the usual nasty imaginary friend dross. I kept on expecting the nastiness that often accompanies these stories but it didn’t happen, thank goodness. The story was well written and had good character development. I even felt a bit sorry for the oh so superior Chocky. It had some interesting ideas in it too.

I would recommend this book unreservedly.

Highly Entertaining!

If you like science fiction just buy the book already. It was great when I read it years ago, and it is now great in the audio-book format too.